Georgina Snape | Analyst | Accenture
I am a Business Development Lead Analyst with over 5 years of cross-industry experience, specializing in Programme Management, Data, and Business Analysis across diverse functions, including sales, marketing and technology.
My enthusiasm for transitioning into a career that seamlessly integrates creativity and technology is reflected in my can-do attitude and leadership skills. Recognition of my contributions came in the form of the 2023 TechWomen100 Champion Award, and I also received internal accolades for overseeing the North West Accenture People Agenda, engaging over 1,000 employees.
Community engagement is a fundamental aspect of my ethos. Actively collaborating with charities, I engage in initiatives like TechSheCan Sessions within our office, with a focus on inspiring high school girls to pursue careers in technology. Being selected by Digi Learning, I had the privilege of attending the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, immersing myself in marketing and networking with global leaders over five days.
Before my Accenture journey, I graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) Degree in Visual Merchandising and Retail Branding from the London College of Fashion. During this period, I won industry-level competitions with ASOS but also earned accolades including the PRO.DIP.BDS AWARD from The British Display Society. My experience includes roles as a Visual Merchandiser at Happy Socks and an 18-month tenure at Christian Dior`s London Flagship store. My commitment to continuous learning led me to complete courses in Management of Fashion and Luxury Companies at Bocconi and a marketing course at Central St Martins (UAL), further enhancing my skill set.
Lilymae Prescott | UX Designer | Sky
Lilymae’s journey as a UX designer started at Loughborough University, where she obtained a Master’s in User Experience Design in 2021.
After graduating, she joined Publicis Sapient as a UX Designer on their graduate programme, working with clients across different industries to deliver innovative and accessible digital solutions. She is now working at Sky Sports where she is accelerating her impact through creating memorable experiences for millions of sports fans across the country.
Beyond her full time role, she has dedicated her time and skills towards a number of side projects and initiatives to drive positive impact. Her digital design work for Hazaar has helped facilitating a circular economy on university campuses through the UK’s first zero-waste student marketplace. She has also worked with the charity The Survivor Project to evolve their digital strategy to raise awareness of domestic abuse and provide meaningful and actionable support for survivors.
She also mentors young people who are at risk of becoming NEET, and actively engages in events and initiatives that aim to empower young people and women who want to pursue a role in tech. She is also a comms associate in the multi-culture network at her organisation.
Rebecca Varley | Business Director | Zone Digtal
Becky is a rare unicorn of a Business Director, combining a creative and strong commercial and operational mind, as well as consistent pastoral care and mentorship.
A passionate storyteller her career started in the TV industry at the BBC, before relocating to Germany where she became a TV producer. Back in the UK she took on challenging roles at Endemol, her segway into the digital realm, before making the move to a Mar-tech Agency inside Coty, one of the world’s largest beauty companies. Here she set up an in-house studio producing beauty content across the digital spectrum for over 30 FMCG and Luxury brands such as Rimmel, Max Factor, Hugo Boss, Cover girl, Clairol, and GHD.
Keen to transition into Client Services, Becky embraced the chance to move to digital agency, Zone (a Cognizant company), where she was soon promoted to Business Director on one of the largest and most prestigious automotive client groups within UK&IE DX. Here she oversees work across a complex mix of digital services and solutions in a time of huge change for the industry.
Clients value her support, flexibility and high energy, impact driven approach. She encourages honest and transparent relationships focused on long term development, with her team seen as an extension of the brands they collaborate with, all working to deliver excellence today and for the future.
Much respected by her peers, Becky has been identified as a future leader with an ambition to grow and help help others do the same.
Saiba Ali | Management Consulting Analyst | Accenture
Saiba is currently a Management Consulting Analyst at Accenture in their Manchester office.
Since joining Accenture Saiba has led the analyst Inclusion & Diversity (I&D) network in the North-West, putting together days to celebrate culture and communities alike for example the Black History Month paint and learn class. Alongside this, Saiba has introduced the first ever North-West quarterly awards, where she herself was chosen by Accenture leadership as the Best Newcomer. Prior to joining Accenture, Saiba worked in Audit at Grant Thornton where she partially completed the ACA. At university, Saiba studied and achieved top grades in BSc Business and International Relations and MSc Strategy and Leadership; with a focus on sustainable business practices and women in leadership. To date, although at the very beginning of her career, Saiba exemplifies as a keen learner, someone who brings fresh ideas to the table and an individual who thrives off boosting inclusion and diversity in the workplace.
Gemma Walsh | Research Radiographer | City, University of London
Gemma is a CT/MRI lead radiographer at Wood Green NHS Community Diagnostic Centre in London.
She is also a research radiographer and prospective PhD student at City, University of London working to investigate the impact of AI implementation on radiographer roles and professional identity, and further explore AI leadership roles and competencies for radiographers.
Donna O`Connor | Head of Organisational Development | Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service
A Senior Executive Leader specialising in Organisational Development, Transformation, Equality Inclusion & Diversity and Human Resources with extensive strategic planning experience having held Interim Director, Inspector and Board level positions in the Education and Public Sectors including my current role as Head of Organisational Development with the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
I am responsible for building organisational capability, organisational design and development and driving business performance.
