Jessie Chan | CX and Communications Graduate | Atos
I joined Atos as a CX and Communications Graduate in January 2022.
My speciality is all things creative whether that be design system improvement, component redesign, or video production. My favourite part about being a “CXer” is inspiring abstract solutions for specific requirements.
One of my most notable contributions was taking the initiative to learn HTML to meet a key deliverable for the client. Despite initially believing this would be an immovable blocker, we successfully delivered 407 communication templates from scratch, drastically reducing the cost and timeframe for the client.
My biggest strength is having an eye for the details, which is a skill I take pride in from my background, starting as a self-taught 2D artist in illustration. I have been commissioned for work by small businesses across the world and went on to study 3D Games Art at University achieving a First Class degree honours. On top of this, I have previous experience in tutoring maths, English, and science; designing content to support teaching.
On a more personal level, I am a second-generation British-born Hong Konger, and, like many immigrant families, I have witnessed first-hand the struggles that my parents had to face to allow me and my sister to thrive in the UK. They provided us with opportunities that weren’t available to them, which is why I am a strong advocate for diversity and raising awareness for those in similar positions.
Mei-Shiang Shen | Business Consultant | IBM
I earned a First-Class Honours degree in Marketing from Bournemouth University.
I have a Professional degree in Marketing with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and a Digital Marketing certificate at the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). From my degrees and job roles, I found my passion in user-centred design and technology.
In 2020, I joined IBM’s Consulting Graduate Programme as a Business Consultant. I sit within IBM iX, IBM’s experience design arm which works at the intersection of technology, data and customer-centred design. I deliver business value to a range of clients across sectors, using Agile and Design Thinking methodologies.
Prior to IBM, I carried out a Digital Marketing and Social Media internship at a Marketing Agency based in London. I curated engaging content which aligned to the brand’s guidelines and target audience. Furthermore, I developed innovative social media strategies and produced key SEO marketing data statistics and research with the aim to optimise the client’s reach and customer engagement levels.
I am passionate about Diversity and Inclusion. In 2020, I co-led and founded the Early Professional Emb(race) South-East / East Asian community to foster a supportive and inclusive place for culturally similar individuals. I am an instrumental player within IBM’s UK Asian Business Resource Group, co-organising events and initiatives for the community.
I am a strong believer and advocate for Mental Health. I was previously selected by the UKI IBM Associate Management team as Wellbeing Lead (2021-2022), championing physical, mental, and social wellness for 300+ UKI Associates.
Anjali Chorlton | Graduate Technology Analyst | Barclays
Anjali is a Graduate Technology Analyst in the Chief Technology Office at Barclays, working in the Architecture, Practices and Governance team.
Anjali holds a passion for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and supporting women in the technology space. Her aim is to stay true to her purpose whilst striving to create a diverse and inclusive workforce. Prior to her time at Barclays, Anjali started her career in retail, moving to Banking in 2019. Anjali worked within Personal Banking, playing an integral role in guiding, and supporting branch customers to help them achieve their financial goals, proactively finding ways to enhance the customer banking experience. Whilst supporting frontline customers, Anjali attended university, securing a First-Class Honours degree in BSc Accountancy. Following this, Anjali went on to serve as a Premier Banking Manager, building and maintaining relationships with a high net worth portfolio of customers, whilst maintaining a visible positive presence in the wider business.
Anjali has created a new initiative to engage Early Careers colleagues through monthly sessions, whilst also assuming a position within employee workstreams that aim to celebrate culture. Through her Early Career, Anjali positively impacts people day on day and has been part of several projects and initiatives such as Early Careers Engagement events, speaking at panel events, mentoring activity and volunteering.
Anjali sits on the UK Leadership team for the Multicultural & Faith Employee Resource Group at Barclays, supporting a key relaunch in 2023. As part of this, Anjali has arranged a global panel event for colleagues to diver deeper into culture and how this has impacted personal and professional journeys.
Anna Nguyenova | Business Consultant | IBM
Anna obtained a First Class Honours Degree in International Business at the University of Salford, with placement abroad at the University of Grenoble in France and an internship at IBM, all whilst working full-time.
Her academic excellence earned her positions of Representative for the International Business Programme and International Opportunities Ambassador.
In her IBM internship, Anna was a Financial Analyst for IBM Consulting UK’s highest-revenue Public Sector account. Since re-joining IBM after completing her degree, in just 2.5 years, Anna has carved out a reputation and expertise in not only her consulting work but also the diversity and inclusion space.
Anna gained eminence from the very start of her IBM career as co-founder and -lead of the East Asian Early Professionals Community. Her work on creating a sense of belonging soon led to her recruitment in the UK Asian Business Resource Group (BRG), initially as Communications Lead and then as Co-Lead. Anna’s eminence extends beyond her BRG leadership, as a key member of the IBM Distribution Sector D&I Council and the AI & Analytics Practice D&I team, as well as running workshops promoting allyship for over 400 IBMers to date. This training is now being rolled out to the EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) business, as a result of Anna’s influence as an excellent leader.
