Rain Irshad | STFC RAL Space
I always knew I wanted to work in space. When I was younger, I wanted to be an astronaut and wrote to NASA. They told me what I needed to do and I started working towards those goals.
I got a Flying Scholarship with the RAF so that I could learn to fly planes. I wrote to Universities to get work experience with research groups. Eventually, I got a place at Oxford University to read Physics.
At University, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and realised I wasn't going into space. Instead I did a Master's in Instrumentation Systems at UCL where I worked on a concept for an adaptive optics x-ray space telescope and I realised that I could still explore space by sending instruments up there. I did a doctorate in Atmospheric Physics at Oxford where I learned about hardware and software development for measuring atmospheric aerosols and was able to gather data that would improve the integrity of satellite measurements from space. After that, I spent four years as a Post-Doctoral Researcher working with the Planetary Group at Oxford, and teaching in my spare time. There, I worked on everything from lab-based experiments to make the kinds of gases you find on Jupiter, to seismometers for measuring Marsquakes. I designed and patented an instrument for measuring atmospheric temperatures and that became my first instrument in space.
Eventually, I moved to RAL Space to work as a Systems Engineer and began looking at larger projects. I was the Lead Systems Engineer on a proposal for a mission measuring Exoplanets (planets orbiting other stars) which involved coordinating organisations across 13 different countries. I led a project to look at the probability of life surviving on Phobos and managed a project to develop a Highly Miniaturised Radiation Monitor for space, as well as working on other projects. I continued to work on the Martian seismometer instrument which landed on Mars in 2018 as part of NASA's InSight mission.
In 2015 I took on the role of Autonomous Systems Lead at RAL Space and managed a small team working on robotics for testing space rovers and navigation software. I realised that this technology could be adapted for other applications. After travelling to Cambodia on holiday, I realised that there was still a major problem with landmines across the globe and proposed a system for autonomous landmine sensing using our robotic technology in South East Asia. I was awarded funding through the Global Challenges Research Fund to develop this work and am currently working with Fardoulis Robotics, Buckingham University and the Mines Advisory Group to develop a solution.
On the space side, I'm working with the UK and European Space Agencies on establishing facilities such as the Harwell Robotics and Autonomy Facility as well as Sample Curation Facilities to support a future Mars Sample Return Programme.
I am also a STEM ambassador and act as a mentor for young men and women in STEM. I give talks to schools and University students and like to be involved in Outreach programmes when I have time.
Rand Alkhatib | Arcadis
Rand believes in her ability as a woman engineer to make an impact in the world.
This comes from a strong drive for social welfare and improvement, shaped by her childhood in Baghdad. She is continuously demonstrating being bold and knows that failing is an acceptable part of improving.
Rand comes from a family of doctors, yet she decided to follow her passion and study Civil Engineering. She started her career in 2014 with Arcadis Middle East, where she became part of the Conveyance team (Water Sector) and has used her set of skills and knowledge in preparation of Wet Utilities masterplans for cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In 2017 Rand transferred to Arcadis UK where she focused on improving water resilience for UK’s major water companies and creating optimised solutions for the networks considering capital and operational costs, resilience, water quality and hydraulic performance using new technologies.
In her second year, Rand was selected as one of the top 3 globally for Arcadis’ Global Shapers; a highly selective program designed for young professionals with prospects of shaping the future of Arcadis. And currently acting as global shaper ambassador to young professionals.
In 2018 and in celebration of International Women in Engineering day in the UK. Rand was selected as one of her company’s role models in that year of engineering.
Rand was also successful in securing a place on the Women in Engineering Course with STEM careers for further development, sharing experiences and creating strong women in engineering network. She also actively presents her company in University career fairs to promote careers in STEM.
Rand played an integral part in launching Roots of Arcadis in Dubai (A program designed to provide leadership and growth opportunities to young professionals and foster a sense of collaboration and culture-sharing across business lines). She was also elected by senior leaders to be Arcadis’ young representative and committee member in ACE (Association of Consultancy and Engineering); and through her role, Rand has helped junior Arcadians to expand their professional networks.
Rosario Barcena | Systra
I'm a Chartered Civil Engineer with over 15 years’ experience specialising in the management of design, construction and supervision of infrastructure projects as well as winning work, mainly within the rail industry.
I arrived in the UK as an Erasmus student from Spain to finish my engineering degree. My intention was to return after a year with international experience and fluent English; a valuable asset in the Spanish engineering market, i.e. a good catch. The opportunity arose to apply for a scholarship during that year, I was successful and went on to complete a Master’s Degree and subsequently secured a job as a graduate civil engineer in York, where I discovered the rail industry. My 8 years’ experience with Jacobs was fascinating and the years flew by, as I became a Chartered engineer and received a long-standing service from my company!
