Women of Impact
Alex Mahon
CEO of Superstruct & ex‑Channel 4 CEO
Under Alex's leadership, Channel 4 introduced the industry’s first menopause and pregnancy loss policies - pushing the media industry (and others) to recognise these issues in workplace policy. She has also been vocal about representation, closing the gender pay gap, and increasing impact in the UK’s nations and regions to broaden who can participate in creative/media roles beyond London.
At Channel 4, Alex provided models for other employers and helps normalize these policies which have fed into future legislation or stronger guidance.
Alex was also the 'third musketeer' without whom, the Women In Work would not exist!
Anna Whitehouse
(aka MotherPukka)
Anna has been a powerful campaigner for flexible working “Flex Appeal”, arguing that flexible working is crucial not just for parents but for closing the gender pay gap and keeping women in work past age 40. Anna has also spoken up about menopause at work, emphasising that many women ‘step out’ of careers because employers fail to understand menopause’s impact.
Her campaigning around flexible working and menopause helped shift public awareness and employer practice, feeding into acceptance that these should be covered under guidance (e.g. via CIPD / Acas) and considered under employer policies.
Joeli Brearley
Founder, Pregnant Then Screwed
The Founder Pregnant Then Screwed, after personal experience of pregnancy discrimination, campaigned for the rights of pregnant and parenting employees.
Joeli was instrumental in policy change, influencing investment in childcare (£5.2bn), reform of flexible working laws, tribunal time limits & redundancy protections. She also organised a mass protest “March of the Mummies” to highlight parent/work equity.
Debbie Wosskow
Co‑founder of AllBright
Debbie is the co‑founder of AllBright, a women’s networking/community platform, to providing skills, space and connection for working women and a successful entrepreneur and investor famous for advocating for women in business. Debbie co‑chaired the government’s Invest in Women Taskforce, helping to mobilise large funding to support female‑led enterprises and is involved in “The Better Menopause”, pointing to health / performance for women in midlife.
Lyanne Nicholl
CEO, 50:50 Parliament
After having her first child, Lyanne became a powerful advocate for postnatal care and later wrote Your Postnatal Body, raising awareness of the gap in support for women in the postnatal period. She also works in the charity sector helping small & medium charities on fundraising, research etc., giving voice to women’s experiences after childbirth.
Jo Farmer
Joint Managing Partner, Lewis Silkin
A partner at Lewis Silkin, Jo has championed gender equity through her role in making the firm the first UK law firm to offer equal parental leave for all employees. She is also a passionate advocate for social mobility, working to open up access to legal careers for people from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.
Dame Jane Dacre
A celebrated medical doctor and academic, Dame Jane has been actively involved in addressing the gender pay gap in medicine, leading a review into pay disparities. Her work led to recommendations for improving job evaluations, reducing pay scales and providing flexible working options to support women in their careers. She is also a prominent advocate for women in the medical field, supporting initiatives that promote equality and recognition of women’s contribution’s the healthcare.
Pavita Cooper
UK Chair, 30% Club
A culture and diversity executive with over 30 years in blue‑chip firms, Pavita chairs the 30% Club UK, a long‑standing campaign pushing for greater female representation in boards and senior leadership. She also campaigns for the inclusion of “hidden talent”, women, ethnic minorities & people from non‑traditional backgrounds, and has spoken publicly about how people from minority backgrounds often feel they must adapt their personality to fit in.
Sam McAlister
Sam McAlister broke ground as a senior TV news producer in a male-dominated media landscape, using her tenacity and behind-the-scenes influence - showcased in Scoop - to highlight the power of women shaping high-stakes journalism and negotiating access at the highest levels.