Lyndsey Stuttard | Digital Teaching & Learning Specialist | ACS Cobham International School
Lyndsey is an international educator with over 19 years teaching experience in the public and private sectors, having taught in the US, UK, UAE, and Italy.
She is an early years practitioner who is passionate about the purposeful use of Augmented Reality in education. She is an Apple Distinguished Educator and recognised as a Top 10 educator to watch by Apple. In 2023 she was named one of the Top 100 Women in Tech and was a Pearson National Teaching Awards Silver Winner for Digital Innovator of the Year. Lyndsey has spoken at multiple conferences about her integration approaches with Augmented Reality as well as the role creativity plays in the classroom to help students access their learning and share their understanding through choice.
Marcia Brissett-Bailey | Partnership officer | Diversity and Ability
Marcia is a speaker, writer, and advocate for intersectional neurodiversity inclusion.
A thought leader, Forbes-featured, international speaker, and author of Black, Brilliant, and Dyslexic, Marcia is one of the Top 50 Influential Neurodivergent Women 2022.
She was named one of the top 133 women who changed the world in 2023 by Diverse In – the Global Diversity and Inclusion Embassy.
Marcia is also featured as a notable dyslexic by Dyslexia Help - The Regents University of Michigan and a Trustee of the British Dyslexia Association.
As a dyslexia advocate and champion, Marcia is passionate about empowering other dyslexic and neurodivergent people to find their voice.
Marcia holds a BSc (Hons) in Information Science, Librarian status, a postgraduate qualification in Career Guidance, a Certificate in person-centred Counselling Skills, a diploma in Specialist Teaching, and an MA in Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. With three decades of experience, she has contributed widely to the education sector, specialising in post-16 and higher education and serving as a SEND lead.
Marcia has spent years navigating education and workplace systems by developing strategies to `hack the system.` Embracing self-acceptance and recognising diversity, she aims to empower others to find their voice and cultivate self-love.
Maria Violaris | PhD student | University of Oxford
Maria Violaris is a PhD student researching the foundations of quantum information at the University of Oxford, where she works with Chiara Marletto and Vlatko Vedral, after previously graduating with a First Class MPhys degree from the University of Oxford.
Her research interests include quantum thermodynamics, quantum measurement paradoxes, and the locality of quantum theory. Alongside her PhD, Maria works part-time with the IBM Quantum community team. She created a 14-part Qiskit YouTube video series to demystify quantum paradoxes using quantum computing, alongside blogs and code tutorials; made 1-Minute-Qiskit videos; co-hosted the seminar series; and lectured for the Global Summer School. She also writes for Physics World magazine; created and ran the IOP QQQ group “Quantum on the Clock Schools Video Competition”; and founded Oxford University Quantum Information Society. Previously, she did an internship with quantum computing software company Riverlane, where she built a Raspberry Pi Quantum Computing Lab demonstration and video. Maria frequently gives talks for a range of audiences, including researchers, school students, general public and educators, and has run many quantum computing workshops for young female audiences. She has won multiple awards for her research and science communication, and has published research on quantum education.
Simona Aimar | Vice-Dean EDI and Lecturer of Philosophy | University College London
I come from a working class background in Italy.
Thanks to scholarships, I was able to study philosophy and eventually be awarded a D.Phil from Oxford in 2017 and become a Lecturer at UCL Philosophy, where I still teach and do research today. Throughout my studies and subsequent career, I have cultivated a diverse career spanning academia and activism.
My academic journey has been enriched by fellowships at institutions worldwide, including Columbia (Barnard), NYU, the Harvard Centre for Hellenic Studies, Princeton University, and the Free University of Berlin (Human Abilities Center). As an activist, I have I co-founded Living Voices, an NGO aiding ex-prisoners in Italy to transition back into society. I have also founded a summer school in Trento’s Prison (Italy), where I often teach political and social philosophy. Previously, I led projects at the Oxford Microfinance Initiative, harnessing microfinance for social impact.
At UCL, I champion equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as Vice-Dean EDI for Arts & Humanities. In this role, I initiated several peer-to-peer mentoring initiatives, started a collaboration with the charity Afghan Female Students Outreach to teach online courses for Afghan women, and launched a platform combating elitism in academia. My role also involves fostering LGBTQ+ inclusion, advancing race equity pledges, and organizing students-staff Townhalls on equity issues.
Furthermore, I serve as UCL Philosophy`s widening participation officer, fostering collaborations with organizations like Teaching Philosophy in Prison charity.
Overall, my dedication to philosophical inquiry intertwines with a fervent commitment to social justice.
Usha Kong | Careers & Social Mobility Manager | Tower Hamlets Council
As the Careers & Social Mobility Manager at Tower Hamlets Council, I am privileged to lead transformative initiatives aimed at enriching the lives and futures of young people.
