ciovertex magazine

Victoria Ajoku

contactciovertex@gmail.com / October 15, 2026

Victoria Ajoku: Reviving a Heritage Craft and Reimagining the Art of Fan Making Introduction In a world where traditional crafts are increasingly disappearing beneath the pace of modern production, Victoria Ajoku, Master of Arts: Fan Maker & Curator at Fan The Glory With Tori, is taking a different approach. She is bringing an endangered heritage craft back into the spotlight, one handmade fan at a time. As the UK’s first female person of colour to specialise in, modernise, and diversify the art of professional fan making, Victoria has made it her mission to preserve an important part of British craft heritage while making it more accessible to people from all backgrounds, generations, and abilities. Her journey is not simply about creating beautiful fans. It is about ensuring that a craft at major risk of disappearing has a future. The Spark: Preserving an Endangered Craft Victoria’s entry into professional fan making began with a realisation that immediately grew her work: a deeper purpose. Fan making is a critically endangered craft in the UK, with a serious risk of becoming extinct as a professional practice. Rather than simply observing its decline, Victoria decided to take action. She saw an opportunity to revive the heritage art form while simultaneously opening its doors to a much wider audience. Her vision was to make fan making accessible to people regardless of their background, age, ability, or walk of life. Taking the brave step of establishing herself publicly as an expert through her website, social media presence, and growing professional platform became a defining moment. What followed was more than the beginning of a business. Victoria describes experiencing a profound sense of peace and happiness from knowing that she was contributing to something sustainable and larger than herself. Her work represents a sincere effort to modernise the craft without losing its heritage, while encouraging future generations to discover fan making as an art form, a skill, and a potential professional path. A Career Entering a New Chapter Victoria describes herself as being somewhere between the beginning and centre chapters of her career. Yet the journey has already produced a defining turning point. That moment came in December 2023, when she received her first major award: Diversity and Inclusion Champion at The Business Awards UK. The recognition represented far more than a title. For Victoria, it marked the beginning of a new season one in which her work was not only being pursued with passion but also recognised and celebrated publicly. Looking back, the award gave her a new perspective on the struggles and setbacks she had experienced earlier in her career. What once felt like obstacles had ultimately become part of the foundation for everything she was building. It was confirmation that persistence matters, particularly when pursuing a path that is unconventional. Taking Fan Making to a Wider Audience As the UK ambassador for fan making, Victoria has achieved another significant milestone: bringing the craft into a mainstream global view. Two experiences stand out particularly strongly: her appearances on the much-loved ITV programme Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh and the BBC’s The Repair Shop on the Road. These opportunities gave Victoria a platform to do something she considers essential to her mission: talk about the craft, share her knowledge, and demonstrate the artistic skill involved in creating handmade fans. Television exposure also helped challenge assumptions about what fan making represents. What might initially appear to be a simple or decorative object is, in reality, the result of craftsmanship, patience, passion, creativity, technical ability, and an extraordinary level of concentration. For Victoria, being able to showcase that process to a broad audience has been both professionally rewarding and important for the preservation of the craft itself. Keeping a Heritage Craft Relevant Every traditional craft faces the challenge of remaining relevant in a rapidly changing world. For Victoria, the motivation to continue comes from two places: relevancy and people. She understands that preserving a craft does not simply mean keeping old techniques alive. It also means creating opportunities for contemporary audiences to discover, experience, and participate in those traditions. Her work offers people a fresh entry point into fan making whether through purchasing her creations, learning through workshops, or simply discovering the artistry behind the finished product. That accessibility is central to her purpose. Victoria sees her services as a breath of fresh air for a craft that needs renewed vitality and wider participation to survive. The people who encounter the craft today could ultimately become the people who help carry it forward tomorrow. Redefining What Success Means Victoria believes that financial success and wealth creation are valuable aspects of any profession. However, they do not define success on their own. Her personal definition remains grounded in something deeper: authenticity. For Victoria, success means remaining true to who you are without compromising your core values simply because you are afraid of being rejected or misunderstood. She believes that there is power in unapologetically embracing your individuality and finding the people who genuinely connect with your vision. In her words, success comes when you have the courage to express your boldness and find “your tribe.” That is where true growth can begin. She also believes that success exists in moments that may never be publicly recognised the days when you do not feel one hundred percent but choose to keep moving forward with a smile. For Victoria, those quiet victories matter just as much as open recognition The Craft Behind the Finished Fan One of the biggest misconceptions about Victoria’s work is the assumption that creating a handmade hand fan is simple. People are often surprised when she explains the time, cost, materials, specialist skills, and focus required to produce a finished piece. Behind every fan is a carefully considered process. The craft requires patience and precision, along with the ability to work with materials thoughtfully and transform them into an object that is both functional and artistic. Victoria’s work therefore challenges a broader misconception about traditional

