Supriya Davda | Talent Acquisition Partner | Northern Trust
With over 13 years of experience in the recruitment industry, complimented by an education in Law.
I am passionate about finding and attracting diverse and talented professionals who can make a positive difference. My journey in talent acquisition has been driven by a deep passion for Diversity and Inclusion, with a particular focus on empowering women in the technology industry. Currently, I thrive in my role at Northern Trust, where I not only place exceptional talent but also contribute to our workplace culture. Within the organisation, I proudly serve as the Co-Chair for the Asian Leadership Business Resource Council, where I actively promote community engagement and facilitate early career development and awareness of the Asian Culture. Outside of my professional capacity, I serve as an Associate School Governor at the Holy Family Catholic School and Sixth Form. Additionally, I contribute as a Board Trustee Member for Sisters Circle, a charity dedicated to prioritising women’s health. My professional and personal journey is deeply infused by the values of Truth, Love, and Compassion, which I’ve imbibed from my spiritual teacher, Morari Bapu. I am a firm believer in his advocacy for the acceptance of all individuals and service to others; principles I strive to incorporate into my work.
Lucinda Pounds | Talent, Learning & Development Manager | Compre
I moved into Learning and Development five years ago after finding my passion in coaching and developing others.
Sofia Mondragon | Associate Banker - Vice President | Citi Law Firm Group
I started as a JP Morgan Chase-Retail Banker in Chicago IL, helping clients in the community with their banking, lending and financial planning needs.
Through this role I was introduce to the investment division of banking. I obtained my investment licenses and joined the Private Banking division, helping the organization expand in the Houston TX market, working with ultra-high net-worth clients. I was able to leverage my experience in the previous roles and transitioned into a Supervisory position in Chicago IL, ensuring the supervision of investment accounts were in line with the firm’s policies/procedures while adhering to FINRA regulations. After almost 11 years, I joined Citi Wealth at Work in the capacity of an Associate Banker – Assistant Vice President in 2022. I was recently promoted to Vice President in recognition of my consistent performance excellence across financial goals and behaviors.
Magdalena Groszek | Vice President | Goldman Sachs
Growing up with a programmer for a mother, a career in tech felt natural. She demystified what still seems impossible for many young women.
Her consistent support helped me build my skills, leading to my first role at Goldman Sachs in 2013 as a summer intern. It was then that I realized my story is an exception to the rule, and there’s so much more to be done in the industry. I became committed to acting as a role model for other women who don’t get these naturally. Research consistently shows that seeing women in leadership positions and successful careers in STEM increases girls’ and women’s self-belief in their ability to succeed in those fields. Since 2016, I have helped shape the Perspektywy’s IT for SHE program, which supports talented women studying IT to enter the Polish job market. In 2018, I collaborated with the Perspektywy foundation to establish the Women in Tech Summit, Europe’s largest conference for women in tech, which gathered over 14,000 participants in 2024. I co-head internal Goldman Sachs Warsaw Women’s Network. Over the years I have aimed to inspire hundreds of people through these and other initiatives, and I have directly mentored over 30 individuals, helping them to build courage to achieve their goals, find first job in IT or simply find their way in the fast-paced IT industry. My goal is to continue fostering an inclusive tech industry, empowering the next generation of leaders.
Shadè Alcine | Client Relationship Manager | HUMAN
I’m Shadè Alcine, a leader in cybersecurity, fintech, and payments, with a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering inclusivity, and delivering exceptional results.
I’m honored to have been recognized at the NYSE as an Inspiring Women of the Year, named a 2024 Top 25 Mentor by Upnotch, and selected as a finalist for both the Black Tech Achievement Fintech Person of the Year and the PayTech Women Rising Star award. In my work, I’ve established myself as a trusted leader in cyber, consistently closing business at an impressive 120% success rate. My expertise lies in building secure, scalable systems, protecting digital identities, and combating fraud in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Beyond technical achievements, I am passionate about creating pathways for underrepresented voices through roles such as co-chair of PayTech Women and board member of Blacks in Tech.
Ana Isabel Sarkis Fernandez | Design Engineer | RJC Engineers
I am a structural earthquake engineer with a diverse career bridging both industry and academia.
I began my journey with a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Costa Rica. In 2013, I joined SismoConsultores, a seismic design firm, where my passion for structural dynamics grew. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology through an international program at IUSS (Italy) and METU (Turkey). In 2016, I moved to New Zealand to pursue a PhD in Earthquake Engineering at the University of Canterbury. The Kaikōura Earthquake, which occurred shortly after my arrival, significantly influenced my research. I joined a reconnaissance team examining damaged infrastructure and later conducted research at Politecnico di Torino and the Eucentre Foundation in Italy, focusing on seismic performance and resilience of precast concrete buildings. In 2022, I transitioned to industry as a Design Engineer at RJC Engineers in Vancouver, where I was able to apply my expertise to the seismic design of tall buildings and the seismic assessment of existing structures, enhancing my practical knowledge of resilient design. I also actively support women in the profession through mentoring junior engineers, volunteering with organizations like SCWIST, and advocating for greater female representation in engineering through professional societies. As a recipient of the NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship, I am excited to combine my academic and industry experience to redefine seismic design for high-rise buildings in Canada. My goal is to improve resilience in seismic regions and contribute to advancing building design practices.
