Ally Boldan | PR and Communications Lead | instantprint
I joined instantprint in February 2023 as PR and Communications Executive. In October I was promoted to PR and Communications Lead where I am responsible for driving a comprehensive marketing and brand promotion strategy.
I have secured coverage in a range of publications including The Daily Star, The Sun, Daily Record, Express, Mirror, Daily Mail, The Times, Yahoo, Huffington Post, HubSpot, Indy100, Reader's Digest, The Manc, Wales Online and more!
I have a history of working in a range of industries with skills and experience centred around PR, Social Media Management, Email Marketing, Blogging, SEO, Copy Writing, Project Management, Graphic Design, Photography and Website Administration.
Previous to this I worked for our sister brand Route 1 Print, as their Content Marketing Executive before securing my internal move. Before I worked in the printing industry I worked as Content Creation and Social Media Marketing Coordinator for a wholesale candle supplies company, but I started out my career, however, agency side. I worked for a marketing agency based in Sheffield where I completed my Level 3 apprenticeship in digital marketing.
Now, I am currently studying the Level 5 Chartered Institute of Public Relations Professional PR Certificate. I am learning the theory that underpins effective PR practice, how to research and develop PR plans, create content that helps tell a story, change attitudes and influence behaviours, whilst measuring the impact of communication activities.
Callie Wang | Senior Associate, Regulatory Sandbox and Innovation Pathways | FCA
My career in banking and finance began in September 2012 with a FTSE 100 company, where I broadened my expertise across sales, risk, finance, and product management.
In July 2017, I was elevated to Vice President and assumed the role of Senior Manager for Credit/Model Risk Strategy for one of the UK's core credit portfolios. This role involved leading model risk management activities for both regulatory and internal credit-grading models throughout the business bank portfolio. In 2019, drawing on my established expertise, I was recruited by former senior managers to join a FTSE 250 UK merchant banking group as a Risk Manager. In this capacity, I played a pivotal role in refining the operational risk management framework for one of its key businesses. In 2022, I made the transition from the private sector to a financial regulatory role and began pursuing a PhD to further my academic interests. My academic background is extensive, covering law, risk, finance, accounting, and applied neuroscience. This foundation was further reinforced by achieving chartered status with the ACCA and FRM in 2015, followed by ACMA and CGMA in 2019. In July 2021, I embarked on a part-time doctoral study, motivated by a strong interest in risk, fintech, and financial stability. My goal is to integrate research-based learning with practical solutions to address business challenges.
Andrea Donaldson-Smith | Head of Soft Services | The Hurlingham Club
Starting out in the Hospitality industry I segued into the Corporate industry about 8 years ago and worked my way up the facilities management ladder from reception to coordinator, Assistant FM and Senior FM with FM Providers.
Now I'm working clientside as Head of Department, bringing a deeper understanding of Facilities and Workplace Management into a new organization.
Throughout my career, I have remained eccentric and authentic, sometimes this has not served me well, but for the most part, I am celebrated for not being the stereotypical incarnation of a facilities manager.
I have since joined IWFM's committee Women in FM, where I now hold the role of Secretary and have started to invest in myself and my brand and have been taking part in networking events, showcasing the different side to FM
Catherine Tomlin | Planning and Delivery Manager | Transport for London
A travel behaviour change specialist, I am currently a Planning & Delivery Manager in the Travel Demand Management (TDM) team at Transport for London.
I use project management, strategy, communications and analytical skills to deliver large-scale behaviour change projects that mitigate the transport effects of some of the capital’s most high-profile events and closures.
Since joining the team in 2020, notable achievements include overseeing customer demand management for the Coronation, and the closure of Kentish Town Tube station. Outputs of my projects typically reach millions of customers and are a key cog in supporting Londoners and visitors to the capital in getting around smoothly.
Most recently, I’ve taken on higher level responsibilities in shaping the strategic direction of the team’s Evidence & Analysis portfolio; building team capability in conducting the analysis required for our projects.
I also manage the team’s continuous development work. I work with CILT and other TDM teams, as part of their TDM Forum, to identify the skills, knowledge and experience needed to deliver effective travel demand management. This provides a great outlet for my commitment to supporting colleagues in their professional development and improving access to the profession.
Originally a University of Birmingham Geography graduate, prior to TfL I worked as a Transport Planner for Mott McDonald. Key achievements include championing Mott MacDonald's global future mobility strategy, promoting the Future Mobility Toolkit (FUTURES), fostering international relationships, and completing a Masters degree in Transport Planning with Distinction.
Charlotte Douglas | Senior Consultant | Capco
I entered into the world of technology through a graduate data training programme, after finishing my undergraduate degree in Economics.
I had no prior experience in data and was nervous about going into a new job in the middle of a pandemic. I quickly found my feet with the support of my colleagues, and I was onboarded to a data at scale project, building reusable data assets to enable identification of customers, accounts, and products. This project provided cross-selling opportunities, increased risk management capabilities and reduced manual efforts through automation. My technical abilities grew quickly in this role and within a year, I was the lead data analyst.
