Subarna Bhattacharya | Vice President : Head of DEC execution IT Amer | BNP Paribas
Subarna Bhattacharya is a dynamic leader in the IT industry, known for her pioneering work and dedication to advancing womens careers in technology.
With a Masters degree in Computer Science from a prestigious University of Southern California university, Subarna began her career as a software engineer at a leading IT firm.
Currently , Subarna is a Senior Vice President with 15+ years of experience leading teams and delivering products in the Financial Services industry. She has ample exposure in Banking (including commodities derivatives, Derivative and clearing business, equity derivatives, and portfolio management), and is a highly Motivated Technologist with excellent analytical and organization skills.
Driven by her passion for innovation and problem-solving, Subarna quickly rose through the ranks, leveraging her technical expertise and leadership skills to take on increasingly challenging roles. Her commitment to excellence and her ability to foster collaboration led to her appointment as a Head of Dec Execution IT at BNP Paribas , USA.
In her current role as IT Manager at BNP Paribas, Subarna plays a pivotal role in driving strategic initiatives and overseeing key projects within the organization. Her exceptional leadership qualities and strategic vision have earned her recognition as a key player in the IT industry.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Subarna is a vocal advocate for gender diversity in the workplace and actively mentors young women pursuing careers in technology. She is also involved in various community outreach programs aimed at empowering women and promoting STEM education. Subarna is an active member of Women in IT.
Lauren Palmer | Sustainability Delivery Manager | Barclays
I started my career within the branch network at the age of 19 following completion of my A Levels.
I achieved the grades required to attend university, however I have always found the typical student life rather challenging due to my condition and instead decided to enter the world of work.
I currently work within Sustainable Finance as a Delivery Manager, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and am extremely passionate around both the Social and Environmental aspects of ESG.
Micaela Spencer-Rogers | Business Manager, Barclays UK Sustainable Finance & Social Purpose | Barclays
Micaela joined Barclays in 2019 on the Risk graduate scheme, holding a number of roles across Risk before joining Operational Risk in a Business Management, Strategy and Governance role.
In 2023 Micaela joined the Barclays UK Sustainable Finance & Social Purpose team, driven by a desire to greater align her values and professional aspirations. In her current role, Micaela embraces the challenge of capturing opportunities from the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Prior to joining Barclays, Micaela completed a degree in Economics & Politics at the University of Exeter.
Namita Gupta | Technical Product Owner | MUFG
Namita Gupta is a Technical Product Owner for Trade Finance at MUFG. She is an ESG enthusiast, working parent, mentor, role model and public speaker.
In her role Namita leads on onboarding, complex technical integration and security clearances for Trade Finance technology products.
Namita started her career 18 years ago in India where she obtained Bachelors of Engineering qualification in Electronics and Telecommunications. She worked at Larsen & Toubro Infotech and Royal Bank of Scotland before moving to the UK with her family, where she worked at Barclays before joining MUFG in 2022. Namita was awarded Achiever of the Month twice; for build and test automation, and for delivering Angular JS training the new front end technology at the time. She has been the recipient of the prestigious Excellence Values Award at Barclays, and her latest achievement includes Top Green Team Member 2023 Award at MUFG.
As a keen ESG enthusiast Namita has delivered many MyCo2 workshops to raise climate risk awareness and help reduce personal carbon emissions. She takes pride in the importance of giving back, helping others and is an advocate for personal development. Namita has taken active part in CSR ‘Young Minds Brighter Futures’ programme, where she co-delivered Future Opportunities and The Hour of Code workshops to low socio-economic background students. She mentors early careers tech talent and fellow female professionals to encourage growth mindset. She invests in personal and professional self-development.
Outside of work, Namita practices yoga and enjoys spending time in nature.
Pelin Turkmen | ESG Graduate Analyst | Cambridge & Counties Bank
Pelin Turkmen is a young professional with a strong academic background and dedication to sustainable finance and climate change economics.
She earned her degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in July 2023, where she focused on Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Economics. Currently working as the ESG Graduate Analyst at Cambridge & Counties Bank, Pelin leverages her diverse experience gained from international financial institutions and research institutes across multiple continents. Highly skilled in navigating the complex intersection of finance and sustainability, she adeptly tackles both risks and opportunities associated with addressing the economic dimensions of climate change.
Tarja Porkka-Kontturi | Consultant / Director of Community and Communications | The Global Game Jam
I am a Cultural Producer and a Founder of my own Games Industry Accessibility and DEIB Consulting Business.
