Damien Mooney

1
Head of Asia Pacific
Fidelity International

As Head of Asia Pacific ex Japan at Fidelity International and a member of its Global Operating Committee, Damien Mooney actively supports the development and progression of women across the firm, creating opportunities for greater exposure to senior leaders and career-building experiences. A dedicated champion of male allyship, he embeds gender equity into business systems rather than relying on ad hoc programs, with a focus on fairness and transparency in promotion and talent processes. Through targeted sponsorship and recruitment, Damien has supported efforts to strengthen the leadership pipeline and advance women's representation in senior roles. An active Board Member of The Women’s Foundation Hong Kong, he advocates for greater industry accountability and uses leadership platforms to advance gender equity across wider society.

Jon Holt

2
Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner
KPMG

Since becoming Group Chief Executive and UK Senior Partner, Jon Holt has embedded Inclusion, Diversity and Equity (IDE) at the core of KPMG’s strategy, holding the Executive Committee accountable for IDE targets, pay equity and action plans. Under his leadership, KPMG has strengthened its Gender Equity Plan through initiatives focused on agile working, parental support, progression and wellbeing. The firm has set a target of women representing 40% of Partners by 2030, resulting in a 15 percentage point increase over the past decade, with women holding key leadership positions, including Group Chair and incoming Group Managing Partner. KPMG also co-sponsors the FTSE Women Leaders Review, which has driven women to hold 43% of FTSE 350 Board roles and 36% of leadership roles. Jon’s commitment to intersectional inclusion is further demonstrated through commissioning the largest progression gap analysis by a single business and sponsoring the Career Advancement Network to support Black heritage Directors progressing to Partner.

John Hung

3
Senior Director (Global Category - Operations)
BP

John Hung is a Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineers and Chartered Environmentalist with 36 years’ experience across FMCG, oil and gas, and global procurement. He is a committed advocate for women’s progression, combining professional leadership, mentoring and community action to create environments where women can be visible, supported and able to lead. For more than two decades, John has mentored women engineers through IChemE, helping them build confidence, progress in male-dominated fields and achieve senior roles and professional recognition. As a keynote speaker, awards judge, panellist and interview participant, he consistently uses his platform to champion gender equity and intersectionality. Beyond the workplace, John advances women’s inclusion through grassroots leadership. As an FA coach, he creates safe pathways for girls to participate and lead in football. As a Chinese school governor, he supports girls’ education through learning programs, examinations and cultural charity events that strengthen confidence, belonging and aspiration.

Dean Curtis

4
CEO Data Services
LexisNexis Risk Solutions

Dean Curtis serves as CEO of Data Services at LexisNexis Risk Solutions, where he sponsors the women Ignite and Accelerate program designed to develop high-potential women leaders through mentoring, sponsorship, and coaching. Since its founding in 2018, the program has supported 47 leaders across four cohorts, with 22% of the division’s 11,000 employees now led by alumnae. Under his leadership, women now represent 41% of the workforce and 44% of management roles. Dean champions diversity by embedding inclusion targets into key performance objectives for all people managers and employees. He also founded the Emerge & Evolve program, focusing on socio-economic inclusion with a strong gender component, and advocates for flexible working and shared parental leave policies. Dean mentors multiple women internally and externally, leads the Disability Employee Resource Group, and promotes intersectional inclusion through events and training. He actively speaks internationally on gender inclusion and supports initiatives encouraging young girls to pursue STEM careers.

Wern-Yuen Tan

5
Partner
Hillhouse Investment

Wern-Yuen Tan “Yuen” has influenced gender inclusion across the global consumer and retail sectors by advocating for leadership teams that mirror the communities they serve. As CEO of Walmart China, he mandated women’s representation on all senior executive talent slates, aligning leadership with the retailer’s consumer and shopper base. At PepsiCo, he increased women’s representation in senior management to over 40% through targeted talent recruitment, development, and retention programs. In his last three CEO roles, he intentionally sponsored women executives as successors, demonstrating actionable succession planning. Currently, as a Partner at Hillhouse Investment, he mentors and sponsors women founders and executives, while promoting systemic inclusion as a Board member at Raffles Medical Group, FairPrice Group, Master Kong Beverages, and Singapore’s Economic Development Board. By combining structural policy changes with personal sponsorship, Yuen has institutionalized pathways that empower women to lead and shape the future of global business.

