Fiona Hathorn is a respected diversity and inclusion expert, author and speaker, and the Founder of Women in Banking & Finance. She works with organisations across sectors to improve gender balance, leadership diversity and inclusive workplace cultures. Fiona is known for her practical, evidence-based approach to driving change and has advised senior leaders, boards and policymakers on building fairer and more effective organisations. She is a passionate advocate for equality and is widely recognised for her work championing women’s progression and representation at leadership level.

Professor Shahina Pardhan is a leading academic and researcher in vision science and optometry. She is the founding Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University, where she leads a multidisciplinary and international research team focused on clinical and public health eye research. Professor Pardhan has published extensively, with over 150 peer-reviewed papers, and has secured major research funding from organisations including the EU, NIHR, NHS, the College of Optometrists and national and international charities. Her work and leadership have been widely recognised through numerous awards celebrating her impact on research, education and equality in the profession.

Dr Amit Patel is a best-selling author, broadcaster, award-winning DEI consultant, and disability rights campaigner. His work spans media, advocacy, inclusive design, and healthcare.

Before losing his sight to keratoconus in 2013, he worked as a trauma doctor specialising in emergency medicine and major incident response. His clinical background and lived experience of sight loss continue to shape his work in accessibility, equity, and inclusion.

Inspired by his partnership with his guide dog Kika (now retired), he wrote the acclaimed memoir Kika & Me, combining personal storytelling with advocacy for greater representation of disabled people.

Through his writing, broadcasting, consultancy, and public speaking, he challenges perceptions, champions inclusion, and helps organisations create more accessible and equitable environments.

Dr Ruth Windscheffel is Head of Teaching and Learning Enhancement at York St John University, where she leads a central team supporting institutional teaching, learning, and staff development.

With over 20 years’ experience in UK higher education, she trained to doctoral level in Modern British History at the University of Oxford, Royal Holloway, University of London, and the University of Liverpool, and has worked as a teacher, researcher, and educational developer throughout her career.

Her leadership experience spans the Open University, the University of Essex, and City, University of London, before returning to Yorkshire to take up her current role.

She oversees professional development and recognition pathways, including Advance HE-accredited Fellowship routes, and contributes to strategic initiatives, quality enhancement, and institutional reporting. She is also actively involved in staff networks, mentoring, and wellbeing initiatives across the university.

She is a Senior Fellow of Advance HE and an alumna of the Aurora leadership programme, with a strong commitment to inclusive education, staff development, and enhancing the student learning experience.

Dr Martina Wicklein is Associate Professor (Teaching) and Head of Teaching in the Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology at UCL.

Since joining UCL in 2015 as a Senior Teaching Fellow, she has played a key role in undergraduate neuroscience education, combining teaching, academic leadership, and student support. Her responsibilities include leading the departmental teaching team, acting as first-year tutor for the neuroscience programme, serving as personal tutor to students, and chairing the EC panel.

She is module lead for Introduction to Neuroscience (NEUR0004) and Foundations of Neurobiology (NEUR0005), and contributes teaching across a range of neuroscience and medical school modules.

She became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2017 and was awarded Senior Fellowship in 2025. She is also active as an assessor and mentor within ARENA.

Dr Joan St John is a GP and primary-care specialist in diabetes, with extensive experience in improving diabetes care within community and clinical settings.

She is a co-author of Carbs & Cals World Foods, the first visual guide to carbohydrate content in traditional African, Asian, Arabic, and Caribbean foods, designed to support culturally inclusive diabetes management.

A former Diabetes UK Clinical Champion and member of its Professional Leadership alumni, she currently works within the award-winning Brent Integrated Diabetes Service.

Alongside her clinical work, she serves as a voluntary Clinical Advisor to Diabetes Africa and hosts the Diabetes Health Matters webinar series. She also co-authors educational resources focused on reducing health inequalities in diabetes care.

Joan is passionate about empowering people living with diabetes and regularly works with community groups and healthcare professionals to improve education, self-management, and equitable access to care.

Professor Mala Rao is a distinguished public health expert with extensive experience in health policy, global health, and epidemiology. She has advised governments and international organisations on public health strategy, health equity, and workforce planning, with a particular focus on improving health outcomes for underserved communities. Professor Rao is committed to mentoring the next generation of health professionals and promoting leadership, inclusion, and evidence-based practice across health systems.

Dr Lyabode (Oni) Blackstock is an American primary care and HIV physician, researcher, and founder of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting practice.

She previously served as Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV at the New York City Department of Health, where she led the city’s response to the HIV epidemic.

Her work and research focus on health and racial equity, with particular attention to the experiences of women and people of colour in healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she provided public guidance on sexual health, HIV care, and the intersection of HIV and COVID-19, supporting both patients and healthcare providers.