Throughout this time, I’d continued to feel the need to return home, Spain’s High Speed Rail (HSR) was at its peak and I decided it was a good time for me to get involved in this and other international major projects. After 5 years in Spain and having spent 3 year supervising delivery of the Madrid-Valencia HSR Line I realised that the UK had become my home and luckily my HSR experience allowed me to return to the UK to work on HS2, developing the route options between Birmingham and Manchester (Phase 2). Later I joined Tony Gee and Partners to develop my consultancy and engineering management, where I became Regional Director. My passion for major projects continued to grow, and I needed a bigger firm to make a difference and create a legacy in my industry. Now, I am a Project Director with SYSTRA Ltd, I am responsible for two of the sections (N1 and N2) of the London to Birmingham Route (Phase 1) of HS2, so back on a major project and working hard with our Strategic Growth Director to secure work on transformative railway schemes around the world.
Judith Hardisty | Health and Safety Executive
I grew up on a farm in Yorkshire, where I learnt a lot about gender roles and expectations that I didn’t conform to.
I studied languages at university and learnt about cultures, about the things that make us different and things that make us the same.
I like to make things better for people, and my career has been about improving services in the public and private sectors. I love working with individuals, leaders and organisations around change and engagement, with diversity and inclusion at the core of what I do.
I am Co-Lead of the new Gender Equality Network at the Health and Safety Executive, raising awareness of gender issues, challenging stereotypes, supporting people to speak up against bullying, harassment and discrimination and informing HSE policy. We run regular GENtalks to inform, engage and inspire people about gender equality.
I have chickens in my back-garden, it’s the farmer in me.
Vimla Appadoo | FutureGov
As a Service Designer at FutureGov, I've been bringing my passion for Service Design and user-centred services to the forefront of public sector innovation.
At 21, I co-founded Experience Matters consultancy, winning the NHS CCG as my first client. Since then, I also co-founded SheSaysMCR, managed DrinkaboutMCR and managed Manchester Social Entrepreneurs. I have been an advisor to the Youth Charter, I am a Regional Ambassador for the Holocaust Educational Trust and I am currently on the board for the Big Youth Group to help young people to define their own career paths in the UK.
I have been an advisor on international government tech missions and a mentor for various startup programmes. In 2016, I was voted on to the Northern Power Future List and in 2018 won the Young Digital Leader of the Year award at Digital Leaders. Throughout my career, I have remained conscious of my decisions and focus to bringing passion into my work, to make continuous a difference.
I strongly believe in representing under represented voices across platforms, so that we can begin to shift the narrative so that more people can create the changes that they want to see to be happier and healthier and live more fulfilled lives.
Sophie Daud | Department for Work and Pensions
Sophie is passionate about solving complex social problems.
Whilst studying Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, she became acutely interested in why we trust science, and how we use it effectively to untangle some of the biggest issues facing society. Identifying the Government as a key player in solving intractable issues using evidence-based policies, Sophie joined the Civil Service Fast Stream soon after graduating.
Since then, she has worked across a number of social policy areas, from exploring how to support the long-term unemployed back into work; through to emergency planning, preparing the UK for high-impact, low-probability risks (such as volcanic eruptions in Iceland!) and working to alleviate community distress and damage during extreme flooding in 2013/14, as part of the UK Government's emergency decision making machinery, COBRA. She spent two years investigating the challenges posed by childhood poverty and disadvantage, and played an instrumental role in developing and delivering a key cross-Government strategy to tackle this burning injustice.a
Sophie has also been responsible for supporting a senior Cabinet Minister, the Secretary to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to manage and direct his disability and pensions portfolio, gaining a deep and meaningful understanding of the variety and the complexity of welfare challenges in the UK.
Sophie is currently a behavioural scientist for the Department for Work and Pensions, where she leads a team investigating how to support major transformation programmes to deliver culture change to deliver their social and business benefits. Our behaviours - and changes to our behaviour - are key not only to radically reforming businesses' productivity - but also contribute to our own, and our colleagues', welfare and impact critically on the citizens that we serve. Sophie is excited to fuse her deep knowledge of public policy with deep, scientific rigour in thinking creatively and innovatively about how all of us behave in the workplace.
Charlene Chigumira | Bedford, Luton & Milton Keynes Sustainability & Transformation Partnership
Charlene Chigumira is passionate about health and social care.
Between June 2015-June 2016 she completed a placement year at GSK, designing an onboarding guide for the company’s consumer health division for all new employees globally.
She was selected as 1 of 9 Management trainees in the Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Management Trainee scheme where she was rotated as a project manager at Health Innovation Network, one of the UK’s 15 Academic Health Science Networks.
She has worked on a number of interesting projects which include successfully embedding PharmOutcomes software in Lewisham, saving the Lewisham Clinical Commisioning group £218,556 within the first 4 months. Other projects she worked on include a reassessment of the NHS 111* lines with London Ambulance Service, using Behavioural Insights to influence changes in catheter safety across South London and various Trust-wide HR projects as part of the Guy’s & St Thomas’ Trust CEO’s Diagonal Slice Team.
Charlene takes every opportunity to help others,offering free CV/cover letter reviews to her peers, speaking about her career at universities, and speaking to young people through organisations such as Founders4Schools.
When she is not working, she is delivering training to domiciliary carers, and using her skills to build websites and promotional material for home care companies within her Zimbabwean community.
She is a member of South East London Women’s leadership network, blogs regularly and is passionate about diversity and inclusion.