Gary Adey

6
CEO
VOIS (Vodafone Intelligent Solutions)

Gary Adey leads inclusion efforts across Vodafone Intelligent Solutions (VOIS), impacting thousands of employees globally. As Global Executive Sponsor for Women and Gender Equality, he has formalized a commitment to ensuring every woman at Vodafone and VOIS feels seen, heard, and empowered. He spearheads work to align and strengthen Vodafone’s women’s networks across the group to deliver greater gender equality impact. Under his leadership, women now represent 41.2% of the VOIS workforce and 35.2% in leadership, with a clear roadmap to reach 40% women in management by 2030. Gary champions mentoring and coaching programs to build a stronger leadership pipeline for women. He supports pioneering policies on domestic abuse and employee safety, including the Vodafone Allies Against Abuse program active in 17 countries. Beyond VOIS, he serves on the GSMA’s ChangeTheFace board, advancing diversity across the telecommunications sector.

Alexander Harrison

7
Country CEO, Singapore
Barclays

Alexander Harrison is Country CEO for Singapore and Interim Head of Private Bank, Singapore at Barclays. He is responsible for driving the bank's growth strategy, strengthening client relationships and advancing Barclays' position in one of Asia's leading wealth and business hubs. A passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Alexander is a longstanding champion of gender balance in the workplace. As former Co-Chair of the Women's Initiative Network Asia Pacific (WIN APAC), he helped raise the network's profile, inspire colleagues and foster an inclusive culture where talent can thrive. His leadership has contributed to achieving a 50:50 gender split on Barclays' senior management committee in Singapore. Externally, he has supported the Financial Women's Association of Singapore and the British Chamber of Commerce Singapore's Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Alexander also serves on Barclays' Asia Pacific Citizenship Council and supports Agape, helping expand opportunities for ex-offenders through mentorship, advocacy and strategic guidance.

Stuart Hyslop

8
Chief Operations Officer
Booker

Stuart Hyslop initially played a key role in launching the Women@Booker Network on International Women’s Day 2023 followed by an Allyship event for 150 colleagues highlighting male privilege and promoted a “Calling in Culture.” As Director Sponsor, he continues his Network support as Lead Male Ally staying close to colleagues through regular meetings & visiting all women managing Booker branches across the UK to celebrate their achievements and gather feedback. Stuart sponsors three women in the Tesco Group Women’s Development Plan, mentors three young women in junior management positions & secured a women’s place on Booker’s SLT. He has helped ensure women’s representation on Customer Listening Groups, which provide valuable feedback on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Externally, Stuart supports the Federation of Wholesaler Distributors DEI Conference and promoted DEI progress through customer facing literature. Stuart has now stepped into the COO role which provides him a much larger platform to support diversity and positive change at Booker. His efforts are informed by a personal family history of advocating for women’s opportunities and inclusion.

Nilesh Jethwa

9
Chief Executive Officer - Marex Solutions Division
Marex

Nilesh Jethwa established Marex's Women's Affinity Network (WAN) from the ground up, transforming it from a UK pilot into a globally structured network spanning EMEA, APAC, and the Americas. As Group Executive Sponsor, he secured executive backing and, with support from the working group, formalized a broad portfolio of programs - from leadership development and maternity support to allyship, onboarding, and initiatives that showcase career learnings - expanding support across career stages and regions. The Network delivers global mentoring for high-potential senior women and partners with external organizations on events that create commercial and cultural value. Nilesh champions WAN through global town halls, flagship events, and media, promoting inclusivity through male allyship. Beyond WAN, he is a board member of Quant Fin Discovery, expanding access to finance for A-Level mathematicians from diverse backgrounds, with Imperial College and global institutions, and advances social mobility through Future Frontiers and The 93% Club.

