Natasha Day | Paramedic | British Army
I joined the army in 2014 as a combat medical technician.
I then deployed to Kenya and South Sudan. I setup the defence breastfeeding network in 2020 when I realised that the armed forces didn’t support women integrating back into the work place after maternity leave. I then trained as a paramedic in 2021.
Sophia Lee Roberts | Graduate Project Manager | BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
I joined BAE Systems Digital Intelligence directly from university, as a graduate project manager, in September 2021.
Over the past 18 months I have worked on a number of projects within our Defence business unit, and currently manage two software teams as part of a BAE internal investment space satellite programme.
Since competing in the UK Space Design Competition at school, I have been intrigued by a career in space; and kept up my interest through involvement with my university’s Space Society as well as attending a host of industry events. In my final year of university I worked part-time for a space situational awareness start up and was a trustee for UKSEDS, the UK's national student space society. When I joined BAE I had no idea that their focus within the space sector would kick-off so forcefully and so fast - it has been incredibly exciting to be placed at the forefront of it so early on in my career.
Hannah Kupoluyi | Lead Mentor | All Women's Network
Hannah Kupoluyi is the founder and CEO of All Women's Network and a multi-award-winning business coach, podcast host, and executive producer. She also leads community projects to empower women.
All Women's Network offers skills and entrepreneurship workshops to women who face barriers to resources and education in Barking and Dagenham. Hannah is committed to serving women in her community who face economic barriers to skills development and entrepreneurship.
Her outstanding work in empowering women in her community is commendable. Hannah has been a trailblazer in providing workshops, training, and resources to women who are looking to build up their skills and start a business.
Through All Women's Network projects Hannah has provided invaluable support and guidance to countless women, helping them to develop the skills and knowledge they need to start and grow their own businesses. She has also created a strong network of successful business owners who serve as role models and mentors to others.
Hannah has been particularly effective in helping women from underrepresented communities, providing them with the support and resources they need to overcome barriers and succeed in a life .
She is the current leader of the BD Women's Network and has been effective in bringing together women-led organisations to create partnerships and offer tools to support women in making
Meera Saravanan | Project Officer | Academics Against Assault
Meera is a second year Politics student at University in London.
Having grown up in Greater Manchester she has been involved in many different youth voice and youth activism projects since the age of 11. She first had the opportunity to make tangible change when she was elected as the Member of Youth Parliament of Trafford, this spurred her on to fight for young people to be brought into the forefront of issues that mattered to them. In addition, Meera was a member of the Greater Manchester Youth Combined Authority and aided in decision making county wide. This led Meera to actively campaigning for better mental health access for young people in GM, specifically, in conjunction with BeeWell, where she has been an Advisor since 2021. At university, Meera has been an active member of the Politics and International Relations Society and is currently acting as Careers Officer. In this role she is working to champion other young people of colour and ensure they have fair access to all opportunities. More recently, Meera was appointed to be the Project Officer of a new grassroots organisation, Academics Against Assault. Following many years of fighting for better mental health support, she is keen to help implement mandatory consent education within universities and change the narrative of this subject in higher education settings.
Rachel Arthur | Head of Computing | Teach First
Rachel has a strong background in education, technology, and innovation.
As the current Head of Computing at Teach First, she is responsible for developing and implementing the training program for ITE. Rachel has a deep understanding of the latest trends and best practices in digital learning and is committed to using educational technology to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Prior to her role in education, Rachel gained valuable experience in the field of cyber security while working at PwC, which has contributed to her technical knowledge and understanding. Rachel is dedicated to driving positive change through innovative and evidence-informed approaches.
Abimbola Ajala | Lead vol | Lahafrica
Abimbola is a Social Enterprenur with over Eight years experience, spanning Education, development, Non profit management and community engagement.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English language from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile ife Nigeria, she proceeded to Lagos business school for her Mini MBA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership.
Abimbola is currently the Executive Director of Lend a hand for the development of Africa, a Non profit organization in Lagos Nigeria dedicated to supporting families in underserved communities in Africa, starting with Nigeria her immediate community with Educational scholarships and a blend of supplementary initiatives which includes the food drive and padforagirl drive.
The various projects from the organization encourages children to go and stay in school thereby reducing poverty and illiteracy in local communities.
