Women of the Future Podcast (womenofthefuture)

Susie Hills is joint CEO and co-founder of management consultancy Halpin Partnership.

Described as ‘an insightful consultant and a big thinker’, Susie is a very talented fundraiser and advises higher education institutions in this capacity. 

Susie was chosen as one of 2019’s 'Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights' by the Women of the Future Programme, showcased in the Financial Times and supported by Unilever. The awards recognise the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society.

Susie is also the founder of the brand-spanking new virtual kindness event ‘Kindfest’ being held on World Kindness Day this year, 13th November.

The event provides a platform for a star-studded line-up of speakers, all coming together to share their collective wisdom, energy and ideas about how kindness can create a more hopeful and resilient world.  

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on Kindfest 2020 please visit: www.teamkind.org.uk 

Pritha Mehra is Chief Information Officer at the United States Postal Service, describing the role as a ‘privilege to oversee one of the world’s largest and most critical technology infrastructures’.

Throughout her near 34-year career with the organisation, Pritha has honed a breadth and depth of expertise across a range of verticals, from marketing to technology, and is frequently asked to steward critical change that transforms people, processes, and products.

An admired and respected speaker on digital transformation, AI, analytics, cloud, and security, as well as holistic business, digital, and cloud transformation; Pritha has provided a guiding light for many, many others in her industry.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

With previous roles at FitFlop, Puma, Levi Strauss and Timberland; Suzie de Rohan Willner is a hugely experienced global CEO specialising in values-based leadership and meaningful business transformation. Suzie is currently CEO at TOAST, a purpose driven global lifestyle brand, creating and curating simple, functional, beautiful clothing, homeware and content. She believes that if you focus on your team and your customer, success will follow. Committed to sharing her experience to equip others to craft and contribute to a more meaningful future, Suzie is an ambassador and judge for the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, and was named on their ’Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights List’.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Polly McMaster is co-founder and CEO of The Fold, an award-winning British brand focused on creating workwear that inspires women to feel confident and ‘put-together’ every day. 

Her career journey is an inspiring one – possessing both a PhD in molecular biology from Cambridge University as well as an MBA from London Business School, along the way Polly has also worked in healthcare consulting and private equity in the healthcare industry.

On pivoting into fashion, with a desire to stand out for the right reasons and feel confident in what she was wearing, Polly spotted a gap in the market, and the rest in history!

Setting a new standard for modern, professional workwear, The Fold has grown to enormous heights, now with a flagship store in Chelsea, the company has also successfully expanded into international markets, made great advances in sustainability, not to mention navigating a global pandemic…

 

Polly was named as one of the Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in 2023.

 

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The Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights lists have been revealed! Head to our website to find out more.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on The Fold London: Modern, Luxury Womenswear - click here.

Peter Brown is Price Waterhouse Coopers’ Global People and Organisation Leader, managing operations across 157 countries with a workforce practice of over 10,500 professionals.

He joined PwC UK as a partner in September 2010 having previously held senior roles at large professional services organisations.

With over 25 years’ experience as a Workforce and HR transformation expert, Peter is committed to working with large multinational organisations to help them tackle their staffing and people challenges.

Prior to working in professional services, Peter was in the Royal Air Force and continues to support them as a Trustee of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, with a focus on inspiring STEM skills in young people.

Peter received an MBE for his services to the Royal Air Force in 1999, and was named in the top 25 Global Human Capital consultants in 2023; he also featured on the top 50 Kindness in Leadership list the same year.

 

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The KINDNESS & LEADERSHIP 50 LEADING LIGHTS NOMINATIONS are closing soon! Click here for more details.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

What a year it's been! For our final, very special podcast of 2020, Kim Rowell speaks to Hannah Ingram-Moore.

 

The owner and Director of recruitment, brand development and business training company Maytrix, you’ll probably know Hannah better from seeing her appear alongside her father, Captain Sir Tom Moore, who raised millions of pounds for charity in the run-up to his 100th birthday in April, 2020.

 

Having previously held project, operations and strategy management roles at the likes of Mulberry, Gap, Swatch, Fortnum and Mason, Liberty and Whittards of Chelsea – part of Hannah’s day job now also includes maintaining Captain Sir Tom Moore’s legacy as a part of his Foundation.

Carrying on the journey that started with a few steps in the family garden, alongside her father, Hannah and her family identified causes close to their hearts to benefit from the charity including loneliness, those facing bereavement, championing education and equality and supporting friends overseas.

 

“Tomorrow will be a good day”.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Fore more information on The Captain Tom Foundation, please visit: https://captaintom.org

 

Describing herself as ‘Principal and Senior Plate-Spinner’ at the critically acclaimed winery Chêne Bleu located in the Rhone Valley, Southern France; Nicole Sierra-Rolet manages the link between the business and the outside world.

The daughter of a food critic and wine collector, as part of her truly intercontinental upbringing, as a child Nicole attended French lycées in New York and Milan, also spending time in Germany, Spain and Brazil.

Having started her professional life in international politics, finance and think-tanks, Nicole ‘re-engineered’ her professional goals and battled to overcome her inherent shyness to become a wine professional.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

This week we’re bringing you a very special episode of the ‘Women of the Future’ podcast, highlighting the Programme’s ‘Women in ESG: 50 Stars Changing the World’ campaign.

 

Seeking to acknowledge and celebrate talented female trailblazers and role models, aged 35 and under, who are at the forefront of Environmental, Social and Governance from around the world; each year, the campaign will showcase 50 rising stars across different aspects of ESG who have made a lasting and positive impact on their organisations, environment and wider society.

 

If you, or someone you know, is looking to celebrate a new generation of women who are a force for good, or if you want to help to create a global ESG leaders’ community and conversation, as well as support and strengthen the female talent pipeline in the Environmental, Social and Governance sector – then nominations for the 2022 list are open until Monday 10th May.

More details can be found in the podcast show notes, or by visiting: https://esg.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Now, today’s podcast guest is certainly both a trailblazer and role model in the ESG space -

Kresse Wesling CBE is a Canadian-born British entrepreneurand co-founder of the luxury recycled accessories company Elvis and Kresse.

 

Having moved to Hong Kong to study in the 90s, Kresse went on to found an environmental packaging company in the country in 2002, which she then brought to the UK a couple of years later as she continued her sustainable and entrepreneurial journey.

 

At a chance meeting with members of the London Fire Brigade, Kresse learnt that their discarded fire hoses were going to landfill. This led her and her partner Elvis to investigate possible uses for the material, and ultimately set up their company ‘Elvis and Kresse’ which creates handbags and other beautiful accessories.

 

For over a decade now, and continuing under their ‘three pillars’ of ‘rescue, transform, donate’ - none of London’s fire-hoses now go to landfill, and over 300 tonnes of material has been reclaimed, with Elvis and Kresse donating 50% of their profits to charity.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future: 50 Rising Stars in ESG campaign, please click here

For more information on Elvis & Kresse, please click here

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Rozella Mahjhrin is a Malaysian singer, songwriter, voice-over artist and the founder of True Complexion, an online social platform that raises awareness of health conditions, disabilities, and body image issues.

Born with a birthmark on her face, Rozella grew up with low self-esteem that initially prevented her from pursuing her love of music and performing.

Eventually finding the strength to embrace her passion, her voice can now be heard on countless radio, television, online commercials, and corporate videos. Rozella also became the face of IT Cosmetics, with her image featured in Sephora stores in both Singapore and Malaysia.

A TEDx speaker and twice nominated for Asia’s independent music awards - the VIMAs; Rozella is also the first Bornean to be accepted for the Eisenhower Fellowships Global Program. She has also been part of the Obama Leaders: Asia-Pacific Program and received the Women of the Future South East Asia Award in the Arts and Culture category in 2019.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Hailing from what she describes as a ‘typical Filipino family’ - Lucille Dejito still lives and works on the island of Cebu in the Philippines. 

Studying at a Catholic school, Lucille took early inspiration from Saint Alphonsus de Liguori, and after passing the bar began working for the International Justice Mission as a staff attorney. 

Having worked at the company for nearly a decade, Lucille now leads a team of investigators, social workers and lawyers who work with local authorities to combat online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines.

Lucille was the recipient of the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Award in the Professions category in 2020.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Natasha Latiff is an international lawyer and expert on gender equality and human rights.

With over 15 years of grassroots and high-level experience in policies and programming on ESG and human rights in a globalised economy, Natasha has advised and run projects for the likes of the United Nations, European Union, and US Agency for International Development.

Natasha set-up the Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights (SAHR) while reading law at the University of Warwick; the initiative has gone on to gain recognition from leaders such as former President Bill Clinton and former UK Attorney General Dominic Grieve.

Natasha’s work predominantly focuses on sexual crimes – and she has supported lawyers seeking justice for hundreds of survivors of atrocities, and spearheaded reform. She has made it her mission to help survivors of war, conflict, violence and trauma.

Natasha was the recipient of the Mentor Award at the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia in 2023, with the judges particularly struck by her humility and perseverance.

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The WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024 are now open! Click here to find out more.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Nimco Ali OBE, is a British Somali feminist and social activist.

In 2010, along with psychotherapist Leyla Hussein, Nimco founded Daughters of Eve, a non-profit organisation established to help young women and girls, with a focus on providing education and raising awareness on female genital mutilation (FGM). Nimco underwent the procedure herself when she was just seven years old and later suffered health complications which led her to undergo reconstructive surgery.

In 2019 Nimco co-founded The Five Foundation, the Global Partnership to End FGM, with Brendan Wynne. The non-profit works to raise the issue of FGM on the international agenda and re-grant funding to grassroots organisations working to end FGM.

Nimco was shortlisted for a Women of the Future Award in 2015 in the Community Spirits category.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Growing up in Smethwick as one of five children, Balvinder Sidhu was keen to use education to get ahead in life following the death of her father when she was just 8 years old.

Hailing from a strict Punjabi family, Balvinder had to act as a carer for both her mum and sister from a young age, and was delighted to become the first in her family to go to university to study Psychology.

 

After volunteering at a local radio station, Balvinder managed a refuge for victims of domestic violence, before returning to her journalism ‘pipe dream’ and studying for a post graduate diploma in journalism at Birmingham City University, a course that was sponsored by ITV, and the company became her long-term employers shortly afterwards.

 

2018 was a stellar year for Balvinder, seeing her gain three national awards - the Royal Television Society’s Journalist of the Year, the Asian Media Awards Regional Journalist of the Year and the Asian Women of Achievement Award, part of the Women of the Future Programme in the Media category. 