Marc Ronchetti

10
Group Chief Executive
Halma Plc

As Group Chief Executive, Marc Ronchetti has championed Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Halma plc, setting clear expectations for leaders to build inclusive cultures and tying 5% of senior leaders’ bonuses to gender diversity goals. This approach has driven measurable progress, with women holding 50% of the most senior roles as of July 2026, including 55% of the Plc Board and 67% of the Executive Board. He supported the appointment of Funmi Adegoke as Safety Sector Chief Executive and Carole Cran as Group CFO, reflecting his commitment to broadening leadership pipelines and investing in diverse talent. Under his leadership, the mean gender pay gap has decreased from 12% to 9% in the past year. Marc has also used external platforms such as Britain’s Most Admired to highlight the value of an inclusive culture, linking it to stronger decision-making, higher engagement, and innovation.

Vinod Kumar

11
Head of Legal, Australia & New Zealand
BlackRock

Vinod Kumar has mentored seven women across the financial services industry through the Alternative Investment Management Association’s Elevating Women’s Voices program, helping them build confidence, professional presence, and networks. As Head of Legal for Australia & New Zealand at BlackRock, he actively contributes to the Women’s Initiative & Allies Network, advocating for workplace improvements such as enhanced parental support, nursing facilities, and inclusive bathrooms. He has played a key role in organizing International Women’s Day events and other initiatives that create opportunities and advance inclusion. Serving on BlackRock’s Human Capital Committee, he ensures diversity and inclusion are integral to talent management and succession planning. Vinod's leadership emphasizes visible allyship and sponsorship, challenging bias and promoting equitable development opportunities to support women’s career progression and leadership within the industry.

David Germain

12
Board member and Trustee
Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity

Alongside Investec, David Germain is a Board member and Trustee of Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, where he also serves as the Board’s EDI-sponsored member, supporting the Charity’s work and its equality, diversity and inclusion agenda. He also judges prominent awards including the Everywoman Award in Technology Transformation and the Women in Banking and Finance Award in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, helping to recognize women’s leadership in male-dominated sectors. He mentors women to strengthen their leadership skills and strategic influence, and as a Board Advisor promotes ethical leadership and inclusive practice in technology and digital transformation. Through sector discussions and panels, David raises awareness of systemic barriers facing women in business and advocates for practical change. His mentoring, recognition and advocacy support inclusive leadership and equitable opportunities across finance, charity, technology and education.

Matthias Kruehler

13
Managing Director and Senior Partner
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Matthias Kruehler As Chair of the Managing Director Development Committee at Boston Consulting Group, Matthias has championed rigorous, bias-free assessment processes for all. As former Head of the Energy Practice in Central Europe, he established a leadership team of men and women and implemented a return-to-work model accessible across all seniority levels. He launched a mentoring program, personally sponsoring women employees, and installed a Diversity Chair, resulting in women representing half of senior Project Leaders and saw significant growth in women's representation at the partner level. In his role as Global Key Account Manager, he works to ensure he presents a diverse team on his accounts. Matthias also mentors women outside his practice, supporting their advancement to senior leadership roles.

Reza Rasoulpour

14
Vice President, Regulatory and Stewardship
Corteva Agriscience

Reza Rasoulpour, Vice President of Regulatory and Stewardship at Corteva Agriscience, has driven inclusion by embedding equitable practices within his global organization of over 800 employees. He mentors and sponsors women and underrepresented talent, fostering diverse leadership through structured succession planning and merit-based promotions. As Executive Sponsor of Corteva’s Women’s Inclusion Network Allyship Chapter, he launched and expanded the chapter, increasing membership by 25% and leading impactful events like International Allyship Day. In 2026, he moderated a multi-BRG panel on intersectionality, uniting diverse perspectives and reinforcing senior leadership commitment. Reza also engages externally with Catalyst Inc., participating in the Men Advocating for Real Change program and sharing best practices to enhance inclusive leadership. His efforts position allyship as a core leadership responsibility, advancing representation and progression of women across Corteva.

Joe Vorih

15
CEO
Genuit

Joe Vorih, CEO of Genuit, actively champions inclusion beyond his organization through strategic partnerships like the Construction Inclusion Coalition, promoting industry-wide collaboration to enhance diversity. Under his leadership, Genuit has embedded inclusion into its culture, leadership behaviors, and business strategy, with 33% of senior leadership roles held by women. He has supported the growth of colleague-led Diversity & Inclusion Networks such as EmpowHER, fostering safe spaces for connection and learning. Joe promotes inclusive leadership through workshops on unconscious bias and open dialogue, contributing to high employee engagement scores. He also advances diverse talent pipelines via apprenticeships, graduate programs, and partnerships with organizations supporting neurodiverse individuals and people with disabilities. His visible advocacy includes company-wide communications and participation in events like Pride and International Women’s Day, reinforcing a workplace where all colleagues can thrive and belong.

