Mission-Driven Leadership | Deborah Alsina, Arthritis UK
From Leading Lights by Abi Mellor from MOREVER
January 5, 2026 · 1h 16m · Season 1 · Episode 16
About this episode
Abi Mellor interviews Deborah Alsina MBE about mission-driven leadership and the challenges of leading purpose-led organizations.
In this episode of Leading Lights , Abi Mellor is joined by Deborah Alsina MBE , CEO of Arthritis UK , for a deeply honest conversation about mission-driven leadership and the personal cost of leading purpose-led organisations. Drawing on decades of leadership across the health and charity sector, Deborah reflects on why arthritis remains widely misunderstood, and is often dismissed as part of ageing rather than recognised as a serious, life-limiting condition for millions of people. She shares her own experiences of advocating for others, caring for loved ones with serious illness, and leading organisations through moments of profound change. This conversation goes beyond strategy, exploring why belief in the mission is what sustains leaders through challenge and sacrifice. Deborah also reflects on her husband’s sudden cancer diagnosis, the years of uncertainty that followed, and why choosing work you truly care about matters more than ever. To quote Deborah: “Charities deserve people who give a damn about the mission.” This conversation makes it clear that she is exactly that kind of leader. Arthritis UK is the leading arthritis charity, changing lives through research…
People in this episode
Host: Abi Mellor
Guest: Deborah Alsina MBE
Topics covered
- mission-driven leadership
- health sector
- charity
- personal experiences
- advocacy
- life-limiting conditions
Keywords
- leadership
- arthritis
- charity
- advocacy
- healthcare
- personal cost
- mission
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Arthritis UK
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