I enjoyed data and analytics and found that I had a passion for project management. At this stage I had started to build up a good reputation and strong relationships with colleagues, so I was able to actively communicate my career goals. As a result, I was given the opportunity to take over a failing project that was about to be removed from scope. I successfully turned the project around and built out a business case for this. Following on from this achievement, I was sought after by my client to take on the role of project manager for their most technical and foundational delivery.
Within three years, I have been promoted twice, making me the fastest progressing analyst in the company, as well as one of the first female data analysts that progressed from Associate to Senior Management level.
Caroline Garner | Technology Consulting Manager | Accenture
Caroline is a Technology Consulting Manager within Accenture's UKI Payments Practice, helping to deliver large-scale technological and organisational transformation for clients.
She has a BA in Geography and an MSc (Distinction) in Management from the University of Sheffield. Caroline is an advocate for Inclusion and Diversity; committed to challenging gender imbalance in the Financial Services industry and Tech sector.
Since embarking on her career at Accenture in 2019, Caroline has supported a diverse range of clients with digital transformation, integration, and regulatory change – focusing on the design and strategy of products, alongside the technical solutions to implement them.
Leveraging her deep understanding of core payment processing, agile delivery and passion for technology, she has consistently helped Financial Services clients solve critical business challenges through impactful technology change – delivering transformative solutions that drive business success in the ever-evolving payments landscape.
In addition to consulting, Caroline co-leads Accenture's Women in FS (WIFS) Network, which is a driving force that champions women's careers in FS and Tech, fosters opportunities for networking and growth, and provides a platform for male allyship.
Caroline is dedicated to promoting inclusion and gender equity – she was instrumental in collaborating with Accenture's FinTech-Innovation Lab and charity TechSheCan to deliver a flagship “Generative AI and Future of Work” event. This brought FS clients and tech industry partners together to drive conversation around the opportunity and impact of new technology on women, and highlighted the importance of inspiring the next generation of girls and women to thrive in FS and Tech.
Caitlin Hargreaves | Manager, International Resolvability | Bank of England
I am a manager in the Bank of England’s International Resolvability Directorate – this means that I work with banks to put in place a safety system called ‘resolution’ that allows banks to fail safely, without causing harm to the wider economy.
I started my career at the Bank in 2016, a mere number of days after my last exam at university. I graduated with a degree in Economics, Politics and Public Policy in July 2016. For the last 8 years I have worked in various areas across the Bank including Banking, Financial Risk Management, Domestic Resolvability, the Bank’s Executive Secretariat, and a short stint as Private Secretary to the Executive Director of Authorisations, Regulatory Technology, and International Supervision. I am a passionate individual and enjoy investing my time and energy to support those around me, whether line reports or mentees in progressing their careers. I am an active member of the Bank’s Women’s Network and was honoured to make the closing remarks at the ‘Breaking Barriers’ event held at the Bank for International Women’s Day in partnership with WeAreTheCity. I am a born and raised Londoner, with incredibly strong Celtic ties and a bubbly personality! I have been a Brownie unit leader for almost 13 years and am thrilled to be taking up the position of County Commissioner for London South-West GirlGuiding. I enjoy giving back to the community and have been involved with numerous charities including Glassdoor homeless charity, where I supported the running of an emergency homeless shelter.
Tanya Simon-Hall | Founder | The Adeno Gang
Tanya is a prominent voice in the adenomyosis community and a zealous women's health campaigner.
She is a menstrual health educator and speaker who is actively trying to change the conversation surrounding the stigma of menstrual health one day at a time. Tanya is dedicated to educating young people about menstrual health and helping organisations to implement menstrual health policies in the workplace.
Renee Francesca | Student, Content Writer, Tutor, Consultant | Nottingham Trent University
My name is Renee. I am a third year law student and Content Writer since 2014.
I have accumulated 23,000 reads on my freelance novel and I have written copy for various brands in the financial & insurance industry. My most recent work has been reviews for Notts TV Book Club, and reviewing the documentary of Claude Monet!
Monica Nguyen | Customer Success Manager | ONE
Monica is a pioneering woman in tech, known for her journey of resilience and innovation.
From a recruitment administrator, she boldly transitioned into fintech as a Crypto Broker, defying conventional barriers with her passion and determination. As a mother of four, Monica's career path exemplifies her commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Throughout her career, Monica has embraced diverse roles, from building administrative processes to managing a crypto trading desk. Her adaptability and versatility have been instrumental in navigating the fast-paced tech landscape. Beyond her professional endeavours, Monica is an advocate for diversity and inclusion in tech.
As a board member of EUTECH, Monica actively supports initiatives to empower women in tech and promote Europe as a global tech hub. She champions female entrepreneurs and shares her insights through podcasts and mentorship programs. Monica's story serves as an inspiration, illustrating the transformative power of determination and perseverance in the tech industry. Her unwavering commitment to excellence and empowerment makes her a deserving nominee for the Rising Star award.