Friendship and Purpose: Two Lives Converge to Create Positive Change
Lou McKenna-Mayes, a breast cancer patient, discovered that her story and experiences during treatment were far from unique. Delving deeper, she found that most women undergoing a mastectomy faced similar challenges. This realisation inspired the creation of the 'Book of Boobs'. In collaboration with award-winning photographer Toni Ward, Lou and Toni founded TONIBOBANDLOU CIC, a social enterprise dedicated to launching innovative projects like the 'Book of Boobs' and 'Project BeliEVE'. As two friends with a unique blend of skills, Lou and Toni are committed to empowering women and making a lasting impact. Their current projects are just the beginning, laying the foundation for future social impact initiatives across various sectors.
CO - FOUNDERS OF TONIBOBANDLOU CIC
Toni Ward & Lou McKenna- Mayes
a unique blend
As a professional photographer specializing in portrait, architectural, and commercial photography, Toni creates award-winning, elegant, and modern photographs that are rich in purpose, design, and story. A driven perfectionist, with a successful career at both Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, Toni underwent a career pivot, transitioning from the world of finance to the creative field of photography. Her unique blend of financial acumen and artistic vision informs her fresh approach to projects.
Raised across four continents, fluent in multiple languages, Toni values diverse cultures, enhancing her ability to connect with people effortlessly and see things from a multicultural perspective.
innovation & versatility
Lou's passion for challenges, innovation, and learning has taken her to various sectors such as defence, healthcare, education, and technology, where she has worked for global companies such as GSK, 3M, and OceanMind.
With nearly 30 years of experience working for global companies and a passion for lifelong learning, Lou uses her skills, knowledge of human and organisational behaviour and qualifications in neuro-linguistics, procurement and supply chain management, project management and operational excellence, to successfully deliver projects and facilitate change. She is also a patron of the Graham Mckenna-Mayes Scholarship at the University of Manchester, a patient advocate for women with breast cancer, and the founder and director of Innovision Projects Ltd.