Jackie Weldon | Executive Support Assistant | PwC
I’ve been in the EA/PA profession for most of my career, starting as a clerical assistant for a global communications company in the customer services department and eventually moving on to become a PA supporting the senior leadership team.
As part of my personal development, I took on the additional role of leading a programme where I was responsible for guiding new recruits through their development journey and allowed me to develop my own authentic leadership style.
I joined PwC in 2019 as a virtual assistant, quickly building strong relationships with peers and colleagues who now trust me for advice and guidance about the role. I work off site providing proactive support to Partners and Directors, with responsibility for managing my own workload, acting with autonomy, and using my initiative to provide an enhanced experience internally and for clients.
I’ve continued to build my understanding of the business and culture of the company whilst learning new ways of working. I get involved in projects where I can leverage my strengths and learn new skills.
In 2020 I led a team of fellow PAs to design and deliver a virtual digital summit, creating an environment and space where my team were empowered to be creative and curious, expanding their knowledge and stretching themselves further than they believed possible to achieve incredible results.
I ensured my team understood what was expected of them and that they were fully engaged in delivering the best possible outcomes.
Stephanie Brooks | Studio Manager | Igloo Regeneration Limited
Starting as an Office Manager at jmarchitects in 2015, I quickly grew the role given to me and assisted my two Directors in the growth of the practice, focussing on creating an office culture in which everyone felt connected and felt as though they had a voice and a part in helping the drive of the company.
I left in 2020, due to the impacts of pandemic, as part of the senior management team (still acting as PA to 2 x Directors) and national bid co-ordinator. Shortly after I started a similar role at Bowker Sadler Architects, acting as PA to 3 x Directors and "Practice Manager". The role allowed for me to create connectivity amongst the team in a period where many were suffering from isolation caused by the lockdown. I implemented regular 1-2-1 meetings with each team members, to allow for an insight into their workload, work stresses and general mental health. This allowed for all team members to feel as though there was an impartial (non-project related) person to offload to as required, and meant that their wellbeing was treated as priority. I also took ownership of the practice's Social Value outputs, acting as a mentor to NEET adults and as a volunteer with a local charity. I was the driving force behind the practice becoming market leaders in Sustainability. I recently moved to Igloo Regeneration Ltd after learning that they are leaders in both SV and sustainability, in order to further achievements I've made.
Ebanie Xavier-Cope | Year 5 Teacher, Music Lead and EDI Lead | New Horizons Children's Academy
I have been teaching for a number of years, starting my career as a secondary music teacher.
I did that for five years before deciding to become a primary school teacher. I am now in my seventh year as a primary teacher and I am now in the place where I really enjoy my career. It has been a process and there have been many ups and downs along the way. I am also a school governor for my local secondary school as I believe that it is important to give back and to be a positive role model to the next generation.
I am first generation British and have also been taught about the importance of a good ethic so I work hard - I am the first in my immediate family to be awarded a Masters. I come from a loving Caribbean family who still enjoy spending time together. Family is so important to me because no matter what, they'll always be there.
Jignasha Kanani | Learning & Development Manager | Lloyds Banking Group
Jignasha is currently a Learning & Development Manager – responsible for learning, development and capability across Risk Division, as well as enabling inclusive career development opportunities.
Prior to this, Jignasha was a Credit Officer in Corporate and Institutional Credit directly managing a portfolio of Manufacturing & Passenger Transport Clients (typically FTSE 100 & 250 companies). She has also been a Relationship Manager working across a range of businesses from start-ups all the way up to Global Corporates. . Jignasha has been recognised as a future leader and is a graduate of LBG’s Risk Leadership Development Programme.
Jignasha is extremely passionate about supporting and developing others and channels this through a number of activities over and above her day to day role. This includes mentoring, buddying and being a lead member of her divisions Inclusion & Diversity team. Jignasha is identified as a REACH (LBG’s ethnic minority network) Role Model (every year since 2018) featured in particular for her desire to inspire and help others accomplish their goals. In September 2021, Jignasha was awarded “Outstanding Returner” at the Women in Credit Awards for her achievements.
