Lindsey Melnecsuk | Head of Sales Operations | Simmons and Simmons
Starting my career in sales within publishing and dental sectors, I quickly grasped the importance of how to motivate and persuade.
This natural understanding led me to a digital agency, where I bridged the technical world of development teams with client needs, deepening my grasp of web technologies. My journey continued at another publishing house transitioning into the digital realm, where I gained comprehensive experience from establishing divisions to assisting in marketing, events, and commercial tasks. This variety sparked my move to digital marketing in the boiler manufacturing industry, where I delved into coaching and leadership training, project management training, alongside traditional marketing and user experience (UX) – a field I found particularly rewarding.
An unexpected twist led me to Wavelength after a chance meeting with the CEO, allowing me to leverage my diverse skill set gained from multiple industries in supporting its scale-up and integration into Simmons & Simmons. Here, my focus has shifted towards commercial and sales operations, enhancing our teams` capabilities in persuasion and negotiation backed up by good data.
Throughout my career transitions, including becoming a mother of four, I`ve faced challenges associated with being a woman, a non-lawyer, and a working parent. These experiences have fueled my passion for supporting inclusivity, leading me to actively participate in gender and neurodiversity networks and become a pioneering wellbeing champion. My journey underscores a belief in the transformative power of diverse experiences and a commitment to fostering an inclusive, innovative work environment.
Jessica Pinches | Apprentice Solicitor | Black Antelope Law
Jessica Pinches is a solicitor apprentice, the first at Black Antelope Law, an award-winning law firm in Central London.
In March 2020, as a school leaver, Jessica began her legal journey in a non-traditional way as a business administration apprentice. Jessica was able to utilise skills from the administration department, following completion of her course and receiving a distinction grade, to begin her Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship with CILEx Law School in July 2021. After receiving a pass grade, including a distinction grade in her written assessments. In the summer of 2023, Jessica commenced a Level 7 Apprenticeship with Barbri law school and has bright ambitions to qualify as a solicitor specialising in family law and civil litigation, one of a few in the profession who will qualify without ever attending university.
Izabela Prager | Associate | Latham & Watkins
I am a capital markets attorney at one of the largest US law firms in London.
In my practice, I represent companies, private equity firms and investment banks in a wide variety of cross-border capital markets transactions, with a particular focus on high yield bonds and acquisition financings. As a lead associate, I have advised on various transformative, strategic financings, including multi-billion high profile leveraged buyouts, debut offerings and complex refinancings. I work across various sectors, including energy, retail, luxury goods, manufacturing, pharma, beauty, etc. I speak Polish and French and often work with clients in these regions.
Next to my legal practice, I maintain strong academic interests. My PhD on a cutting-edge topic of proxy advisors in US and European law received recognition from the Polish Financial Supervision Authority and Warsaw Stock Exchange. I also was a visiting scholar at Columbia Law School and Max Planck Institute and published various articles on securities regulation topics.
I believe ongoing learning is key to excelling in the ever-changing capital markets landscape and frequently deliver trainings to industry participants on various aspects of our practice.
Having benefitted from advice and support of wonderful mentors throughout my career, I am passionate about mentoring more junior lawyers and watching their professional growth. Finally, I am excited about strengthening the role of female talent in financial markets and often organize training and networking initiatives targeted at forging connections between females at all levels of organizations - reminding us all to lift as we climb.
Helen Penwill | Associate | Reed Smith LLP
Helen attended state school in Devon and studied History at the University of Nottingham.
She obtained an LLM from the National University of Singapore on scholarship and worked as Vice President at JPMorgan Chase, as the youngest Vice President promoted in London, and later completed her training contract with Reed Smith LLP.
Following university, Helen was afforded a rotary scholarship to the National University of Singapore. Helen was partnered with a local club in Singapore and the scholarship itself is only granted to candidates who are committed long-term to measurable, sustainable change. In order to be afforded the scholarship, Helen displayed her academic experience but also volunteer experience which included 7 years of coaching Basketball at the local YMCA.
Since 2020, Helen has been an Associate in the market leading Financial Industry Group at Reed Smith, advising a range of clients on fund finance, leveraged finance and structured finance. Helen was promoted to mid-level associate just 18 months after qualifying. Helen is recognised for her technical skills, drafting expertise and good commercial judgement. She is calm under pressure and is respected by clients and colleagues alike, all of whom enjoy working with her and value her input. She is known for being very hard-working and a great team player who is happy to step into difficult situations.
Helen is a part of the team awarded ‘Best Law Firm – Lending and Securities’ at the European Credit Awards and is an integral member of the Tier 1 ranked Fund Finance Team.
Firoza Dodhi | Associate | Simmons & Simmons LLP
Firoza is an Associate in the Disputes & Investigations team at Simmons & Simmons LLP in London, and a member of the firm`s Investigations Cross-Border Group.
Firoza is developing a growing practice in financial crime and investigations with the firm’s Band 1 Criminal Law Team and has experience advising corporates and individuals on complex enforcement, regulatory and internal investigations.
Firoza also has experience of working in-house, having been seconded in 2023 to Honeywell International Inc.
As part of Firoza`s commitment to the wider firm, she is a Global Wellbeing Champion and both actively supports and leads, various Responsible Business initiatives.
Firoza earned a Master of Science in International Migration and Public Policy (MSc IMPP) from the London School of Economics & Political Science (‘LSE’) in 2019. Prior to studying at the LSE, she earned a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) (LL.B) in 2017 and a Master of Laws (LLM) in 2018 from University College London. Firoza qualified as a Solicitor (England and Wales) – having attained a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice (PGDip LPC) from BPP University Law School in 2020 and completing her Training Contract with Simmons & Simmons LLP in 2022.