Balbir Bakhshi

16
Group Chief Risk Officer
LSEG

As Group Chief Risk Officer at LSEG, Balbir Bakhshi has actively sponsored the women returners program, resulting in multiple hires and supporting career re-entry for women. He has also participated in global LSEG Women Inspired Network fireside chats, including a recent event in Bucharest, to promote gender equality. Balbir hosted an external International Women’s Day panel featuring UN RSB Chief Edem Wosornu, focusing on advancing equitable opportunities for all women. He integrates diversity, equity, and inclusion into the Risk function, emphasizing leadership teams with diverse perspectives to foster innovation and openness. Balbir has led initiatives to raise awareness of discrimination and “otherness,” encouraging dialogue and engagement. He views being a role model for youth and under-represented groups as vital to organizational and societal progress.

Malcolm Lewis

17
Commercial Director
National Grid

Malcolm Lewis serves as an executive sponsor for Women in National Grid (WiNG), providing senior leadership support to one of the company’s most influential employee resource groups. He collaborates closely with WiNG’s Steering Committee to align priorities with business goals and other equity, diversity, and inclusion groups, ensuring strategic decision-making and broad organizational reach. Malcolm actively champions WiNG’s mission in senior forums and external platforms, raising awareness and encouraging participation across the business. He supports events and campaigns that promote allyship and inclusive behaviors, while holding the Steering Committee accountable for delivering development programs with clear, practical outcomes. Through his role, Malcolm integrates inclusion into leadership and talent development, contributing to a more diverse and sustainable future for National Grid and the wider industry.

Gaurang Desai

18
Director – Enterprise Data Analytics (EDA) - Data Strategy and Factory (DSF)
CAPGEMINI

Gaurang Desai leads a team of over 80 consultants at Capgemini Invent, achieving almost 50% women representation—significantly surpassing industry norms. He has embedded bias-free hiring practices and equitable access to leadership roles, fostering retention and growth of women within his team. Gaurang initiated the “Inclusion Circle session,” promoting open dialogue on gender equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and mental health, which has enhanced psychological safety and belonging. His leadership emphasizes empathy, fairness, and transparency, supporting employees with mental health challenges and creating a safe environment for LGBTQ+ colleagues. By balancing work-life needs and advocating for maternity inclusion, he ensures sustainable career progression. Gaurang’s consistent, action-oriented allyship translates inclusion from policy into lived experience, empowering women and underrepresented groups to thrive in a high-performing, inclusive culture.

Dave Speece

19
Senior Global Business Director
Dow

Dave Speece is a Global Business Director at Dow and Co-Chair of Dow's North America Women's Inclusion Network (WIN), one of the company's largest and longest-standing employee resource groups. As Co-Chair, Dave has helped advance strategies that attract, retain, and advance women through sponsorship, leadership development, and meaningful engagement with employees, customers, and communities. An advocate for gender equity and inclusive leadership, Dave has championed women's advancement across multiple regions and organizations throughout his nearly two-decade career with Rohm and Haas and Dow. While based in Singapore, he served as Executive Sponsor of WIN Asia Pacific, helping foster a culture of belonging and expand opportunities for women leaders across the region. Dave is passionate about developing talent and creating pathways for success, and through mentoring, sponsorship, and advocacy, he works to ensure women have the visibility, support, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential and thrive.

Tom O’Neil

20
Managing Director
BRG

Tom O’Neil serves as Chair of BRG’s Culture & Community Engagement Committee, leading efforts to foster an inclusive workplace and support professional development at all levels. He collaborates with internal committees, Employee Resource Groups, and senior leadership to embed inclusion in BRG’s culture, client service, and growth strategies. Tom actively mentors and sponsors women, including moderating a Path to the Boardroom panel for the BRG Women’s Leadership Initiative. Beyond BRG, he has taught corporate governance as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center and delivered programs for the Executive Leadership Council, preparing diverse leaders for board service. He has also served as a member of Pathfinder International’s President’s Council, contributing to advancing reproductive health rights and equality. Tom’s sustained advocacy and leadership amplify women’s voices and strengthen diversity in corporate leadership across multiple sectors.

