Reena Ranger OBE does not speak about leadership in abstract terms. For her, it begins with visibility, with being seen in rooms where, for a long time, women like her simply were not.
Growing up, politics was not something she studied; it was something she absorbed. Her father was politically active, and family outings often meant community events designed to widen horizons. Yet on television and in public life, she saw very few women, and even fewer ethnic minority women, who reflected her world. Representation felt distant, almost theoretical.
Today, that picture has shifted. There are more South Asian women in public life, more diverse voices shaping policy. But for Reena, representation is only meaningful when it comes with influence. “It’s not just about having a seat at the table,” she often reflects. “It’s about having a voice at the table.” Real experiences, she believes, enrich debate and produce better decisions. Lived reality matters.
Her own lived reality was quietly shaped by something she did not fully understand until much later. School was often confusing and discouraging. Struggling academically, she internalised the idea that difficulty meant deficiency. It was only three years ago, after receiving a formal diagnosis of dyslexia and ADHD, that the pieces began to align. The label did not diminish her, it liberated her. There was sadness for the younger version of herself who had not been supported, but there was also clarity.
What once felt like weaknesses revealed themselves as strengths: empathy, creativity, the ability to think laterally and juggle multiple perspectives at once. “Your weaknesses can be your strengths. They give you empathy, a unique worldview, and the ability to multitask and see things differently.”
This philosophy underpins her work with Women Empowered, which she co-founded to create inclusive spaces for learning and networking. “Unlike large institutions with barriers, Women Empowered was designed to be open to everyone; anyone could attend, hear stories, and connect with others. The goal was never prescriptive; it was to help people become the best version of themselves.”
Reena stresses the importance of networks, particularly for women navigating life’s challenges. “Having people to bounce ideas off, seek advice from, and learn from provides resilience and strength.”
But even the most passionate leaders must learn restraint. Reena speaks candidly about balance. When you care deeply about something, the instinct is to charge forward. Yet burnout helps no one. Life, she believes, unfolds in chapters. Each chapter demands its own rhythm, its own priorities.
Awarded an OBE in 2019 for her services to BAME women, Reena has served as a Three Rivers District Councillor since 2014 and as a Hertfordshire County Councillor (2021–2025), holding key roles in Highways, Transport, Public Health, and Community Safety.
And what of legacy?
For Reena, it is not about titles or honours, though she holds many. It is about intention. She hopes to be remembered as someone who cared, who tried, who acted with integrity. Someone who built bridges and opened doors.
Perhaps even someone who planted a few trees: quiet, lasting symbols that growth, when nurtured, continues long after you step aside.