As a mum to two young girls, Jignasha strives to be a good role model to them and show that with hard work and perseverance, they can achieve anything. She wants to inspire and give back to the next generation and was honoured to be featured as a ‘Woman of the Future Ambassador’., Most recently, Jignasha was the keynote speaker and panellist on ‘Women in Credit’ TV.
Keisha Adair Swaby | Inspirational Speaker, Radio Presenter, Author | Empowering Dyslexics
Keisha is an International Inspirational Speaker, Radio Presenter.
Keisha was diagnosed with severe Dyslexia and Dyspraxia at the age of 41. Despite her challenges she achieved a First-Class BSc (Hons).
Keisha then went on to achieve Merit in her master’s degree in health psychology.
Keisha is passionate about helping others and creating more awareness of Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. Her eldest daughter was also diagnosed with Dyspraxia making her mission even closer to her heart. As part of her awareness work, she has given several people with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia the opportunity to share their own stories on her radio show.
Keisha is a Goodwill Ambassador for the Jamaica Dyslexia Association. She is a regular speaker at events for international women's day and is a regular speaker at the annual Dyslexia Show held each year at the NEC in Birmingham.
Keisha launched Empowering Dyslexics to inspire and be an example to others that they too can achieve anything they put their mind to.
Keisha has been chosen as one of the top 50 most Influential Neurodivergent Women and was a finalist for role model of the year at the Multicultural Business & Community Champion Awards (MBCC).
Keisha is listed on the Northern Power Women Future List.
Keisha is the Author of Empowering Dyslexics - Blessed and Gifted and is also a Co-Author in the book Black, Brilliant and Dyslexic which are both available on Amazon!
Sianne Ramlal-Tapper | Diversity, Inclusion, Culture & Engagement Specialist | MUFG
I am a DEI and Culture professional with over 5 years of experience and dedicated to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.
In my current role as a DEI, Culture and Engagement Specialist at MUFG, I advocate for the 'Listen Up, Speak Up' culture principle and lead various projects such as focus group programmes and the launch of quarterly pulse checks to improve the employee experience, provide employee voice across all levels and help drive change. I am passionate about building a workplace culture where everyone feels a true sense of belonging where they can thrive. I am responsible for managing employee engagement, increasing DEI data capture, policy reviews, and other related projects.
Before joining MUFG, I have reviewed recruitment processes and hiring manager training and implemented DEI strategies. I worked as a D&I professional at Financial Times where I led initiatives like creating global D&I training for all employees, D&I learning resources, a talent programme for employees from underrepresented backgrounds and managed the employee networks. I also co-chaired the British Diversity Award nominated FT Embrace employee network, leading inclusion for all races and cultures. The network was shortlisted among over 28,000 submissions for the 2023 awards.
Siqi Chong | Finance Control and Oversight Associate | Nomura
Siqi is a Chartered Accountant and is currently working as a Finance Control and Oversight Associate at Nomura, where she drives through process and control environment improvements and challenges risk and control governance via designing and implementing assurance frameworks within the regulatory reporting space.
She holds a Bachelors in Laws degree from London School of Economics and joined Nomura after qualifying as an Assurance Senior within the Banking and Capital Markets division. She currently leads the Regulatory Reporting Quality Assurance Reviews where she and her team identify risks, control deficiencies, or process gaps within periodic reviews, where thematic findings are presented to senior management to deliver improvements and efficiencies across the functions.
Outside of her day job, Siqi is the Bi Inclusion Lead and Interbank Representative for the Nomura Pride Network and was previously the UK&I Bi Inclusion Lead for EY as well, and works to ensure bi+ individuals are represented in workplaces, collaborating both with other organisations and charities to advance bi+ inclusion where she was highly commended for the Queer Graduate of the Year award in 2021 for her efforts. She is passionate about helping everyone feel like they belong in the workplace and actively campaigns for women's empowerment and LGBTQIA+ inclusion.