Karim Haji

Global and UK Head of Financial Services
KPMG

As a long-standing advocate for women in business, Karim Haji spearheads several KPMG initiatives that have tangibly progressed women into senior leadership and embedded gender equity within the firm’s business priorities. He leads Accelerate Her, a targeted program supporting women through sponsorship, development and succession planning. As a sponsor of Women in Banking & Finance, he has strengthened KPMG’s external engagement by connecting industry events and networking opportunities with internal inclusion efforts. Karim also co-chairs KPMG’s Global Financial Services Inclusion Advancement Council, promoting best practice and accountability across major markets. His approach combines visible senior accountability with practical interventions, linking inclusion directly to performance and progression. By championing diverse perspectives and challenging traditional approaches to talent identification, Karim has helped foster a more inclusive culture. His authentic advocacy and active sponsorship make him a credible role model within KPMG and across the wider financial services industry.

David Watson

South East Asia COO
BlackRock

David Watson has championed inclusive leadership throughout his work leading BlackRock's Transformation Office in APAC and building out the JioBlackRock joint venture in India. He has sponsored high-potential women into accelerated promotions, stretch assignments, and cross-border roles, ensuring their talents are recognized beyond tenure or title. At JioBlackRock in Mumbai, he helped create opportunities for talented, junior women to lead major programs, engage directly with senior executives, and shape strategic outcomes. As APAC Head of BlackRock’s Transformation Office, he increased the proportion of women in his group from 33% to 65% and created a balanced leadership pipeline through a sustained focus on inclusive hiring and talent development. Additionally, as Executive Sponsor of BlackRock’s Financial Inclusion Network in Singapore, he supports access to networks and opportunities critical for success. David now brings this commitment to opportunity, meritocracy, and inclusive leadership into his new role as COO for South East Asia.

Sanjeev Kumar Kota

Global Head of Fraud and Collections Technology
HSBC

Sanjeev Kumar Kota has driven a 14% growth in promotions and lateral moves among women through the Headway Programme, which he designed to enhance technical skills, confidence, and visibility. As Balance Pillar Sponsor at HSBC, he established a network of nine Balance Evangelists, decentralizing inclusion leadership to embed inclusive behaviors across teams. He champions impactful International Women’s Day and International Men’s Day events that engage 80% of associates and encourage practical allyship. Sanjeev actively mentors women, fostering career development and leadership readiness, while promoting success stories internally and on LinkedIn to increase visibility of women’s achievements. His initiatives have transformed inclusion from a standalone program into a shared leadership responsibility, creating sustainable systems that support the attraction, development, and retention of women in technology. Through authentic, inclusive leadership, he cultivates a culture where every individual feels valued and empowered to succeed.

Ben Wynter

Founding Partner
Unstoppable Ventures

Ben Wynter has led POWER UP, a partnership with PRS Foundation, which has supported over 200 Black music creators and industry professionals with £4.5 million in funding, mentorship, and business development over five years. This initiative has notably elevated Black women in the UK music industry, helping them overcome systemic barriers and advance into senior roles, earning the Music Week Women in Music DEI Award. As founding partner of Unstoppable Ventures, he focuses on increasing access to capital and support for Black and women founders, addressing the under 0.1% venture funding they receive. Wynter also mentors women, amplifies women's leadership, and advises international cultural organizations to foster inclusive creative ecosystems. His work drives systemic change by creating equitable access to opportunity, capital, and influence for women in business across multiple industries and countries.

Robert Ballentine

Head of Control Centres
National Grid

As a Male Ally in WiNG—Women in National Grid, Robert Ballentine has driven measurable inclusion for women in operational environments, particularly within Control Centres. He identified that women applicants comprised only 0–5% in recent recruitment campaigns and led efforts to revise job adverts, resulting in a rise to approximately 35% women applicants. This change contributed to the appointment of two women managers on merit. Robert actively demonstrates visible allyship by participating in events such as National Grid’s Women in Engineering panel and Allyship Day, advocating for the removal of barriers women face in operational roles. His leadership focuses on fairness and creating lasting cultural change, encouraging other men in operational roles to engage meaningfully in inclusion. Robert’s work has been recognized by colleagues, reflecting his commitment to fostering equal opportunities within the business.

