Sinead Danquah | Customer Experience Manager | Barratt Redrow PLC
My journey in this field has been marked by dedication, innovation, and a commitment to excellence.
As a Customer Experience Manager, I have consistently strived to bridge the gap between technical execution and client satisfaction. By prioritizing clear communication, tailored solutions, and an empathetic approach, I have ensured that each project not only meets but exceeds expectations. This role has sharpened my ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams, foster strong relationships, and navigate complex challenges—all crucial skills in the construction industry.
A highlight of my professional growth has been my role as a member of the junior board of directors. This position allowed me to contribute to the strategic direction of my organization, work closely with peers and leaders, and further develop my leadership and decision-making skills. One of my proudest achievements during this time was organizing a charity gala that raised just under £200,000, reflecting my commitment to making a positive difference both within and beyond my professional sphere.
Beyond my professional endeavours, I have always believed in the importance of giving back to the community and in my spare time I work as a listening volunteer for a LGBTQ+ charity, a farm hand at a local farm and volunteer at my local cemetery.
My combined experiences as a Customer Experience Manager, construction professional and volunteer have shaped me into a well-rounded individual who is passionate about creating tangible, positive impacts in the built environment and the lives of others.
Ellie Stevenson | Market Development Executive | AtkinsRealis
Diagnosed with dyslexia at five, I couldn't read until I was eight and struggled throughout school to express what I was thinking coherently.
Now in my career, that very hindrance is what makes me so effective at my job; turning complex technical talk, into client focused solutions. Not only do I use this to creative powerful campaigns in sectors including energy, aviation, built environment and infrastructure, but I strive to develop our industry into one where women are more visible, heard, and valued. While my career is in marketing, my specialism is construction and engineering, which women make up 15% of the workforce. Both inside and outside my organisation, I actively work to support people to overcome the barriers that women often encounter in STEM industries. I'm a Trustee and Marketing Lead for a charity which empowers women in STEM fields by providing free high-quality mentoring. I campaign for allyship, delivering value moments across meetings, and in 2024, I delivered a talk on mentoring and allyship at the Women In Construction and Engineering Awards Summit. This year I've also been selected to take part as a digital delegate for the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). I've presented to secondary school students about my career path, sharing that not only can the STEM sector be a creative and exciting industry to aspire to be in, but that it's vital that nobody sees their gender, neurodiversity, culture or background as a barrier to a future in STEM.
Erin Keating | Manager | PwC
I have six years’ experience delivering large-scale transformations across Banking, Insurance and Capital Marketing clients.
I have worked on a range of change programmes centred around topics such as regulatory compliance and technology implementation. As an ambitious and solution-oriented professional, I am dedicated to helping clients address the challenges of tomorrow, today. Outside of my professional responsibilities, I am passionate about advocating for Women In Business. I have organized initiatives to empower women and facilitate dialogue with industry leaders. Mentorship is a key aspect of my role, where I guide students and new professionals to foster an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives. I am committed to nurturing talent and ensuring that each individual feels supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Sky Parsons | Senior Healthcare and Life Sciences Consultant | IBM
As a Senior Consultant at IBM, Sky specialises in the Healthcare and Lifesciences industry, leveraging her extensive knowledge and expertise to drive success for clients.
At university she studied Biomedical Science (Genetics), which provides a strong foundation for her work in the Life Science industry. In addition to her studies, Sky spent her time at university as a STEM ambassador promoting STEM education and careers to young people, particularly those from underrepresented communities. During her time at IBM, Sky has focused on complex delivery roles ranging from website developmet to mobile app migration. Sky has shown a remarkable ability to adapt to new challenges and consistently deliver high-quality results. Sky has consistently invested in the professional growth of others through mentoring, developing and delivering an in person Agile course and supporting multiple teams in implementing new ways of working. Alongside her work, Sky is also deeply committed to giving back to her community. She has been a Qualified Girl Guide Leader for over five years and is also an Assistant Scout Leader. Using her leadership skills, Sky runs a variety of activities including outdoor skills, sports and STEM based activities. Sky has also gained her Going Away Licence which enables her to take Guides away on overnight trips and camps.
Lulu Isdory | Technology Consultant | Ernst & Young (EY)
My name is Lulu Isdory, a technology consultant specializing in SAP programme management at EY London.
Growing up in Tanzania, I faced significant challenges breaking into the tech industry due to limited technological advancements and gender inequality. As a woman, entering this field was particularly daunting. I am now an advocate for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, committed to addressing women's underrepresentation in the technology sector. I graduated with an MA (Hons) in Sociology and Politics in May 2023, after receiving a fully funded scholarship from the Mastercard Foundation in 2019. University opened doors to experiences I had never encountered before, igniting my passion for using technology to address societal challenges. I engaged in strategic problem-solving through consulting societies and internships, gaining insights into the disruptive potential of technology. In September 2023, I joined a graduate scheme where I serve as the PMO overseeing the portfolio management of 14 digital transformation projects. I have contributed to a significant S4 HANA Finance Transformation. My project management role has led me to acquire the Scrum Master and Scrum Product Owner qualifications, alongside learning in SAP Project Delivery, Applied AI, and Client Centricity. Outside work, I lead an initiative that empowers African students with limited access to technology, helping them gain essential tech skills to solve complex problems and pursue STEM careers. I also mentor young African women from disadvantaged backgrounds, guiding them in securing scholarships and exploring STEM opportunities, while actively giving back to my community through mentorship and DEI initiatives at EY.
