Shelmina Abji – Empowerment Speaker

Shelmina was born in Tanzania. She had to leave home at 15 to obtain higher education, which was her passport out of poverty. She is a former IBM Vice President and has led global teams and businesses that delivered over $1B annually. Shelmina lives in Seattle with her family. The photoshoot took place at the Ismaili Centre in London.

Renata Adela – Artist 

Renata Adela, originally from Spain, works figuratively in all kinds of media moving seamlessly across material, sculpturally in wax, clay, bronze, bandage, and in oil paint, pastels, etchings, embroidery, poetry, and performance. Renata recently exhibited as part of a 4 Woman Sculptors show entitled Woman/Matter in Venice, at Espazio Contemporeano. The photoshoot took place in Renata’s workshop in the UK.

Susan Aderin - Performer, Clinical Skills Communication Lecturer.

Susan was born in Lagos, Nigeria and was raised in the UK. She is a story teller who uses the mediums of Theatre, Television and film to explore the human condition, focusing on projects that raise awareness of the refugee crisis and metal health issues.

She also lectures in clinical skills communication at Clinical and Communications Skills Unit Institute of Health Sciences Education Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Susan was photographed at Postman’s Park and St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London.

Mo Akindolie – Consultant Paediatrician

Dr Mo Akindolie is Consultant in Ambulatory Paediatrics at King’s College Hospital and member of the leadership team at the College. She has led service design projects that have reshaped pediatric provision to better meet the needs of local children and their families. Mo was photographed in the Foetal Medicine Research Institute at King’s College Hospital in London.

Nimco Ali - Writer, Social Activist

Nimco Ali OBE is a Somali British social activist and writer. She co-founded Daughters of Eve, a non-profit organisation which works to protect girls and young women at risk from female genital mutilation (FGM). Nimco lives in the UK. Nimco was photographed in her home in London.

Fatima Alkaabi - Inventor

Recognized as the youngest Emirati inventor in 2015, Fatima has had a passion for creativity and innovation since she was seven years old.

Fatima was photographed in the UAE at her family home in Al Ain.

Rosalia Arteaga - CEO Fidal Foundation

Rosalía Arteaga is the first Ecuadorian woman becoming President and Vice-President of the Republic of Ecuador. She was also Vice-minister of Culture and Minister of Education.

Currently, Dr. Arteaga is CEO of FIDAL Foundation and President of International University of La Rioja UNIR - Ecuador. She was photographed in the Central Library of Cantabria in Santander.

Emma Bache - Graphologist

Emma has worked as a Graphologist since 1989. She has had her own Columns in The Times and The Financial Times analysing Leaders such as Rupert Murdoch, Sir Richard Branson, Sir Philip Green. More unusual cases have led her to analyse some controversial characters such as Saddam Hussein. Emma was photographed in the British Library in London.

Irena Badelska – Social Entrepreneur

Irena is the Chief Revenue Office of ClimateView and is a Board Member at AWAR. She is strongly committed to the fulfillment of the UN SDGs through ESG, digital transformation and Tech for Good by addressing real life, human-centric challenges. Irena is originally from Bulgaria and was photographed at her home in London.

Brigitte Baptiste - Ecologist/Activist

Brigitte Baptiste is a Colombian cultural landscape ecologist and an expert on environmental issues and biodiversity in Colombia. A highly visible transgender woman and LGBTQI activist, Baptiste has raised awareness that cultural diversity is part of nature’s diversity. Brigitte was photographed in Kew Gardens in London.

Dr Leila Benjelloun – President, OAPAM

President of the Alaouite Organization for the Protection of the Blind (OAPAM) in Casablanca and the Moroccan Red Cross, Dr Leila Benjelloun Mezian was also Vice President of the Association of Medical Doctors in Morocco and President of the Benjelloun Mezian Foundation whose mission is the restoration of National Monuments. Dr Benjelloun was photographed in home in Casablanca.

Lydia Cacho - Journalist and Activist

Lydia Cacho is a Mexican journalist, author and a human rights advocate. She is the founder and director of the Centro Integral de Atención a las Mujeres in Cancún, Mexico, a crisis center and shelter for victims of sex crimes, gender-based violence and trafficking. Lydia was photographed in Madrid, Spain.

Selma Day – Businesswoman

Selma Day is a businesswoman who owns a publishing company producing several magazines including Mayfair Times. Born and brought up in UK, she comes from an Indian background and has been a journalist in central London for many years. She was photographed at the Arts Club in London.