Deen King-Smith

Distinguished Engineer, AI Platforms
GEICO

Deen King-Smith is a Distinguished Engineer for AI Platforms at GEICO and a longtime mentor and sponsor of emerging leaders. At Amazon, he created a business-side DEI function for a 4,000-person global organization, including targeted work to improve retention, advancement, and equitable talent practices for women and other underrepresented groups, contributing to up to a 30% reduction in regretted attrition across key talent pools. At Microsoft, he rebuilt the Black Internship Program as a structured pathway from student recruiting through internship conversion, early-career mentoring, and leadership development. The program achieved 85%+ retention/conversion. The model later expanded beyond NSBE to SWE, IEEE, and other student organizations. At Movable Ink, he authored the first DEI mission, launched a BIPOC internship, and founded Black Ink ERG. For more than a decade, he has mentored women and emerging leaders across product, marketing, sales, and go-to-market through promotions, leadership transitions, and critical career decisions.

Leon De Suza

Managing Director
Ingram Micro

As Managing Director of Ingram Micro New Zealand, Leon De Suza has driven significant progress in gender balance by expanding talent pipelines and challenging assumptions about readiness for leadership roles. Under his leadership, the New Zealand leadership team now includes four women, with representation in key sales positions, marking a notable shift from previous male dominance. Leon has also increased women's representation to 72% in the distribution center and reduced the gender pay gap by 3.8% over three years. He actively mentors women in commercial roles and facilitates connections with senior women role models. Leon supports women returning to work after extended breaks through tailored onboarding. Beyond gender, he fosters cultural inclusion by promoting Samoan Language Week and te ao Māori learning. He also leads community engagement, notably raising significant funds through the Cure Kids Golf Day, linking business leadership with broader social impact.

Taiwo Omotunde

Founder / Chief Information Security Officer
Fusend Capital Consulting

Taiwo Omotunde has supported over 20 women of color in breaking into the governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) corporate industry through mentoring and structured guidance. He focuses on empowering women to navigate career transitions into cybersecurity, IT governance, and compliance—fields traditionally dominated by men. Taiwo provides practical career support, while raising awareness of opportunities that are often hidden or inaccessible. He actively advocates on professional platforms for increased representation of women in leadership and decision-making roles, emphasizing the value of diverse perspectives in enhancing organizational resilience and governance. His approach centers on equipping women with the confidence, skills, and visibility necessary to progress and influence within their industries.

Georg Bauer

Head of Consumer Investing, Strategy, & Product
Fidelity International

Georg Bauer’s leadership at Fidelity International has embedded DEI into business strategy and culture, with a particular focus on ethnic and gender diversity and inclusion. Through his role on the Global Platform business’s Senior Leadership Team, and both as Executive Sponsor for DEI and for Fidelity’s Cultural Diversity Network, he has championed initiatives supporting women's career development and diversity communities across the organization. Georg established DEI as a standing agenda item in senior leadership forums, drove a 15% increase in DEI data completion, and sponsored the development of an immersive DEI training program. He mentors women and ethnic minority professionals through cross-company schemes and openly shares his experience as a neurodiverse leader to help normalize difference at senior levels. Georg’s approach combines strategic advocacy, practical tools for managers, and personal storytelling to create safer, more inclusive environments for women and all underrepresented groups.

Paul Goydan

Managing Director and Senior Partner
Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

Paul Goydan has led inclusion efforts across BCG’s North America Energy Practice, historically one of the firm’s least diverse teams, by building a diverse succession pipeline. As a member of BCG’s Partner Development Committee, he has supported women partners by ensuring they have access to commercial profile development, client relationship building, and business capabilities for leadership success. Paul also coaches colleagues, including parents, through major transitions, emphasizing that parenthood should not hinder career opportunities. Drawing on his experience as part of a dual-career household, he advocates for staffing and flexibility policies that support sustainable careers for all who need it at BCG. His work reflects a commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can progress to senior leadership.

