Ritika Wadhwa | Founder and CEO | Prabhaav Global
Born and raised in India, I have over 30 years’ experience working at board level across three continents, in major private and public sector organisations.
I came to the UK as an immigrant 20 years ago and struggled to gain meaningful employment. After working as a door-to-door salesperson, I eventually started to find work which helped me to climb the corporate ladder. However, the private and public sector organisations I worked for were challenging for me, both as a woman and a woman of colour, as discrimination was commonplace. Despite these difficulties, I was determined to make a difference by tackling inequalities and championing inclusion initiatives through visionary strategies. From my lived experiences in India and the West, including racial and gender discrimination and adjusting to different cultures, I understand first hand how Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is so crucial for effective personal and professional relationships. Having gone from immigrant to senior leader to entrepreneur, I am now on a mission to bring impactful change to workplaces through Cultural Intelligence. Empowering individuals, teams and organisations with the tools to drive this change in behaviours and actions is pivotal to developing inclusive and innovative practices. Prior to founding Prabhaav Global in 2023, I was Chief Operating Officer at Cultural Intelligence Centre and worked closely with leaders in organisations including Chanel, Bank of England and NHS to embed CQ within their inclusion strategies.
Rebecca Wilson | Founder & Entrepreneur | DigiSafe Compliance LTD
With over 20 years experience in the NHS, a registered pharmacy technician and clinical safety specialist, I am passionate about digital health transformation and patient safety.
Throughout my career, I have been passionate about driving meaningful change in healthcare and creating innovative solutions that enhance patient safety. Starting in community roles, I faced self doubt and worth however, after finding a female mentor and leader, and, with the right encouragement and direction I suddenly flourished. I went on to work on national programmes including the Electronic Prescription Service, where I held roles as a Senior Pharmacy Technician and Clinical Informatician. Then as the Clinical Safety Lead for the Yorkshire and Humber Shared Care Record Programme. I developed assurance models and frameworks across multiple Integrated Care Boards, enabling integrated and safe care delivery. This led me to where I am now, founding Digisafe my own consultancy however, to do things differently, through innovation. I launched my own digital solution-SWIFT. I am deeply committed to empowering women in digital and mentor as part of initiatives like the Santander Women in Business Leaders Programme and my own Women in Digital Coaching. I thrive on connecting with others, sharing knowledge, and helping women build confidence to achieve their goals, just like I did. My passion lies in ensuring innovation leads to safe, high-quality patient care while creating opportunities for others to grow, succeed, and thrive in this dynamic industry.
Isha Nawaz | Information Security Lead | bp
I currently work for bp and joined just over 18 months ago. My role is to help mitigate risk associated with cyber security and the ever-changing threat landscape.
I am currently studying a Coaching apprenticeship. I am a passionate diversity champion, advocate for mental health and a keen volunteer. I am a mother of two and for fun I enjoy Reformer Pilates, reading, creative writing and travelling. I believe my purpose is to empower others to identify their potential and support them in achieving it.
Lynsey Shovlin | Supply Chain Senior Associate | Ocean WInds
Passionate about powering the future sustainably, Lynsey Shovlin is a powerful supply chain integrator in the offshore wind industry.
With an impressive track record in both public and private sectors, she excels at connecting businesses with market opportunities and growth support services. Lynsey is dedicated to delivering the supply chain ambitions for the predominantly fixed 2GW Caledonia and 2.3GW floating Arven offshore wind farm in Scotland by ensuring a strong focus on regional, Scottish, and UK content. Currently representing on collaborative initiatives including the Strategic Investment Model to identify national investment opportunities, she continues to shape the industry’s future with her expertise and dedication. In her former Project Manager at Scottish Enterprise, she spearheaded the establishment of the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council and chaired the Forth and Tay Offshore Cluster. Lynsey is an advocate for accessibility and inclusion, unstoppable in her mission to break barriers and amplify voices. In her spare time she fuels change as a Board member of the Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland which advises the Scottish Government on changes required to make public transport accessible, available and affordable for people with disabilities.
Katherine Cai | Trader | Macquarie
I am an oil derivatives trader with a background in mathematics and a passion for problem-solving.
After moving to the UK and earning my degree, I was drawn to the meritocratic nature of trading, where performance is measured by clear results regardless of gender or ethnicity. Despite coming from a non-finance background, I established myself in the competitive world of energy trading, fascinated by its deep connection to real-world economics and its transformative impact on industries and economies. As a core member of an oil trading team, I help clients manage their oil price exposure across various market conditions, facilitating large-scale hedging programs and navigating extreme market volatility—from the COVID-19 oil price crash to the global energy crisis. I utilize my analytical skills to expand our oil derivatives product offerings and develop scalable risk management tools, enhancing decision-making and driving stronger financial performance.
Camilla Burdekin-Roberts | Business Assurance Manager | SSE plc
I completed my degree in International Business in 2013 and joined a large energy company on their graduate scheme.
