About
Who’s Who
Rebecca Nwankwo is a Global Speaker, Author, and Founder of Mindset Queen, helping ambitious women 40+ redesign their careers and reclaim confidence. A former Senior Customer Experience Manager at Great Portland Estates, she oversaw London’s iconic properties and multi-million-pound portfolios before earning her Global Executive MBA at IESE Business School. Born in the UK and raised in Nigeria, Rebecca combines resilience, operational excellence, and human-centered leadership to guide professionals through transformation. Creator of the RISE. REDEFINE. REIGN. Summit, she mentors, inspires, and empowers women to take bold steps and design their next chapter with clarity and impact.
At the age of 40, many professionals find themselves at a comfortable, if static, plateau. For Rebecca Nwankwo, however, comfort was the very thing that signaled it was time to move. Despite a high-flying career in London’s competitive real estate sector and the responsibilities of raising two daughters, she felt a familiar “itch”—the quiet, persistent realization that there was a larger version of herself waiting to be realized. Rather than ignoring the call, Rebecca chose to dismantle her own status quo. She didn’t just seek a new role; she redesigned her entire professional world, leading her to IESE Business School for a Global Executive MBA and eventually to the founding of Mindset Queen.
The Strength of the Outsider
Rebecca’s journey began with a lesson in self-reliance that most only encounter much later in life. Born in the UK but raised in Nigeria until she was 14, her return to the British school system was marked by the sharp edges of being an outsider. Navigating an all-girls school with a thick accent and no immediate friends, she discovered a profound internal strength. “I learned to enjoy my own company,” she reflects, a realization that birthed a sense of independence that remains a cornerstone of her leadership style today.
Her first job at 15—stacking shelves and walking a “terror” of a dog for a local shop—taught her the fundamental link between effort and agency. Earning £3.50 an hour, she began saving for her own clothes and shoes, discovering early on that the things you earn carry a weight that things given can never match. This ethos of earned success is a message she now passes on to the next generation of professionals: “You are not entitled to just be given anything if you have not earned it. Respect and success are earned, so do your part to earn them.”
Mastering the London Skyline
Before becoming the “Mindset Queen,” Rebecca spent nearly two decades mastering the complexities of London’s high-stakes real estate landscape. As a Senior Customer Experience Manager at Great Portland Estates, she oversaw portfolios exceeding 1 million square feet and managed service charge budgets totaling approximately £70 million. Her tenure was defined by more than just square footage; it was defined by meticulous negotiation and impactful leadership.
From maintaining the iconic Piccadilly lights to leading teams that achieved Net Promoter Scores far exceeding industry standards, Rebecca proved that operational excellence is rooted in human connection. Perhaps her most creative masterstroke occurred during her time as a Building Manager, when she negotiated a £40,000 deal with Universal Studios to use one of her properties as a filming location for Wonder Woman 1984. Not only did she secure a cameo in the film, but she also ensured the profits were directed to the charity Centrepoint. It was a masterclass in commercialization, negotiation, and community impact.
A Catalyst for Transformation
The transition from real estate executive to global speaker and coach was fueled by her experience at IESE Business School. Completing a Global Executive MBA while working full-time and parenting was the crucible that refined her vision. She recognized that many women in their 40s—the group organizations can least afford to lose—were quietly “checking out” due to a dip in confidence or a feeling of being stuck on autopilot.
Rebecca founded Mindset Queen to bridge this gap, offering “no fluff” strategies that facilitate the hard work of reinvention. Her clients often remark on the clinical clarity she provides. As Digital Marketer Leena Siwa noted: “Rebecca created a supportive space while guiding the conversation in a practical way that helped me organize my thoughts, recognize key strengths, and identify meaningful next steps. I left the session feeling more confident, energized, and clear.” This sentiment is echoed by Evelyn Otokito, who describes Rebecca as a “true pro” whose coaching is carefully designed for maximum impact.
Creating the Stage
Today, Rebecca Nwankwo stands as a Global Speaker, Author, and IESE UK & Ireland Delegate. Her philosophy is best encapsulated in her own mantra: “If the door does not open, redesign the building.” When she left her corporate career to pursue speaking and found the initial path obscured by barriers, she didn’t wait for an invitation. She created her own stage, turning her vision for a summit into the RISE. REDEFINE. REIGN. Summit, a platform that empowers women globally.
As she continues to mentor students at the University of Westminster and City St George’s, her legacy is being built on the belief that one conversation, one brave decision, and a refusal to stay “stuck” can change the trajectory of a life forever. She is living proof that the 40s and beyond are not a period of winding down, but the most powerful chapter of a woman’s life.
Editorial Note
Rebecca Nwankwo’s journey reminds us that the most significant leadership role we ever hold is the one we take over our own lives. Her story is a call to action for every professional who feels the “itch” for something more: do not wait for the door to open. Start designing the building you want to live in.
