Carol Ann Whitehead FRSA, CMgr, CCMI -

Strategic Planner, Publishing Advisor, Event Producer, Presenter, Campaigner, Mentor and ‘Queen Maker’

Carol Ann is Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an award winning Managing Director and Co-founder of The Zebra Partnership - a Publishing, Events and Campaigns agency working with consultants and performers on a project by project basis here in the U.K. and overseas engaging with diverse audiences from festivals to royal visits.
After two years as heritage trustee for the historic Portico Library and Newsroom,

Carol Ann was appointed Heritage Operations and Chief of Staff to support the £5 million Heritage Lottery Funded Reunited Project. She continues to be Chair of the Portico Public Programming Committee.

Carol Ann is a Chartered Manager and Companion of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Chair CMI West Midlands and North West Board and Deputy Chair, CMI Womens Board meeting quarterly with Patron HRH the Duchess of Edinburgh.

She is Trustee for 50:50 Parliament also their EDI 2024/25 Campaign Lead for ‘Amplifying Muted Voices’ empowering northern women of colour to become Councillors or MP’s. In November 2024 she won Political Figure of the Year at the Baton Awards for her tireless work empowering women into politics.

A monthly BBC Radio Manchester contributor since 2014, known as a ‘Trender’ discussing current affairs nationally and internationally. Host of ‘The Whitehead Files’ which is an Oprah styled fireside interview in studio, online or on location available across many platforms.

Back in 2018 Carol Ann delivered an ‘Improving Wiki Diversity’ lecture at the United Nations Youth Association in Denmark and mentored them to host their own Wikieditathon event. In 2019 she was honoured with Global Goodwill Ambassador status from the foundation and in 2021 Carol Ann was named Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Champion in the top 100 Social Media Influencers.

Carol Ann was awarded the 2022 ‘Inspiring Women Worldwide’ accolade from the Womens International Network in Geneva.

She has been guest lecturer at the University of Manchester for several years and on the Northern Power Women Power List and Pankhurst Trust Ambassador

In celebration of Black History Month October 2024 Carol Ann was awarded the ‘Citation of Honour, from the GEWE Global Network (Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment).

Carol Ann received the special Constance Award from the Inspiring Women Awards in May 2025 for her dedication to ‘Queen Making’ and a ‘Disruptor for Good’