2023 Shortlist: Inclusive Leader Award nominees

Arleen has spearheaded several national DE&I initiatives within KPMG, which include the development of events and networks to draw attention to social mobility and gender equality in financial services through to support for KPMG’s clients with their own D&I initiatives through knowledge and best practice sharing.

Emily is a leading member of the Financial Services Diversity Council at Deloitte, where she has led a formal sponsorship programme to create greater female representation and gender parity within the leadership of Deloitte.

Jennifer’s achievements include her input into the bank’s first ever Gender Plan, the Senior Sponsorship Programme she helped to launch, and her effective engagement with senior leaders on D&I topics such as menopause and equity. Jennifer is currently working on a programme relating to the career progression of the bank’s most junior grade of colleagues, most of whom are women.

A believer in promoting intersectionality, Katie brings people together through storytelling to progress conversation and action on inclusion and equity. Katie is a leader in the promotion of neurodiversity since her diagnosis of ADHD four years ago; in addition to furthering discussion on social mobility. She is a valued mentor to colleagues within EY and has volunteered her skills in a pro-bono capacity for charities for almost 10 years. Katie is also a mentor at Women in Banking & Finance.

In her role as Head of Debt Capital Markets and a member of the UK’s Management Committee, as well as Executive Sponsor for TD’s European business resource group for women, Laura has shown herself to be an effective and proactive advocate for change, elevating female voices and converting feedback into action, while consistently developing a diverse team of women and underrepresented groups.

Laura understands the issues still faced by women across the finance industry and actively works to reduce systemic inequalities through tactics for better representation at all levels.

Beyond work, Nalini supported the government-led Buckland Review, tackling under-employment of autistic adults in the UK, and joined the Access to Insurance Working Group, reporting to the Cabinet Office through the DWP Disability Champion for Insurance, Peter Hamilton.

Beyond her company, Pam sat on the Board of Business in the Community for two years. She is also an influencer in the West Midlands eco-system as director for Birmingham Tech and executive committee board Member for the Asian Business Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as a magistrate.

His role sees him lead on public sector investments – a remit that also allows for strategic investments and initiatives where L&G can use its resources to benefit society, such as the partnership with Sir Michael Marmot to address health inequality.

The investment approach aims to generate excellent financial returns and improve people’s lives, communities and environments, with Pete’s submission showcasing how he brought a team of four women together to successfully deliver £285 million of funding for Glasgow City Council to benefit some 12,000 households in the city.

A visible and proactive sponsor, leading by example and working with other ambassadors at KPMG to eradicate taboos, dispel the myths and encourage open conversations, Rachel was chosen to become a KPMG Menopause Ambassador in 2023 and received formal training to equip her for this pivotal role.

Her work is not confined to her workplace; she is regularly invited to talk in other forum and raises considerable funds for cancer charities.

She is a champion for women and challenges biases, encouraging women to strive for more and aim higher by providing platforms for growth. She also instigates initiatives for systemic improvement, for example through recruitment and progression processes.

Outside KPMG, through charities, she supports women with their return to employment and previously coached and mentored young girls to raise their aspirations.

Over the 22 years she has been at the bank, she is seen as a real ambassador for women, which is showcased in her role as the co-chair of dbGO, Deutsche Banks gender network, and the bank-wide D&I council. Her support for women starts from school and university engagement, through to working mothers, managing director promotions, and beyond.

Following her time as deputy on the United Nations High Level Panel for Women’s Economic Empowerment, Susan has brought a unique expertise and knowledge to her communications role by helping women to successfully market themselves in the industry and shine a spotlight on women and diverse individuals.

Seen as transforming the way in which Wells Fargo International is viewed externally, Susan is the driving force behind countless DE&I initiatives that recognise diverse employees and aims to be a champion, even from the side-lines, of her female and diverse colleagues.