Pinnacle Leaders

Joan Gillman

contactciovertex@gmail.com / April 20, 2026

Joan Gillman Science Teacher, The Browning school. Global Woman Leader of the Year. Introduction In the ever-evolving landscape of education, where innovation meets purpose, Joan Gillman stands out as a passionate educator dedicated to nurturing curiosity and empowering the next generation. As a science educator at The Browning School, her journey reflects a lifelong commitment to learning, inclusivity, and hands-on discovery. The Spark: A Childhood Fueled by Curiosity Joan Gillman’s journey into education was rooted in a childhood filled with exploration and imagination. From experimenting with household materials in her bathroom to observing snowfall patterns and measuring weather conditions, her early years were defined by a deep fascination with science and the natural world. Her curiosity extended beyond individual exploration. Alongside her older brother, she built robots from shoeboxes and designed model cities using construction sets, even naming one of their creations “Kinderkamack Village.” These playful yet formative experiences unknowingly laid the groundwork for her future as an educator. Her passion for teaching emerged during high school through community service initiatives. Joan volunteered to teach elementary students how to play the recorder, tutor math, and organize inclusive playground activities. Her ability to engage every child, regardless of skill level, earned admiration and reinforced her belief in inclusivity. Simultaneously, she taught swimming, including to children with special needs, and worked as a substitute ballet teacher. These experiences not only strengthened her teaching skills but also instilled a deep sense of fulfillment in helping children build confidence and overcome fears. A defining moment came during her Master’s program in Education, when she worked with profoundly deaf students at P.S. 47 Junior High School. Observing the effectiveness of hands-on learning such as building a mini amusement park during an electronics unit, profoundly influenced her teaching philosophy. From that point forward, experiential learning became central to her approach. Career Journey: Embracing Change and Growth Joan’s career spans decades of dedication, adaptability, and continuous growth. A significant turning point came when she joined The Browning School, transitioning from teaching older students to engaging with children as young as second grade. Initially, this shift required adjustment. However, Joan quickly embraced the challenge, designing age-appropriate, engaging curricula that sparked curiosity in younger learners. To her surprise, she found immense joy in teaching early learners, which inspired her to further expand her hands-on teaching methods. Today, Joan is entering a new chapter, dedicating her full attention to lower school science education, including teaching kindergarten students. This transition reflects not only her adaptability but also her commitment to shaping young minds at the earliest stages of learning. Defining Achievement: Recognition and Real Impact Throughout her distinguished career, Joan Gillman has received numerous prestigious accolades. Among the most notable is her recognition as “Top Educator of the Year 2025” by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). She has also been honored as one of the “Top 25 Global Impact Leaders”, with upcoming distinctions including the Lifetime Achievement Award (2026), Top Educator of the Decade, and Woman of the Year 2026. Her contributions have also been acknowledged by Marquis Who’s Who, Forbes Magazine, CXO Time, CIO Views, and The Executive Lens, among others. Additionally, she was named “Urhy Thompson Teacher of the Year” award at The Calhoun School, an achievement she considers one of the most meaningful in her career. Beyond awards, Joan recently joined the Fortuna Education Council/Global Advisory Board, where she collaborates with global leaders to advance educational practices. Yet, despite these accolades, Joan finds her greatest fulfillment in her students’ success. For her, no recognition compares to witnessing a student grow in confidence, develop curiosity, and achieve their goals. Resilience and Engagement: Overcoming Challenges Joan’s career has not been without challenges. Early in her journey, while teaching in the South Bronx, she encountered a classroom with a wide range of reading levels, from second to tenth grade within a single fifth-grade class. Instead of being overwhelmed, she rose to the occasion, tailoring her teaching to meet every student’s needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joan faced another major challenge: transitioning to online teaching. Determined to maintain engagement, she conducted live science experiments from her kitchen, providing students and parents with simple materials to follow along at home. Her efforts were met with overwhelming appreciation, highlighting her creativity and dedication. One of the most emotionally challenging moments in her career came in 1986, when she had to explain the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster to her students. This experience reinforced the profound responsibility educators hold not just as teachers, but as guides and emotional anchors for their students. Adapting to technological advancements has also been a significant journey. From chalkboards in 1982 to Smart Boards, Chromebooks, and digital platforms like Seesaw, Google Classroom, and Canvas, Joan has continuously evolved. Today, she embraces technology as a powerful tool to enhance learning and engagement. Redefining Success: Impact Beyond the Classroom For Joan Gillman, success is not measured by titles or accolades, but by the impact she creates in her students’ lives. She defines success as inspiring students to become lifelong learners and passionate explorers of knowledge. Her influence extends beyond academics. As a leader of her school’s Green Team, Joan actively promotes environmental awareness and community engagement. Under her guidance, students have organized fundraisers, supported global initiatives like Water.org, and contributed to disaster relief efforts, raising thousands of dollars for meaningful causes. She also encourages students to participate in environmental projects, such as clean-up initiatives and conservation activities. Through these experiences, students develop leadership skills, teamwork, and a sense of responsibility toward the planet. Joan takes immense pride in seeing her students grow into environmentally conscious individuals, some of whom pursue advocacy and leadership roles in sustainability. Breaking Misconceptions About Teaching Joan believes that teaching is often underestimated. While it is one of the most rewarding professions, it also demands discipline, adaptability, and continuous learning. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining structure, prioritizing well-being, and seeking support from fellow educators. For Joan, collaboration and professional development are essential to staying effective