Through fund raising and partnerships she has promoted the Girl child Education, through her Pad for a girl drive over Fifteen thousand girls across Nigeria have gotten access to sanitary pads and counseling. Her documentary #ibleeddifferent on YouTube further discusses period poverty. Presently close to Fifty beneficiaries are on the Scholarship scheme fully funded.
Also monthly beneficiaries in various communities get access to food supplies thereby improving the learning outcomes of these beneficiaries.
Anita Marinelli | Founder & Trustee | My Shining Star Childrens Cancer Charity
In 2014, I raised 600,000 in 9 months for a child diagnosed with cancer.
As a result of this, I decided to start My Shining Star Childrens Cancer Charity in 2016 and have raised 1.5 million to day for children affected by the hardship of cancer along with their families.
The charity's purpose to support with financial stability for families during the worst time of their lives. It became clear that while there is help out there for treatment, no one is going to help the families when a child needs extra care or when a parent has to give up their job to do this and keep the family together.
I have helped to fulfil many wishes for cancer in my spare time, including those for dying children, sending Disney and Marvel to a terminal child's home for a private showing of an unfinished film (we later found out it was End Game), as well as wishes with Premier League football players, You Tubers and other famous stars.
Dolly Carter | Reporter | Newsquest
Dolly Carter is a reporter for Newsquest's Suffolk titles - the East Anglian Daily Times and Ipswich Star. Described by national award judges as a “tirelessly dedicated and constantly creative journalist," she is currently working towards her NCTJ qualification.
In her first year working in the industry, she has achieved over 50 front page articles and her stories have been picked up by an array of national publications. She has played a role in co-ordinating the paper's International Women's Day coverage and fought to hold the local hospital to account in reinstating gas and air for women on the maternity ward.
Dolly recently graduated with a First Class Honours in BA English Literature with Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia. During her tenure as Editor-in-Chief of her student paper, it was shortlisted in the top ten student publications in the UK. Dolly was also shortlisted for a further three categories at the 2022 Student Publication Association Awards and was highly commended for the Billy Dowling-Reid Award for Outstanding Commitment.
Eloise Hunte-Wood | Producer | POW TV
As an ambitious media professional with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, and women's empowerment, I obtained a degree in Media and Communications from Bournemouth University and have since built a successful career in the industry.
My work with Faiths Forum for London involved creating informative social media videos about the charity's events and COVID-19 vaccinations, as well as a project commemorating the anniversary of the Finsbury Park Mosque attacks.
At POW TV, I helped to produce Driving Force, a groundbreaking series that tells the inspiring stories of some of the UK's most accomplished female athletes, going on to develop innovative shows, events, and charity fundraising ideas that support organisations both within and outside of the sports world, championing women's visibility.
In my day to day, at POW TV, I take immense pride in planning women-focused events, panels, and networking opportunities that celebrate the achievements of women in collaboration with organisations such as The Ned and Soho House. Through this, we offer women the opportunity to learn from successful women, regularly providing a plethora of women with my own mentorship and support.
My work reflects my unwavering dedication to driving positive change and creating opportunities for women, a passion that continues to motivate me as I progress in my career.
Kelly Ling | Head of Dynamic Creative | Dentsu
My career started as an animator in Singapore before relocating to the UK to pursue a Master of Arts degree (Animation).
Upon graduation, I landed a job as festival producer in June 2006 where I gained experience in event planning and management, marketing and sponsorship, product distribution, volunteer management.
In March 2010, I took a break from marketing, and joined the Fringe Society as an Office and Retail Manager. I supported customer relations, administration, operations, retail and merchandising, staff development, and management.
In May 2013, I returned to my creative roots at Whitespace a marketing agency, as Account Manager. During this time, I led a range of marketing projects and campaigns for clients across the public and private sectors including the mobile application 'Greener Journeys' that won the 'Best App Design' at the Scottish Design Awards 2014.
In September 2016, I joined Dentsu as Dynamic Creative Manager, where I served as the strategic lead on large client accounts. I went on progressing through several roles, leading to my current role as Dynamic Creative, Partner. Over the years, I have been instrumental in the growth of the dynamic creative product offering, operations, and team, delivering year on year profits of at least 20%. Addition to my role, I voluntarily contribute to various employee-led committees spanning Diversity, Equality and Inclusion, Mental Health, and Parents and Carers. More recently, I launched #IAmRemarkable, a Google initiative that empowers women and underrepresented groups to self-promote in the workplace, and challenge gender and cultural modesty norms.