Sarah Kouch | Societe Generale
After finishing my degree in 2015, I had the opportunity to join Soc Gen's graduate program in London. Travelling has always been a dream to me and being able to fulfill it through my job is a wonderful thing. As a student I had to sacrifice a few experiences abroad because I had to work to finance my college education. I worked as sales but also as a babysitter or a mathematics teacher. This is something I am very proud of and I am very satisfied today that I finally managed to explore a new country and a new culture.
I was born in Paris, from Moroccan parents. I am part of the first immigration generation who needed to adjust itself to a double culture. This is something I always bring to the fore, as it makes people sharing different lifestyles, understand more about each other and open our mind to live in cohesion.
I opted for a Mathematic degree as I was more interested by scientific classes than literature, but in the meantime, through my few experiences I really loved my sales roles, discussing with clients and being proactive. Thus, I chose to complete my mathematics degree by a business school in partnership with an engineering school to study Financial Markets. I had the chance to simulate trading activity there and I found the job really fascinating.
If I was not a trader today, as one of my passions is cooking, I would have opened a French and Moroccan restaurant with a crazy touch. Maybe a food truck to reach as many people as possible…
Zainab Atta | RBS
From the young age of 11 I was interning at my father’s business as an office assistant, and from him I learned really strong work ethics although I didn’t realize it at the time. I went on to study accounting for 4 years at university, and by the time I graduated I knew I did not really want to be an accountant. I always had an entrepreneurial flair so I decided to pursue a Masters degree in International Business and hoped it would guide me to my calling, but it did not quite work out that way. I spent the last 10 years gaining a vast range of experiences in finance and project management roles and finally my current role in financial crime compliance.
Outside my day job I pursue other passions and have held a range of roles at various charities including a Trustee position. One of such roles is as Chief Operating Officer at Career Masterclass where I have the opportunity to support the founder’s vision of giving women and BAME professionals a fighting foot by organising events and Masterclasses that improve soft and interpersonal skills. I am extremely passionate about fairness and equality issues faced by women and BAME professionals in the workplace. I also love to support and mentor young women when I can. At Career Masterclass I am responsible for driving operational effectiveness and driving the activities that ensure we meet our organisational objectives. Ultimately I find fulfillment in volunteering and being able to give back
People would describe me as passionate; always ready to challenge the status quo, dependable and adaptable. I am also a bit of a perfectionist and probably my own biggest critic, but only because I always want to put my best foot forward.
Michelle Delaney | BNY Mellon
Rachel Scandling | Barclays
I grew up surrounded by military stories of courageous behaviour and risky adventures; my father and grandfather were both in the Armed Forces and from an early age my ambition was to follow in their footsteps. Growing up in a small rural, farming community, my career choice of a life at sea was definitely viewed as out of the ordinary. However, my determination paid off and in the late 80’s I was accepted into the Women’s Royal Naval Service as a Wren Writer.
After 5 years as a non-commissioned officer, I passed the selection process for Officer training and went on to attend Britannia Royal Naval College. I have always strived to be ‘my very best self’ and following an extremely rewarding and challenging career spanning 27 years, I left the RN as a Commander having served overseas, at sea and in Afghanistan as well as at home in the UK. In 2015 I was ready for fresh adventures and exchanged my military career for one in financial services. Whilst these two sectors may seem poles apart, they both require courage, tenacity and resilience along with the ability to make things happen, get things done and deliver results. I started working in Barclays, initially as a Project Manager supporting Structural Reform and more recently as the Optimisation Lead within Global Markets Operations.
Outside of work I love sport and travel, ideally combining the two; I have cycled across Kenya, Cuba and most recently, Vietnam and Cambodia fundraising for female cancer charities. I am passionate about supporting young women to achieve their potential and volunteer as a mentor for the Girl’s Network, supporting young women from disadvantaged communities, with career and professional development advice. My philosophy is one life, live it; don’t let your own fear hold you back.