Mimi Denissi – Actress 

Mimi Denissi is a prominent force in the Greek theatre. She is one of the most celebrated actresses in Greece as well as the most acclaimed translator of her generation, a major producer and director, and the author of six extraordinarily popular historical dramas. Mimi was photographed in her home in Athens, Greece.

Dr Shani Dhanda -  Disability Inclusion & Accessibility Specialist

Recognised as the UK's most influential disabled person and the BBC's 100 Women Laureate of 2020, Dr Shani Dhanda sparks transformative change as a consultant, collaborating with businesses and brands to authentically embrace inclusion and accessibility. Her expertise in disability inclusion has had a profound global impact, collectively reaching over 1.5 million employees worldwide. Shani was photographed in Dubai.

Paola Diana – Author, Entrepreneur, Activist

A native of Italy, Paola has never been one to adhere to gender stereotypes – challenging the ideologies of male supremacists at every opportunity.  Paola is the author of the bestselling book; ‘Saving the world. Women: the XXI’s Century Factor for Change’. Paola was photographed in Notting Hill, London.

Eugenya Dillendorf – Journalist

Eugenya is the UK Correspondent for Novaya Gazeta, a Russian independent newspaper.

Elizabeth H. Filippouli – Writer, Journalist, Social Entrepreneur

Elizabeth Filippouli is a writer, journalist and social entrepreneur. Originally from Greece, she is the Founder of Global Thinkers Forum supporting women and youth through international mentoring programmes Telemachus and Athena. She was photographed in London, UK.

Grazia Giuliani Aka GiGi – Author, researcher, passionate cook

Grazia Giuliani is the internationally published author of the 'Versatile Cooking & Living Italian'. The book encapsulates Grazia’s vision of food as nourishment of the body and the spirit enjoyed in conviviality. She was photographed in London, UK.

Daisy Goodwin – Writer and TV producer

Daisy Goodwin is a writer and television producer. Daisy has written the screenplay ‘Victoria’ about the early life of Queen Victoria for ITV and WGBH Masterpiece Theatre. She was photographed in her home in London.

Baroness Brenda Hale

Baroness Hale of Richmond became the first woman President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom from 2017 until her retirement in 2020, after a varied career as an academic lawyer, law reformer and judge. A trailblazer, a feminist and a forthright campaigner for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and on the Bench, she continues to support the cause in any way she can.

Diana Hamade – Lawyer

Diana Hamade is the founder of Diana Hamade Attorneys at Law in Dubai, a boutique law firm, which she has managed for 12 years. Diana is an expert in civil and sharia law, specializing in family law matters with emphasis on succession planning and private client. Her photoshoot was done in her home in Dubai.

Lorraine Harriton – President & CEO, Catalyst

Lorraine Hariton is President & CEO of Catalyst, a global nonprofit working with the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. She was photographed at her home in New York.

Eunkyung Jeon - Design Journalist

Eunkyung was born in Seoul, South Korea. She worked for 20 years as a journalist and editor-in-chief at a design magazine, contributing to the development of the Korean design industry. She interviewed world-class designers, CEOs, and marketers, and worked on various design projects. A role model for female designers and editors, Eunkyung is now a design and lifestyle trend expert, working in corporate consulting, exhibition and space planning, and writing books.

The photo shoot took place at the Gana Art Center in Seoul.  

 @jeon.eunkyung

Dion Johnson - Women’s Champion

Dion Johnson, also known as the Womanologist, is a multi-award-winning Women's champion. She was previously a midwife and then a Director in public services, where she pioneered, co-ordinated and led special services serving highly vulnerable and marginalised client groups. Dion was photographed at the Corinthia Hotel and in her home in London.

Annabel Karmel MBE 

London-born mother of three, Annabel is the UK's no.1 children’s cookery author, bestselling international author, and a world-leading expert on devising delicious, nutritious meals for babies, children and families. Annabel has pioneered the way families all over the world feed their babies and children. She was photographed in her home in London.

Sofio Katsarava MBE - politician, diplomat and philologist

Sophie Katsarava MBE, is a Georgian politician, diplomat and philologist. She was appointed Georgian Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 2020. Between 2016 and 2019 she was a Georgian Dream Member of the Parliament of Georgia.

She was photographed at the Georgian Embassy in London.

Jaspreet Kaur - Teacher & Writer

Jaspreet Kaur is a spoken word artist, writer and teacher from East London focused on gender issues, historical topics, taboo subjects and positive social change in both the Asian community and wider society. She was photographed at her home in London.