I have experience in governance including staffing and financial and risk management, strategic decision making and making an impact with others. Currently I hold a number of public appointments as a Council member of CCEA, a unique education body in the UK, bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment and I am also a school governor. I hold a number of academic, coaching and leadership qualifications. I have helped shape future policy and practice within the Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service.
Gina Patel | DAWN Co-chair | NHS England
Gina Patel is a south Asian female equality advocate and has dedicated more than 13 years of her life promoting the rights of disabled people from all backgrounds personally and professionally.
Her own experience of growing up and attending a disability segregated service has shaped her motivation and determination to accomplish thus far, among others.
Her professional career began with an advocacy organisation where she spoke out on behalf of individuals with disabilities on a local, regional, and national level. She also served on the West Midlands Young Combined Authority as an inaugural board member. At TEDxWolverhampton 2021, she gave a talk titled ”Disability and Ambitions,” focusing on the topic of disability segregation, her personal experience during the pandemic, and her career path.
She has supported underrepresented groups by appearing in local and national media, I.e. GB News, for her campaign #CPEverydayLife, which went viral and achieved 100,000 social media impressions. She also presented a petition letter on the steps of 10 Downing Street for Changing Places Awareness Day, raising awareness of the facilities available for all disabled people. During Loneliness Awareness Week, she was featured in the Daily Mirror, drawing attention and impact to her personal experience of loneliness.
She is currently proudly serving as trustee of a learning disability advocacy organisation as well as co-chair of a disability staff network. She also hosts the podcast ”Saying It As It Is,” which promotes awareness of all underrepresented groups and currently available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts.
Kat Parsons | Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging | ISS UK & Ireland
Kat Parsons is the Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at ISS UK & Ireland, dedicated to creating an inclusive and progressive workforce.
But Kat`s career journey started in the construction industry where she was an environmental engineer for over 16 years working in challenging situations within a very male dominated industry. This experience was a solid foundation for the importance of psychological safety to create environments where everyone can thrive and feel safe. It also highlighted how tough it can be for a minority groups to excel and progress to reach their full potential with many roadblocks and barriers. As a proud gay woman, Kat felt held back in her career.
Since joining ISS Kat has unleashed a tidal wave of change by creating a highly supportive environment, putting the real life experiences of employees front and centre and ensuring the senior team leads by example. `People call it a soft skill but I’d argue it’s far harder to be empathetic and vulnerable with someone, in order for them to trust you and to speak out if something isn’t right, than it is to perform hard skills.’
Kat`s infectious energy and talent for storytelling make her a relatable and influential leader in the diversity and inclusion space.
Kat’s experience and innovations have earned her a reputation across both the Facilities Management industry and among Diversity & Inclusion experts.
Polina Changuleva | Founder and CEO | Same But Different Consultancy Ltd
Winner of Management Today`s 35 under 35 and Future of Work Pioneer 2024, Polina Changuleva is a multi award-winning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion specialist.
Founder of the world`s first joyful inclusion consultancy - Same But Different, she works with the brands of tomorrow to build a future in which we embrace each other`s differences and celebrate our similarities.
Having previously led the Women’s Inclusion Network at Yahoo, she has worked for some of the world’s biggest brands as a Cultural Advisor and Racial Justice advocate. Some of these brands include Microsoft, Yahoo, Google, Reward Gateway and more.
Polina has continuously challenged the status quo and continues to do so through her work with Same But Different Consultancy, the UK`s 50:50 Parliament Diversity Committee and charities across London and Africa.
Having spent the last decade working in media and tech, Polina is a global expert, thought leader and international speaker on all things diversity and inclusion, partnerships and tech.
Prior to starting her business, Polina led Xbox`s partnership efforts across 16 markets, creating many pioneering multi-million partnerships with the likes of McDonalds, Burberry, Lego, Paco Rabanne, BMW, Deliveroo, Adidas and more.
Wanting to use her knowledge for good, in 2023 Polina launched Brand Partnerships House - a community of now over 600 founders, creatives and change makers on a mission to leverage the power of collaboration as a business growth tool. Those businesses have gone on to secure partnerships with brands like Soho House, Meta, Samsung, Beauty Pie, Mildred’s, TikTok and more.
Catherine Harrison | Virtual PA | Bee-Assisted Limited
Cath Harrison (52), Derby, has been working since the age of 15, After an impressive career as a Personal Assistant of over 35 years, working in the private and public sector at businesses including tech giant Hewlett-Packard, Cath honed her experience and became the right-hand woman to her employers.
In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, Cath was made redundant and decided to take the plunge and launched Bee-Assisted Ltd .
Because of her leap of faith, Cath found herself as a new business owner later in life than most, despite this she took it in her stride to quickly become fully booked, utilising her 35+ years of experience as an executive assistant.
Cath now also offers support to new VAs, and in 2024 started training to be a VA Mentor. She has been a guest speaker at networking groups, in schools and other businesses across the Derbyshire region. She regularly appears on podcasts sharing her expertise.
Cath is a passionate advocate for disability support and improving accessibility, a cause close to her heart; her eldest son was diagnosed with hearing loss and mild autism at a young age and is now profoundly deaf and a bilateral cochlear implant user.