An award-winning community manager, I foster diversity and equity as Director of Community Engagement at Global Game Jam, and Community Manager at DeepWell DTx. I speak openly about my own obstacles and experiences as autistic woman in tech field, disabled person and visible muslim in games. I also mentor underrepresented people aiming for career in games. I’m an Advisor for white paper and article collection Diversity, Inclusion and Equity in Game Development and Design - encouraging the awareness. Also one of the authors of Learning, Education, & Games Volume 4: 50 Games to Use for Inclusion, Equity, and Justice, among many other things with the goal of making tech and games industry more welcoming and inclusive for everyone.
Catalina Vieru | Moodle System Administrator | Royal College of Surgeons Ireland
The common theme through my career is that I need the stimulation of learning new skills and develop continually.
While finishing my Masters` in Psychotherapy, I started a Bachelors in Journalism in Communication. For the next decade, I worked a 9 to 5 job as a magazine chief editor and the other, after hours, as a relationship counsellor.
Growing up in conservative Romania, I heard a lot that technology and science are `boy fields`, so when I moved to Ireland, I knew it was time for a change. I was given a chance in a small charity as a Moodle administrator and had to self-learn everything. I went from never having seen a site administration menu, to developing eLearning content and doing sys admin work.
A year later, I was joining the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland, managing a small Moodle platform for one of our schools. I had the opportunity to learn from different stakeholders, working directly with academic staff, students, software developers and after two years, I wanted to develop more. I loved working with Moodle and doing IT support, so when an opportunity arised in the main IT department, I took it. I`ve been here for 3 years now and I am still learning new skills and developing.
My biggest obstacle in learning IT skills was my own self-doubt, which is why now, whenever I deliver training across the university, I encourage participants to befriend and use technology and I 100% believe that they can learn anything!
Alexandra Mercz | Founder | Synterra Asia
I am Alexandra Mercz, a cybersecurity and technology expert with extensive experience in multinational financial institutions and startups.
My career is marked by leadership roles in CISO and COO offices, where I have excelled in driving innovation and transformation. I specialize in cybersecurity, corporate governance, risk, and compliance, leveraging a deep understanding of industry standards, frameworks, policies, and technical measures.
My passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI&B) is at the core of my work. I am committed to breaking down barriers and challenging unconscious biases within the cybersecurity sector.
As a seasoned public speaker and volunteer, I actively promote diversity and inclusion, advocating for women`s advancement in cybersecurity. My efforts extend to professional development counseling and support, aiding women at various career stages. My recent acceptance into the European Women on Boards organization underscores my readiness for board-level responsibilities and my ongoing commitment to fostering a more inclusive industry.
My leadership and advocacy work not only reflects my professional achievements but also my personal dedication to empowering women in cybersecurity. By championing alternative career paths and showcasing female role models, I aim to normalize women`s presence in both leadership and technical roles, contributing to a healthier, more diverse industry culture.
Olivia Jenkins | Founder | D. Louise
I am Olivia, the founder of D. Louise Jewellery, a company established in 2021 with a vision to revolutionise the jewellery industry by offering high-quality, beautiful pieces at accessible prices. Our mission is to be the global leader in creating beautiful jewellery at an accessible price that lasts a lifetime
In response to the growing demand for long-lasting and reasonably priced jewellery, D. Louise has positioned itself as an innovator in the industry. Our strategic focus on affordability and quality ensures that our prices are fair, and the durability of our pieces are incredible. Through extensive research, we identified a material that is highly durable, allowing our customers to wear our pieces confidently during various activities, including showering, exercising, and sleeping.
In just three years of operation, we have successfully sold over 350,000 pieces to more than 100,000 customers, achieving nearly eight-figure annual revenue with remarkable year-over-year growth. Earlier this year, our growth caught the attention of Steve Hewitt, former Gymshark CEO and after working with Steve for several months, he wanted to personally invest into the business. At the time we were not seeking investment however Steve’s proposal for a long-term collaboration was too compelling to simply ignore. Steve now holds a board position in the company, enhancing our confidence in propelling D. Louise to new heights in the coming years.
Sadia Akhtar | Neurological Physiotherapist | MSPhysioCoach
I am a highly experienced specialised neurological physiotherapist with a decade of expertise, comprising eight years in the NHS and two years at a prominent private neurorehabilitation facility in Abu Dhabi.
My passion lies in providing comprehensive care and support to women living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a complex neurological condition impacting various facets of life, including vision, mobility, cognition, balance, bladder and bowel function, mental health and many more.
The core mission of my business is to empower women with MS to proactively manage their diagnosis and lead fulfilling lives by managing both physical and mental health.
To realise this vision, I have developed a 12-week online course, utilising a hybrid model of group and individual coaching. This comprehensive program represents my commitment to holistic care, education, and community-building, with the view to ultimately enrich the lives of women facing the challenges of MS.