Imge Kaya Sabanci - PhD Candidate

Imge is a management scholar at IE Business School and a visiting fellow at Harvard Business School. Previously, she was the Regional Program Director for EY and Country Program Manager for Goldman Sachs. Imge champions women’s economic empowerment and gender equality through her research, teaching, and collaborations with international organizations and NGOs.

She was photographed at her home in Frankfurt.

Elisabeth Sharp McKetta - Poet, Educator, Speaker

Author of twelve books and co-editor of What Doesn’t Kill Her: Women’s Stories of Resilience, Dr Elisabeth Sharp McKetta teaches writing for Harvard and Oxford. For seven years, she wrote weekly poems for strangers as part of her Poetry for Strangers Project. Elisabeth was photographed at Paddington Station.

Farida Khalaf - Author

Farida Khalaf is a Yazidi woman who was abducted by ISIS in 2014 and sold into slavery. She escaped to a refugee camp, and in 2016 published a book about her experience, The Girl Who Beat ISIS. Farida was photographed in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Radhika Khatri - Author, and Advocate for Gender Equity

Radhika Budthapa Khatri is a distinguished figure in the fields of gender advocacy, women's and children’s rights and religion in Nepal. Hailing from the remote region of Jumla, Karnali, Nepal, she has defied odds and made a lasting impact on her community and beyond.

She was photographed at Uma Maheshwor temple Kirtipur, Kathmandu.

Junella King - Crew, The Maiden

Junella King started sailing when she was 15 years old at the National Sailing Academy Antigua.  Junella began as an apprentice with Maiden and has now graduated to Crew. She was photographed on Maiden in Oyster Bay, New York.

Sheida Kiran - Filmmaker-Activist

Sheida is a British-Turkish-Iranian documentary filmmaker and composer based in London. Driven by her passion for ethnographic storytelling, she focuses on documenting women’s and migration issues in Turkey and Iran. Her award-winning student film 'Harvesting Our Tea' (2021) was selected for the One World Media Global Short Docs Forum, and later, commissioned by BBC Our World and broadcast globally in 2022.

She was photographed at her home and the Sherriff Centre in London

Edna Kissmann - Healthcare Advocate

Edna is a citizen of the world by culture and upbringing and a citizen of Israel and the UK by birth and intention, respectively. She is a pioneer of healthcare communications practice on a global basis.Her photoshoot took place at her home in London.

Sia Kossioni – Journalist

Since 2000, Sia Kossioni has been working as a journalist in the press, on radio and on television presenting political news bulletins in Greece. In 2006 she started working at SKAI TV station presenting the main newscast. She was photographed at her home in Athens.

Margery Kraus- Founder APCO Worldwide

Margery Kraus is founder and executive chairman of APCO Worldwide, a global advisory and advocacy communications consultancy she founded in 1984 and transformed it from a company with one small Washington office to a multinational consulting firm. The photoshoot was done in her home in Washington DC.

Chrisanthy Lemos – Philanthropist

Chrisanthy is Academy of Athens awardee for her charitable work. She is also Trustee Philharmonia Orchestra; Trustee of Oxford Philharmonic; Trustee of English National Ballet; Patron of The school of Ballet; Ambassador of the Aegean Islands; Ambassador Hellenic Rowing (HRF in GB); Hon Patron of the World Scout; Foundation Chairman of Alice Action Trust. She was photographed at her home in Athens, Greece.

Attiya Mahmood - Former Diplomat & Ambassador of Pakistan

Attiya Mahmood has served as a Pakistani diplomat for over 35 years. Her credentials include Ambassadorial posts to the Kingdom of Morocco, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Republic of Indonesia.

She was photographed at her home and Quaid-e-Azam House in Karachi

Selai Mangal - Women’s Right Advocate

Selai is a distinguished champion for women’s rights and equal education, holding an Oxford Executive MBA. She serves as the visionary founder of an Afghan NGO dedicated to fostering community development through innovative ecosystems. Selai is renowned for her linguistic mastery, strategic communication skills, thought leadership, and pioneering entrepreneurial ingenuity.

She was photographed at and the Oxford Saïd Business School and Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies

Yajun Mo - Academic

Professor Mo teaches courses on modern China and women’s and gender history. Her research focus on China’s production of its national image.

Yajun was photographed in High Line Park, New York.