Elin Gosby | Senior Associate | Orrick
I am a senior finance associate with significant experience both in private practice and in-house roles.
Specialising in restructuring/insolvency and venture debt, I advise across the full spectrum of the debt pathway from start-up funding to complex multi-billion-pound international restructurings. I thrive advising companies in financial distress, where my ability to synthesise complex concepts and procedures, and get “stuck in” with the business, is extremely valuable.
In my career I have embraced the “squiggle” and the long-term benefit of experiencing a wide range of perspectives. In addition to private practice, I have spent time in-house in sole counsel roles, notably assisting with the establishment of a new private equity fund manager (for which I remain a Senior Adviser). My background in languages (French, Russian and Ukrainian) has also taken me to international offices and exposed me to the differing approaches across the world.
I am also a passionate mentor. I am highly requested as a trainee supervisor, and consider these relationships as long-term learning experiences (both ways!) that extend past the duration of a training contract seat.
Outside law firm life I focus on helping the next generation of state school-educated women, as a mentor with GROW Mentoring and as a founding member of the 93% Club.
I am also a regular Guest Tutor in debt negotiation for (E/)MBA courses at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Philippa Marshall | Former Investment Counsellor at Citi Private Bank
Philippa Marshall was previously an Investment Counsellor at Citi Private Bank, advising ultra-high-net-worth Emerging Markets clients on a spectrum of investment opportunities across both public and private markets.
She began her career with Citi in 2017 as part of the Private Banking Analyst Program, following the completion of her bachelor’s in economics from the University of Warwick. Throughout the two-year Private Banking Analyst Program Philippa worked in several teams across the business: from Relationship Management and Southern Europe Investment Counselling to Risk/Compliance and Banking & Custody. Following this program, she took a leave of absence to study Mandarin at the Beijing Language & Culture University to further develop her Mandarin proficiency. On return to Citi, Philippa spent time in Business Development before joining the Emerging Markets Investment Counsellor team in 2021. Philippa will shortly be re-locating Hong Kong, to pursue a new opportunity within Private Banking.
Moreover, Philippa is a member of the Future Leaders Shadow Board for the Women in Banking and Finance network. In this role, she helps to deliver a series of thought leadership events focusing on the key themes that are set to shape the financial industry as we know it. She is committed to ensuring that young women feel empowered to consider a career in financial services and is passionate about achieving greater gender diversity across the industry.
Shaheen Mamun | Director | Black Antelope Law
I`m a Human Rights and Public Law Solicitor, co-founding Black Antelope Law with a vision for progress, leveraging collaborative strategies and early equity partnerships.
My focus on holding Public Bodies accountable has earned recognition, with contributions to outlets like the Law Gazette and LexisNexis.
Honours include Human Rights Lawyer of the Year at the 2022 Global Law Experts Annual Awards, the 2022 Lawyer Network Annual Awards, and the 2023 Corporate INTL Global Award. Recognized as a Rising Star in Immigration Law at the SME News Legal Awards 2021 and 2023`s Business Legal Awards.
Commendations include BSN Rising Star of the Year at the 2016 Legal Diversity Awards and One to Watch at the British Muslim Awards 2017. Finalist nods for Lawyer of the Year at the 2020 Modern Law Awards and the University of Westminster Alumni Awards 2023 underscore my dedication.
Inclusivity and diversity are core values, reflected in our inclusion in EqualityX`s Top 50 Inclusive Muslim Employers and initiatives like the Muslim Employment Charter and Bar Council`s Women in Law Pledge.
Under my leadership, Black Antelope Law became the first BSB-regulated firm to receive the Bar Council`s Certificate of Well-being, emphasizing mental health support.
Outside Black Antelope Law, I serve on the Law Society`s EDI Committee, act as a Social Mobility Ambassador, and hold a Non-Executive Director position at Coram`s Fields, aligning with my broader commitment to equality and inclusion in and beyond the legal profession.
Pavan Ganugapati | Senior Managing Director | Accenture
I am a Senior Managing Director at Accenture and the EMEA lead for Accenture’s Microsoft Business across all industries.
Throughout my career, I have consistently sought to make a significant impact in the realm of sales leadership. From driving multimillion-dollar industry sales to spearheading transformative tech campaigns, my track record is one of groundbreaking accomplishments.
As a trusted advisor at Accenture, I have the privilege of working closely with CEOs and CIOs, guiding their technology transformations and driving business success.
My unwavering commitment to learning and growth fuels my ability to stay at the forefront of industry trends and effectively sell Microsoft solutions. I am an SME in the full stack of what Microsoft technology offers today (Azure, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, AI & Data, Future of Work & Security) and focused on accelerating futuristic capability in Industry Clouds, Collaborative Apps, Sovereign Cloud, Metaverse & Sustainability. My work cuts across ALL Accenture growth priorities with focus on Microsoft plays in each of them.
Beyond my professional responsibilities, I am driven by a passion for working on high-impact themes, such as E2E Business Services and the ever-evolving realm of the Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud, where I can shape the future of industries and contribute to their ongoing transformation.
Lee Burman | Executive Director | Morgan Stanley
I am an Executive Director in ORRC and is the EMEA head of International Tax Operations.
I lead Operational Tax processes covering Transaction Taxes, Withholding Taxes and Capital Gains Taxes.
I have been with Morgan Stanley for 18 years and have held a variety of positions including Global Head of Payment Governance, EMEA Head of Global Network Management, Global Head of Market Infrastructure, Global Head of Credit Risk Operations and EMA Head of Equity Collateral.
I began my career in 1995 at Robert Fleming in the City as an A-level trainee before attending the University of Surrey (I was the first of my family to go to University and the first to work in the City of London). I graduated in 1999 and subsequently worked at RBS and Nomura before joining Morgan Stanley in 2005. I relocated to Glasgow with my family in 2016.