Sara Yahia | HR Expert & Author of Quietly Sparks
Sara Yahia is an award-winning HR leader, author, and DEI advocate with over 12 years of international experience.
She has led HR strategies for prominent companies like DoubleTree by Hilton, Jade Associates, and FIFA Qatar/Mall of Qatar. Now a consultant for U.S. companies, Sara focuses on optimizing HR operations and fostering inclusive, diverse workplaces. Fluent in four languages, Sara’s disciplined, emotionally intelligent leadership blends cultural awareness, adaptability, and resilience. She empowers employees through an introvert-friendly framework, prioritizing understanding and connection for organizational success. Initiatives like creating an inclusive app for visually impaired customers and launching the Hi-Five Welcoming strategy have delivered measurable business outcomes, earning her accolades such as two 40 Under 40 awards and a Global Recognition Award for DEI contributions. Sara’s impact extends beyond her professional achievements. She is deeply compassionate and volunteers her time preparing meals for those in need. She supports causes like children’s welfare, regularly attending charity galas to make a difference in others’ lives. Sara also advocates for underrepresented groups through her involvement in the United Women in Business Foundation and the CUNY Alumni Engagement Council. Outside of work, Sara embraces diverse hobbies that reflect her curiosity and passion for self-improvement, including playing the piano, flying planes, horse riding, skiing, CrossFit, cooking, and reading romance novels. Sara’s unique combination of leadership, emotional intelligence, grit, and dedication makes her a true Rising Star and a leader to watch in her industry.
Umme Kalsoom Alam | Director | In2MedSchool Acceleration Programme
I am a final-year medical student committed to widening access to medical education for underrepresented students.
My own challenges in applying to medical school inspired me to found the In2MedSchool Acceleration Programme (IAP) in 2021, an initiative designed to provide mentorship, academic support, and public health education to students aged 16-18. What started as a small programme supporting 18 schools has grown to over 80 schools and 1,000 students across the UK. In addition to leading IAP, I have worked to develop a structured curriculum, recruit a team of 97 volunteers, and build partnerships with key organizations, all while balancing the rigorous demands of medical school.
Dr Marjani Orchery | Dentist and Medical Doctor | SMILEquity
Dr Marjani Orchery is a passionate advocate for health equity, dedicated to ensuring that healthcare education is accessible to all individuals, regardless of background.
As a dual qualified medical doctor and dentist, she brings a unique, holistic perspective to health promotion; recognising the vital connection between oral health, physical well-being and mental health. Her career has been shaped by a commitment to bridging gaps in healthcare access, leading her to establish SMILEquity; an organisation focused on delivering culturally tailored, accessible health education for everyone. Under her leadership, SMILEquity builds sustainable partnerships and innovative outreach programmes, ensuring that preventative healthcare knowledge is accessible to all. Her efforts were recognised with the CAHN Dentist of the Year 2024 award for her exceptional contributions to innovative community health education. Dr Marjani has expanded her outreach through collaborative efforts with childcare facilities and organisations supporting marginalised communities. She also developed a bespoke oral health programme for psychiatric inpatients, addressing the significant impact of oral hygiene on mental well-being. Through interactive workshops and tailored resources, she empowers individuals to take control of their health, breaking down barriers to preventative care. Driven by a firm belief in health equity, Dr Marjani’s work continues to focus on empowering all individuals through education, ensuring that everyone has the tools and knowledge to lead healthier lives.
Vanessa Green | Well-being Advocate and Coach | Habit Heartbeat
Vanessa Green is a passionate wellbeing advocate, coach, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals take control of their health and happiness.
As a qualified Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor. She has spent over nine years supporting clients across London in achieving their fitness goals through group exercise and personal training, all while balancing a full-time career. Her clients have not only experienced weight and fat loss but have also built long-lasting fitness habits, with 80% continuing their routines to this day. Vanessa’s journey into wellbeing coaching was deeply personal. After overcoming her own battle with severe anxiety, she became committed to helping others create sustainable, fulfilling lifestyles. She specialises in empowering women to develop intentional habits that support anxiety management, productivity, emotional resilience, and physical wellbeing. So they can perform at their best, reduce stress, and lead more fulfilling, purpose-driven lives both professionally and personally. Driven by this passion, Vanessa founded Habit Heartbeat, a platform designed to inspire individuals and organizations to unapologetically prioritize wellbeing. Her mission is to help people build a balanced approach to life one habit at a time.