Paola Moreno Roman - Scientist

Paola Moreno-Roman is originally from Peru. She actively advocates for science's crucial role in society as a powerful tool to empower others. Paola has a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Stanford University. Paola was photographed in Downtown Manhattan, New York.

Femi Oke - Broadcaster

Femi Oke is a veteran journalist, broadcaster, writer, professional facilitator, and the co-founder of the diverse moderators' bureau "Moderate The Panel." Femi is currently based in Washington DC being a senior presenter and journalist for the TV network Al Jazeera English, where she was photographed.

Phoebe Okowa - Academic

Phoebe Okowa is a professor of public international law and director of graduate studies at Queen Mary, University of London. Okowa is the first African Woman to be elected to the International Law Commission.

Phoebe’s photoshoot took place in her home in Oxford.

Puma Perl - Poet, Writer, Performer

Puma Perl is a poet, writer, and performer with five solo collections in print. She plays regularly with her band Puma Perl and Friends. She’s received three New York Press Association awards in recognition of her journalism and is an Acker Award recipient in the category of writing.

Puma was photographed in Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan, New York.

Delores Price - Retired Teacher

Delores A. Price is a retired teacher in New Orleans. As of 1980 she has been serving the community through the New Salem Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Warren Jones, Jr. In 2005 the ninth ward where New Salem Baptist Church is located was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Delores committed to rebuild the community through supporting the families that were able to return.

She was photographed at New Salem Baptist Church in New Orleans.

Anahita Rezvani-Rad - Artist

Anahita is a critically acclaimed artist working primarily in painting and regularly exhibiting in solo and group exhibitions. Studied at the Courtauld and Chelsea College of Art and University of Applied Arts Vienna (de Angewandte). She has used her creative talents and platform to advocate for social and political change. She has been engaged in activism through her art since moving to the UK from Iran 19 years ago.

She was photographed at her studio in Brixton, London.

Vicky Pryce – Economist 

Vicky Pryce is Chief Economic Adviser and a board member at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). Her latest book, ‘Women vs Capitalism’ was published in November 2019.

Her photoshoot took place at her home in London.

Sheikha Majda Al Sabah - Philanthropist

Sheikha Majda Jaber Humoud Al-Sabah was born and raised in Kuwait. She is a philanthropist, an entrepreneur, and an advocate for mental health and well-being. In 2007, she launched “ASAP” an environmentally friendly brand that delivers a full range of ethical and natural beauty care products and solutions.

Majda was photographed in her family house in Kuwait.

HH Sayyida Basma Al Said – Mental Health Therapist

Her Highness Sayyida Basma Fakhri Al Said is a Mental Health Consultant and therapist with over 21 years of experience in the field of mental health. She is the owner and founder of Whispers of Serenity, the first mental health wellness clinic in Oman. 

She was photographed at The Reform Club in London, UK.

Dr Rasha Saïd Khawaja - Philanthropist

Founder, The Toucan Project and Board Member of the Saïd Foundation. Rasha Saïd Khawaja is Founder of The Toucan Project and Deputy of the Saïd Foundation. Outside of the world of Toucan, Rasha is a devoted mother and an adventurous traveller who one day hopes to conquer Kilimanjaro and to walk The Great Wall of China.

She was photographed at her home in London, UK.

Shamim Sarif – Writer and Director

Shamim Sarif is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, and film director.  Her book The Shadow Mission, is an all-female contemporary action thriller. She is an LGBTQ+ rights activist. Shamim’ feature as writer/director is Despite the Falling Snow, has garnered 13 awards to date. Her photoshoot took place at her home in London.

Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC – Secretary General, Commonwealth

The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC is the 6th Commonwealth Secretary-General. Born in Dominica, she moved to the UK at an early age and was brought up in a large close-knit Caribbean family where she was taught the importance of hard work, education, pride in her heritage and the obligation to give back to the society. A lawyer by profession, she became the first black and youngest woman ever to be appointed Queen's Counsel. She is the only woman since the post was created in 1315 to be Attorney General for England and Wales.

The photoshoot was done at the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.

Geraldine Sharpe-Newton – Communications Consultant

Geraldine Sharpe-Newton has been Head of communications for three of the world's major news organisations, CBS News in the US, ITN in the UK and CNN International. Renowned for her networks and travels to uncommon places she is now working on her first book of short stories. Geraldine is a 'Founding' member of the Global Thinkers Forum. 

She was photographed at her home in London, UK.

