Jessica Setter | Employee Relations Consultant, EMEA | Macquarie Bank
I grew up in a coastal town on the east coast of Australia where I studied a double degree in Law and Business. At 23 I entered the corporate world as a law graduate at a Sydney firm.
I obtained my NSW legal practising certificate in 2016 (which I still hold) and worked in private practice for about 4 and a half years – predominately in the employment legal team. In 2019 I took a big bold bet and left private practice to become an in-house employment lawyer at a fast-paced technology company. Two years later, I took an even bolder bet and moved with the company to London where I helped support employment legal matters impacting their Northern and Eastern Europe operations. In 2023 an opportunity to take on a hybrid legal / employee relations role arose. The opportunity allowed me to continue to live in London and maintain a connection to my home country. In this role I am at the forefront of providing commercial advice on a broad range of employment matters with the overall aim of maintaining and fostering a positive work environment. I am a calm, practical and solutions-focused advisor who invests time in building genuine relationships with my stakeholders. In my roles, I have supported on people matters across various locations in APAC and EMEA and I am currently based in London. Outside of work, I am a lover of travel, ceramics and the ocean. I also consider myself an amateur (but persistent) cook.
Eleanor Nixon | People Analytics Product Manager | Barclays
I began my career as a Human Resources Graduate at Barclays, experiencing roles in teams in Business Partnering, People Analytics and Early Careers.
I now work in the Data Products Team in (People) Analytics, a fascinating area of the bank that works on elevating data and insights for the internal organization. Beyond my main roles, I have held volunteer leadership roles in the Graduate Apprentice Intern Network, a 4500+ membership network in the bank that focuses on creating a community for past and present early careers programme colleagues. Starting out as an ambassador in the communications team in late 2022, I moved on to hold the role of Communications Co-Lead, then have now been Co-Chair of the network since April 2024.
Suzan Boylan | Job Architecture Relationship Manager | Barclays
Since joining the Barclays HR apprenticeship in 2015, Suzan has held a number of roles across the organisation, as well as multiple leadership roles across employee resource groups (ERGs), including mentor for Disability ERG, champion of the Gender Careers workstream, lead for the Gender Allies workstream, co-lead for the Black Professionals and Gender reciprocal mentoring programme, co-chair for the London Military Network and data lead for the HR Diversity workstream.
Suzan has looked to use her experience of entering the world of financial services in a “non-traditional” manner, as someone whose background does not fit the stereotype, to share her experiences and increase awareness on possible routes in to employment and navigating the world of career progression, both in her day jobs, including roles supporting veterans in to the right job for them and managing a self-evaluation talent & development tool, and outside of it. Away from work, Suzan also sits on her local community Board, focusing on bringing new communities together and driving discussions on diversity demographics.
Lucinda Pounds | Talent, Learning & Development Manager | Compre
I moved into Learning and Development five years ago after finding my passion in coaching and developing others.
Supriya Davda | Talent Acquisition Partner | Northern Trust
With over 13 years of experience in the recruitment industry, complimented by an education in Law.
I am passionate about finding and attracting diverse and talented professionals who can make a positive difference. My journey in talent acquisition has been driven by a deep passion for Diversity and Inclusion, with a particular focus on empowering women in the technology industry. Currently, I thrive in my role at Northern Trust, where I not only place exceptional talent but also contribute to our workplace culture. Within the organisation, I proudly serve as the Co-Chair for the Asian Leadership Business Resource Council, where I actively promote community engagement and facilitate early career development and awareness of the Asian Culture. Outside of my professional capacity, I serve as an Associate School Governor at the Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth Form. Additionally, I contribute as a Board Trustee Member for Sisters Circle, a charity dedicated to prioritising women’s health. My professional and personal journey is deeply infused by the values of Truth, Love, and Compassion, which I’ve imbibed from my spiritual teacher, Morari Bapu. I am a firm believer in his advocacy for the acceptance of all individuals and service to others; principles I strive to incorporate into my work.
Sofia Mondragon | Associate Banker - Vice President | Citi Law Firm Group
I started as a JP Morgan Chase-Retail Banker in Chicago IL, helping clients in the community with their banking, lending and financial planning needs.
Through this role I was introduce to the investment division of banking. I obtained my investment licenses and joined the Private Banking division, helping the organization expand in the Houston TX market, working with ultra-high net-worth clients. I was able to leverage my experience in the previous roles and transitioned into a Supervisory position in Chicago IL, ensuring the supervision of investment accounts were in line with the firm’s policies/procedures while adhering to FINRA regulations. After almost 11 years, I joined Citi Wealth at Work in the capacity of an Associate Banker – Assistant Vice President in 2022. I was recently promoted to Vice President in recognition of my consistent performance excellence across financial goals and behaviors.