Patris Gordon

Podcast Operations and Production
Spotify

Patris Gordon has consistently organized events focused on the inclusion of women in business, demonstrating sustained commitment to creating supportive spaces. His collaboration with Flavilla Fongang and GTA Black Women in Tech led to a networking panel event in March 2026, attracting 300 Black women to Spotify during International Women’s Month. The event featured women leaders sharing insights on career success and included a £3,000 donation to GTA to support their efforts in advancing women in tech. As an active member of Spotify’s EMERGE network, Patris ensures women are prominently featured as headliners in all events he organizes, recognizing the importance of amplifying their voices. His initiatives provide safe, inclusive environments for staff and external communities to connect, fostering a workplace culture that values diverse experiences and perspectives.

Santiago Villegas

CEO and Co-Founder
1903 Public Relations

Santiago Villegas co-founded 1903 Public Relations with a mission to create accessible pathways to a diverse workforce and foster an inclusive work environment. Headquartered in Central California, the agency challenges the notion that extraordinary talent is confined to large cities. Over nearly seven years, Santiago has prioritized building safe spaces where employees can be authentic, emphasizing holistic well-being and work-life balance. He actively celebrates team accomplishments and supports employee recognition. Under his leadership, 1903 PR has advocated for clients who are LGBTQ+, people of color, and women founders, securing notable media opportunities such as Fast Company’s Queer 50 and Empower’s Role Model Lists. The agency’s work has earned multiple Globee and Stevie awards. Santiago’s lived experience as a Mexican immigrant informs his dedication to equity, shaping a company culture that uplifts diverse voices and drives inclusion through storytelling.

Quentin Roach

Senior Vice President / Board Director
Estee Lauder Companies / Baldwin Richardson Foods Co.

Quentin Roach serves as Senior Vice President at The Estée Lauder Companies where he supports an environment where over half of the employees and leadership positions are held by women, reinforcing the company’s commitment to gender representation. As a board member and advisor to Baldwin Richardson Foods Co., a women-owned and led company, he actively promotes equity and community engagement. Quentin also serves as Board Director and Chair of the Talent & Culture Committee at TemperPack Technologies, Inc. and Armada Supply Chain Solutions, where he influences strategic decisions that support inclusive workplace cultures. He serves on the “boom! Global Network” advisory board - the global community of women in supply chain where supply chain professionals connect, grow, and transform their organizations through impactful inclusion. Known for his expertise in supply chain management and corporate responsibility, he leverages storytelling, data analytics, and financial insights to inspire performance and foster inclusive leadership. Quentin’s leadership consistently prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring these values are integral to business strategy and operations across the organizations he serves.

Pierre Soens

Director, Head of Risk
BlackRock

Pierre Soens has played a leading role in broadening engagement with BlackRock's Women's Initiatives & Allies Network (WIN) in Singapore, successfully bringing men across functions, levels, and businesses into the conversation on gender equity. Pierre’s efforts extend beyond formal initiatives, organizing community-building events like the WIN Table Tennis Tournament to foster camaraderie across teams. He also strengthens advocacy by partnering with Male Allies groups at other organizations, such as Bank of Singapore and UBS. By making allyship visible, approachable, and integrated into daily work life, Pierre has helped transform support for women from principle into practice, creating a model of inclusive engagement within and beyond BlackRock.

Usman Muhammad Mareri

Executive Director
Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change

As Executive Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change, Usman Muhammad has led programs that expand access to renewable energy and economic opportunities for women and marginalized groups in rural Northern Nigeria. He has implemented solar-powered water systems, climate-smart agriculture projects, and livelihood initiatives that directly benefit women farmers, women entrepreneurs, and youth. By fostering partnerships with international donors, government agencies, and local organizations, he has created pathways for these groups to access training, productive assets, and leadership roles. Usman prioritizes community-led approaches, engaging women’s groups and other stakeholders in decision-making to enhance project ownership and outcomes. His advocacy extends to equitable climate finance and sustainable development, ensuring underserved communities have a voice in national and international forums. His work integrates social inclusion with environmental sustainability to drive measurable progress for historically excluded populations.