Leonor Stjepic – The Montessori Group UK

Leonor Stjepic is a multi-award-winning leader, spending the first part of her professional life in the private sector. During the Balkans war, she worked with children and women who were victims of the war. As of 2018, Leonor is the CEO of the Montessori Group.  In 2019, Global Forum for Education and Learning named her one of the Top 100 Leaders in Education.

Leonor’s photoshoot was done at the Nightingale Montessori Nurseries in Clapham, London.

Muna AbuSulayman - Philanthropist/Activist

Muna AbuSulayman, is continuously named one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World since 2009 and until 2019 for her work in media, gender, leadership and education and as an iconic Arab media personality and humanitarian.

Muna was photographed at Leighton House in London, UK.

Dr Rebecca Hage Thomley- Humanitarian, Businesswoman

Dr. Rebecca Thomley is a licensed psychologist. She is Chief Executive Officer of Orion Associates and its related companies. Rebecca is one of the founding members of Headwaters Relief Organization, responding nationally and internationally to disasters providing first response, public health interventions, psychosocial support and education, medical support, clean-up and re-building.

She was photographed in New Orleans.

Maria Tibblin – Specialist medical & wellbeing interior designer  

Maria Tibblin is a passionate advocate for how environments impact our health and wellbeing. Good health and wellbeing are fundamental to our thriving lives, and Maria has spent her life and work to support and promote behaviours which help determine our sustainable long-term health. She is Scandinavian who now resides in London with her two daughters.

Maria was photographed in her home in London.

Aggeliki Toubanaki, PhD – Vocalist, Performer

Aggeliki explores the potentials of the human voice through improvisation, artistic expression, and the multidisciplinary route. Since 2005, she has been the creator, producer, and lead vocalist of a series of different musical projects around themes pertaining to Contemporary Vocal Jazz and World Jazz, all of which are presented both in Greece and abroad. 

She was photographed in the Philippos Nakas Conservatory in Athens.

Nurdeniz Tunçer- Lawyer, photographed with Kara

Nurdeniz Tunçer is the President of the Guide Dog Association in Turkey. Her own visual impairment began when she was 10 years old, which makes this mission personal to her. Nurdeniz works to advance the legal status and standard of living for the visually impaired in her country.

Her photoshoot was done at Istanbul University.

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis – UNESCO Good Will Ambassador

Marianna V. Vardinoyannis was a Greek philanthropist and a world advocate and campaigner for human rights and children’s health. She was Founder/President of “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation”. She was Goodwill Ambassador of UNESCO and she is the recipient of the 2020 Nelson Mandela Prize of the United Nations.

She was photographed in her house in Athens, Greece.

Irene Vassilopoulou – Business Owner

Irene studied Law but her professional career has always been dedicated to Hospitality & Tourism. As the owner of two hotels in Greece (St George Lycabettus Lifestyle Hotel and Paradise Art Hotel) she constantly promotes Tourism and Culture through book publications, by creating Museums, organising conferences and fora.

Irene’s photoshoot took place at the St George Lycabettus Hotel in Athens, Greece.

Diane Wei Liang- Author 

Diane was born in Beijing and spent part of her childhood with her parents in a labour camp in a remote region of China. She is the author of a memoir, LAKE WITH NO NAME. Her novels have been translated into 23 languages and published in 28 countries and territories.

She was photographed at her home in London.

Laura Weyl - Artist

Laura Weyl is a New York-based  filmmaker, photographer, and multi-media artist.  Her work explores sexuality, the urban landscape, and analog image manipulations to create visceral, poetic visual worlds. She is currently the director of Visual Identity at The Box NYC and Soho.

She was photographed in Manhattan, New York.

Leonie Yagdjoglou – Artist and Entrepreneur

Leonie Yagdjoglou was born in Athens, Greece. She studied Design both in Athens and in the prestigious Art Center College Of Design in Switzerland. Following a career as entrepreneur, she dedicates her full energy and time to her art.

She was photographed in her workshop in Athens.

Baroness Lola Young of Hornsey 

A member of the House of Lords since 2004, Lola has campaigned to eliminate modern forms of slavery in fashion, sport and other sectors. She champions the improvement of outcomes for children & young people in the care system and has a long track record of campaigning for equity & inclusion in the arts & creative sector, and in the academic world. 

Her photoshoot took place at The Conduit Club in London.

Victoria Yu - Consultant

Victoria Yu was born in LA and raised in Shanghai. She is a Consultant in Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team where she supports initiatives, such as climate and geopolitics, and co-develops the DEI team's programming.

Victoria’s photoshoot took place in Boston, MA.