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Zara Janjua is a successful multi-hyphen TV professional; essentially meaning her ‘daily grind’ includes roles as a journalist, presenter, producer, director, filmmaker, writer, comedian, actor, course facilitator and event host.

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A BAFTA, NTA and RTS award-winning broadcaster of Scottish-Pakistani heritage, Zara has presented national news, daytime TV, comedy and cookery shows for the BBC, ITV and STV.

 

Zara is part of the BBC Comedy Writersroom, currently developing several scripts with production companies. She has also been working with BBC Studios on a series of comedy shorts, which she both writes and stars in. 

 

Recently named 'one of Britain's most talented up-and-coming women' Zara was a finalist for the Women Of The Future Awards in 2020; recognition of the success she has achieved working with multiple income streams to build a broad portfolio, both in front of, and behind the camera.

 

A proactive mentor for young women and minority groups, as well as an advocate for equality, women's rights and mental health; Zara is an ambassador for several charities, operating on a 50:50 model - dedicating half her time to philanthropic filming projects. 

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Born and bred in Birmingham, Kalbir Bains is the author of ‘NOT our daughter! The true story of a daughter-in-law.’

A narrative of marriage within a South Asian community, it tells the story of ‘Harleen’ who is trying to settle into her marriage and the challenges faced in doing so. 

 

Reflective of Kalbir’s own personal journey, her story is made all the more remarkable as a dyslexia diagnosis meant that at the age of 22 Kalbir was told she had the reading ability of a 7-year-old.

 

Embarking on a journey to be able to express her thoughts through writing, poetry, art, and design, Kalbir now works as an ambassador, talking openly to organisations, societies and charities about her experiences of domestic violence and abuse, gender inequality, abortion, and many more ‘real issues’ that often go on behind closed doors.

 

On a mission to transform, empower and inspire others, Kalbir was the recipient of the Social and Humanitarian Award at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in 2018.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Amy Durrant is a freelance conceptual creative director and copywriter, who has worked in advertising, media and technology for nearly a decade.

Having spent her youth in Essex writing stories for her Beanie Babies as well having her sci-fi novel 'Prisms' published when she was just 18, Amy went on to study Journalism at Sheffield University.

Starting a music magazine with a close friend she travelled the world reporting on gigs and festivals, but realising this wasn't where her heart lay transitioned into storytelling for design and technology.

Moving into advertising and working on accounts as varied as Nintendo and the Teenage Cancer Trust, she has been able to excellently demonstrate how creativity and technology can come together.

Amy was shortlisted for a Women of the Future Award in the Media category in 2017 and has worked as an Ambassador for the Programme ever since.

An LGBTQ+ role model for Stonewall, this is also the first time that she has spoken about her cancer diagnosis as a child.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Julie Brown is Chief Operating and Financial Officer of Burberry, having joined the company from Smith & Nephew, where she was Group CFO from 2013 – 2017.

Julie has spent the majority of her career to date at AstraZeneca; working with them for a total of 25 years, undertaking 11 different roles in 4 countries, across 3 continents.

With a great many strings to her bow, Julie is also a Non‑Executive Director and Audit Chair of Roche Holding Limited and sits on the Business Advisory Board to the Mayor of London.

A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountancy and the Institute of Tax, after qualifying with KPMG, alongside this Julie is also one of the founding ambassadors of the Prince’s Trust ‘Women Supporting Women’ initiative, is a Patron of Oxford Women in Business, and a much-valued judge for the Women of the Future programme.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Dhruti Shah is an award-winning journalist, writer, producer and storyteller.

Well-versed in creating digital strategies from scratch, debunking fake news, as well as training and motivating young journalists, Dhruti describes herself as innately curious, having written on subjects including technology, business, women changing the world, comics and science.

With a grounding in local papers before jumping, or rather leaping into global newsrooms, Dhruti’s latest success is her finance and business book: ‘Bear Markets and Beyond: A Bestiary of Business Terms’ – it’s a unique and beautifully illustrated guide to getting your head around the global economic language.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Anila Dhami is an award-winning presenter and journalist who has worked for some of the UK’s biggest media companies for nearly a decade.

Currently, she freelances as a presenter and reporter for ITV News, C5 News, and LBC.

Unabashedly confident, calm and certainly compelling, Anila has adeptly utilised her professional approach to host live debates on hard-hitting topical issues, interview a diverse range of people from all sectors of society – from MPs and experts to A-list celebrities - but most importantly, is gifted with the unique ability to provide a space for people to share their stories and experiences, on TV, radio and online. 

Anila won the Media Award at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2023.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

In celebration of the Oscars this weekend, we have Bibi Lucille on the Women of the Future podcast.

Bibi is an award-winning actress of stage and screen including leading roles in the TV series ‘Purgatory’ and the Amazon Prime drama ‘Trust’.

Bibi was nominated for the Pastel Film Festival's Best Actress in 2019 with the film 'All Inclusive', received the Starnow ‘Rising Star’ Award and was the recipient of the Women of the Future Award in the Arts and Culture category in 2021.

Bibi’s one-woman, Offie-nominated show ‘Meat Cute’, was written and co-created with her cousin; it sees the main protagonist endeavour to convert men to veganism and will hopefully be coming to a screen near you very soon.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

Seeing as it’s Women’s History Month we’re in the mood for celebrating!

In recognition of publishing over 100 episodes of the Women of the Future podcast – a podcast made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme, a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness, and collaboration among leaders as well as support and celebrate the successes of women – over the next 6 weeks we’re bringing you a brilliant podcast mini-series on the vast and varied subject of motherhood.

Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who is joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year. In-fact this mini-series was Rhona’s idea – what a woman!

So please do join us over the next few weeks for this Women of the Future Programme podcast mini-series special - we have some truly inspiring people lined-up. 

For this episode, after nearly 7 years and 100 episodes, it’s Kim’s turn to be interviewed - introducing the motherhood journey of Kim Rowell…

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

 

Dr. Sweta Chakraborty is a behavioural scientist whose work is motivated by the need for clear, credible, science communication to urgently and proactively manage the risks that threaten human security and well-being, encompassing everything from climate change to COVID-19.

Sweta brings a unique blend of academic, as well as public and private sector expertise, as a communicator and consultant, merging science, policy, and the media, to get decision-makers the information they need for better behavioural outcomes, with the intention of having a positive impact on the planet.

Currently the U.S. Representative for “WE DON’T HAVE TIME”, the world’s largest climate action network known for launching Greta Thunberg to global renown.

She is also the host of ‘Risky Behavior’, a dynamic podcast that explores controversial issues and discusses a variety of topics ranging from nutrition and climate change to sex and prescription drugs.

Sweta is a correspondent for multiple publications, a book author, a TEDx and globally recognized keynote speaker, and is regularly featured on global media outlets such as CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and the BBC.

In her own words, she has: ‘chosen to be an unapologetic communicator of sciences and facts’ and she thrives in it.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Gillian Charlesworth is Group CEO of BRE - the Building Research Establishment, which is a centre of building science in the UK.

Over a career that has taken her from the civil service, via the Institute of Chartered Accountants, to spending most of the 90s in the food and drink industry - having trained as a chef as Prue Leith's School of Food and Wine - Gillian went back to 'the desk' as she calls it and put her newly acquired knowledge to good use as Head of Commercial and European Affairs at the Wine and Spirit Trade Association before joining the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in 2004.

Gillian was named on the inaugural 'Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list in 2018 and has proudly offered her services as a judge for both the Women of the Future and Asian Women Awards.

Armed with hard earned ambition, confidence, self-motivation and assertiveness she's been in her current role at BRE since May 2019.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Noreen Mirza is an award-winning British jewellery designer whose creations have adorned celebrities and international royalty; frequently featuring in global press.

Founder of one of the world’s most innovative and empowering fine jewellery brands - the eponymous ‘Noreen London’ - she now acts as the brand’s Creative Director, utilising her expertise and wealth of experience in creating bespoke pieces, high jewellery, and fine jewellery collections.

 

Driven by a need to shape the world into a more beautiful place, Noreen is committed to working with 'Mosaic', a Prince of Wales charity aimed at mentoring young people to fulfil their potential.

 

With a Business degree from Kingston University London, Noreen is also a diamond expert and gemologist certified by the Gemological Institute of America, the world’s foremost authority on diamonds, coloured stones, and pearls. 

 

Noreen was shortlisted in the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, as a ‘Young Achiever’ in 2007.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Carlotta Zorzi has an enormous amount of strings to her bow.

An award-winning, bilingual English and Italian Non-Executive Director and consultant, she has vast experience working with tech start-ups and large blue chip companies.  

With over a decade of experience within the media, advertising and tech space, Carlotta is a huge advocate for building connections and paying it forwards. A tech career coach, leadership thought-leader and storyteller, she’s made it her mission to build relationships that can stand the test of time. 

Combining her international background and global connections with her experience in B2B, B2C and D2C media and technology, Carlotta helps individuals and high-growth businesses develop in the tech industry through expansion strategy consultations, 1:1 professional coaching sessions and inspiring speaking engagements.

Winner of the ‘Mentor of the Year’ category at the Women of the Future Awards in 2022, she really is a force of nature.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on Carlotta and her work click here.

Tina Afiqah is an author and creative therapist.

Tina is also the co-founder of ParaBelle Studios, a homegrown business in her native Brunei, with the aim of bridging generations to celebrate heritage through its contemporary collections of stories and illustrations.

Tina was awarded the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Arts and Culture Award in 2023. The Award was in recognition of her innate ability and motivation to harness her profound knowledge and experience, to empower individuals in crafting a diverse array of literary works, ranging from preserving the rich tapestry of traditional Bruneian folklore to heart-warming children's books.

 

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The WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS SOUTHEAST ASIA 2024 are now open! Click here to find out more.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

PLEASE NOTE THIS EPISODE WAS RECORDED IN MARCH 2024

Jenny Brown is Headmistress at City of London School for Girls.

Joining the school in 2019, Jenny has focused much of her headship around the notion of ‘finding space to pioneer’ – central to which is the idea of carving out more space for reflection and wellbeing.

The position is Jenny’s second headship role; she spent previously spent five years as head of St. Alban’s High School for Girls, an independent day school for pupils aged 4 to 18.

Prior to this Jenny worked in several leading schools, including South Hampstead High School and St. Paul’s Girls’ School, where she was Director of the sixth form.

Also an identical twin with a passion for reading, theatre-going and wild swimming, Jenny featured on the Kindness in Leadership 50 Leading Lights List, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in 2023.

