2023 Host

MEET BEN.
CELEBRATING NON-BINARY JOY.

Ben Pechey (they/them) is a non-binary writer, presenter, content creator, TEDx Speaker LGBTQIA advocate, diversity & inclusion consultant and author. They have written and produced content for The Guardian, Cosmopolitan, Women's Health, Refinery 29 and Diva Magazine.

They have worked with major brands such as Manolo Blahnik, Condé Nast, Dr. Martens, The NSPCC, Virgin Atlantic and many more to educate and improve awareness of the LGBTQIA+ community. They are the author of The Book of Non-Binary Joy. Ben is a TEDx speaker, their talk focused on ensuring trans and non-binary people can find joy every day.

2023 Speakers

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Exposing unwritten rules with nipples and pizza toppings - Eva Echo

Join Eva, and her nipples, as she explores the reality of how unwritten rules have inadvertently shaped every single one of our lives. By stepping into the unknown, we’ll find the answer to our success and, opportunity – but why are we afraid of it?

Eva Echo (she/they) is an activist, writer and public speaker with a focus on transgender rights and mental health. She uses her own experiences to shed light on what it is to be transgender and to challenge the obstacles which gender diverse people face within today’s society.

Most notably, Eva took legal action against NHS England in the High Court to challenge the unlawful waiting times for trans patients. As a proud East Asian trans woman from a working class background, Eva’s story and work have been featured at both national and international level, with appearances in publications such as Metro, Refinery29, Boots Health & Beauty, Cosmopolitan, Pride Life and iNews, in addition to appearances on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. In 2020, Eva founded the #PassItOn campaign, which created discussion around trans and non-binary image standards, in addition to better representation of trans and non-binary body types in the media.

Her message is simple: be your own kind of beautiful.

She won the DIVA Award for Unsung Hero of the Year 2022 and was named on the DIVA Power List for 2022 and 2023. She was also named 19th in the Pride Power List 2023. Eva won Trans in the City's Trans Community Champion award for 2022 and went on to become of their Directors. Eva is also Director of Innovation at Birmingham Pride and sits on the Crown Prosecution Service’s hate crime panel. She is also a co-founder of the global Trans People Are Loved campaign, an ambassador for Diversity Role Models and works alongside the Metropolitan Police Service’s L&D team. As of 2023, Eva’s story was included in the Science Museum’s permanent “Who Am I?” gallery, which aims to promote diversity and education to all current and future generations.

As a proud East Asian trans woman from a working class background, Eva’s story and work have been featured at both national and international level, with appearances in publications such as Metro, Refinery29, Boots Health & Beauty, Cosmopolitan, Pride Life and iNews, in addition to appearances on BBC, ITV and Channel 4. She has delivered and facilitated keynote speeches and discussions to advocate for ED&I within numerous organisations, including the Institute of Government & Public Policy, BP, Facebook, King’s College London, National Grid, the Crown Prosecution Service and the various Police forces.

Turning 'What If' Into 'Why Not' - Holly Thomson

In this inspiring story of personal growth and reclaiming her pink, Holly (she/her) shares 3 empowering mindset shifts women can apply to reframe how they think about themselves and what they want out of life. Because when you turn 'what if' into 'why not', amazing things start to happen. Holly Thomson is the Founder and CEO of Blonde Creative Ltd - a female-led creative content and brand strategy studio based in Redcar. She is a 2022 Tees Businesswomen Awards and 2023 Startup Awards finalist.

As a proud Teessider, Holly champions the region. She’s an ambassador for the Power of Women campaign, helping to lift and shift the aspirations and ambitions of women across the region, as well as being involved with The Girls’ Network.

Holly believes that we all have a purpose to fulfill, and finding that purpose can be an incredible journey if you open your mind to opportunities.

Women and Girls Vs the Justice System - Lady Unchained

Women in the justice system make up 5% of the prison population. Their stories are only told behind a wall through poetry and creativity.

Lady Unchained (she/her) explores the war of violence against women in girls in the community and in the criminal justice system through poetry, and music. She is accompanied on keyboard and vocals by MIRI.

Her mission is to prove that there is life after prison through Unchained Poetry, an artistic platform for those with experience in the Criminal Justice System. For five years, she's hosted Unchained Nights, showcasing inspirational storytelling through poetry and music in partnership with Artsadmin. She also conducts poetry workshops in prisons and Women Centers, empowering women to find their creative voice, as well as being the Lead Artist for the HMP Cookham Wood project in collaboration with Icon Theatre.

“I am born. Not given the choice to be born, just. Shot out of my seed coat for my leaves to grow, Placed on the Earth that’s meant to hold all of God creatures. Yet, not given the choice of which part of this earth I will grow from baby to toddler, from toddler to child” – Extracts from Lady Unchained’s (she/her) book Behind Bars.

A Poet and Author of debut book- Behind Bars on Punishment, Prison and Release. Performer, Award Winning Broadcaster, Mentor, Artist Manager, TedXLondon Speaker, Presenter for National Prison Radio, Facilitator, Curator, Chair for the NCJAA Anne Peaker Lecture 2020/2023 and Advocate for Life After prison.

How to Create a Life Without Limits - Donna Elliott & Cheryl Lee

After over twenty years in successful senior leadership roles they now run our own coaching services business. They are also Mams, wives and middle-aged women from the NorthEast of England who left their long standing corporate careers in their mid-forties to not just talk about living your best life, but to actually live it. Their goal is to impact on as many women as they can by empowering them to work out who they are, what they want and show them how to go and make that happen.