Charlene is now a Programme Manager at Bedford, Luton and Milton Keynes Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, supporting the planning and commissioning of cancer services within the region.
Nadine Barrett | Slough Borough Council
I have over 10 years experience working with the families, young people and vulnerable adults.
I have coordinated, managed and delivered projects, including universal & targeted interventions, qualifications, peer mentoring programmes, awareness campaigns and research. Working in 4 London Boroughs and currently in the Borough of Slough, I have applied this experience and skill to recognise gaps in service and highlight the needs of all of our communities. Focussing to provide the appropriate response by running consultations with young people, professionals and community groups.
In 2018 alone I have trained over 300 front line workers, apprentices and managers from statutory and third sector organisations. This has been in addition to my main role to meet the needs of partner agencies and ensure they are equipped to recognise, refer and respond to signs of exploitation.
I have organised and supported the development work & research into;
- Understanding how gangs/county lines impacts us locally
- Organising a health check into our Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) responses
- Berkshire Violence & Exploitation Conference for an audience of 214 people
- International Girls Day events for the last 2 years, reaching over 100 students
- International women’s day conference for 220 regional attendee’s
- A 1 year school & parent engagement project using drama to educate
- CSE awareness day events
- Undertaken case audits for the LSCB to take away vital learning
- Spearheaded international men’s day campaign 2018
These have all enabled vital and up to date messages of the biggest risk and threats to our children and vulnerable adults to be heard and empowered men, women and young people to share their voice in a meaningful way. I hope to continue to build resilience in our community and support other professional’s in the workplace to develop to their potential.
Education: BSc Psychology (Goldsmith College, London), PTTLS teaching qualification, NVQ’s in customer service, youth work and diploma in Advice and Guidance.
Roles Have Included: Contact Supervisor, Targeted Youth Worker, CSE & Trafficking Partnership Co-ordinator, Youth Work Manager, Project Worker, Independent Living Advisor.
Ninarita Williams | Transport for London
After having graduated with a 1st Class Honours in Politics and International Relations, in 2013 Rita triumphed out of thousands of applicants to attain a place on the TfL Project Management Graduate Scheme.
The scheme enabled Rita to develop her competency through a series of six-month placements in different areas of the business, allowing her to gain experience in all stages of the construction project lifecycle. She excelled in taking on real responsibility from early on in the scheme, and managed a variety of high-profile and politically-sensitive projects. Projects included: Ruislip Depot area refurbishment and Lillie Bridge asset relocation to facilitate the £1bn Earl’s Court Development; commercial retail developments; critical repair of Stamford Brook Bridge to extend the lifespan of the bridge and track by 20+years; Prudential Ride London; enabling the British leg of the Tour de France; train testing & commissioning facilities; and other award-winning projects to bring better cooling and ventilation to hotspot stations on the Jubilee, Bakerloo and Victoria line. During her time on the graduate scheme she was awarded a prestigious secondment to Hong Kong MTR to engage in “best practice” knowledge exchange concerning persistent construction issues in rail.
Rita is currently a Project Manager leading multi-million pound construction projects on the £5.4bn Four Lines Modernisation Programme. With a heavy focus on civils, mechanical and electrical works, Rita is project managing the construction of complex signalling equipment buildings in logistically challenged spaces in Hammersmith and Uxbridge. The Four Lines Modernisation programme is set to increase the capacity of the subsurface network by approx 33%, provide faster and more frequent journeys, increase service reliability, as well as improve the customer experience on the network. It is the largest signalling project in the world, bringing much needed improvements to London’s public transport infrastructure.
For her efforts, last year Rita was shortlisted as a finalist for Young Rail Professional of the Year 2018, and recently won a coveted position as a judge for the National Rail Awards 2019. She is an avid mentor and member of the TfL BAME and Women’s Staff Network groups, as well as the TfL & Siemens Girls Careers Network. She coaches and engages other young women into construction and STEM related roles.
Rita recently graduated with a Distinction in MSc Project Management. In an effort to gain more insight into common construction industry issues, she undertook a study that focused on the role of hidden barriers women face in attaining leadership positions in construction. Her work has recently been published.
Frankie Isherwood | CBRE
I graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a masters in Real Estate in 2015 and went on to join the CBRE graduate scheme where I spent my first year in the Capital Markets team.
I then spent six months in Development Consultancy and six months in Lease Consultancy before sitting my APC.
I returned to the Capital Markets team on gaining RICS status in October 2017 and since then my role has involved providing advice on commercial property acquisitions & sales, development funding transactions and JV structuring mandates. In 2018 I was involved in a number of high-profile transactions including the Bruntwood SciTech Portfolio JV (£360m) and Aviva's funding of Enterprise City in Manchester (£300m) both of which were advised over a period of in excess of 12 months and provided excellent learning experiences.
In addition to my day-to-day role, I have acted as 'Charity Champion' for CBRE Manchester organising and taking part in numerous events including the Three Peaks challenge and the Great North Swim. I have attended careers fairs, acted as a mentor at Manchester Enterprise Academy and provided seminars at University of Manchester to promote the property industry as well as CBRE.