 

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This year's Kindness in Leadership 50 Leading Lights List will be published live here on 25th September 2024, and feature in the Financial Times the week commencing 30th September.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

#LeadwithKindness #Kindnessrules #50LeadingLights #KindLeaders

Zara Bryson is a Strategy and Innovation Director at Publicis Media, one of the four solutions hubs of Publicis Groupe, comprised of Starcom, Zenith, Digitas, Spark Foundry and Performics, powered by digital-first, data-driven global practices to deliver client value and business transformation.

 

Zara’s self-confessed love of maths and a degree in law has made her a collaborative, strategic, problem-solver. She values lifting others up, encouraging curiosity and fostering a compassionate, fun, growth mindset culture.

 

Zara is the current Head of Purpose and Impact at Bloom UK, a volunteer-led network of women in the communications industries, championing their ‘real voices’ and focused on spearheading positive industry change and paying it forward to the next generation.

 

She founded a biweekly podcast - ‘Who's Next with Zara Bryson’ - to shine a light on brilliant women to champion them, and for others to learn from. Each guest pays it forward to someone they personally find an inspiration. 

 

Zara received the WACL - Women in Advertising and Communications, London - Future Leaders Award in 2018, and was recognised as a ‘Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights’, part of the Women of the Future Programme in November last year, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society.

 

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For more details on how you can enter or nominate someone for the 'Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list, part of the Women of the Future Programme, please visit: https://www.kindnessrules.co.uk

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Activist, writer and speaker, Sangeeta Pillai, is the founder of the South Asian feminist network, Soul Sutras, which is all about tackling taboos within the culture.

She’s the creator of the Spotify award-winning ‘Masala Podcast’; the show for South Asian women deals with sex, sexuality, shame, periods and much, much more.

Sangeeta is also the creator of  the Masala Monologues series of writing workshops and theatre shows in the UK and the US. She has been featured in the Evening Standard, Eastern Eye, Huffington Post, on BBC Asian Radio, in Brown Girl Magazine and has been a writer for over 20 years.

Sangeeta was Highly Commended in the Arts and Culture category at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in 2021.

 

Please note that this podcast was recorded in February 2022.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Rachel and Laura Beattie grew up in the suburbs of Manchester.

Keen to marry-up her two loves of Maths and Art, and closely influenced by their seamstress Nana Theresa, Rachel came up with the idea for Careaux when she was just 14-years-old, jotting down the idea in her beloved Harry Potter notebook.

Having always loved clothes, Rachel could clearly remember moments in her life by what she and others were wearing, how special the clothes made her feel and how each outfit was carefully constructed to tell a story.

Created as luxury, ethical fashion, Careaux garments contain a hidden zip to enable the wearer to mix and match their clothes for different style and size combinations.

Developing their brand to be all about equality and diversity, the pair want Careaux clothes to be representative of this.

As well as being Young Ambassadors for the Prince's Trust and shortlisted in the Entrepreneur Category at the Women of the Future Awards in 2019, Laura and Rachel have also recently launched their ‘Closer Through Kindness’ Campaign, intending to bring people closer together during the Coronavirus pandemic.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Katie Lloyd is Development Director for BBC News & Current Affairs, leading the way in a number of areas; from culture change, D&I, talent development and sustainability, to the BBC’s flagship outreach project, BBC Young Reporter.

Since joining, Katie has devised a number of high-impact initiatives that have increased diversity and inclusion within the organisation; including the BBC News Women in Leadership Programme, Women in Tech Programme, Digital Apprenticeship Programme, Extend in News and the News Leadership Programme. Katie created the BBC Next Generation Panel in order to get younger voices heard at a senior level and break down hierarchies. The panel reverse mentor the News Group Board, a model that has now been replicated across the BBC. Previously, Katie was Deputy CEO of Media Trust where she oversaw PR, public affairs, youth media projects and the award winning in-house film production unit. Katie launched youth outreach work which benefited more than 20,000 disadvantaged young people across the UK. She also managed Media Trust’s key strategic partnerships with companies including Channel 4, Sky, BBC, ITV, News UK, DMGT and Google. 

In 2018, Katie was one of 50 business leaders recognised in the Women of the Future inaugural 'Kindness and Leadership' Awards and was also shortlisted for the European Diversity Awards in the ‘Diversity Champion of the Year’ category.  

Amongst numerous other accolades, Katie was nominated for ‘Inspiring Fifty UK’ a list of women leaders in tech, has judged the Women of the Future Awards, and was previously featured in PR Week's top '29 under 29' PRs in the UK as well as being listed as one of GQ's '100 Most Connected Women' in the UK. Katie is also a Fellow of the British-American Project and a Patron of LAMDA.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Doctor Chern Ein Oon has served as an Associate Professor at Universiti Sains Malaysia since 2013.

Skilled in cancer research, drug discovery and molecular oncology, Chern has been the recipient of numerous accolades during her career for her work on novel molecular therapeutics in cancer; they include the Exiqon Young Scientist Award, as well as being selected to participate in the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in Germany where she received the L’Oreal-Unesci For Women in Science National Fellowship research grant for her work in the field of cancer research.

Chern earned her PhD in oncology at the University of Oxford and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden.

She was the recipient of the Women of the Future Award South East Asia in the Science, Technology and Digital category in 2018.

Kim and Chern spoke about her refreshing approach to her prestigious career and the numerous challenges she’s faced in the juggle of being both a mum and career woman whilst trying to excel in her chosen field, particularly during a pandemic. 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

John Lombard joined global technology services company NTT Ltd. as CEO Asia Pacific in May 2016 and brought with him over 30 years of leadership and management consulting experience. 

Prior to NTT, John worked for the software company SAP as Head of Services for Asia Pacific Japan. During his stint at SAP, he was responsible for services and support across 14 countries in the region and was central to driving the company’s Cloud Services, Consulting, Custom Development and Education portfolio. John has also previously worked as the CEO and Managing Director of Crowe Howarth, the largest publicly listed business advisory and accounting firm in Australia and New Zealand.

John is the co-founder of #HeforShe for LeanIn Asia, which helps create an environment that enables women to #LeanIn to their careers and passions. He is also on the board of directors of Very Special Arts Singapore.

 

NTT are the sponsors of the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia and alongside his judging role, John was shortlisted himself for the Mentor of the Year Award in 2019.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

Seeing as it’s Women’s History Month we’re in the mood for celebrating!

In recognition of publishing over 100 episodes of the Women of the Future podcast – a podcast made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme, a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness, and collaboration among leaders as well as support and celebrate the successes of women – over the next 6 weeks we’re bringing you a brilliant podcast mini-series on the vast and varied subject of motherhood.

Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who is joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year. In-fact this mini-series was Rhona’s idea – what a woman!

So please do join us over the next few weeks for this Women of the Future Programme podcast mini-series special - we have some truly inspiring people lined-up. 

For this episode, we’ve spoken to an award-winning freelance broadcast journalist, presenter, reporter, media trainer, event host and mum of two. Now based out in Singapore - it gives us great pleasure to introduce the motherhood journey of the brilliant Balvinder Sidhu.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

A career diplomat with a wide range of experience both in policy and service delivery, Vicki Treadell is the current High Commissioner of the United Kingdom to Australia, having taken up her posting in April 2019.

Vicki previously held the same role in Malaysia, and also served as the first woman British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa, and Governor of Pitcairn; before this Vicki was British Deputy High Commissioner in Mumbai, heading the UK’s Western India team, from 2006-2010.

 

A Eurasian born in Malaysia, to a Cantonese mother and a father of French-Dutch ancestry, Vicki’s family moved to the UK when she was a child. It was during a ‘year-out’ before hoping to go on to university that she joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the late 70s and never looked back.

 

A distinguished career that has navigated natural disasters, major terrorist incidents and not to mention a global pandemic; on a personal level Vicki is passionate about youth engagement, as well as women’s and children’s rights.

A believer that leadership requires compassion, collaboration, confidence and courage.

 

Vicki was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in 1989 and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2010.

She won the 2009 Asian Women of Achievement Award for Public Service and received an Honorary Degree from Reading University in 2016.

Vicki is also Chair of the Women of the Future South East Asia judging panel.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Danielle Brown MBE is a Paralympic Gold Medallist and law graduate, who now works as a keynote speaker specialising in performance mindset and inclusion.

Suffering from a complex regional pain syndrome in her feet, Danielle won gold medals at both the Beijing and London Paralympic Games. She has also won medals shooting in the able-bodied category, including another gold at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010.

With the intention of ‘inspiring and empowering people to unlock their own potential, overcome adversity and achieve more’, her recently published children's self-development book ‘Be Your Best Self’, is a collaboration with Nathan Kai, who was 7 years’ old at the time of writing and determined to reach his full potential. 

Danielle was the recipient of the Women of the Future Award in the Sports category in 2016.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Toni Thorne lives by the motto: ‘Be true to yourself’, and as an entrepreneur who started her first business aged 7, it’s certainly a notion that is working incredibly well for her.

 

The epitome of the ‘multi-hyphen’ career, Toni has been a consultant to both public and private sector entities in her native Barbados, and at 18 was the first Black or Caribbean person to sit on the Global Youth Leader’s European Summit, going on to be named as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and Deputy Curator of its Bridgetown Hub. Alongside presenting ‘The Toni Thorne Show’, her regionally broadcast television show, working as a clothing and shoe designer, devising a charity programme for HIV-infected orphans in Jamaica, and much, much more; Toni is also a former Huffington Post blogger and columnist to two of Barbados’ leading publications.

 

The list of her accolades and achievements is quite remarkable and extremely varied, with her recent accomplishment of receiving an MBA with Cambridge Judge Business School, seeing Toni named on the prestigious Poets and Quants ‘Brightest and Best’ list. Toni is now happily working at J.P. Morgan Asset Management and is keen to work on projects which encourage and inspire women and girls, especially to pursue financial literacy and careers in finance.

 

Toni was the joint winner of the Women of the Future MBA Star Award in 2021 - please note that we recorded this podcast whilst she was sitting by the ocean in Barbados, so do enjoy the sound of the lapping waves behind her… if you can!

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Cherie Blair CBE QC is a British barrister, lecturer and writer. She is married to former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair, a mother of 4, proud grandmother and founder of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

At the World Economic Forum this year the Foundation, which has already directly supported over 160,000 women across more than 100 lower and middle income countries since its inception in 2008, launched a new campaign to transform the lives of 100,000 more women.

Intending to do this over the next three years through the Foundation’s technology and training offer, the Foundation will work in countries including Nigeria, Mexico, Kenya, Indonesia and Vietnam to continue to contribute to the global movement to achieve economic gender equality and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. 

