Iulia Midus | Software Engineer | London Stock Exchange Group
Regarding my educational background, I completed a BSc with Honours in IT Management for Business at the University of Manchester.
This course provided me with valuable insights into various companies, industries, and the technologies that drive them. During my studies, I had the opportunity to participate in showcases led by companies like P&G and Credit Suisse, where we developed technical solutions to address specific challenges. Collaborating with my peers, I won multiple showcases judged by industry professionals, which was a rewarding experience. During my degree, I also completed a one-year placement as a business data analyst at NBCUniversal. In this role, I engaged with users from 13 territories as a Business Analyst and analyzed theatrical data to provide actionable insights to stakeholders. This experience honed my analytical skills and deepened my understanding of the entertainment industry. After graduating, I chose to pursue a career in technology within the finance industry. I currently work at the London Stock Exchange Group, where I have been involved in AI and ML initiatives. I have spearheaded AI efforts in my division, both from a product and technical perspective. This includes setting up the technical infrastructure for multiple Proof of Concepts and writing internal blog posts and articles to promote knowledge sharing. Additionally, I work on data analytics and machine learning projects to develop new products and improve internal processes.
Nandhini Adhilakshmi Thiravidamani | Senior Consultant | Ernst & Young
I have extensive experience in technology consulting, successfully delivering complex projects, leading teams, and driving business value.
I have been in various roles starting from a developer to tech lead and also as a business analyst in various insurance platforms transformation programs. I have a strong commitment to excellence and have consistently performed at a high level in any role that I have taken up.
Chaeleen Hong | Manager (Insurance Technology) | EY
Chaeleen has demonstrated exceptional commitment to advancing how Insurers leverage Technology to drive innovation in Specialty lines.
As a Consultant in Insurance Technology, she successfully implemented the fastest ClaimCenter delivery across multiple regions in Latin America, executing an aggressive six-month plan. As Project Lead, she spearheads a major project using a Low-Code/No-Code application platform to develop an efficient and bespoke Underwriting Workbench for a prominent Specialty client. She leads a large team of over 40 talented Developers, Testers, and Business Analysts in an agile delivery model – a self-sustaining team where continuous learning and growth occur every day. Her portfolio spans both General and Specialty Insurance, with a focus on how Technology can enhance core functionalities in Claims and Underwriting. In her early career, she joined Accenture Australia as a Graduate and later worked in industry for a few years. These formative experiences have been pivotal in shaping her current career trajectory. She recognises the untapped potential within the Insurance Technology market, particularly with AI and machine learning driving transformative change within the industry. She is a strong sponsor of paving the way for the next generation, actively creating opportunities and fostering an environment where learning is encouraged. She is passionate about providing mentorship to the future talent, cultivating the next wave of our future Leaders.
Kasia Dutch | Software Engineer | Starling Bank
Kasia Dutch is an advocate and mentor for women in tech and a software engineer at Starling Bank.
As part of the Assurance team, she builds tools that protect customers and ensure errors are rectified. Previously, she spent three years at an EdTech startup, developing a training platform that empowered frontline workers to excel in their roles. Throughout her career, she has found fulfilment using her skills to add value to people's lives. Kasia's journey into software engineering was unconventional. At university, she studied Russian and Chinese and now appreciates applying her passion for languages to problem-solving and creativity. She began her career working in HR, motivated by the opportunity to support and develop employees. During the pandemic, her career switch into tech started on a bootcamp where she was the only woman in a cohort of thirteen trainees, reflecting the existing gender imbalance in the industry. This experience ignited her drive to make tech more inclusive and it is her ongoing mission to empower people from underrepresented backgrounds in their careers. As a mentor with organisations like One Million Mentors and Next Tech Girls, Kasia guides aspiring technologists through career transitions and technical challenges. She has given many women their first introduction to coding through teaching with Code First Girls and serves as an ambassador for Girl Code. Public speaking has become a key part of her advocacy, and she has delivered talks on building support networks in tech to inspire others to find their place in the industry.
Emily Cutler-Ames | Infrastructure Engineer | Natwest Group
Emily is an Infrastructure Engineer working in Private Cloud at Natwest Group where she is part of the team who built, and now run and maintain, the Openshift Platform.
Prior to transitioning into a career in tech, Emily was a Geography teacher (and 2018 Teach First) at a secondary school in London where she ran an inspirational careers programme for pupils, connecting with local colleges, universities and companies, it was through one these partnerships that she stumbled across the idea of a career in tech. Emily then retrained as a software engineer through the 'CFG Degree' run by Code First Girls and now is a Technical Instructor for the same course. Emily is passionate about increasing diversity in tech and runs regular outreach workshops for local schools, is a Women in Tech mentor for Durham University and has been a Code First Girls Ambassador for 2 years.
Ilaria Celentano | Strategy & Consulting - Management Consultant | Accenture UKI
Ilaria is a Management Consultant at Accenture within the Strategy and Consulting practice, specialising in technology-driven transformation in Banking and Payments.