Abby Sonnier | Senior Consultant | FTI Consulting
Abby Sonnier is a Senior Consultant in the Strategic Communications segment of FTI Consulting and is based in London, UK.
She is part of the segment's crisis communications practice specialising in cybersecurity and data privacy crises where she works with organizations amid cyber crises to respond to the incident in a way that protects their reputation, avoids additional legal or financial fallout, and builds trust. She has worked with organisations across a broad range of sectors, sizes, and geographies. Prior to FTI Consulting, Abby was a Cybersecurity Analyst at Consortium Networks where she led all compliance-driven advisory projects across a broad range of sectors. Abby has spent time in the media and journalism space while at the Bologna Institute for Policy Research, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and The Cipher Brief, a national security media organization, where she helped launch its Cyber Initiatives Group. Abby holds an M.A. in International Relations from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies where she studied cybersecurity and data privacy in the Mediterranean and the United States. Abby also holds a B.A. in Public Policy and Leadership from the University of Mississippi.
Charlotte Louise Menefy | Associate | Clyde & Co
I wanted to be a lawyer from 11 years old, after being the subject of an aggravated burglary and having to provide witness testimony.
This led me to study law for A Level (self-tutored) and then at university. During my second year of university, I purchased and ran a female-only gym, but still pursued my legal dream! I became a paralegal in 2013 at a firm specialising in insurance and reinsurance, but I covered a wide range of legal disputes. I was involved in a high-profile, reported case concerning the management of a trust, as well as a unanimous win before the Privy Council on the subject of the timing of offer and acceptance. At this time, I became a member of ACTAPS, IRLA, and Chairman of BILA Young Professionals. In 2019, I joined Clyde & Co's Aviation team, where I specialise in disputes arising from incidents involving air travel. I work for airlines, and their insurers, in respect of claims involving personal injury, baggage & cargo matters, and damage to aircraft. At Clydes, I am a proud member of various organisations in place to support my colleagues, including being the co-Chair of our LGBTQIA+ network, Pryde & Co, Aviation representative for employees and our gender equality network. Through my work, I am also training with Amicus, who work with prisoners on death row in the USA, and have recently become a school governor for our local school. I aspire to keep using my position to give a voice to those in need.
Sarah Flambard | Lawyer | Macquarie
Sarah is an experienced transactional derivatives lawyer with a passion for diversity, inclusion, and social impact.
She holds Masters in Business and Financial Law, and in Languages from the University of Paris 12 and an LLM in International Banking and Finance from the University of Edinburgh. In 2024, she expanded her expertise with certifications in Human Rights (City University), Social Entrepreneurship (LSE), and MBA Essentials (LSE). A dedicated advocate for DEI, Sarah co-leads her company's Black Employees network and serves on its DEI and Fusion committees, driving initiatives that create equitable opportunities and enhance representation, retention, and progression of underrepresented minorities. She has played a key role in fostering inclusion across the workplace and broader communities. Sarah's career spans top-tier international investment banks in London and Paris, where she has earned recognition for both her legal expertise and commitment to DEI. Beyond her corporate role, she is deeply engaged in social justice. Since 2022, she has volunteered and fundraised for Body & Soul Charity's youth suicide prevention programme, even making an appearance in their 2024 suicide prevention campaign video. She is also a Trustee at Hackney Quest, supporting young people in underserved communities, and the Founder of the project We Are Here, a digital platform aiming to map free resources for individuals and families affected or at risk of being affected by homelessness. A multilingual leader and changemaker, Sarah is committed to breaking barriers, empowering individuals and communities, and driving a more equitable future.
Helen Penwill | Senior Associate | Reed Smith LLP
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 and Senior Associate just 36 months later. 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.
Catherine Casazza | Legal Counsel (Investments) | Fidelity International
Catherine Casazza is an in-house lawyer at Fidelity International, where she advises on and manages transactions across the firm's fixed income, equity, and private assets businesses.
She previously worked in private practice at large, U.S.-headquartered law firms in New York, Sydney, and London. In private practice, Catherine accumulated extensive experience advising corporate, private equity, and banking clients on leveraged loans, and public and private debt and equity capital markets offerings and transactions. She has also volunteered with the International Trade Centre's SheTrades initiative and advised numerous pro bono legal clients in New York through The Door's Legal Services Center's Emancipation Clinic and in London through the University House Legal Advice Centre's Housing Clinic. Catherine has been recognised internally at Fidelity International for her contributions to the business teams she supports and her commitment to professional development. Catherine co-founded the "Legal Jam Sessions" programming series, which aims to increase synergies and efficiencies across the firm's legal teams and provide opportunities for other team members to shine. Catherine is passionate about connecting with and positively impacting her community and is an active member of her firm's Cultural Diversity Network. A singer and former actor, Catherine also celebrates and blends her love of arts and culture and her passion for bringing diverse individuals together as co-founder and Director of Operations for Muses in the City, a London-based network connecting women who are passionate about arts, heritage, and culture.