Fernando Carrillo

I was born in Miami, USA, in a prison, to a drug addicted mother and a criminal father who I have never had a relationship with. I was brought up by my grandmother, her name was Melba and she was awesome! Unfortunately she passed away when I was 14 and this began my fast-paced downward spiral. I went to prison when I was 17 and then to a drug rehabilitation centre when I was 19. I was completely lost. I had no direction, no purpose, no meaning, I had nothing, and I was hopeless!

After leaving Rehab I was fortunate that people got around me and started to believe in me. They showed me that I could do something with my life and that I did have a purpose. Bit by bit, my life began to change. I began to study and then got my first degree in international business with Spanish and later a second degree in theology. I then started the process for ordination in the church of England which meant further theological training and I worked towards a masters in Christian leadership. I was ordained into the church of England on the 21st of September 2020. I am currently working at Holy Trinity Brompton church in South Kensington, London.

During the time I was working towards my masters I founded a charity called WellWater. At WellWater, we raise leaders who eliminate poverty in the world. I realised that so many people in the world want to make a difference, but they just don’t know how. At Wellwater we equip people with the tools they need to make a difference in the world. We saw that the world’s needs are endless, and many charities are focusing on eliminating those needs, which is incredible! At Wellwater we want to raise the people who will lead the plans to eradicate those needs. It has been an incredible journey so far and we have huge plans for the years to come! We want to raise 10,000 leaders who will eradicate poverty in the next ten years.

A few years ago, I also started the London’s leadership podcast. I love leadership because when done well it changes people’s lives for the better. I wanted to speak to the world’s leading experts on leadership and get the gold from their latest books, articles or lectures and share them with the world (I also wanted to learn as much as possible!). It has been such a privilege for me to get to speak to the world’s leading experts! As a result of the podcast and the work I was doing on the charity and the church I was invited to join the Marshall Goldsmith 100 coaches. I am hugely honoured to be able to learn from Marshall and the other leaders in the network. As a result of all I have lived and learned I believe I can help you make a difference in the world and in the lives of the people around you.

Find out more at WellWater