With over six years of experience across the UK, Italy, and Poland, she has led strategic projects that shape the future of digital payments and financial services. Ilaria started her career at State Street in Poland, gaining experience in fund accounting and financial operations. Seeking new challenges, she transitioned into consulting and joined a management consulting boutique in Italy, one of FT1000 Europe's fastest-growing companies. There, she quickly advanced from Business Analyst to Senior Associate, leading projects with European banks and payment providers. Her work included launching new digital bank programmes, managing multimillion-euro initiatives, and devising innovative issuing product strategies while supporting C-suite executives in shaping payment strategies. Now at Accenture UKI, Ilaria leads large-scale transformation programmes for Tier 1 banks, focusing on payments innovation, operational efficiency, and regulatory compliance. She holds an MSc in Management from Grenoble Ecole de Management and a Master's in International Business and Development from Università degli Studi di Parma. Fluent in Italian, English, and French, Ilaria is passionate about fintech, AI-driven financial services, and digital transformation. Outside of work, she enjoys practising yoga, hiking, and spending time in nature. A sociable and avid traveller, she loves exploring new destinations, immersing herself in diverse cultures, and building meaningful connections along the way.
Yetunde Animashaun | Tech Consultant & Founder | Accenture & Tech432
Yetunde Animashaun is a UX Researcher with over seven years of experience in content design, business analysis, and user research.
With an MSc in Behavioural Economics, she specializes in understanding human behavior to design more inclusive and effective digital services. She has worked across various sectors, including **public health, defence, and financial services**, leading research that improves accessibility and user experience. Passionate about social impact, Yetunde is the founder of **Tech432**, a non-profit dedicated to increasing diversity in tech by supporting underrepresented young people. Through mentorship, workshops, and partnerships with organizations like Coding Black Females and Samsara, Tech432 has empowered over 250 young people. Growing up on a council estate, Yetunde witnessed firsthand the barriers faced by marginalized communities. These experiences fueled her commitment to breaking barriers and creating opportunities. She is an active advocate for inclusion in tech, regularly delivering talks and career workshops to inspire the next generation of Black professionals. Recognized for her contributions, she continues to drive change through research, leadership, and community impact.
Amber Villegas - Williamson | Senior Consultant | Uptime Institute
Amber Villegas-Williamson is a Senior Technical Consultant at Uptime Institute, with more that 20 years expertise working globally to assess and certify data centres.
She specializes in reviewing designs and facility plans to identify potential risks before construction, ensuring resilience and efficiency. On-site, she conducts demonstrations to validate that infrastructure functions as intended, helping organizations optimize their critical systems. Additionally, Amber is an instructor for multiple industry-accredited courses, equipping design engineers and data centre operators with the skills to assess their facilities and implement best practices for accurate reporting and operational excellence. Beyond her technical role, Amber is a dedicated advocate for increasing awareness of the data centre industry, a sector often hidden from public view. She has volunteered for years through initiatives like I'm an Engineer, Get Me Out of Here! and I'm a Scientist, Get Me Out of Here!, engaging thousands of young people to consider STEM careers. She also mentors aspiring engineers and has written extensively on encouraging women to pursue careers in data centres. As a third-generation immigrant to the UK, Amber understands the importance of representation and access to opportunities. She is a member of both The IET and WES, continuously working to bridge the gap between young talent and the future of digital infrastructure.
Juliana Smith | SHEQ Performance and Analytics Specialist | BOC
Originally from Brazil, my career in tech began in 2007, spanning across multiple sectors.
While studying Oceanography, I learnt Fortran and MATLAB, sparking my passion for data. I then transitioned from research to the Oil & Gas Industry, where I supervised directional drilling operations and served as a Navigator for marine seismic operations. Following a work injury, I shifted to Data Analytics, focusing on Power BI for the past five years. My journey was propelled by receiving the Collaborate to Measurable Impact – Values Hero Award at Deloitte in 2020 for defining data strategy and enhancing H&S compliance audit systems. In 2023, I achieved Chartered IT Professional status from the British Computer Society, and in 2024, I was honoured with the TechWomen100 award. I've demonstrated exceptional stakeholder management skills by collaborating with significant clients globally. My recent focus on digital accessibility has involved leading initiatives to implement accessibility frameworks for Power Platform products and launching a website, sharing insights on how to make dashboards more accessible. As a sought-after speaker, I have presented sessions at conferences and Microsoft User Groups worldwide and was recently accepted into the New Starts of Data programme My leadership extends beyond technical expertise. As board member of NorthWest Women in STEM and an ambassador for DataDNA at Onyx Data, I've championed diversity and inclusion initiatives, mentored junior team members, and secured sponsorships and collaborations. Creating the LinkedIn Newsletter STEM Demystified with over 1,000 subscribers showcases my communication skills and commitment to breaking gender stereotypes in STEM
Flavia Saldanha | Consulting Data Engineer & Data Strategist | Fifth Third Bank
Flavia Saldanha is a seasoned data professional with 15 years of experience designing and implementing robust data solutions, primarily in the banking industry.
With expertise spanning both on-premises and cloud technologies, Flavia has been instrumental in driving innovation and efficiency in data warehousing solutions at Fifth Third Bank. In her current role as a Data Strategist, Flavia leads the Data Modeling and Architecture team, spearheading the migration of legacy systems to a modern data technology stack. She is deeply committed to fostering a data-driven culture, empowering individuals across all IT roles to contribute meaningfully to the data ecosystem. Flavia is also her department's AI Champion and an active member of Fifth Third's Prompt Engineering community, where she educates colleagues on AI fundamentals and guides them in adopting AI tools and techniques in their daily work. Her work reflects a commitment to collaboration, innovation, and building an inclusive mindset around data and AI within organizations.