Anna also mentors and reverse mentors at IBM and as part of IBM Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) Programme in the Czech Republic, a country with the lowest percentage of females in technology in the EU.
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.
Helen Choudhury | Head of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion | The MPA Group
I would describe myself as an EDI change management specialist and a qualified trainer.
I have a legal background and more than 20 years working experience in diversity and inclusion, teaching (in colleges and training centres) and training both nationally and globally.
I have worked in different sectors including Music, Oil and Gas, Finance, Regulators and Investment Banks. I have worked with diverse communities, disadvantaged communities and faith groups which has enhanced my knowledge and understanding of diversity and inclusion.
I am always keen on creating an inclusive work environment, where employees can bring their ‘true’ self to work and where no one feels excluded!
I have supported organisations to move from ‘tick box mindset’ to ‘embedding EDI into every area from organisational, business, HR to corporate risk. I have recommended initiatives that link to internal opportunities for improvement, worked with leaders within the businesses to educate them and broader teams on the benefits of an inclusive workplace.
I am currently working as the Head of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion. I lead on and manage all our diversity and inclusion work. I am also the Champion for Menopause (and related health matters) for my sector. Our organisation has over 200 global and national member organisations. My diversity and inclusion work extends to all our members and their staff!
I enjoy bringing people together to share their lived experiences and to celebrate what we have in common but most of all to understand and respect what makes us different.
Darcy Gleeson | Senior Digital Consultant | IBM iX
Darcy Gleeson is an Irish-American digital transformation consultant originally from Louisville, Kentucky.
She moved to UK to join the Associate Programme at IBM iX in 2019, after completing her degree in International Relations and Global business at the University of Southern California, including 1 year abroad at the London School of Economics.
Before joining IBM, she had roles in advocacy and organising, digital marketing and events management. Now she is a senior consultant focusing on retail and healthcare business transformation projects, providing influential expertise and strategic consulting in agile IT delivery, product leadership, consumer healthcare and digital marketplaces. Throughout all her early career, she has kept a focus on social justice and empathetic design instilled from her teenage experience as a Muhammad Ali Center Student Council member and a public health fellow for the City of Louisville.
Outside of work, Darcy is a life-long learner, as host of a podcast on digital trends and keen creative writer, and she is passionate about teaching and supporting the growth of others too. She was the diversity & inclusion co-lead for the Associate's Programme, is the People Champion for 120+ colleagues and has been recognised for her team leadership and coaching as a 'Blue Core' Mentor. Darcy is a first-generation university graduate and makes it her mission to pay it forward to empower others with education, mentoring students and early professionals, and volunteering as a Primary School Governor to support education in her community.
Hazal Turunc | Medical Student, Education Content Creator, Co-Founder of Journey2Med and Creative Strategist at Queen Mary University of London | Barts and The London, YouTube
Hazal Turunc is a trailblazing medical student and content creator who is passionate about using digital means to make impactful changes.
She also has wider responsibilities such as co-founder of a social mobility initiative called Journey2Med and a Creative Strategist & Student Partner at the Queen Mary University of London, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.
Hazal continuously strives to help young people fulfil their academic potential and make medicine more accessible. She achieves this by participating in an array of initiatives and creating engaging content, while simultaneously managing her intense medical school studies. These initiatives include formally being a course representative of a cohort of over 300 students to better their educational experience, hosting virtual social mobility events and partaking in digital campaigns with UK government representatives and the National Health Service to improve health outcomes and accessibility to vital health information.
As a result of her pursuits, Hazal has been awarded the YouTube Creator Fund 2022 and had the opportunity to speak at institutions like the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry's annual Executive Board Event about her work in using social media for good and the significance of digital outreach. She has also amassed a following of over 100,000 across social media, with many of these followers being young students who have been inspired, motivated and guided by Hazal's content to also pursue a medical degree.
Kasia Wojciechowska | Regional Head of Client Accounts | Capita
Kasia is a Regional Head of Client Accounts at Capita.
She is an accomplished Consultancy Services and Technology professional working with blue chip organisations to develop and build their strategic talent pipelines.
Kasia has 17 years of experience in the Recruit, Train and Deploy arena which is known for bridging the gap between the academia and the workplace by creating the next generation of IT and business professionals.
She has worked with international FS clients to help them develop and build their strategic tech talent pipelines through the use of emerging talent programmes including future tech talent, women returners and Ex-Forces.
She is passionate about raising awareness on Neurodiversity and hidden disabilities, promoting diverse working environments, and about encouraging girls and women to join the technology industry.
Kasia is currently spearheading the Capita Novus Neurodiversity programme.
Kasia was the winner of Capita People's Choice Award for launching the Neurodiversity initiative.
Kasia collaborates with Cajigo to help females discover opportunities for progression to reignite their passion for their careers as well as ignite change within organisation.