Carmen Macri | Principal Mechanical Engineer | WSP
With over a decade of industry experience, my expertise lies in delivering sustainable and energy-efficient solutions into diverse building sectors, including office, education, commercial, industrial, and residential spaces.
As a dedicated professional, my drive is to contribute to a sustainable built environment through collaborative engineering practices, innovation and the implementation of BIM Modeling. My commitment is to project excellence, ensuring timely and budget-conscious delivery, all while fostering a collaborative and proactive work environment.
Daniella Alves de Sousa Reis | Senior Engineer Building Systems | Heathrow Airport
Daniella is a Chartered Mechanical Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers with over 15 years of professional experience.
She currently works as a Senior Mechanical Engineer at Heathrow Airport, providing technical leadership in Heathrow's decarbonisation of heat and heating and cooling assets. Daniella began her career in Brazil, working in engineering consultancy across various industries for more than 10 years, especially leading mechanical teams in projects in energy generation. She joined Heathrow in 2019 through the Career Returners Programme, overcoming the challenges many women face when re-entering the workforce but persevered, demonstrating her expertise and knowledge. Beyond her technical role, Daniella mentors graduate engineers and supports their professional development. She is a STEM ambassador and passionate about inspiring the younger generations and championing women working in Engineering and Baggage. Daniella's commitment to technical excellence, leadership, and fostering diversity makes her a standout figure in engineering, inspiring others and contributing greatly to both her team and the wider profession.
Sophie Parker | Head of Talent | Pure Data Centres Group
I am an experienced people professional in the data centre industry, and a recently qualified executive coach. I’m passionate about empowering individuals, fostering growth and creating opportunities for people to unlock their full potential.
All of my roles have linked to this passion, from training manager writing curriculums to set our technical teams up for success, to working with senior leaders to achieve their goals. I joined Pure Data Centres Group in 2021 and have held the roles of Training Manager, Learning and Development Manager and Head of Talent. The company has grown massively within that timeframe and I’ve had the opportunity to design and run many different development programmes and lead on some interesting people initiatives. Prior to joining Pure I worked at another data centre business, UKFast (now ANS group) where I established and led a small team of performance development coaches to assess and continually improve the service standards across our customer facing teams. Many moons ago in 2012 I was part of the Boots retail management graduate scheme where I managed a variety of different store types. This sparked my love for people management and helped me to see the impact the right environment can have on the development and achievements of individuals. I’ve always been passionate about increasing the diversity in our industry and created many initiatives to support with this, from the Girlguiding Digital Challenge badge at UKFast, volunteering with STEM ambassadors and Pure’s educational outreach programme.
Maryam Jazeem | Student | Home Education
Maryam Jazeem, a 12-year-old prodigy from Milton Keynes, is a multi-award-winning Quran reciter, public speaker, social activist, kidpreneur, and STEM advocate.
Raised by her single father since the age of four, she has become an inspirational role model for young people worldwide. As the youngest ambassador for King Charles’ #IWill Movement, she actively advocates for education, mental health awareness, climate change, and religious tolerance. Under her father’s mentorship, Maryam has won over 40 prestigious awards spanning Quranic recitation, public speaking, and STEM. She was crowned the UK’s Best Quran Reciter in 2021 after winning the National Qira’ah Competition by Islam Channel TV. She reaffirmed her title in 2025, winning the Q Factor Nationwide Qira’ah Competition among 1,500 contestants. Notably, Maryam is the world’s first child to master Tajweed using STEM principles, earning her the MK STEM Student Superstar Award 2024. She has also been shortlisted in five categories at the MK STEM Awards 2025, including Advancing Women in STEM and AI Impact. Additionally, she was the only child featured in the ‘100 Inspiring Muslims: Next Gen’ list by the Emerald Network and Aziz Foundation. Her tireless activism led to a historic policy reversal in Sri Lanka, where she played a key role in challenging forced cremation laws. This campaign earned her the Baton Award 2023, where she became the first child to win under the Paulet Wilson category, surpassing two barristers and an author. Maryam’s impact transcends age—she continues to empower and inspire the next generation
Nicole Noelia Mihailovici | Social entrepreneur, Writer, Engineer | Little Globy
Nicole Noelia Mihailovici is a British student born in December 2005, currently studying Information Technology (IT) with a passion for education, sustainability, and creative expression.
As a co-author of an educational story focused on environmental protection and sustainability, Nicole collaborates with her mother, Dr. Cristina-Steliana Mihailovici, to inspire young readers to take care of the planet. Beyond her academic pursuits, Nicole is a talented poet and performer. She has showcased her poetry at several cultural and literary events, including Our Green Planet (2022), Liverpool Irish Festival (2023), and Fair Story Tale (2023), among others. Through her poetry, she explores themes of nature, culture, and social responsibility, using her voice to advocate for positive change. Nicole is also a member of the Liverpool City region Combined Authority Youth Committee. Her involvement in environmental storytelling and literary festivals highlights her commitment to raising awareness about sustainability and cultural diversity. As a young creative mind in both technology and the arts, Nicole continues to blend her skills in IT, literature, and advocacy, making a meaningful impact in her community.