Professor Flavia Senkubuge is a South African physician, professor of public health medicine, an advocate of global public health and the immediate past President of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa. At age 39, she was the college’s youngest ever president and the first Black woman to hold the position.

Deborah Laing is a skilled professional in the charity sector, with fifteen years’ experience at local and national charities. Deborah is passionate about inclusion, mentorship, and promoting excellence within the profession.

After undertaking a PhD in Neurobiology, Candy held a British Heart Foundation Basic Science Lectureship at University College London before joining Wellcome in 1996. Previous roles at Wellcome include leadership of the personal award schemes for basic scientists in the UK – from PhD Programmes through to the suite of research fellowship schemes and Investigator Awards. More recently, she focussed on providing expert support and guidance to Wellcome grant holders, as well as those seeking funding. As Head of Science Transition, Candy looked after a diverse portfolio of activities that were established before the launch of Wellcome’s current strategy to ensure their success and impact was maximised.

Dr Tamsin Callaghan is an experienced clinician and researcher in the field of vision and eye care. She is committed to advancing clinical practice, fostering professional development, and supporting evidence-based research to improve patient outcomes. Dr Callaghan is passionate about mentoring emerging professionals and promoting inclusion, collaboration, and excellence across the vision and ophthalmology community.

Dawn A. Sim, FRCOphth, currently works as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital, United Kingdom, specializing in Medical Retina & Cataract. Dr Sim obtained her medical degree from St George’s Hospital, University of London, and did her PhD research at the Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London. Dr Sim’s primary areas of interest include retinal imaging, teleophthalmology, and the potential use of regenerative medicine in the treatment of diabetic eye disease.

Judith Potts is a former actor, acting and presentation coach, working under her stage name – Judith Fielding.  She founded Act One, a company that offered drama classes for children and presentation coaching for adults.

From 2010 to 2019, she wrote a health column for The Telegraph, drawing on her personal experiences — including her own journey with breast cancer — to highlight the work of the health charities. When her mother, Esme, developed Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS), this became a feature of the Column.

In 2015 she launched Esme’s Umbrella — first as an Awareness Campaign and then, in 2021, this became a fully-registered charity— to raise awareness of CBS, offer support to adults and children who develop CBS, and inspire vitally-needed research.

Judith has written widely on CBS in academic and clinical contexts, contributing to journals, conferences, podcasts, webinars and public events.

In recognition of her work, she received a Times Sternberg Active Life Award in 2025, honouring her “tireless, unpaid work to raise awareness of Charles Bonnet Syndrome.”

Dr Pretty Basra is a multi-passionate entrepreneur and TedX speaker helping professionals and healthcare leaders master the mental fitness, mindset, and strategy it takes to create high-performing teams and thriving businesses.

As an award-winning optometrist and 7-figure business owner, she blend science, strategy, and soul to help others lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Professor Alice Roberts is a distinguished academic, anatomist, and public educator, renowned for her work in anatomy, human evolution, and archaeology. She combines research, teaching, and media engagement to inspire public interest in science and medicine. Professor Roberts is passionate about education, mentorship, and promoting diversity and inclusion in scientific and academic communities.

Professor Majlinda Lako is an accomplished researcher and academic specializing in stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, and translational research. She is committed to advancing scientific knowledge, mentoring emerging scientists, and promoting collaboration across research and clinical communities. Professor Lako is passionate about innovation, inclusion, and fostering opportunities for the next generation of researchers in biomedical science.

Professor Rachel Pilling specialises in paediatric ophthalmology, including squint surgery and retinopathy of prematurity screening and treatment. She is part of a team which provides visual assessments to children with developmental delay and special needs in eye clinic and when visiting special schools.

She also provides a specialist service for adults with learning disability, working closely with the Learning Disability Health Facilitation Team.

Ms Evelyn (Evie) Mensah is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Central Middlesex Hospital, London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust. She also serves as Co-Lead for the North West London Ophthalmology Clinical Reference Group. Trained at Imperial College and Moorfields Eye Hospital, Evie specialises in medical retinal disease and complex cataract surgery. She is actively involved in training ophthalmology specialists, developing extended clinical roles across multidisciplinary teams, and promoting global eye health initiatives. Evie is also a past Diversity Lead for Women in Vision UK, advocating for equality and inclusion within the profession.

Miss Rebecca Ford is a Consultant Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon at Bristol Eye Hospital, with expertise in complex eyelid and orbital conditions. She is actively involved in medical education, serving as Chair of the Education Committee at the Royal College of Ophthalmology and Head of School for the Severn Ophthalmology Training Programme. Rebecca is also committed to charitable work, mentoring, and promoting equality and professional development for women in ophthalmology worldwide.