Jasmine Bishop | Senior Programme Coordinator - Attendance | Get Further
Jasmine began her career in education during her time at university, supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds in their GCSE science studies through tailored, one-to-one tutoring on the ASCENTS programme.
This ignited a passion for helping young people from all backgrounds to access to the support they need, to gain key qualifications and skills, and she hasn`t stopped tutoring since.
In 2022, Jasmine jumped at the opportunity to join tutoring charity, Get Further, as an opportunity to support young people on a wider scale. By coordinating English and maths tuition programmes for students at Further Education colleges across the North of England, she was able to make a big difference to the lives of students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are missing the gateway qualifications they need to access opportunities and unlock their potential.
In her time at Get Further, Jasmine has overseen the delivery of programmes in some of England’s most remote locations, providing students with transformative, tailored support that would otherwise be out of reach. She has grown with the rapidly expanding charity, quickly becoming a leader in the programmes team and taking on responsibility for key areas such as tutor communications and student feedback. In her current role, she holds responsibility for driving charity-wide programme attendance, a notable barrier to student attainment in schools and colleges. She hopes to continue to make a positive change to the lives of students by ensuring excellent engagement with the support Get Further offers, and by collaborating with dedicated individuals across the sector.
Priya Rajendran | Managing Director - Sub cluster Operations head | Citigroup
I started my career in the hotel industry in India and moved onto the Banking Industry.
Leading Service and Operations & Technology teams is my passion. I joined a call centre in the UK for Citigroup in 1999. I later gained experience as a subject matter expert when the call centre was migrated to Barcelona which resulted in me leading the next big migration from Barcelona to Chennai a few years later. My first role as Country Operations and Technology (O&T) head was in 2008 when I realised my passion for people management and leading O&T teams. In 2014 I wanted to expand my experience and moved into a regional role in Anti Money Laundering. In 2016, I joined Standard Chartered Bank as the Regional Head for Private & Banking Operations. In 2020 I rejoined Citi as the Cluster Operations & Technology head for Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. This role brought me experience in managing countries in a war related crisis. This led me to my current role of managing Operations & Technology across 9 countries in North Africa, Levant & Central Asia consisting of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Turkey and Kazakhstan. Managing a crisis and Operational Resilience has become a big part of the roles I have carried out in the last few years.
Pracheta Budhwar | Advisory Board Member, The Time Capsule Project
Pracheta is an accomplished executive in the Technology sector with a proven record of delivering growth at the leading edge of innovation whilst maintaining bottom line results.
In a career spanning twenty years and during her tenures at Accenture, Microsoft and Fidelity across three continents, she has built new practices, grown double-digit YoY business, and delivered first-of-its-kind scaled solutions in the cloud.
Pracheta is passionate about equality and a known advocate made interventions within companies she had worked at and at public discourse at large to advocate change and challenge status quo.
She strongly believes that `you cannot change what you cannot measure` - as part of D&I leadership team at Accenture Technology UKI, Pracheta sponsored and spearheaded building data insights to define interventions and impact overall diversity in the business.
Pracheta received a Fellowship from She creates change, a program run by Change.org for her efforts to bring gender parity and environment dialogue.
Natalie Diana Busari | Director | The Nerve of My Multiple Sclerosis CIC
After spending more than a decade working as a Software Engineer and Web developer in various banks and media agencies in central London and Canary Wharf, my career took a U-turn when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), this life-changing moment led me to dedicate myself full-time to my not-for-profit patient organisation, The Nerve of My Multiple Sclerosis.
Since my MS diagnosis, my journey has been about breaking societal norms and amplifying the voices of underrepresented communities within the MS landscape.
Establishing The Nerve of My Multiple Sclerosis CIC, I created a safe space specifically for Black women navigating the challenges of living with MS. Through this organisation, I tirelessly advocate, support, and empower, aiming to change misconceptions and nurture a sense of belonging for all.
My dedication to advocacy and passion for change has enabled me to have access to various platforms, shedding light on the lack of diversity in MS research and media. My goal extends beyond just representation; it is about reshaping how MS is perceived and approached in diverse forms.
As I strive to break barriers, I aspire to be a source of hope for Black women worldwide, encouraging them to share their experiences and demand a place at the table. My mission is to revolutionise MS awareness, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Leeanne Adu | Founder and CEO | Leeanne Adu VA Solutions Ltd (Leave it With LAVA)
Leeanne Adu is an inspiring speaker and champion for business owners, mothers and breast cancer thrivers.
With over a decade of experience as an award-winning Personal Assistant, Leeanne established Leave It With LAVA, a virtual business support service helping small businesses and entrepreneurs make space to focus on their mission and grow their business with more ease and joy.
As a seasoned public speaker, Leeanne captivates audiences with her authentic storytelling and shares valuable insights on running a business, mental health matters, and breast cancer advocacy. She has featured on BBC News, This Morning, Stylist Magazine, Strong Women and The Voice Newspaper, and has taken part in branded campaigns for Primark and Pretty Little Thing.