Saba Maskin | Principle Energy and Sustainability Engineer | WSP
Changemaker focused on holistic environmental improvement, reducing carbon and optimising energy use in the built environment and beyond.
Promoting sustainable solutions that extend past our surroundings inspiring change and a positive global impact.
Sarah Picasso | Human Rights Manager | Sainsbury's
I am passionate about making a positive difference in the world. Throughout my career, I have aspired to make businesses a force for good, by contributing to flourishing and thriving communities where people are empowered and celebrated.
As a Human Rights Manager for a large UK retailer, I aim to improve the livelihoods and resilience of the people working in global food supply chains - from tea pluckers in Kenya to cocoa farmers in Ghana and many more. Previously, I worked to advance organisations’ sustainability practices as a sustainability consultant. I supported businesses to develop sustainability strategies, helped organisations to receive funding for much-needed climate change projects, and advanced women’s economic empowerment through international development programmes. I am a passionate advocate for gender equality and I fervently believe in empowering women, men and people of diverse genders. In addition to my role as a Human Rights Manager, I play a leading role in my business’ colleague network on gender. I lead the Voice and Culture workstream, where we aim to drive a positive and inclusive culture within our business, and support all our colleagues to achieve their potential, regardless of gender. I volunteered for Refuge as a National Domestic Abuse Helpline Volunteer for two years. My journey reflects my passionate pursuit of meaningful change for people, wherever they are in the world. I believe in the transformative power of truly diverse and empowered workforces, and I aspire to continue playing my part in creating an inclusive and equitable future for everyone.
Fatou Ferraro Mboup | Writer, Journalist & Editor | SCREENSHOT Media
I'm a Staff Writer & Editor at SCREENSHOT Media, covering cultural and political discussions, specifically the ones being had online.
My journey into journalism began at Birkbeck University, where I studied Journalism and Media with a focus on Critical Race Studies and Postcolonial Thought. This academic background has given me a detailed understanding of cultural identity, diaspora dynamics, and the intersection of race, history, and media representation. My experience includes a six-month internship at The Guardian, where I contributed to editorial projects, followed by a role at The Borgen Project, working on global poverty advocacy. I also contributed to a project launched by The Borgen Project, which focused on tackling female genital mutilation (FGM). These experiences shaped my commitment to inclusive storytelling and broadened my perspective on the media’s role in effecting social change. As a mixed-race individual—half Italian, half Senegalese—I’m passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices, particularly in media, especially the entertainment sector. My studies and personal experiences drive me to challenge stereotypes and champion narratives that reflect diverse backgrounds. At SCREENSHOT Media, I’m focused on expanding my work within Black, or more broadly, global entertainment spaces. My goal is to create content that not only entertains but also engages with crucial social issues. I believe inclusive media is key to fostering representation and understanding, and I’m eager to continue making an impact in both mainstream and independent media.
Abigail Noonan | Digital Marketing Manager | Vision Linens
Abigail Noonan immigrated to the UK in 2019 to attend the Alliance Manchester Business School where she was given an award for Best Sustainability Dissertation, and a First Class degree.
Abigail then worked for Lifeshare, the oldest homelessness charity in Manchester for three years helping to raise awareness and funds with media coverage including Granada Reports, ITV Radio, BBC Radio 3, Times Radio Manchester, Hits Radio, Steph's Packed Lunch and The Metro. Abby also developed their corporate partnerships and volunteering programme which coordinated with companies including Amazon, Syngenta, Natwest, and AstraZeneca. Her work there won her a Manchester Young Talent Award in 2023 for Marketing and Communications Professional of the year as well as the Northwest Business Insider Young Professional Award for Business Development Professional of the Year in 2024. Abby now works for Vision Linens, one of the most respected hospitality textile suppliers around the Globe. Abby was named to the Northern Power Women Future List in 2024 and has been featured on panels at the Midlands Ecommerce Retail Summit, Insider Media Sales Summit North West, Telecom's Connected North, and Connected Britain. Abby is currently the Deputy President of the Manchester chapter of JCI.
Charlene Gravesande | Founder | Ink Media Ltd
I've been in the industry for over 16 years. I started off as a production runner, making teas and coffees but I always had the ambition of being a Sports Producer.
After three years as a runner, I was promoted to Production Junior before taking up multiple roles including an F1 Producer. In my previous organisation I was and still remain the only Black woman Producer in the F1 department. Last year, I left to start my own sports media production company. My new venture is the first of it's kind, specialising in thought-provoking content in Football and Formula One. My mission is to tell stories from the lens of underrepresented communities that aren't being told in mainstream media. Creating a safe space for individuals in sports to be unapologetically themselves through the art of storytelling. My career contributions include producing live content at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021, which won a BAFTA. I've also been named on the Premier League Football Black List in 2020, crowned the winner of the Game Changer in Sport Businesswoman of the Year in 2023. I had my most successful year in 2024 after winning three awards, including being named on the Diversity Power List 50 alongside the likes of the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan. It's an honours list of inspirational diverse people driving change in the UK. My leadership and dedication to inclusion have had a significant impact on the sports world, pushing for more diverse and equitable systems.