They know the world benefits when women and girls break free from limiting beliefs, imposter syndrome and just plain fear - to become the best version of themselves by harnessing their inner power to live a radically authentic life.

It’s our mission to ignite, activate and accelerate that transformation.

Do you feel like you are sacrificing, that your life has restrictions and limits? Do you believe the opportunities you desire in life are not possible?

In this humorous and thought provoking talk, Donna (she/her) & Cheryl (she/her) explain how the mind works and how you can change your beliefs, imprint a new identity to create any opportunity you desire in your life. Co-Founder of Now Is Your Time, creators of The Real You® coaching methodology and authors of the Amazon #1 Best Seller, ‘Become The Real You’.

The Gift of Giving Yourself : a universal currency - meg abernethy-hope

Meg Abernethy-Hope shares the story of her life, from losing her brother to transforming her grief into a global currency to help those who are in need - giving isn't about the gift, its about you and the legacy you want to leave behind; You’re Fabulous and Don’t You Ever Forget It!

Meg (she/her) is a co-founder of BillyChip, and her kindness and compassion make her stand out as an amazing human being. She is a trained professional in stage management for film and TV, having studied at Bristol Old Vic. But it was her life experiences that led her to the path of helping others. In 2014, Meg was diagnosed with Immune Thrombocytopenia Purpura, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the blood platelets. Despite this, she never gave up on her dreams and won Miss Bristol 2015, where she raised over £85K to change the way ITP is initially treated.

Meg's heart for others is also reflected in her love for photography, as she enjoys capturing the beauty of the world around her. She was even featured in Professor Green's music video for Photographs. Meg's happy place is somewhere warm and sunny by the ocean, where she feels at peace with herself and the world.

She often wanders the streets of Bristol and Bath, talking to homeless people and getting to know their stories. She is determined to continue expanding her brother's legacy through her kind, compassionate, and caring nature. Meg's dedication to helping others is what makes her an integral part of the BillyChip team.

From Lebanon to the World: Breaking Down Barriers & Stereotypes - Dr. Rana Sabra

Rana is committed to women and takes every opportunity to invest in the empowerment and education of women worldwide. Diversity is her jam and she celebrates working with people from different backgrounds and cultures worldwide.

She founded Creative Minds, a marketing agency based in Arizona, serving clients globally and co-founded The Global Businesswomen, an exclusive networking community for female entrepreneurs.

She partners with results-oriented, open-minded global thinkers and believes you can, should, and will have it all. That begins with developing confidence and backing it with a plan to achieve your dreams.

In this empowering talk, Dr. Rana explores how we all have a choice. We can either give in and live our lives within the confines that society has set for us, or we can free ourselves and rewrite our own stories. By defying stereotypes and breaking down cultural barriers, we can succeed beyond our wildest dreams and inspire others to do the same. It's not an easy journey, but Dr. Rana demonstrates it's one that is worth taking.

Rana (she/her), is a result-focused business strategist, founder, mother, global speaker, former Marketing Director at multinational organizations, university professor, and published academic researcher dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs start, grow, and scale their dreams.

Her Human Design is a Projector... and a good chocolate bar always makes her smile!

The Impact of Silence - David Stimson

David explores how crucial it is to understand the profound impact of early attachment and adverse childhood experiences including dissociation, on girls and young women's sense of self and identity. By understanding the impact and speaking about it, we can then begin to support women in reducing the internalisation of shame and support them in becoming the most successful versions of themselves.

David (he/him) is passionate about working with both individuals and organisations to help gain an in-depth understanding of the ‘why’ we do things the in the way in which we do. David believes that when people have an increased understanding in behaviour, emotion and their relationship to both themselves and others, then organisational systems can shift and personal and organisational performance can be massively increased.

With over seventeen years’ experience in the psychotherapy, psychological and coaching services, David is now a founding director of both Bennu Consulting and Child & Adult Therapy Solutions (CATS) psychological service. It was David’s early career and years of working clinically with psychologically traumatised children/adolescents and adults that he gained the experience, training and insight into the impact that complex relational experiences and dysfunction can profoundly have upon the systems that they operate.

‘Systemic theory’ in business originates from systemic family therapy, and it’s from this systemic perspective that David consults with CEO’s, Directors and Leaders in regards to their organisation’s culture and psychological safety as a way of improving performance and well-being.

A Manifesto For Fashion in the Metaverse - Jade McSorley

Jade is also the co-founder of tech start-up LOANHOOD, a circular fashion community offering more sustainable ways to experience fashion through rental and swapping. She has spoken at numerous events discussing innovative business models, digital identity and fashion within the Metaverse, as well as teaching at universities and working with fashion industry experts tobetter understand the opportunities for responsible innovation within fashion.

Looking to the future of fashion within digital worlds, Jade McSorley's talk is an opportunity for thought and reflection. How do you want to fashion yourself in the metaverse? What does fashion mean to you as we step beyond our physical world? Jade discusses the opportunities and risks for fashion for sustainability and representation, offering a manifesto for fashion within the metaverse towards a more sustainable, inclusive and safe space for expression.

Jade McSorley (she/her) is a researcher, innovator and digital activist. After a 15 years career as a fashion model, she now focuses her work on building a sustainable fashion future. Her PhD researcher at the University for the Creative Arts follows on from a Masters in Fashion Futures at University of Arts London, where she subsequently worked at the Fashion Innovation Agency. Jade’s research explores the connection between digital fashion consumption, identity and sustainability. She is an advocate of using tech for good and is keen to understand the implications of emerging technologies for future fashion consumers.

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