Impact '25 Women leading progress

An experienced HR Professional with over 20 years’ experience providing HR support and advice in the professional services sector and supporting SMEs and owner managed businesses. Claudia has a wealth of experience in strategic human resources management, aligning the people plan to support the vision and strategy of the business.

Founder and client relationship consultant at Hearken Performance Ltd. With over 25 years of experience at Deloitte, Diane has honed her expertise in understanding the dynamics between leaders, their teams, and clients. At Hearken Performance, she uses her skills to help businesses unlock value through strategic client listening and feedback programmes.

Dr. Abi Abraham is a Consultant Primary Care Physician and Clinical Lead at Doctor Care Anywhere, a telemedicine company leveraging technological innovation to deliver holistic healthcare. A seasoned GP trainer and medical researcher, she has spent years advancing Preventive Medicine, Women’s Health, Nutrition, and Fitness, evolving into a sought-after medical consultant.

Dr. Blessing Enakimio is a Chartered Organisational Development & Design (OD&D) Partner, working with C-suite leaders and boards to design ideal-state organisations by aligning strategy, culture and talent. Her work drives sustainable growth, maximises enterprise value and enables seamless transitions.

Alongside her role as CEO of Blé Global, Dr. Blessing serves as IoD Kent's Ambassador for Organisational Development & Events and as a Business Champion for Creative Medway, furthering her commitment to supporting business leaders and creative industries in achieving strategic excellence.

Lindi’s previous career as team physiotherapist and as an athlete, captaining a Netball Super League Team for four years, provided her with a deep personal understanding of how teams function both from a management and a player perspective. She regularly accompanied sports teams to international tournaments as well as supported elite individual athletes, physically and mentally, whilst preparing for international competitions. This extensive experience, together with years of facilitation and training across various different industries, has given her valuable insights about the inner workings of high-performing teams and leadership.

Lorna McDowell is a dynamic thought leader, seasoned entrepreneur, and trusted advisor in organisational transformation, specialising in the intersection of human growth and business performance. With over two decades of experience guiding leaders and companies to unlock their potential, Lorna has developed a groundbreaking approach to systemic transformation - harnessing social energy as a catalyst for change and sustainable business between people and organisations.

Maureen is an internationally sought-after speaker, Certified Master Neuroplastician, Neurocoach and the visionary CEO of The Mindsight Academy (TMA) and Mindsight Women’s Network. With unparalleled expertise in neuroleadership and emotional intelligence, Maureen equips senior executives, directors, business owners and professionals to leverage the power of neuroscience to lead with clarity, resilience, and strategic influence.

Nathan has been dedicated to serving clients at Mattioli Woods since 2012. Throughout this journey, he has realised the value of authentic financial advice and being able to empathise and support our clients through the various stages of their lives. With over a decade of experience, Nathan is passionate about providing peace of mind through tailored financial solutions. His client-centric approach ensures each strategy is designed to meet individual needs and objectives, presented in a clear and understandable manner. Nathan’s commitment to simplifying complex financial concepts empowers clients to make informed decisions with confidence. He is able to help clients create a strategy to set them on the right path to achieving their financial goals. That support will then continue and extend to their family, providing reassurance and comfort. Having a strategy in place has certainly benefited some of his clients in helping with their mental health too. Supporting people who perhaps put pensions, investments, and inheritance tax planning in the ‘too hard’ basket is what he does best.

Sarah Higgins works with organisations a professional Coach, Facilitator and Trainer, for Leaders, Teams and Organisations with over 30 years corporate experience. In 2023, she was awarded Businesswoman of the Year and she is the Founder and Director of 'We Love Leadership' as well the Creator and Author of Power of Love Leadership®.

Correl8 is a specialist web design, web development and digital marketing agency. Established for over 20 years, Correl8 have developed a number of websites and bespoke web applications for a wide variety of industry sectors. With a 5 star Google review rating and a very high customer retention rate, Correl8 always strives to provide the very best in design, technology and digital marketing services.

Susie Warran-Smith founded the multiple award-winning Breakthrough Funding company in 2015. Her business was sold to EY (Ernst and Young) in 2020 and she went on to become an Executive Director (Europe, Middle East, India and Africa) there, until her retirement in 2022.
She was awarded the Kent Business Woman of the Year in 2017 and the London and South East Director of the Year 2019 by the Institute of Directors. On 1 January 2022 she became a Commander of the British Empire for services to small business in Queen Elizabeth II's New Year Honours list and in the same year was appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Kent, a crown appointment.
She has been a non-executive on the main board of HM Revenue and Customs and a non-executive member at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. She is currently a non-executive at the British Library and has also been a trustee of Lantra Sector Skills Council and a governor of the University of Creative Arts.
Susie has appeared as a business expert on every national television and radio news programme in the UK from CNN, Sky News and Radio 4’s Today Programme to The Culture Show, BBC Breakfast, The Politics Show and The Food Programme. She is the author of ten books including her acclaimed autobiography Swimming On My Own.

Director of Steel Homes Ltd. An experienced Business Development Director.

Sweena shares her expertise through leadership marketing, strategy and a commercially astute. Sweena has worked at Ernst & Young and Kent County Council in senior roles. A champion for Women in Leadership and a great connector in the business world.

Sweena is the current Chair for the Institute of Directors Kent Branch, stepping up from Vice Chair with a Team of 12 Ambassadors who are Directors & CEO’s of their own organisations.

Sweena also a representative for the Kent & Medway Economic Partnership Board.
Sweena also engages as an active Speaker and is a role model in the community.