Marsha Castello | Data Analyst | UK Civil Service
I am a Data Analyst within the UK Civil service where I help to translate data into valuable insights and Business Intelligence.
I am also a trainee Software Engineer with Xuntos. I champion workplace wellbeing through different initiatives as a trained Mental Health First Aider. I am a UN Women UK Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women, the largest annual gathering of gender equality advocates in the world, where I will continue to champion equity and access to life changing technology for women. Over the last 8 months I have battled various personal and life challenges to take charge of my career and complete an intensive 16-week Python Software Engineering Bootcamp with Firebrand, and an intensive 6-week, 60 hours + Advanced Data Analyst Bootcamp, with Fast Futures. While completing the Advanced Data Analyst Bootcamp I also completed two further courses concurrently: Code First Girls 8-week Introductions to Python and Apps, and Data and SQL. I achieved Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, I am also due to complete the globally recognised PCEP Python exam. I successful secured mentorship and a supportive network through Cajigo and BGIT. Post courses I have completed my own projects and shared my learning on LinkedIn. I have continuously sought to share my knowledge with others through peer mentoring, and further sharing my story and resources through published articles and blogs, I have become a STEM Ambassador and Mentor empowering school children from disadvantaged backgrounds into tech. I enjoy Pilates, theatre, sci-fi movies, and live music.
Cherie Stephenson | HR Change & Projects Lead | Browne Jacobson
I am extremely proud to be the first person in my family to go to sixth form and university.
I graduated from Lincoln with a 2:1 in Human Resource Management. After finishing university, I started working in recruitment where I was quickly promoted into a role within reward specialising in HR MI/data.
I joined Browne Jacobson 12 years ago as a HR Data Analyst, progressing to a Business Change Manager within the PMO and returning to my HR roots into the role I have always wanted, HR Change & Projects Lead. This role which I have shaped pairs my passion for people, equality and fairness with my technical project management and data capabilities.
I am part of our HR Leadership team which gives me the opportunity to add value across all of our HR functions. Recently, I was delighted to lead on some fantastic projects such as implementing a brand-new HR system and building an inclusive approach to reasonable workplace adjustments helping employees with disabilities. I am a proud ally for inclusion and always try to use my experience and influence to champion and advocate for others.
As a proud mother of two, I am keen to be a positive role model for part time working parents.
Cynthia Ko | Manager, Behavioural Designer | Cowry Consulting
Born in the Netherlands to Chinese/Malaysian parents, Cynthia has experienced inequality and mental health struggles which inspired her social impact journey.
She believes in influencing change through both private and charity sector work.
Private sector work:
- With a design research background, Cynthia started her post-university career as a Qualitative Researcher in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. She’s helped clients (e.g. Channel 4, Youth Futures Foundation, MET office) uncover the needs of minoritised communities, leading to her recognition as a 30-under-30 Significant Insights Leader in market research.
- She currently works at Cowry Consulting, using her expertise in Human-Centred Design and Behavioural Science to improve customer journeys in the energy sector. During the cost–of-living and energy crisis, it is imperative that businesses: 1) help customers understand complex communications and available support, and 2) help employees deliver positive customer experience. One of the projects she’s leading is helping contact centre agents take care of their wellbeing and empowering them to help distressed customers.
Charity sector work:
- As the youngest trustee at Mind and only South-East Asian, Cynthia is a voice for intersectional change as the charity is working on supporting the mental health of ethnic minorities, youth and people in poverty.
- As a campaigner and board member at Slow Fashion Movement, she highlights environmental injustices in the fashion industry and the potential for a circular economy.
- This year, Cynthia's also an official UN Women UK Delegate for the UN’s 67th Commission on the Status of Women and fundraising for the Single Homelessness Project.
Tori Ford | Medical Herstory
Tori Ford is the founder of Medical Herstory, an international award-winning youth-led non-profit on a mission to eliminate sexism, shame, and stigma from health experiences.
She is a feminist health researcher completing a DPhil in Primary Health Care at the University of Oxford funded by an NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship. She holds a BA from McGill University in Gender Studies and an MPhil from the University of Cambridge in Health, Medicine, and Society. Her work on advancing gender health equity has been recognized by the McGill Scarlet Key Award and the University of Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Social Impact Award. Tori is an outspoken patient advocate and has been featured by UNWomen, The Harvard Public Health Review, Hunger Magazine, and Cosmopolitan UK.
Siona Lamble | NatWest Group
Siona is currently a director in the capital and pricing advisory team in NatWest Group, moving to this role in December 2022 to focus on strategic projects.