Taylor Mirkarimi | DEI Recruiting Program Manager | Amazon
My name is Taylor Mirkarimi and I use she/her pronouns.
I am a mixed-raced woman (Black, Indian & Iranian), born in the UK but raised in Barbados. I currently work at Amazon as a DEI Recruiting Program Manager within the EMEA Talent Acquisition org, based in London.
Prior to starting my career journey, I was originally studying to be in the food, hospitality & tourism industry, completing 3 degrees including my Masters' Degree in Tourism & Hospitality Management by the age of 22. I officially started in the world of work when I was 23 and by the age of 27, I had worked in three globally recognised organisations, I held managerial positions in all three, and I also was able to experience three different work sectors: travel sales, operational/logistics management and now, program management with a DEI lens.
My love for DEI stemmed from my experience managing large-scale teams for 2 years, overseeing up to 100+ employees per shift. The diversity of these populations, sparked my desire to celebrate, acknowledge and actively work to engage all team members, regardless of their background. This has since evolved to my current mission of instilling DEI strategy and change at the core of business practises and procedure.
It is an Amazon custom to finish an introduction with a fun fact so here is mine; over the last 10 years, I have lived in 6 countries and visited a total of 18.
Arshia Ahmad | Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant | Changing Mindsets
I am a versatile and accomplished DE&I and Wellbeing Consultant with nearly 13 years’ experience in a breadth of functions including Diversity & Inclusion, Training & Development (CIPD qualified) and HR.
After 10 years working within the automotive industry, I decided to set up as an independent DE&I and Wellbeing Consultant and have had the pleasure of working with some leading brands including CIPD, Omnicom, NHS, Premier League, Astra Zeneca & Estee Lauder.
Diversity and Inclusion topics can be sensitive and triggering and I has been known for creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences without judgement. I inspire others through my own experiences as a female, South Asian, Muslim, working woman and often a minority within my spaces.
I coach senior leadership teams to overcome their fears in engaging with DE&I work and start taking action towards becoming an equitable and inclusive organisation where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
I also coach women of colour and particular Muslim women to overcome the barriers to progression in their personal and professional careers in order to level up.
I was recently recognised as an Leader through the Estee Lauder X Vital Voices Emerging Leaders programme and was selected in the top 20 out of 100 fellows to attend an in person summit in Washington DC.
Grace Benham | Chair, "Channel" employee representation group | Royal National Lifeboat Institution
From my first experiences of joining the workforce as the only female working in a butcher shop at age 14, I quickly realised the importance of a culture of diversity, inclusivity, friendliness and support; values I have always held through my career.
As I continued my education, becoming the first graduate in my family, I grew my passion for leadership and engagement. I joined the graduate scheme with Marks & Spencer and at the age of 25 I was appointed Store Manager with the responsibility of a £10M sales business. Focusing on diversity and inclusivity, I mentored aspiring managers, creating the opportunities needed for others to thrive regardless of age, gender and ethnicity.
I then decided to follow my passion for helping others and joined the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), eventually joining the Engineering directorate. As a non-engineer, I quickly saw an opportunity to develop the people engagement, wellbeing and STEM strategies, while working my way through CIPD qualifications to help broaden my thinking. I co-founded the Bournemouth Council Manufacturing STEM Steering Group, currently lead our award-winning Women in Engineering events, and drive our STEM agenda nationally.
At the age of 33, I am now the Chair of the employee network. I support and lead diversity in all areas of the business, focusing on wellbeing, engagement, case work, employee rights. I continue to live by my values of equity for all by supporting the Race, Young Professionals, LGBT and Disability networks, while co-founding the RNLI Women’s Network.