International Women's Day Exploring gender equity strategies in modern business

Emma is a Principal Sustainability Manager with a UK multi-disciplinary organisation and founder of Women in Sustainable Construction and Property and Women in Sustainable Rail LinkedIn network groups. She’s a Diversity and Inclusion Ambassador (North East and Yorkshire) and multi-award winner for her diversity and inclusion work. Emma is an Academy Trust Board Trustee and CIOB EDI Advisory Panel Member.

Kirsty is the CEO of the communications agency VCCP Business, where she is strategic adviser to clients as wide-ranging as Canon, Fidelity and Reward Gateway. She has been a trailblazer in her industry ensuring that all the businesses she leads are equally represented at a Board level, and is proud to see her own team now leading the way and winning multiple Awards for DE&I initiatives both internally and with clients. She is also the Sustainability Ambassador for IoD London.

Saj Zafar is a Forensic Psychologist, ex Prison Governor, LeadHERship Trainer, International Speaker, Author and a Certified Personal & Professional Development Coach. She is the CEO & Founder of LeadHERship Academy and Institute for Change.
After having spent a lifetime overcoming barriers, defying gender roles and stereotypes, Saj delivers her training and coaching programs to a diverse range of organisations, specialising in helping and supporting senior leaders to get the best out of their workforce.

Sophie Azam is the elected IoD National Spokesperson for the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Ambassadors across the United Kingdom. She was elected due to her passion and extensive experience in ED&I across the education and professional body sectors. Sophie has also founded her own educational establishment - IgniteQuals Limited. Her achievement in developing a diverse Governing Board that champions all learners across a variety of backgrounds has earned her a board nomination award for the 'Greatest Impact for Inclusion Board of the Year 2023'. Her organisation was also a case study for the Shinkwin Commission report for setting the ED&I Strategy as part of the Governance Arrangements, and at early inception.

Vicky has been working in the education sector for over 30 years, she is passionate about coaching and mentoring and in particular how she can use her experience to 'help women rise'. She has a wealth of experience in educational product development, working within awarding bodies, training providers and professional bodies.