Lorna Nunn | Station Environmental Protection Officer | Royal Air Force
I have had a varied career, mainly due to being a Mum and a military wife. I have chosen jobs that fit in with the family and their needs.
Once my children were older, I decided it was time to commit to a job that I enjoy and can learn from.
Having started work on an RAF base within the infrastructure team I gained a vast knowledge of the Station, how the funding works and the impacts of poor infrastructure. I was asked to step up and look after the role of Environmental Protection Officer when the previous job holder left. This was due to my work ethic and my knowledge of Station and its processes. For six month I covered the role while still carrying out my current full-time job. I managed to carry out training and continually increase my knowledge enabling me to deal with issues arising. I applied for the Environmental Protection Officer and, having been successful, officially started in May 2023. It is the most fulfilling, interesting and exciting job I have ever had and I know this is where I want to stay.
Lisa Rawlings | Talent Acquisition | Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK
With a passion for serving my country, I embarked on my military career at a young age, driven by a deep-seated desire to contribute to national defence.
I served with the Royal Air Force for 25 years as an Air and Space operation specialist. I completed tours in Afghanistan, Cyprus, Germany, and the Falkland Island.
Whilst serving I was awarded both an individual commendation on the Queens birthday honours list and a team commendation on the New years honours list. Additionally, I was awarded a Good Show award for saving an F3 and crew when noticing a substantial leak before take off. Whilst recruiting for the RAF I was a finalist in the National Recruiter of the year.
Most recently I spent 6 years as the Armed Forces Liaison Officer for Gwent. Championing fair treatment of the Armed Forces Community. Embedding policies that ensure the Armed Forces Covenant is adhered.
Continuing my passion for the Armed Forces I have joined Sierra Nevada Corporation Mission Systems UK as Talent Acquisition. The company has over 55% of staff who are from the Armed Forces community and contribute to the UK defence.
Laura-Jane Piercy | Defence Lead | Defence and Security Accelerator
Laura-Jane Piercy joined the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) in October 2022 as the Defence Lead within the Partnerships and Impact Team.
This role sees her lead a team of seven embedded Defence Partners and three Exploitation Managers, ensuring the organisation has an understanding of defence challenges and the ability to showcase the impact of our work.
Prior to DASA she enjoyed a 20 year career within the Royal Air Force, joining in 2002 from college and into the Personnel Support Trade. A varied career path with 5 years experience in MOD Main Building and tours of Afghanistan and Al Udeid, she then decided to commission into the Personnel Branch. 10 years within the Officer cadre has given her a wealth of experience of employee wellbeing, discipline and staff work. Her final tour within the Royal Air Force saw her heading up the HR function at HQ Air Command – a privilege to command and look after a substantial workforce of over 2,400 employees.
Laura-Jane is married to Tim, a scientist within DSTL and has 2 young children; Isla and Jacob. They live in Winchester, having settled their over 10 years ago. Her family being the main driver for craving stability and leaving the RAF, she is grateful for the flexibility DASA brings to the work/life balancing act!
Hayley Rabbets | Head of The Verve Foundation | The Verve Foundation
I have the classic story of `falling into finance` back in 2007.
I`ve worked in pretty much every role possible within an IFA firm, from Receptionist right through to Senior Management, finally finding my home at The Verve Foundation. Through my experience in these areas, I feel (and hope) that I am able to understand the challenges the industry faces and help in any way I can.
I was lucky enough to work in an industry that supported financial qualifications and I have achieved the Level 6 Advanced Diploma in Financial Advice, becoming a Chartered Associate of the London Institute of Banking & Finance.
I`m passionate about changing the stereotypes within the financial services industry and breaking down barriers to both advice and entry. It is my belief that everyone should have access to a basic level of financial knowledge, we should all talk more freely and openly about money, and we should use our education & knowledge for good whenever we can.
Georgie Packer | Senior Fundraising and Partnerships Manager | Apps for Good
I currently work for educational technology charity Apps for Good as Senior Fundraising and Partnerships Manager, working with partners to achieve the best outcomes for young people from ALL backgrounds, a mission I am very passionate about.
After leaving school in year 8 due to personal family trauma, I was home-educated studying for the few GCSEs I managed to complete. My education and career journey hasn’t always been straightforward, but it has been amazing and diverse.
From my first job at 14 years old, working in ‘Tasty Baps’ burger wagon. A fast food truck owned by my aunt that was stationed at a local industrial builders yard. Whilst not the most likely of starts, taught me a great deal.
I started working in a primary school 18 years old, working with students who struggled to access education in a mainstream environment. It was an incredible role, and a cathartic one for me. Eventually I was approached to become an adult-trainer for the Thrive Approach teaching senior leaders in school to understand trauma informed approaches.
I transitioned to work in the charity sector in 2019 and spent 3 great years at Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice managing events for over 500 people, and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for Children and young people with life-limiting conditions .
Working with young people in need has always been the driving force behind what I do and I feel entirely committed to taking this forward in my current role and at all future opportunities.