The Campaign has won high profile backing from influential figures including Hillary Rodham Clinton, who describes "advancing the rights, opportunities and full participation of women and girls" as "the great unfinished business of the 21st Century".

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, please visit: www.cherieblairfoundation.org  

Georgina Roberts has represented Wales and Great Britain at Olympic Trap Shooting since she was just 17-years-old. As an ambassador for The Mintridge Foundation and British Shooting, she has found her passion lies in helping others to achieve their goals. 

Determined to rewrite and change public perceptions, as well as the gender-based stereotypes associated to shooting, Georgina has a steady focus on taking her sport to new levels – with her sights set on shooting at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

Currently running her own British Shooting Talent Hub at Mendip Shooting Ground, Georgina is the development coach for the Talent Academy.

Already gaining nationwide recognition for her achievements with media coverage in the Telegraph, The British Association for Shooting and Conservation and Clay Shooting Magazine; Georgina was also the recipient of the Women of the Future Award in the Sport category in 2019 for her contribution to shooting.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Currently Head of Products for Visa across Continental Europe, Patricia Brolly has over 20 years’ experience in delivering large scale programmes as well as revenue, across multiple geographies and business functions. 

With immensely strong sales, product, customer service, operations, marketing, business transformation and P&L experience, Patricia has a passion for building high performing teams, nurturing talent and leading teams through change.

A marathon runner and Everest Base Camp trekker, Patricia has a beautiful and altruistic love for the elderly; alongside this she has raised much needed funds for the Ron Johnson Ward at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and is now a Trustee of The Richard Dimbleby Cancer Fund.

 

Patricia was listed on the 2018 Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights List, part of the Women of the Future Programme, and is a judge for the annual Women of the Future Awards. 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Wafa Jafri is a Partner at KPMG’s Energy Practice and leads for the Energy & Mobility Deals Strategy team. Her entire career has been spent working on the energy transition and decarbonisation: starting her career at RWE where she worked to enable the energy transition across the value chain for the company helping the transition from coal to gas. Wafa then moved to UK Government to advise on the biggest change in the market since privatisation propelling renewables investment in the power sector.   Since joining KPMG, she has been leading the charge on creating a sustainable business - the Energy Deal Strategy practice - advising clients on navigating the energy transition and achieving net-zero emissions.   Wafa has dedicated her time to mentoring women in the industry as well as creating diverse teams to ensure effective future governance. Given her passion for her work, she has established herself as an accessible role model in the industry for other women and is dedicated to creating a “just transition.”  

Wafa was Highly Commended for her work in ESG at the Women of the Future Awards in 2021, the inaugural inclusion of the category which recognises inspirational stars of tomorrow working in the Environment, Social and Governance space.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

After studying English Literature at Durham University, conductor Tori Longdon took a circuitous route into music having seriously considered a career in law and starting out as an assistant speech therapist.

Achieving a distinction for her MA in Choral Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music, amongst many commitments Tori has in her working life, she conducts the Covent Garden Choir and acts as an adjudicator for programmes such as ‘Songs of Praise’ and Gareth Malone’s ‘The Choir’.

During lockdown, Tori co-founded the ‘Stay at Home Choir’, a digital platform that has allowed classical artists to connect with music lovers all around the world.

Kim and Tori spoke about the lack of female role models in her profession, addressed her ‘harsh judge’ persona, as well as the need for constructive criticism and the serendipitous moment when a friend applied for a job on her behalf.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

If you search out her Twitter biography, it reads: ‘Deborah Bowman, Professor of Medical Ethics at St George's University, navigating cancer, slow runner, often in theatres, always carrying a book, mostly suffering from enthusiasm’ - which in the mere two times I’ve met her, I would say, sums her up well, but only if limited to a character count.

 

Cultivating a strong work ethic from a young age and gaining an impressive 15 O-levels, Deborah’s values and relationships-led approach to life has seen her excel in many arenas including research, writing, broadcasting, on theatre boards and contributing to both charitable and private sector companies.

 

Amongst many topics covered in this podcast, we speak about her bird phobia, taking up the cello later in life, Mind Media and Women of the Future Awards, the cancer diagnosis that flawed her and how in her life it’s always been ‘kindness, no exceptions’.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Created in 2009 in the aftermath of a recession, Stylist magazine intended to buck the trend and set out to treat women and their prospective readership intelligently. Over a decade later when many other publications have come and gone, Stylist remains at the top of its game, and so does Editor-in-Chief Lisa Smosarski.

From her first job as a junior writer at Bliss magazine via roles at EMAP and Bauer, Lisa has ably navigated the publication through culture shifts, social activism, global movements and not to mention a world-wide pandemic.

In an interview that covers everything from her obsession with ‘Press Gang’ to having Hillary and Chelsea Clinton guest edit her magazine, in Lisa’s own words: “Sometimes you’ve just got to go for it”.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Caroline Williams is Director of Open Executive Education at Saïd Business School, part of the University of Oxford. She is responsible for the vision and success of their Open Executive Education (OEE) portfolio.

Under Caroline’s leadership, OEE is ranked second in the world for quality of executive education by the Financial Times, earning first place in the UK for six consecutive years.

Caroline’s career has taken her from developing and managing large scale media campaigns to running the research team for a major Think Tank.

Committed to supporting Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, Caroline is part of a global network of thought leaders creating opportunities for women from all sectors to experience high quality executive education.

 

Saïd Business School is the proud sponsor of the Women of the Future Programme.

 

Please note that this podcast was recorded in March 2022.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR! 

In celebration, this week we have a special podcast with Lin Yue, a multi-award winning thought leader, keynote speaker, and an original thinker on delivering the intersectionality of diversity, culture and psychology to business.

An Executive Director of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Lin is responsible for key relationships in the UK institutional market, with a passion for building client relationships and forging innovative business growth strategies. Lin was recognised in the HERoes 100 Women Future Leaders by Yahoo Finance for three consecutive years, was named one of 50 Most Inspirational Women in the City of London by Brummell, recognised as a top Ethnic Minority Future Leader by EMpower, and was the winner of the ‘Excellence in Banking’ award at the Chinese Business Leaders Awards.

Lin was also made an advocate of the Women in Finance Awards in 2021, as well being listed as a finalist for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in the Professions category.

Please note that the views represented in this podcast are Lin’s own and do not represent those of her company, Goldman Sachs.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Ayesha Ofori is the founder and CEO of Propelle, a pioneering investment platform designed to empower women to achieve financial independence.

As a former Executive Director and Private Wealth Adviser at Goldman Sachs, Ayesha personally managed over £500 million in client assets, working closely with ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Motivated by a desire to bridge the gender investment gap and make investing more accessible to women, Ayesha left her successful career in traditional finance to launch Propelle.

With an MBA from London Business School and a master’s degree in physics from Imperial College London, Ayesha combines deep financial expertise with a passion for helping women build wealth and securing their financial futures.

Ayesha was the recipient of a Women of the Future Award in the Real Estate, Infrastructure and Construction category in 2019.

 

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The shortlists for this year’s Women of the Future Awards UK and Southeast Asia have been revealed! To view our finalists and find out more about how to attend the ceremony on Wednesday November 13th 2024, please visit our awards website.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on Propelle, the UK's first investment platform for women, please visit: https://propelle.io/

 

Dr. Rohini Anand is Founder and CEO of Rohini Anand LLC, providing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) advisory services to clients in the public and private sectors.

She is a strategic business leader and trusted board member who has successfully transformed cultures and built an iconic brand with an enduring reputation, resulting in accelerating new business creation.

With expertise that spans executive leadership, human capital, global corporate responsibility, wellness and diversity, equity and inclusion, Rohini brings a unique perspective on the critical alignment of the business culture and the triple bottom line to drive exceptional performance.

Recognised as a pioneer in her field, Rohini is a much-lauded and sought-after global expert. Her experience, cultural dexterity, extensive network and ability to influence leaders has resulted in a reputation for judgment, integrity, and accountability. 

Rohini’s upcoming book, Leading Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: A Guide for Systemic Change in Multinational Organizations, will be available from 30th November, and is available for pre-order right now!

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

A Turkish citizen, born in Vienna, Burcin Ressamoglu is an experienced Executive Leader with a passion for gender equality and advocating women's leadership in organisations.  

Burcin started her career in marketing with STFA Ogden Services, moving to Siemens, and then joining Philips Electronics for 14 years where she undertook several senior management positions across various European countries as well as in China .

In 2012, Burcin took the CEO role in Sodexo Benefits and Rewards Turkey and in 2018 moved into the CEO role of Sodexo Benefits and Rewards UK. In both roles, Burcin has fostered and led highly engaged teams to deliver new operating models, new product portfolios and digital transformation.

An ambitious leader with strong values Burcin has been a part of the Sodexo Women Advisory Board Sotogether since 2017. Burcin sponsors inclusion and gender balance initiatives in the company while partnering with local NGO’s to progress women’s representation. She also continues to mentor many young professional women across the world.

Burcin was shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2022 in the Business category.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

We’ve come to the end of our Women of the Future podcast motherhood mini-series! What a journey it’s been.

It’s an honour to have brought you six incredibly open, honest, and candid stories from brilliant women on the vast and varied subject of motherhood - we hope you’ve enjoyed it.

The series has been presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who was joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year. The mini-series was all Rhona’s idea – what a woman!

BUT if you’re very lucky we might have an BONUS Easter treat for you, so stay tuned and subscribed for updates…

For this very special final episode, we spoke to Phillippa O’Connor, PwC UK’s Chief People Officer. Over a prestigious 20-year career working as a business consultant, as well as with boards and HR directors across a wide range of issues in the people space, including pay, diversity, equity and inclusion and broader HR transformation; Phillippa is also mum to two boys aged 1 and 11.

Introducing Phillippa’s incredibly interesting, inspiring, and thought-provoking motherhood journey.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Dr Leor Zmigrod is a Junior Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge. Her research combines methods from experimental psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience to investigate the psychology of ideological adherence and group identity formation. In particular, she is interested in investigating cognitive characteristics that might act as vulnerability factors for radicalisation and ideologically-motivated behaviour.

She holds a BA in Psychological and Behavioural Sciences from the University of Cambridge and has published work on the neuroscience of agency, creativity, and hallucinations. Leor has also conducted research at Stanford University, Harvard University, and University College London.

Leor went on to complete her PhD at Cambridge, with her doctoral research exploring the psychological processes underpinning political, religious, and nationalistic beliefs.

For the academic year 2020-2021, Leor will hold the Gretty Mirdal Junior Chair in ’Brain, Culture and Society’ at the Paris Institute for Advanced Study.

