The Cost of Being the Strong One | Korrine Sky

Most people know Korrine Sky for the headlines. They know the woman who helped mobilise support for thousands of international students during the Ukraine crisis. The woman who became a voice in a moment of global uncertainty. The strategist. The entrepreneur. The CEO. But that's only part of the story. What happens when the woman everyone relies on is the one carrying the heaviest load? In this episode of Her Executive Diary, I sit down with my friend, Korrine Sky, for a conversation that goes far beyond achievements and accolades. Together, we explore the moments that shaped her long before the world knew her name. From arriving in the UK without papers, to building a six-figure business at just 16 years old to help support her family. From walking away from entrepreneurial success to pursue a childhood dream of becoming a doctor. From surviving the outbreak of war in Ukraine to becoming an unexpected leader in a humanitarian crisis. But perhaps the most powerful part of this conversation is not what Korrine accomplished. It's what those experiences cost. We talk about: • Growing up with responsibility far beyond her years • Building businesses out of necessity rather than ambition • The dream of medicine and what it represented • Surviving the Ukraine crisis and advocating for thousands of students • The invisible burden of always being the strong one • Receiving an ADHD diagnosis and finally understanding herself differently • Reinvention, identity and learning that every chapter of your life has a purpose Throughout this conversation, one question kept surfacing: Who checks on the woman who is always checking on everyone else? This episode is for the woman who has spent years carrying responsibilities, holding things together, showing up for others and quietly figuring it out behind the scenes. It's a reminder that your worth is not measured by how much you can carry, and that sometimes the strongest thing you can do is allow yourself to be seen. If this conversation resonates with you, subscribe to Her Executive Diary and join us as we explore the real stories behind ambitious women navigating leadership, career growth, business, purpose and life. Timestamp 00:00 Introduction 04:15 Growing up undocumented 11:30 Building a business at 16 22:10 Walking away from success 31:45 Why medicine still mattered 41:20 The night the war began 58:00 Nobody checked on the strong one 1:08:30 ADHD and self-understanding 1:19:00 Reinvention and Cultural Brand Strategy 1:31:45 Becoming CEO of SMADE Entertainment Connect with Korrine Sky: Instagram: www.instagram.com/korrinesky LinkedIn:   / korrine-sky-740382149   Website: www.korrinesky.co.uk Connect with Ruth Kudzai: Instagram: www.instagram.com/ruthkudzai LinkedIn:   / ruthkudzai   Website: www.ruthkudzai.co.uk Her Executive Diary -   / herexecutivediary   Exec Branch -   / the_execbranch   //   / the-exec-branch   Join EB Membership - https://www.execbranch.com/members #HerExecutiveDiary #KorrineSky #RuthKudzai