Siona had worked in Treasury for many years previously, focusing on liquidity risk and interest rate risks for the bank. Siona is a co-chair of the NatWest Group Gender Network which has over 9000 members and multiple hundred volunteers.
Siona started with NatWest Group as a Finance Graduate in Sept 2008. She is a Chartered Management Accountant and a Member of the Association of Corporate Treasurers and is particularly interested in breaking stereotypes on careers given her mathematical career.
Phoebe Waters | J.S. Held
I am a Director in the Global Investigations department of JS Held.
I am a senior investigator and a strong and influential female leader in the sector, specialising in complex disputes including high-quantum fraud cases and asset tracing and recovery exercises. Over the past eight years since embarking on my career, my clients have included law firms, high-net worth individuals, multi-national companies, financial institutions and governments. I have most recently worked at Schillings, managing multifaceted litigation-support matters, and Burford Capital, where I was case manager for investigations including a project in support of one of the top largest Awards (over USD 6 billion) ever handed down against a state by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
I am a law graduate, also with a BA in Russian and an MA in International Security. Most recently, this year, I obtained a qualification from the University of Cambridge’s Institute of Sustainability Leadership: ‘Women Leading Change: Shaping our Future”. I speak Russian and Spanish.
I am Chair of The Female Fraud Forum, having been elected in February 2022 and re-elected in February 2023 (+ Membership Secretary for 2 years prior). The FFF is a multi-disciplinary non-for-profit organisation comprising a network of c1,5000 members/supporters in the fraud, asset recovery and investigations sector – an industry that has often been dominated by men. The FFF’s aim is to spearhead the fight for change so that gender equality becomes ingrained in the workplace and secured for future generations.
I mentor and coach females in the sector.
Jessica Heagren | That Works For Me
Jess Heagren is an ex Financial Services Director, mother of four, award-winning CEO of That Works For Me, and author of landmark report Careers After Babies.
Jess was Strategy & Distribution director for insurance giant DLG before having children and set up their first Diversity Committee, leading the gender and working families strand. After having her first baby, she returned to work on a flexible working arrangement but as the only female primary caregiver on the board, and managing some 600 people across the UK, she couldn't make the two work alongside one another. She left her career 10 months later.
Realising just how many women lose their careers after having their children she made it her mission to keep more parents in the workplace and set up That Works For Me shortly afterwards.
Jess now works with businesses to make them better employers for parents through the Careers After Babies accreditation programme and supports hiring through That Works For Me, home to thousands of parents seeking flexible work.
Jay Trestain | IBM
Jay is a global, senior leader for IBM, a multi-national IT services organisation where she is responsible for the sales portfolio of services and customer success IBM takes to market with some of its largest strategic partners.
Her career has enabled Jay to travel extensively, working with a diverse range of IBM customers and partners across all industries in a variety of technologies from large high-performance computers to the leading mobile device manufacturers. She is recognised as a ‘thought-leader’ in her area, is a regular external speaker and contributor to industry and technology publications and media outlets.
She is a passionate advocate for diversity and equality; she uses her experience to provide mentorship and coaching to women and all diversity groups across business, technology and not for profit.
Ifrah Shafiq | Al Mu'Minun (The Believers)
Ifrah Shafiq is the youngest female Faith Leader in Kirklees.
She is the Women Empowerment Lead for Al Mu'Minun (The Believers). She believes strongly in educating women so that change can be bought about in society and gender disparity can be removed.
She holds an Alimah (Theology) qualification from Al Markaz Ul Islami and has completed the memorisation of the Qur'an (Hifdh) and is currently completing her BA Islamic Studies at the Markfield Institute of Higher Education.
She is involved in several projects advocating for women empowerment and has won several awards for her work.
Elaine C Walker | The GMA Group
I am Forbes featured and a multi award winning champion for women and children.
I started an educational consultancy 8 years ago when my children were two of the top 20 brightest children in the country. It was at that point i knew it was important for ther women to see me taking the lead in childrens rights in education and also women. I have also gone on on to create iniatives in the community to give children access to education opportunities at the top institutions in the UK. I also sit on the board of girl code Africa, to ensure that girls in afria have a chance of education in STEM. Our first project is now finished and it was building a coding lab in a countainer. I am also involved in assisting the First Lady of Ghana in raising money for her library hub projets. I am launching a foundation called The Ansaba Foundation which will be instrumental in paying school fees for great children here in the uk. Creating life transforming opportunities for them and creating black leaders of the future.