 

With numerous other accolades to her name, Leor was listed on Forbes '30 Under 30' in the Science & Healthcare category, awarded the ESCAN 2020 'Young Investigator' Award by the European Society for Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience as well as the 'Glushko Dissertation Prize in Cognitive Science' by the Cognitive Science Society.

Leor is passionate about encouraging young people to pursue STEM and founded the Cambridge Cognitive Science Research Assistantship Scheme to offer research experience and mentoring to young people interested in a scientific approach to the human mind.

 

Her research has been featured in The Guardian, TIME, New Scientist, Financial Times, LSE British Politics and Policy, The Times and many other international outlets.

Leor was the recipient of the Women of the Future Award 2020 in the Science category.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Harleen Deol is a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon for the East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust. 

She has worked in the NHS for 26 years, as a breast reconstruction surgeon; a supervisor for trainee surgeons; and an advisor, chair and member of numerous committees.

Harleen has dedicated her time to championing technological innovations that prioritise patient benefits as well as save costs.

Also a tutor at the University of Cambridge, as well as having presented and taught live operating at conferences across the globe, additionally Harleen serves as a charity trustee.

The recipient of the HUGELY prestigious Chairman’s Award at the 2023 Asian Women of Achievement Awards, Harleen certainly is a force to be reckoned with.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Dr. Swati Piramal has used her background in medicine, public health and business to change the trajectory of healthcare, education, and public policy in India. She is one of India’s leading scientists and industrialists and is involved in public health and innovation. 

Dr. Piramal is also a Director of Piramal Enterprises, one of the leading Indian multinational companies in Healthcare, Financial Services and Information Management. With the intention of providing affordable medicines to reduce the burden of disease globally, Piramal Enterprises supplies medicines to over 100 countries and has a portfolio of over 200 patents. Dr. Piramal also helps promote health in rural India with mobile health services, women’s empowerment projects and supporting community education that creates young leaders, as a Director of the Piramal Foundation. As the first woman president of India’s Apex Chamber of Commerce in 90 years, she helped influence important public policies and governance, also serving as an adviser to the Indian Prime Minister in science, technology, and economic policy. Dr. Piramal is a leader who certainly makes a positive difference to the community and the world. Her contributions in innovations, new medicines, and public health services have touched thousands of lives.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Chantal Epp is an award-winning entrepreneur and the founder of ClicknClear.

She set up her first company Synergy Sounds, a music production company for cheerleading, whilst at University. Following her time working in sync licensing, Chantal took the opportunity to merge her two passions, cheerleading and music, and founded ClicknClear, providing global music licensing within performance sports. 

Chantal is still an active athlete and advocate for ParaCheer - disability inclusive cheerleading - and has travelled the world helping National Federations start teams, as well as building ClicknClear into a global solution across multiple sports.

Chantal was the recipient of the ‘Women of the Future Award’ in the Entrepreneur category in 2019, she also featured on the ‘Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights’ list in 2020 as a ‘Rising Star’.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Layla Yarjani is Chief Operating Officer of Little Bridge, a company focused on allowing millions of children around the world to learn to read, write, listen and speak English through a social, immersive, games-based community.

 

Prior to Little Bridge, Layla spent five and a half years in consulting, during which, as an advisor to UNICEF, she founded the NEXTGen London network of young professionals supporting UNICEF’s work in Europe, also advising on refugee integration and entrepreneurial projects.

 

A graduate of the University of Texas, with vast and diverse international experience having lived in the UK, Iran, Spain and several major US cities; Layla’s philanthropic journey started when she was just 14 in founding ‘Club Hope’ – standing for ‘Helping Out People Everywhere.’

 

Winner of the Women of the Future Award in the Technology and Digital category in 2020, Layla believes education is an enabler to the pursuit of happiness and has a huge passion for improving the lives of children through education and sustainable development.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Josephine Lee is the Corporate Real Estate Lead across Asia Pacific for Cummins, a company which prides itself as a ‘global power technology leader’.

Previously as Regional Business Development Director for Asia-Pacific at Knight Frank in Singapore, Josephine managed corporate clients across multiple geographies.

With vast experience in the real estate sector, Josephine has won market-defining mandates. 

Having spent three years in China, Josephine was responsible for over a million square feet of transactions, and has managed the real estate portfolios for brands such as Amazon and Nokia. 

Recognised for her approach to kindness and collaboration within the industry, Josephine was the winner of the Property, Infrastructure and Construction category at the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards in 2019. 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

A Superintendent with the Metropolitan Police, Rhona Hunt is passionate about public service and deeply committed to driving positive change in policing.

Determined to ensure communities are at the heart of the service and that people are treated with compassion, dignity and respect, Rhona was the recipient of a Women of the Future Award in the Professions category in 2021.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

We have a very special #WorldKindnessDay collaboration for you for this weeks’ Women of the Future podcast.

We’ve joined up with the wonderful people @teamkind2 (Twitter) and @teamkinduk (Instagram) for KindFest 2022 - the global virtual kindness festival featuring politicians, performers, broadcasters, authors, entrepreneurs and policy makers, now in its third year and advocating for radical #kindness.

 

Joining Kim Rowell on this podcast episode, is the remarkable Waad Al-Kateab, a Syrian journalist, filmmaker and activist.

Her documentary, For Sama (2019), was nominated for 4 BAFTAs at the 73rd British Academy Awards, winning Best Documentary; it was also nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 92nd Academy Awards, with Waad going on to receive the 2021 Academy Gold Fellowship for Women.

 

Waad’s coverage of the Battle for Aleppo won an International Emmy Award for Current Affairs & News for Channel 4 News, and amongst numerous other accolades, including the Chairman’s Award at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards (part of the Women of the Future Programme) this year, Waad has also been included as one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People.

 

For more information about the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, click here.

For more information on the Action For Sama campaign click here.

For more information on KindFest 2022 click here.

Stephanie Hill is an emotional wellbeing practitioner and learning and development specialist with 20 years’ experience. She works internationally with United Nations agencies and international Non-Governmental Organisations, as well as charities, NHS organisations and local government in the UK.

In 2004 she was working in Southeast Asia when the Boxing Day tsunami hit; tragically killing her partner and leaving her and her family with life-threatening injuries.

 

On returning to the UK to heal from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, she was offered the choice of anti-depressants and a waiting-time of “at least” 18-months for counselling. Frustrated by the powerlessness she felt in not having the support she needed, Steph decided to play a proactive role in her own healing journey through studying different therapeutic approaches including: mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, neurolinguistic programming and hypnotherapy. She was eventually able to overcome her debilitating symptoms and emotionally thrive.

 

Now Director, trainer and therapist with Happy Headwork, in this special New Year’s edition of the Women of the Future podcast, I had the pleasure of finding out more about this remarkable woman.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

You can find out more about Happy Headwork and their work here.

Heidy Quah founded Refuge for the Refugees, a non-profit organisation that seeks to raise awareness regarding the status of refugees in Malaysia as well as provide education for refugee children, when she was just 18 years old.  

Refuge for the Refugees supports and empowers refugee schools, halfway homes, and a refugee vocational training school across Malaysia and Myanmar, ensuring and fighting for quality education for all.

In addition to raising awareness and providing education and entrepreneurship skills for refugees, Heidy works on the ground to rescue refugees from detention camps and human trafficking rings.

Her work was recognised by the Queen in 2017 when she was awarded the Queen’s Young Leader Award. This year Heidy was the recipient of the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Award for Community Spirit and Public Service.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Zainab Alema, aka Zee, aka The Bulldozer, is a neonatal nurse by profession and a rugby player by passion.

Zainab has been playing rugby for over a decade and as a black, Muslim, mother-of-three, is passionate about getting more people from diverse backgrounds into rugby.

Her determination, commitment and love for the sport, has also led Zainab to start ‘Studs in the Mud’, her project supporting grassroots rugby in Ghana.

She is also an ambassador for the Mintridge Foundation charity, which provides sporting role models for young people in academic settings, as well as volunteering with the Project Rugby Programme under both the Harlequins and Saracens Foundation.

Zainab endeavours to be a positive voice for the sport and has hopes to inspire and empower the younger generation.

She was awarded the Sunday Times Grassroots Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2020 and was the recipient of the Sport Award at the Women of the Future Awards in 2022.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Duncan Hewett is an industry champion for the representation of women in business and technology. Focused on achieving actionable results for gender diversity in the workplace, he has consistently driven acceleration for women across leadership levels.

In the past Duncan led VMware's business in Asia Pacific & Japan, and has left quite a legacy behind. In 2018, Duncan launched VMinclusion Taara, a programme that has helped tens of thousands of women to upskill and regain confidence, enabling them to re-join the workforce. His book, ‘Accelerating Women – The Key to Growth and Innovation’ published last year.

The Women of the Future Programme were delighted to have Duncan speak at their inaugural Asia Pacific Summit in 2021.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Detective Sergeant Neata Simpson embarked on her career with the West Midlands Police in 2002 and never looked back.

 

Highlighted by her peers as a role model in the public service sector, Neata has been at the forefront of West Midlands Police’s family matters initiative, ensuring support and flexible systems are in place to enable women with families to fulfil their aspirations within the police.

Neata not only helps support and mentor student officers, but as part of her ‘day job’ is also a fully trained hostage and crisis negotiator.

 

Neata was honoured at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2020, in recognition of her ‘sterling efforts in policing and helping others’.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

In 2008 Polly Harrar identified a gap in service provision for women who have been, or are at risk of being disowned, and who require long term support towards leading a successful independent life without fear, as a result she set up The Sharan Project: a specialist charity that supports South Asian women affected by abuse or persecution.

Amongst her many accolades, Polly is an Associate at the London Policing College, specialising in Domestic Abuse and Harmful Practice interventions and also holds a Master’s Degree in Policing, with a focus on Investigating Serious Crime.

On the 10th December 2020, Polly developed and launched the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant (EDAC) which is the third cross-Government supported UK Covenant, and the FIRST EVER Covenant that addresses Domestic Abuse.

 

SUKKI is a writer, director and humanitarian, best known for the Netflix Original docuseries ‘Singapore Social’.

She is also known for campaigning for freedom of expression within the performing arts in Singapore, and for the award-nominated short film, ‘I SEE HER’, which has been Officially Selected for festivals including the BAFTA and BIFA qualifying British Urban Film Festival.

The film seeks to sensitively educate the public on taking action when they see signs of abuse in women and girls; it has been made in close collaboration with The Sharan Project. Sukki and Polly have both been recognised as a part of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Awards, with Polly receiving a high commendation in 2013.