This allowed me to see different areas of the business while also undertaking a diploma in Business Management. I was fortunate in requesting my placement selection led me to the Internal Audit team. After 2 weeks, I found this was a great fit for me as I was able to analyse data, communicate with senior management, learn about the whole business and gain a broader understanding of the risk and control environment. At the end of the scheme a job was advertised in the Audit team and I was successes in gaining the position as a trainee Internal Auditor, where I was fortunate enough undertake my Diploma in Internal Audit and become a Certified Internal Auditor. I undertook many audits across the business and was frequently nominated for ”audit finding of the month” as I had a passion for finding control weaknesses. I progressed to Auditor and then to Senior Auditor which allowed me to spend more time supporting others in the team and collaborating on audits. A new Business Assurance team was created in one of the business units and I saw this as an opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills into a business unit which was starting from scratch in their journey and ”get my hands dirty” and support the business in providing management with Assurance, its been a busy 4 years, no 2 days are the same.
Rebecca Lobb | Senior Well Site Leader | BP
Rebecca started her career at Shell as a Graduate Well Engineer. She was the first generation of her family to go to University and through an interesting turn of events ended up studying Engineering.
She went on to work offshore for Apache, Chrysaor (now Harbour) and finally with BP. She worked my way from being a trainee to Senior Well Site Leader (drilling supervisor) supervising a team offshore to execute well drilling operations. Having always been aware of how valuable advice is for young people, she supports Wells Graduates to succeed offshore during year 1 and settle to the world of work. She also support recruitment by going to Universities to talk about my path and what exciting careers BP can offer to widen access to opportunities. This doesn’t stop at recruitment. She developed a North Sea Wells Onboarding programme to convey basic knowledge to new Graduates before going offshore and acts as a mentor to new Graduates. Having worked in a male dominated role, she understands the challenges women face working in male dominated fields - especially working on an Oil Rig offshore. She has made changes to help to facilitate women being offshore and supporting new women entering the industry. She also co-leads the Women in Wells network in the North Sea and sits of the North Sea Women’s Network committee.
Iliana Malatra | Senior Associate Director Transmission & Distribution, Energy & Power | Jacobs
I hold a BEng in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Leicester and an MSc in Sustainable Electrical Power from Brunel University.
Throughout my career, I have successfully delivered complex, multi-million-pound projects across renewables, energy storage, wastewater, and the Transmission & Distribution sectors, managing all phases from feasibility and design to commissioning and energization. I began my career as a Project Manager with a contractor, overseeing the design and construction of grid connections for renewables and battery energy storage sites across the UK. This role provided me with extensive experience in developing infrastructure for various Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), ensuring compliance with their standards and policies. Additionally, I managed the balance of plant side, which enhanced my ability to collaborate with key stakeholders, including developers and investors, strengthening my expertise in project coordination and stakeholder engagement. Then I transitioned to a consultancy firm, where I was initially seconded to a local DNO, gaining a broader perspective on grid modernization. Over the years, I led highly complex, multi-million-pound projects, managing hundreds of people from direct staff to contractors. My leadership and project management skills led to my promotion as Regional Area Lead, where I oversaw strategic objectives, resource planning, and project profitability while excelling in key account management and technical leadership. Now, in my new role at a different company, I am focused on contributing across various business areas, shaping departmental strategy, and driving business developmentleveraging my technical expertise and experience in delivering major national infrastructure projects.
Natasha Khan | Nuclear Safety Engineer | Mott MacDonald
Natasha currently works as a Nuclear Safety Engineer within the Nuclear division at Mott MacDonald.
She is experienced in technical advisory, stakeholder engagement and production of technical documentation with a focus on new nuclear development. She has a bachelor’s degree in physics and is a Member of the Institute of Physics. Prior to Mott MacDonald she worked in the NGO Sector within International Development as a Climate Action Intern. She is Early Career Professional Small Modular Portfolio Lead for Mott MacDonald, co-Programme Manager for Mott MacDonald Women in Nuclear and Co vice-chair of the Europe & UK Advancing Race and Culture Network. She is passionate about ED&I and increasing representation across the sector and has recently been awarded Graduate of the Year in the UK Nuclear Skills Awards 2024 and Champion of the Year in the Women in Nuclear UK Awards 2024. As a Muslim female South Asian Engineer Natasha is well aware of the importance of visibility in increasing diversity.
Natasha Feldman | Gas & LNG Analyst | Macquarie
Having completed my Economics degree at UCL, I began my career as a graduate in the Gas & Power team.
Over the past six years, I have focused on gas analytics, establishing myself as the leading expert on gas markets within my team. My work is driven by the fast-paced environment and the dynamic geopolitical landscape that shapes the energy sector. The analytical aspects of my role allow me to refine our market predictions and decision-making processes. Engaging with clients and expanding my skill set across various facets of the business has been equally rewarding, contributing to our collective success. Throughout my career, I have been committed to supporting other women in the energy business and within my company. I have participated in speaking and networking events, sharing my career journey in the energy sector within finance. Additionally, I have been involved in mentorship programs, guiding female interns and graduates, something I believe in strongly.