Judith Payen | Barclaycard
Born to Haitian parents and raised as a first-generation American in a largely Spanish-speaking city, it’s safe to say I’m no stranger to diversity. I often hear the maxim “people like people like themselves”, but I find I am most at ease amongst disparate characters, and often go out of my way to seek them out.
I moved from the USA to Scotland at the age of seventeen to pursue a business degree at the University of Edinburgh (only after convincing my mother with a cost-benefit analysis!). I've since gained experience in a variety of settings (including The Scottish Parliament) before ultimately moving into financial services at Barclays. I was selected to join their two-year Future Leaders Development Programme offering graduates accelerated development and insight into roles and operations across Barclays through four six-month rotations. I currently work for the Managing Director of Barclaycard Payment Solutions, a recognised payments industry leader and advocate for gender diversity, as her Operational Planning Manager.
Since joining Barclays, I've not only learned about how start-ups are eradicating long-established barriers to entry in financial services, but I've also seen the ways that these upstarts are creating solutions to address the needs of the under- and unbanked in other markets. I’m still blown away by the size of this demographic; the lack of slick, accessible products available to them; and their resultant financial instability. With this in mind, pursuing an MBA seemed like a natural next step for my career to best equip myself to address these issues, and I set my sights on Harvard Business School (HBS), inspired by the HBS commitment to educating leaders who create value for society. I am fortunate to have been extended an offer to join their Class of 2019, and will matriculate in August this year.
Mary Mosope Adeyemi | Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Mary Adeyemi is a Credit officer (VP) at BAML, where she started her career in 2008 at the age of 20.
Mary started in banking via SEO London, a charity that helps organizations to meet their diversity needs. Since then, Mary has progressed through the ranks gaining both sectorial, product and regional experience. She is regarded as a top performer in her department, one who is ‘able to provide a balanced risk/reward assessment whilst building strong relationships with stakeholders at various levels’.
Her appreciation of her SEO pathway continues to fuel Mary’s passion for promoting social mobility, ethnic and gender diversity in the workplace.
Within BAML, Mary leads her department’s Female Forum, is a committee member on Multicultural Leadership Network (MLN) and mentors for the Africa Recruitment Program.
Outside of BAML, Mary is a Co-chair on the Alumni board of SEO London. This pioneering leadership role is one that Mary uses as a platform to gain further support for the SEO program in the banking industry and further create opportunity for social mobility.
Through key collaboration with sister Charity, SEO Africa, Mary is starting a Virtual mentoring program where young women in Africa, who are about to start their professional careers and experienced Female professionals in London, are given the opportunity enter into a mentoring relationship.
Mary holds a 1st Class bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance from Lancaster University and a Masters in Management from Imperial College. She is also a Chartered Accountant with the ACCA.
She is of Nigerian Descent, a singer; serving as a worship leader in her local church, an avid traveler and a fashion enthusiast.
Ashleigh Harvey | RBS
Danni Li | Barclays
Amanda Mooney | First Trust Bank
Annie Mbako | BNY Mellon
Annie consistently exemplifies role-model behaviour, highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion. Her passion, energy and ability to engage people have made her a catalysing force in fostering inclusion in Manchester and across BNY Mellon since she joined in 2008. Her career with BNY Mellon began in the Income and Tax division, before she moved to Corporate Actions in 2010, working with various teams before ultimately joining her current client-facing role.
In 2016, Annie was recognised as a Diversity and Inclusion Champion, one of the company’s most highly regarded and visible honours, for her stewardship of regional and companywide diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Annie does not view diversity and inclusion initiatives merely as business prerogatives but rather as fundamental human rights, which emanates from her own personal narrative. Born in Buea, Cameroon, Annie moved to Wrexham, North Wales at age eight. Annie recognizes first-hand the importance of fostering an ethic of responsibility for making the world more just, sustainable and inclusive.
Annie holds a B.SC. (Hons) in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Manchester. She has also achieved an Investment Operations Certificate and Certificate for Risk in Financial Services.