Sukki Singapora is a burlesque performer and activist.

Born to a Singaporean Indian father and an English mother, Sukki has achieved world-wide recognition as the first international burlesque performer from Singapore; founding The Singapore Burlesque Society in 2012, to protect Asian women (and men) wanting to pursue a career in burlesque.

Sukki’s television debut came as one of the cast for Netflix’s unscripted docuseries ‘Singapore Social’; following the lives of young, successful Singaporeans and notable for being the first docuseries with an all-Asian cast based in Asia for global release - it gained Sukki legions of fans around the world.

Sukki has worked to change the stereotypes and misconceptions about Burlesque and to encourage others to try the performance style. Speaking on her activism in this space, Sukki has stated: "This is not just an opportunity to prove that Burlesque can make a difference, it is a responsibility.”

Her outspoken political views on freedom of expression for women in socially restrictive countries saw her recognised on the shortlist for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in 2013.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Sonali Shah is a freelance broadcaster best known for being one of the faces of BBC Events, BBC Sport and Escape to the Country, and before that, a long-serving presenter of Newsround.

Sonali began her professional broadcasting career in BBC Radio soon after graduating from university and went on to produce and present news and business programmes on the World Service and Radio 5 live.

Known for her roles in the BBC’s coverage of many marquee live events over recent years including the Queen's 90th birthday, the Royal Wedding, the Lord Mayor’s Show, Wimbledon and the London Marathon; Sonali honed her skills during a five-year stint on the BAFTA award-winning Newsround including presenting from the Beijing Olympics and filming special reports from Haiti and Afghanistan. 

Away from the camera, Sonali is an Ambassador for the Prince’s Trust and the British Asian Trust and regularly supports Great Ormond Street Hospital and Barnardo’s. 

She was shortlisted for a Women of the Future Award in the Arts, Media and Culture category in 2012.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Yunquan Qin has been described as ‘the epitome of strength’.

The first woman in Asia to be certified as both a counter-terror shooting instructor by the Israeli Tactical School in the US, and also to earn a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu; Yunquan is CEO and chief instructor of Kapap Academy, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering ordinary people, with Yunquan having taught practical self-defence moves to thousands — from abused women to the deaf and the elderly.

For her efforts in empowering others and educating them about their own personal safety, she was the recipient of the Queen's Young Leaders Award in 2017.

In 2018, Yunquan was recognised as a honouree of Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia list - featuring 300 young disruptors, innovators and entrepreneurs from across the region. She was also named by Singapore Tatler, Generation T, as one of the 50 most promising individuals in Singapore. In the same year, Yunquan was made an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society, a charity committed to youth empowerment, education and advocacy. 

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Yunquan was a finalist in the Women of the Future Awards Southeast Asia 2019 in the Social Entrepreneur Category and in 2020 was one of 25 women named on the Kindness in Leadership Leading Lights Southeast Asia.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Eileen Willett is an entrepreneur and fashion industry expert. 

Born in Vancouver to Japanese parents, she trained in Paris and started her working life as a fashion illustrator in San Francisco. With a career that took Eileen via Japan, where she met her husband, to finally settling where she resides now in London, Eileen went on to join the then fledgling Nicole Farhi Menswear brand and helped it grow to be one of the premium men's brands of the 1990's.

After a career break to have her three children, Eileen started her own successful womenswear accessory brand. Then in 2017 she launched Cucumber Clothing with her co-founder Nancy Zeffman. The company set out 'to make luxury comfortable', using ultra-soft technical fabrics that are ethically, locally and sustainably sourced. Cucumber Clothing has been featured everywhere from Dragon’s Den to the Sunday Times Style and Vogue Italia.

Shortlisted for the 2020 Asian Woman of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, Eileen is also a speaker on female entrepreneurship and sustainability in fashion.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

You can find out more about Cucumber Clothing here.

Samantha Cohen is CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, the business network of the Commonwealth.

Prior to this Sam served in the Royal Household for nearly two decades as Assistant and Deputy Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen, having held a previous role as Head of Royal Communications for The Queen’s Household.

After working on the delivery of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London in 2018, Sam served as Private Secretary to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, for 18 months.

Sam previously held positions with the Minister for Mining and Energy and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in the Australian Government, the country of her birth.

Sam currently also serves as Co-Chair of the climate change charity Cool Earth and is a Trustee of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust.

In 2016, Samantha was appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch.

She is also a proud judge for the Women of the Future Programme awards.

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For more details on how you can enter or nominate someone for the 'Kindness & Leadership 50 Leading Lights' list, part of the Women of the Future Programme, please visit: https://www.kindnessrules.co.uk

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

**WELCOME TO THE 2024 SEASON!!** 

Tanya Patel is a CEO with a greater purpose. Founder of both a sustainable womenswear brand Chapter.London, as well as the specialist maternity and nursing brand Lily and Ribbon, Tanya has combined her business acumen with a passion for creative fashion solutions.

Her clothing range has featured everywhere from The Independent, as one of their best maternity jeans two years in a row, Grazia, The Sun and The Daily Mail. The Evening Standard even declared Lily and Ribbon the perfect place for a then pregnant Meghan Markle to shop.

Winner of the 2015 ‘Young Achiever’ accolade at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Programme, Tanya confesses that it: “Taught me to ask for my worth”.

Committed to paying her career experiences forward, Tanya’s ultimate intention is to inspire young, budding female entrepreneurs into business.

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The ASIAN WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT NOMINATIONS are closing soon! Click here for more details.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Self-titled ‘Polar Preet Chandi’ is nothing short of extraordinary.

 

A passion and expertise for tennis at an early age saw Preet move to the Czech Republic to attend Novak’s Tennis Academy when she was just 16. 

A career in the Army Reserves and a degree in physiotherapy followed; but as her appetite for pushing and challenging herself grew, Preet went on to complete her first half marathon at 20 years old.

 

From there she progressed on to compete in ultra-marathons, and eventually joined the Regular Army in her late twenties, completing large scale exercises and deployments in places such as Nepal, Kenya and most recently a 6 month UN peacekeeping tour to South Sudan.

 

Currently based at a Medical Regiment in the North West of England, with a primary role as a Clinical Training Officer, Preet recently completed her MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine at Queen Mary’s University, but might have to wait to attend her graduation ceremony…

Forever interested in ways in which to push the human body to its limits, Preet will very shortly be arriving in Chile to undertake her biggest challenge to date – being the first woman of colour to complete a solo, unsupported trek to the South Pole, travelling over 700 miles, facing wind speeds of 60mph and temperatures as low as -50c, before returning home with the intention of launching her own adventure grant for women.

 

Captain Preet Chandi was shortlisted for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards in the Sport category in 2020. You can follow Preet’s adventures on her website: www.polarpreet.com

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Lizzy Dening is a British journalist who has written about health, lifestyle and feminism for publications including The Guardian, Grazia, the Huffington Post, Marie Claire, Elle and the Independent.

 

Passionate about using her writing to help survivors of sexual violence, since 2016 Lizzy has volunteered at Peterborough Rape Crisis Care Group and is Vice Chair of their board of trustees.

 

Lizzy founded the ‘Survivor Stories’ project in December 2019, with the intention of using her skills in writing, interviewing and editing to help survivors of sexual violence to tell their stories in their own words, transcribed and edited with full consent.

 

With the long term ambition of creating an archive of stories from all over the world, from all ages, genders, sexualities and races, Lizzy describes the website as being available for ‘anyone who needs it’.

 

Lizzy was the winner of the 2020 Women of the Future Awards in the Media category.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on Survivor Stories, please visit: www.survivorstories.co.uk 

Currently Head of Communications for EMEA and APAC at commercetools, the leading provider of composable commerce, interestingly that’s not how it all started for Serena Chaudhry Pandey.

Serena also has over a decade-long experience as a war journalist under her belt, including reporting on events as varied as the conflict in Iraq to the death of Nelson Mandela; with Serena’s expertise in global affairs and storytelling always shining through.

Amongst her many journalistic achievements, Serena led the launch of Reuters’ groundbreaking digital product, Africa Journal, and produced several flagship TV programmes for BBC News.

In 2020, recognising the transformative power of technology, Serena made a bold transition into the tech industry and joined AI-company Dataminr, leading a team training AI models for real-time dissemination. Serena is widely recognised for her inspiring, positive leadership and her support of mentoring and diversity and inclusion programmes. She is also a Freeman of the City of London and Information Technologists, serves as a Trustee for the WCIT Charity, and is a fellow of the John Schofield Trust and Raisina Dialogue.

Serena was Highly Commended at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, part of the Women of the Future Programme, in 2022.

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The shortlists for this year’s Women of the Future Awards UK and Southeast Asia have been revealed! To view our finalists and find out more about how to attend the ceremony on Wednesday November 13th 2024, please visit our awards website.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

The Women of the Future podcast – a podcast made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme, a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness, and collaboration among leaders as well as support and celebrate the successes of women – is bringing you a brilliant podcast mini-series on the vast and varied subject of motherhood.

Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who is joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year. In-fact this mini-series was Rhona’s idea – what a woman!

We have another audio treat for you all this week…

For this episode, we’ve spoken to Emma de Closset.

With a remarkable career spent predominantly in public service spanning strategy, policy and operations, which included leading the 2021 G7 Summit in Cornwall; Emma is now the CEO of UK Community Foundations, a charity committed to positive social change in the UK through ‘community philanthropy’. She is also a mum of 3. 

This episode does come with a trigger warning, as we address issues of baby loss and miscarriage right from the start of our conversation.

Huge thanks to Emma for being so open, honest, and candid with us about her motherhood journey.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Dr Omnia El Omrani is a Climate and Health Junior Policy Fellow at Imperial College London.

She was the first official Youth Envoy for the President of COP27 and the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and then was appointed as Health Envoy for the 28th UN Climate Conference (COP28). A medical doctor with multiple roles as a Commissioner at the Lancet Commissions on Sustainable Healthcare, Prevention of Viral Spillover and Post-COVID Population Health, Omnia also holds positions as a Regional Associate for MENA at Prospira, and serves as a member of the TED Countdown Vision Council and the Collective Minds Council. 

Omnia has attended the last five UN Climate Change Conferences in Katowice, Madrid, Glasgow, Sharm El Sheikh, and Dubai representing more than 1.3 million medical students worldwide in the International Federation of Medical Students' Association (IFMSA), and in Egypt representing youth globally.

Omnia was selected as one of the 2023 Women of the Future, 50 Rising Stars in ESG.