Magdalena Groszek | Vice President | Goldman Sachs
Growing up with a programmer for a mother, a career in tech felt natural. She demystified what still seems impossible for many young women.
Her consistent support helped me build my skills, leading to my first role at Goldman Sachs in 2013 as a summer intern. It was then that I realized my story is an exception to the rule, and there’s so much more to be done in the industry. I became committed to acting as a role model for other women who don’t get these naturally. Research consistently shows that seeing women in leadership positions and successful careers in STEM increases girls’ and women’s self-belief in their ability to succeed in those fields. Since 2016, I have helped shape the Perspektywy’s IT for SHE program, which supports talented women studying IT to enter the Polish job market. In 2018, I collaborated with the Perspektywy foundation to establish the Women in Tech Summit, Europe’s largest conference for women in tech, which gathered over 14,000 participants in 2024. I co-head internal Goldman Sachs Warsaw Women’s Network. Over the years I have aimed to inspire hundreds of people through these and other initiatives, and I have directly mentored over 30 individuals, helping them to build courage to achieve their goals, find first job in IT or simply find their way in the fast-paced IT industry. My goal is to continue fostering an inclusive tech industry, empowering the next generation of leaders.
Shadè Alcine | Client Relationship Manager | HUMAN
I’m Shadè Alcine, a leader in cybersecurity, fintech, and payments, with a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and delivering exceptional results.
I’m honored to have been recognized at the NYSE as an Inspiring Women of the Year, named a 2024 Top 25 Mentor by Upnotch, and selected as a finalist for both the Black Tech Achievement Fintech Person of the Year and the PayTech Women Rising Star award. In my work, I’ve established myself as a trusted leader in cyber, consistently closing business at an impressive 120% success rate. My expertise lies in building secure, scalable systems, protecting digital identities, and combating fraud in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Beyond technical achievements, I am passionate about creating pathways for underrepresented voices through roles such as co-chair of PayTech Women and board member of Blacks in Tech.
Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez | Design Engineer | RJC Engineers
I am a structural earthquake engineer with a diverse career bridging both industry and academia.
I began my journey with a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Costa Rica. In 2013, I joined SismoConsultores, a seismic design firm, where my passion for structural dynamics grew. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology through an international program at IUSS (Italy) and METU (Turkey). In 2016, I moved to New Zealand to pursue a PhD in Earthquake Engineering at the University of Canterbury. The Kaikōura Earthquake, which occurred shortly after my arrival, significantly influenced my research. I joined a reconnaissance team examining damaged infrastructure and later conducted research at Politecnico di Torino and the Eucentre Foundation in Italy, focusing on seismic performance and resilience of precast concrete buildings. In 2022, I transitioned to industry as a Design Engineer at RJC Engineers in Vancouver, where I was able to apply my expertise to the seismic design of tall buildings and the seismic assessment of existing structures, enhancing my practical knowledge of resilient design. I also actively support women in the profession through mentoring junior engineers, volunteering with organizations like SCWIST, and advocating for greater female representation in engineering through professional societies. As a recipient of the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, I am excited to combine my academic and industry experience to redefine seismic design for high-rise buildings in Canada. My goal is to improve resilience in seismic regions and contribute to advancing building design practices.
Sara Yahia | HR Expert & Author of Quietly Sparks
Sara Yahia is an award-winning HR leader, author, and DEI advocate with over 12 years of international experience.
She has led HR strategies for prominent companies like DoubleTree by Hilton, Jade Associates, and FIFA Qatar/Mall of Qatar. Now a consultant for U.S. companies, Sara focuses on optimizing HR operations and fostering inclusive, diverse workplaces. Fluent in four languages, Sara’s disciplined, emotionally intelligent leadership blends cultural awareness, adaptability, and resilience. She empowers employees through an introvert-friendly framework, prioritizing understanding and connection for organizational success. Initiatives like creating an inclusive app for visually impaired customers and launching the Hi-Five Welcoming strategy have delivered measurable business outcomes, earning her accolades such as two 40 Under 40 awards and a Global Recognition Award for DEI contributions. Sara’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She is deeply compassionate and volunteers her time preparing meals for those in need. She supports causes like children’s welfare, regularly attending charity galas to make a difference in others’ lives. Sara also advocates for underrepresented groups through her involvement in the United Women in Business Foundation and the CUNY Alumni Engagement Council. Outside of work, Sara embraces diverse hobbies that reflect her curiosity and passion for self-improvement, including playing the piano, flying planes, horse riding, skiing, CrossFit, cooking, and reading romance novels. Sara’s unique combination of leadership, emotional intelligence, grit, and dedication makes her a true Rising Star and a leader to watch in her industry.