With an unwavering commitment to amplifying social and cultural capital, enhancing employment prospects, and fostering diverse career opportunities, I strive to empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Throughout my diverse 40-year career, I`ve navigated corporate environments, charitable organisations, social enterprises, and the public sector. My journey began in the city, working for the London Stock Exchange and Accenture. However, my true calling emerged in 2003 when I ventured into entrepreneurship, successfully establishing, and managing three businesses, including co-founding a social enterprise dedicated to empowering disengaged and disadvantaged youth.
Over the past two decades, my focus has centred on creating meaningful change and providing guidance to those facing obstacles. My own journey, marked by resilience and unique challenges, serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and determination. It is my passion to inspire and mentor others along similar paths, fostering enduring change and empowerment within our communities.
Gina Panayiotou | Founder & CEO | Oceans Arena
Founder & CEO of ESG Consultancy, Oceans Arena and Founder & Chair of the World ESG Forum, a think tank created with an aim of achieving a level-playing blueprint for ESG within maritime and across the wider transport sector.
Having studied maritime law, with an MBA focused on change management and ethical leadership, I have worked with organisations such as the Hartmann Shipping Group, MSC Cruises and acted as a communications consultant the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO), United Nations body for maritime.
Based in London, I have been appointed UK Ambassador of the Seatrade Maritime Club, sit on the Board of WISTA UK as Secretary, Co-Chair the WISTA International Environmental Committee and I am the G100 UK Chair for Sustainable Brand Creation. Additionally, I supports the World Ocean Council as an associate on Law & Ocean Sustainable Development and is an Associate Tutor at MLA College.
Furthermore, I have been featured among the “Top Maritime Influencers you should follow” by Marine Traffic, made the Seatrade 20under40 list, shortlisted for the Inspirational Influencer Awards, Global Impact, for my work on youth and female empowerment, have been ranked by Legal 500, GC Powerlist, featured in the Top 100 Women in Shipping list for 45 consecutive years and founded and host the “Oceans Arena” broadcast.
Micaela Spencer-Rogers | Business Manager, Barclays UK Sustainable Finance & Social Purpose | Barclays
Micaela joined Barclays in 2019 on the Risk graduate scheme, holding a number of roles across Risk before joining Operational Risk in a Business Management, Strategy and Governance role.
In 2023 Micaela joined the Barclays UK Sustainable Finance & Social Purpose team, driven by a desire to greater align her values and professional aspirations. In her current role, Micaela embraces the challenge of capturing opportunities from the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Prior to joining Barclays, Micaela completed a degree in Economics & Politics at the University of Exeter.
Lauren Palmer | Sustainability Delivery Manager | Barclays
I started my career within the branch network at the age of 19 following completion of my A Levels.
I achieved the grades required to attend university, however I have always found the typical student life rather challenging due to my condition and instead decided to enter the world of work.
I currently work within Sustainable Finance as a Delivery Manager, supporting the transition to a low carbon economy and am extremely passionate around both the Social and Environmental aspects of ESG.
Jasmina Negrini | VP Chief Operating Office | Barclays
Jasmina has a career in the financial services spanning over 25 years. She has lived in five countries across continents and has travelled extensively developing strong cultural awareness.
Jasmina is passionate about bringing DE&I and Sustainability together to address climate change and societal injustice as she believes that we can only achieve a better world if we value diverse contributions, achieve inclusion and create a level playing field.
As a side of desk job, she chaired the Gender Network at J P Morgan pioneering intersectionality through collaboration and partnership across different diversity networks and currently co-chairs the London Environment Network at Barclays. Jasmina dedicates her spare time and expertise to business development programmes including mentoring of charities, helping social businesses addressing strategic challenges and coaching entrepreneurs tackling social and environmental challenges.
Her passion for stewardship and her talent in finding scalable solutions were acknowledged in the 2021 ‘Micro Tyco for Leaders’ entrepreneurial challenge championing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals in recognition of designing and implementing an inclusive ‘Menopause Strategy’ that provides tools and resources for all colleagues.
She is also a Board Trustee, a Climate Reality Leader, a Climate Safe Lending Fellow 2023 and a UN Women CSW 68 UK delegate. Jasmina is focusing on mindset shift and system change to accelerate the transition to net 0 and considers gender equality a pre requisite as women are more heavily affected by climate change and can also significantly contribute to identifying the solutions needed.
Pelin Turkmen | ESG Graduate Analyst | Cambridge & Counties Bank
Pelin Turkmen is a young professional with a strong academic background and dedication to sustainable finance and climate change economics.
She earned her degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science in July 2023, where she focused on Sustainable Development, Environmental Science and Economics. Currently working as the ESG Graduate Analyst at Cambridge & Counties Bank, Pelin leverages her diverse experience gained from international financial institutions and research institutes across multiple continents. Highly skilled in navigating the complex intersection of finance and sustainability, she adeptly tackles both risks and opportunities associated with addressing the economic dimensions of climate change.