 

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The WOMEN OF THE FUTURE 50 RISING STARS IN ESG NOMINATIONS are closing soon! Click here for more details.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Lesley Woods’ 20-year career in public relations has taken her around the world. Adeptly combining her Chief Communications Officer Ministry of Defence ‘day job’ with serving as a Squadron Leader in the RAF Media Reserves, Lesley has worked with international partners and film industry collaborators to shine a light on the work of her military colleagues.

As a serving senior Royal Air Force Reserve Media Officer, her operational experience equips her with unique perspectives that informs her civil service role, where she leads campaigns for the MOD Communications Directorate.

Lesley’s keynote speeches and masterclasses cover everything from what climbing a tree for Tom Cruise taught her about leadership, to why saving a TV documentary crew from a burning tent in Afghanistan made her a better communicator.

A compelling organisational storyteller, in creating and curating reflections of her own experiences on a broad range of topics, Lesley is quite remarkable in lending a voice to those who serve.

 

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Tickets for the WOMEN OF THE FUTURE ASIA PACIFIC VIRTUAL SUMMIT are available now!

2024 AGENDA: Human leadership in an AI world

This year, across a week-long festival, we will focus on the world’s transition to an era of powerful, new technologies and what this will mean for the next generation of leaders. What will leadership look like in an era of significant artificial intelligence, virtual collaboration and the next iteration of the internet? How will this technological change affect our work as leaders, our teams and our communities? Will leadership skills change and if so, which skills will become most valuable?

Click here for more details.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

The Women of the Future podcast – a podcast made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme, a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness, and collaboration among leaders as well as support and celebrate the successes of women – is bringing you a brilliant podcast mini-series on the vast and varied subject of motherhood.

Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni, who is joined for these special episodes by the wonderful Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year. In-fact this mini-series was Rhona’s idea – what a woman!

As we reach the end of Women’s History month, and look forward to Mothering Sunday, we have another treat for you all this week…

For this episode, we’ve spoken to the CEO and founder of both sustainable womenswear brand Chapter.London, as well as the specialist maternity and nursing brand Lily and Ribbon. Also a mum of two boys, it gives us great pleasure to introduce the motherhood journey of the amazing Tanya Patel. 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Neev Spencer is a TV and radio broadcaster best known for her award-winning shows on KISS FM.

She’s one of the UK’s most loved broadcast personalities and the first British Asian to cross over into mainstream radio.

 

Alongside her broadcasting and presenting work, Neev is a proud ambassador for five charities, including The Prince’s Trust and Global Citizen.

In 2017, Neev made a film about her experience of post-natal depression for the charity Heads Together, going on to speak to MPs in the House of Commons in 2018, to promote discussion around mental health. In the same year, Neev spearheaded the radio industry’s hugely effective 'Mental Health Minute' event, which saw 300 stations coming together to raise awareness.

 

Neev has previously been shortlisted for both an Asian Women of Achievement Award and a Women of the Future Award in their Media categories.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

It’s hard to find enough superlatives to describe the force of nature that is Fatima Zaman.

A Muslim woman of British-Bengali descent, Fatima is a next-generation counter-extremist.

Growing up in Tower Hamlets, she was just 13 years-old when she witnessed the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London; during which her school doubled-up as a evacuation centre for the injured and dying.

Citing it as an event that completely shaped her personal narrative; after graduating Fatima was recruited by Ghanian diplomat Kofi Annan, former Secretary-General of the United Nations, to join his Foundation in 2016.

As part of her work Fatima leads a programme called Extremely Together. The campaign aims to counter violent extremism in local communities both in the UK and globally, as well as inspiring and engaging the next generation of leaders.

She also spent a year as scholar in residence with former President of the United States Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama at their Foundation in the United States.

Fatima is due to head-up the Under 30 UK delegation to the G20 this year, focussing on global citizenship and multiculturalism for young people.

In addition, she has the accolade of being the youngest recipient of the Asian Women of Achievement Chairman’s Award.

Please note, our interview was recorded before the Coronavirus outbreak.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, please visit: www.awaawards.com

Sophie Alexander is an award-winning producer, and occasional powerlifter, currently working in International Affairs for Sky News.

 

In her previous role at ITV News, Sophie was a part of the only broadcast crew in the world to follow rioters into the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on January 6th 2021 – for which she and the team, including US correspondent Robert Moore and camera operator Mark Davey, have been recognised globally with multiple accolades for their coverage.

 

Sophie was the recipient of the Women of the Future Award in the Media category in 2021.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*WOMEN OF THE FUTURE PODCAST – MOTHERHOOD MINI-SERIES*

It’s International Women’s Day! Not only that, but we’re also celebrating the 100th episode of the Women of the Future Podcast.

This podcast is made in conjunction with the Women of the Future Programme, a platform built to unlock a culture of kindness, and collaboration among leaders as well as support and celebrate the successes of women. 

Presented by Kim Rowell, media executive, charity ambassador and Women of the Future Awards alumni.

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll know that over the past 99 episodes Kim has spoken to brilliant women, and a couple of men, about their careers, who or what gave them their first big break, as well as their successes, failures and inspirations along the way and how they came to be a part of the Women of the Future network.

HOWEVER, seeing as we’re reaching our 100th episode milestone, the brilliant Rhona Hunt, Chief Superintendent in the Metropolitan Police Service, previous podcast interviewee, and currently on maternity leave having had her first child late last year, reached out with an idea for a very special 6-episode mini-series on the vast and varied subject of motherhood.

So please do join us over the next few weeks for this Women of the Future Programme podcast mini-series special - we have some truly inspiring people lined-up. 

For our first episode it made sense to speak to the lady herself - introducing the motherhood journey of Rhona Hunt…

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Surviving a difficult and challenging childhood in East London, Jack Parson’s mission in life is to make sure no one is left behind by society. 

Jack’s work is primarily focussed on the often overlooked 18-30 demographic who, for some, have not had the opportunities that many of their peers from different socio-economic backgrounds have had. Jack, and the Youth Group, are changing this, one young person at a time. 

With the core values of: be bold, be honest, be kind, Jack’s Youth Group enables young people in the UK to thrive, develop and build a successful future; and with a connected community of 1.7 million they’re really starting to make a huge difference.  

Jacks’ own accolades include being named as the UK’s Chief Youth Officer, listed on the UK’s 100 Business Power List, and as Young Digital Leader of the Year, with Jack also recognised as one of the 50 people on the ‘Kindness and Leadership: Leading Lights’ list, part of the Women of the Future Programme.

 

*Please be aware that this episode discusses severe mental health issues and has references to suicide*

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

For more information on The Youth Group, please visit: www.theyouthgroup.com

Lily Elsner is the co-founder and CEO of Jack Fertility, a postal male fertility test company revolutionising male reproductive healthcare, and on a mission to make sperm testing as easy as possible. Since childhood Lily has been passionate about changing and improving the healthcare industry by making products and services more innovative and consumer-centric.

A Wellesley College graduate, Lily went on to earn an MBA from Oxford University's Saïd Business School, and is now an entrepreneur whose career has spanned biotech, start-ups, as well as law and banking; consistently advising those at the most senior levels. Finally in the driver’s seat herself, as CEO of Jack Fertility, along with her brilliant co-founder, advisors and team, Lily is on a mission to change the perception of fertility, to normalise testing and end infertility as a ‘woman’s issue’ when it's just as likely to be a 'male issue.' Also a HUGE champion of women in business, Lily was shortlisted in the Entrepreneur category for the Women of the Future Awards 2023.

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The WOMEN OF THE FUTURE AWARDS 2024 are now open! Click here to find out more.

For more information on the Women of the Future Programme Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

*PLEASE NOTE: This episode was recorded before recent tragic events in America.*

Jess Phillips is a British Labour Party politician, serving as Member of Parliament for Birmingham Yardley since the 2015 general election.

Currently Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding, Jess was also a candidate for Leader of the Labour Party in the 2020 leadership election; no surprise perhaps, hailing from a ‘politically active’ family and proclaiming her childhood ambition was to become Prime Minister.

Citing it as ‘the single most important job she ever had’, before her career in politics, Jess was employed at Women’s Aid, a charity whose aim is to end domestic violence against women and children, working her way up to become Business Development Manager.  

Famed for speaking her mind and an author of two books –  ‘Everywoman, One Woman's Truth About Speaking the Truth’ and‘Truth to Power: 7 Ways to Call Time on B.S’ - in response to the murder of her friend Labour MP Jo Cox, in June 2016, Jess stated it "makes me want to fight harder". 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

 

Natasha Burroughs specialises in advising global investors and companies to drive a sustainable and fair future.

She is passionate about building partnerships between the private and public sectors, with experience across the FTSE100, the heart of government, and start ups.

She was one of the first senior appointments to the Office for Investment, a joint 10 Downing Street and Department for International Trade unit that seeks to secure strategic net zero investments into the UK across net zero, green technology and R&D. She has also led the government's relationship with the world's largest family-owned businesses to drive inward investment and philanthropy.

Natasha started her career at Tesco plc, holding various roles in Corporate Affairs. More recently she was Director of Partnerships and PR at The Conduit, a 3,500-strong membership organisation dedicated to driving social change, where she led corporate partnerships to shape companies' ESG strategies.

She was nominated for the Asian Women of Achievement Award for Public Service in 2018 and sits on the Advisory Board of the Women of the Future Southeast Asia Awards, founded by Pinky Lilani CBE DL.

Natasha has Italian, Indian and English heritage, and is fluent in Italian.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Sir Nicholas Young is a solicitor and charity worker; operating as Chief Executive of Macmillan Cancer Relief between 1995 and 2001, and Chief Executive of the British Red Cross from 2001 to 2014, stepping down from the position following the tragic death of his son Alex.

 

Having studied law at the University of Birmingham, he made a somewhat unconventional career pivot in the mid-80s when he became Secretary for Development at the Sue Ryder Foundation and never looked back.

 

A much-lauded career that has also included positions within the government, Nicholas was Knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2000 for services to cancer care. He was made a Freeman of the City of London in 2007 and in 2009 was invited to become a Companion of the Chartered Management Institute.

 

Sir Nicholas is also chair of the judging panel for the Asian Women of Achievement Awards.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Anna Sheppard is an inspirational keynote speaker and the founder and CEO of Bambuddha Group, a social enterprise and community for dedicated learners who want to make an exceptional impact through leadership in business.

From humble beginnings, Anna spent most of her childhood fighting prejudice, and entered the care system for a short time before braving the world alone at the young age of 16.

Her early life experiences helped her develop a strong passion for equality and a vision for change. Anna worked optimistically and focused on putting herself through college, university and a master’s degree.

