The Permissionless Consultant Accelerator and Futurist-in-50-Days recently celebrated the completion of its inaugural BETA cohort, featuring five outstanding professionals who embarked on a transformational journey. An atypical program, the accelerator offers a unique opportunity for those daring to redefine their professional paths. And guess what? The BETA cohort left behind a trail of transformative stories. Amongst them? The story of Athena Peppes, a thought leadership researcher hailing from London, whose unique journey exemplifies the essence of 'permissionless'.
Snapshot
Name: Athena Peppes (She/Her)
Hometown: London, England
Purpose: To help companies elevate their authority and influence through their own thought leadership
Niche: Business Futures
Wild Muse: Owl
Meet Athena, Foresight Practitioner, Innovator, Certified Mom
In the heart of London, Athena Peppes emerges as a standout thought leadership researcher at Accenture. Her journey, a blend of professional achievements and personal evolution, paints a picture of ambition, intellect, and inspiration.
A Career Committed to Mastery
Athena's career trajectory at Accenture is a testament to her versatility and depth of knowledge. Over the past 15 years, she has collaborated with industries ranging from shipping to insurance, semiconductors, and consulting. Her role has consistently focused on mastering one skill: the exploration of emerging trends and their implications for organizations. "The common frame in all my work has been a focus on emerging trends and being a thought partner for senior executives," she shares.
The Calling
Hear Athena’s Full Story in her Interview👆🏻
The decision to branch out and go solo stemmed from Athena's growing desire to establish her own consultancy. After years of contributing to high-level projects and witnessing the transformative power of thought leadership, Athena felt a strong pull towards entrepreneurship. "I reached a point where I wanted to channel my experience and insights into something uniquely mine. I was looking for an entrepreneurial path and seeking a platform that could guide me in translating my skills into a successful independent practice," Athena explains. This ambition led her to the Permissionless Consultant Accelerator and Futurist-in-50-Days track, where she found the tools, coaching, and community to turn her vision into reality.
“This training gave me the kind of structure I needed to find focus and clarity on what I need to do next. I’m inspired by Lindsay’s own journey and I loved the opportunity to be able to learn from her.”
Inspiration from a Young Mind
Athena's purpose is influenced by her four-year-old son, whom she sees as a source of inspiration and a lens through which to view the future. "When I think about what the world will look like when he grows up, it gives me a different perspective," Athena shares. This perspective fuels her passion for exploring future trends and their implications for businesses worldwide.
When she's not corralling an inspiringly energetic four-year-old, Athena is thinking about her vision—to create a sustainable and fulfilling career in thought leadership consulting. Her special sauce lies in her ability to deliver insights that are both innovative and practical—a wise duo embodied only by someone who's spent a career with a big five consulting firm. Now it's time to reveal her skills to the world.
Athena’s Permissionless Journey
Reflecting on her experience in the Permissionless Consultant Accelerator, Athena shares her genuine appreciation for the program's impact on her professional journey. “I really wanted to branch out on my own but wasn't clear in terms of how to start. This training gave me the structure I needed to find focus and clarity on what I need to do next. I was also really inspired by Lindsay’s own journey and loved the opportunity to learn from her.”
See what Athena had to say about the program
Athena's experience in the program has helped her to understand her potential client's needs and tailor her offerings accordingly. “When I started, I was thinking about it more in terms of what my offerings would be but realized it's also really important to understand my buyer and their pain points. It's a very different starting point. I use that kind of problem-solving mindset in my current research, so it was great to be able to apply that to my own consultancy as well.”
For Athena, Permissionless is about being able to carve out your own path and to truly own the process of doing so. She quotes: ““The secret to happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.” For me that really reflects what permissionless is all about.”
“ When I started, I was thinking about it more in terms of what my offerings would be but realized it’s also really important to understand my buyer and their pain points. It’s a very different starting point. I use that kind of problem-solving mindset in my current research, so it was great to be able to apply that to my own consultancy as well.”
Collaborating with Athena
Athena is committed to her clients’ success. “If there is one thing that I want people to know about my brand it's that I am absolutely passionate about taking research in the form of today's signals and translating that into what it might mean for the future of your business or organization.” With a knack for peering into the future and a birth name that translates to “goddess of wisdom”, Athena leads with a quiet courage that is all her own - and that anyone would be lucky to have in their corner.
Curious to Learn More?
Want to follow Athena’s Permissionless journey? Catch her next post on the space economy, neuro-tech, or tales from her four-year-old on LinkedIn.
Eager to carve your own path? Read other stories from our students here [insert link] and learn more about the Permissionless Consultant Accelerator here.
About the author
Lindsay Angelo is the founder of Permissionless Consultant and Futurist-in-50-Days, supporting purpose-preneurs in launching their practices to create impact, freedom, and a life that they love. She's also a practicing and award-winning Strategist, Futurist, MBA and TEDx speaker. She launched her consultancy six years ago with the goal of helping purpose-driven brands drive growth and impact. Since then, she's more than tripled her prior earnings while advising entrepreneurs, think tanks, celebrities, and Fortune 500 companies while creating a nomadic lifestyle rooted in travel, family, and community. Named a Woman to Watch and Global Innovation Leader, Lindsay has delivered over 100+ keynotes and is the creator of a signature blueprint for driving brand growth and impact.