After working on various community development projects in Europe, Africa and Asia, Anna had an idea to set up a company with a clear vision for social and environmental change. And so Bambuddha Group was born, an organisation that believes in a future where every leader and business is committed to creating a sustainable world of equality and opportunity for everyone.

Anna was listed on the Kindness and Leadership 50 Leading Lights List, part of the Women of the Future Programme, for Asia Pacific in 2021.

 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme, Awards and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Kara Owen CMG has been the British High Commissioner to Singapore since June 2019.

As High Commissioner, Kara acts as the UK government’s representative and is responsible for everything from political work, trade and investment, to press and cultural relations, as well as visa and consular services.

Before taking on the role, Kara was most recently Director for the Americas at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, having also previously held high-profile government positions in Paris and Hanoi and as Private Secretary to the UK’s Foreign Secretary from 2003 to 2005.

For her services to British foreign policy, Kara was awarded the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s list in 2020.

A self-confessed ‘proud Cumbrian and mother’ and as her Twitter profile proclaims:  Liverpool FC fan, food obsessive, history junkie, hiker and reader; Kara is also an ardent supporter and ambassador for the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives.

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For more information on the Women of the Future , please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk

Alex Paske is the Founder and Managing Director of the Mintridge Foundation, a charity that has worked with over 40,000 young people to enhance their life skills through sport and provide a support network by harnessing the power of positive sporting role models.

Alex was the recipient of the Women of the Future Sport Award in 2017, and in 2018 received the prestigious Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Award in the Grassroots Category, as well as being appointed an Associate Fellow of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

Kim talks to Alex about her sporting upbringing, the challenges faced in starting a business at 24, the importance of role models and mentors to young people and how her greatest perceived failure turned into one of her greatest triumphs.  

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Nominations for the Women of the Future Awards 2019 are open - if you know an incredible young women thriving in her industry, you can nominate her here

Nominations for the Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights are also open, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society, nominate here

For more on the Mintridge Foundation click here

*WARNING - SOME STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT THEMES*

Alix Fox is a multi award-winning broadcaster, writer and sex educator. 

Shortlisted for a Women of the Future award in 2017, Alix is co-host of BBC Radio 1's Unexpected Fluids,resident X-rated agony aunt on The Modern Mann podcast and presenter of The Guardian's audio documentary series Close Encounters.  

An ambassador for Brook young people's sexual health charity, Alix is also a representative and consultant for Superdrug, ONE Condoms and Tenga intimate toys.

Named Best Sex Expert 2018 by ETO magazine, she has previously contributed to the likes of Bizarre magazine, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan and Stylist, as well as working as script advisor on Netflix’s hugely popular teen drama ‘Sex Education’

Kim and Alix spoke about her challenging upbringing, how fashion helped her find her identity and her first foray into media in a wet and windy Wigan.

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Nominations for the Women of the Future Awards 2019 are open - if you know an incredible young women thriving in her industry, you can nominate her here

Nominations for the Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights are also open, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society, nominate here

Cheryl Laidlaw is a website and graphic designer also known by her alter-ego ‘London Web Girl’.

Having started her own business at 26, it evolved to become ‘Website in a Day’ – offering clients just that, the ability to create their own website in one single day.

Through her ‘London Web Girl’ brand, Cheryl is able to share her passion for elevating women in tech to her tens of thousands of followers on social media.

Cheryl was Highly Commended in the Entrepreneur category at the Women of the Future Awards in 2018.

Kim and Cheryl spoke about her London upbringing and challenges with dyslexia, stumbling into a career as a graphic designer, the importance of networking and personal branding, plus printing your CV on fluorescent paper if you want to stand out(!)

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Currently a research fellow for Baroness Camilla Cavendish, Emily Benn is no stranger to politics.

At just 17-years-old, she was the youngest person ever selected as a British parliamentary candidate, standing for the Labour Party in both the 2010 and 2015 UK general elections.

A reflection, perhaps of a similar feat achieved by her grandfather as in 1951, Tony Benn became the country’s youngest MP aged 26.

Emily also has the accolade of being shortlisted for the Women of the Future Awards in 2008 in the Voluntary Sector.

Kim and Emily spoke about her current frustrations with the Labour party, her work as a research fellow in the field of social care, how she overcame the fear as a child that Osama Bin Laden used to live in her toilet and her dislike for one and two pence coins…

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Nominations for the Women of the Future Awards 2019 are open - if you know an incredible young women thriving in her industry, you can nominate her here

Nominations for the Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights are also open, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society, nominate here

 

Joana Baptista is an 18 year-old student from Oxford who has just completed her A Levels. With a passion for STEM and economics, she has founded 3 award-winning companies, alongside running workshops, clubs and talks around the country.

She has proudly presented to Princess Anne, was selected to participate in the Women2Women leadership programme in America and has not one but two TED talks under her belt, at the most recent she spoke of the importance of reverse-mentoring.

Jo was the recipient of the Women of the Future Young Star Award in 2017.

Kim and Jo spoke about some of the things closest to her heart - feminism, girls in STEM, and young entrepreneurship.

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Nominations for the Women of the Future Awards 2019 are open - if you know an incredible young women thriving in her industry, you can nominate her here

Nominations for the Kindness and Leadership: 50 Leading Lights are also open, recognising the contribution of kind leaders to business, the economy and society

Jules Chappell OBE is a communications specialist.

After graduating university in 2003, Jules joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and was posted to Baghdad as a member of the coalition's governance team after the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime – she was appointed an OBE the following year in recognition of her services.

In 2008 Jules became the UK’s youngest ambassador to Guatemala, and non-resident ambassador to El Salvador and Honduras at the age of 31. During her time in Guatemala, she made issues surrounding domestic violence in the country a key part of her mission.

In 2013, Jules won a Women of the Future Award  in the Community Spirits category. 

She is currently a Managing Director at London and Partners.

Kim and Jules spoke about bringing out her competitive edge in training for the England Lacrosse team with her German Shepherd in Ethiopia, the inspiration she derives from her husband and 4 year-old twins, newfound passion for immersive story-telling and how combining resilience with humanity has always been a huge part of work. 

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Lauren Dickerson is a clean tech entrepreneur from Boston, MA, USA.

Cofounder of Lunagen, an innovative hydropower technology start-up, Lauren has a remarkable background in renewable energy consulting and market analysis. 

With a B.A. from Boston College and an MBA from Imperial College, Lauren is currently Head of Partnerships at Centrica based in London.

Lauren was shortlisted for a Women of the Future Award in the MBA Star category in 2016 and it’s fair to say that issues of climate change, the environment, clean tech and sustainability are very dear to her heart.

Kim and Lauren spoke about her upbringing in America, how her time volunteering in Asia made her realise how easy it is to take things for granted and not having a defeatist attitude to failure - "what is failure but a chance to learn"?

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

 

 

Naomi Kerbel is Global Head of TV and Radio Scheduling at Bloomberg.

Whilst studying Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at Cambridge University, she put her passion for the performing arts to good use as a member of the renowned theatrical club ‘Footlights’.

A self-confessed compulsive ‘do-er’, Naomi is also an ambassador for the British Red Cross and host of her own podcast series ‘Show Me The Way’.

She was shortlisted for a Women of the Future Award in 2013 in the Media category.

Kim and Naomi spoke about spending her formative years in Miami, the boarding school experiences that shaped her life, late career re-direction and the role broadcaster Jeremy Vine played in it all...

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

To listen to Naomi's podcast, Show Me The Way, a series of conversations with women at the top of their game, click here

Professor Jenny Higham is undoubtedly a leading light - the first woman to serve as Principal of St George’s, University of London, an appointment which she took up in November 2015, she was also the first woman to be elected chair of the Medical Schools Council in August 2016.

An honorary consultant at St. George’s Trust and a visiting professor at Imperial College London, Jenny was the recipient of the Women of the Future Mentor of the Year Award in 2011.

Kim and Jenny spoke about finding her path in the medical profession, overcoming challenges and obstacles in her way, imposter syndrome, lack lustre career advice and the influence of 'Fred the Head'.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Sarah Sobka is a medical student at the University of Sheffield.

Her research into the most common inherited disease in the UK, cystic fibrosis, has seen her list as one of Forbes 30 under 30 for Science and Healthcare in 2016 and speak at the Royal Society of Medicine's Innovation Summit. She was also named Young Scientist of the Year in 2015.

Also a passionate advocate for youth involvement in science, specifically young women, Sarah won the Young Star category at the Women of the Future Awards in 2018.

Kim and Sarah spoke about developing a love for medicine from an early age, the importance of role models and mentors and her passion for normalising the pathway for women to get into STEM.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

 

Sean Tompkins is Global CEO of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and previously Director of financial services company, Prudential.

As part of his role at RICS he's been awarded honorary doctorates by Heriot-Watt and Amity University, accompanied UK Prime Ministers on trade missions, and addressed political leaders at the United Nations on furthering Sustainable Development Goals.

When it comes to the Women of the Future; a chance meeting with founder Pinky Lilani at his daughter’s school, saw Sean being instrumental in the addition of the new ‘Real Estate, Infrastructure and Construction’ category to their Awards in 2014.

In 2018 Sean was named on the ’50 Leading Lights’ list, a campaign showcasing leaders building a new status quo and impacting others through kindness.

He was also recognised in this year's 'Agents of Change' list of male UK business leaders who have excelled in promoting the role of women in the workplace. Handpicked by diversity trailblazers from across British culture, business and social advocacy organisations, Sean has been recognised for his leadership in both championing women at RICS and advocacy for greater female representation in the Chartered Surveying Profession around the world.

The first man to feature - Kim and Sean spoke about his Kent upbringing and the inspirational English teacher who encouraged him into a career in the City, evolving the concept of flexibility within his workforce, as well as Sean’s continuing efforts to improve female representation within the chartered surveying industry.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk 

Sheila Nortley has written and produced several internationally award-winning productions including Zion, Victim and the feature film David is Dying. 

In 2013 Sheila shot the independent hit Sable Fable - a stunning and sensitive film about interracial relationships, which went on to win Best Film at the American Black Film Festival awards in Miami, Florida.

Sheila was the recipient of the Woman of the Future Award in the Arts & Culture category for her work in film in 2016.

Subsequently she was invited to meet the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street for her commitment to filmmaking as a means of social change.

Kim and Sheila spoke about her Ghanaian roots, the origins of her passion for film-making, how it felt to receive a prestigious award on a global stage and a chance meeting at a poetry reading that helped shape her future.

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For more information on the Women of the Future Programme and initiatives, please visit: www.womenofthefuture.co.uk