2025 Inclusive Leader shortlist

This award recognises a committed advocate for change, typically at mid to senior management level but not yet part of a management committee or senior leadership team. Inclusive Leaders make a tangible difference by ensuring women have equal access to voice, visibility and opportunity. Through dedication and personal commitment, they inspire and empower women in the workplace to achieve their full potential. Their approach to diversity, equity and inclusion sets a standard that should become the norm, establishing best practice for the next generation of inclusive leaders.

Inclusive Leader Shortlist

Julia Challicom – Deloitte

Julia is a highly accomplished Director at Deloitte, distinguished by her exceptional contributions to DEI and her leadership in Deloitte Digital’s Financial Services practice. She has fostered a more inclusive environment, increasing female representation within her team and empowering women as a people leader and advocate across the wider firm.

Her impact extends beyond mentorship; she actively shapes Deloitte’s DEI strategy through contributions to Deloitte University, helping to deepen understanding of DEI across the organisation. Julia also introduced an innovative “supper club” initiative, creating a safe space for open dialogue on sensitive topics, strengthening team cohesion and well-being.

Julia’s client-facing work is equally significant. She has promoted female financial equality across the financial services sector, positioning Deloitte as a thought leader and trusted advisor on DEI. Her ability to connect strategy with real-world outcomes has been instrumental in driving positive change in the industry. Clients have responded very positively to her leadership in this space, recognising her commitment to creating equal opportunities for women in finance.

Through her advocacy, leadership and client engagement, Julia has demonstrated her ability to influence meaningful, sustainable change – both within Deloitte and across the financial services sector.

Katrina May Kwan – Wells Fargo

Katrina is Co-Chair of Wells Fargo’s EMEA DE&I Council, which has successfully launched initiatives that support diverse representation, career mobility and an inclusive environment. She is also a member of the global Investment Banking Council and has previously served as an advisor to the Women’s Connection and Black Connections employee networks. She is also a mentor as part of the Women’s Connection and Corporate Risk Mentoring programmes and advocate for junior talent in the finance industry.

Beyond Wells Fargo, Katrina is a keen supporter of empowering women through sport. She is a board member for MotorSport UK, also sitting on its DEI Committee, Audit and Investment Committees. Katrina is also the DE&I Officer for England Netball’s Regional Board, as well as a national Netball Her Champion – an industry-leading education programme that aims to drive change and normalise conversations on topics around the female body.

Katrina is also a big supporter of the charity Smart Works which aims to help unemployed women to get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives. Katrina’s leadership secured a significant grant to support Smart Works’ goal of reaching 10,000 women a year.

Laura Helen Brown – Wells Fargo

Laura’s personal experience of caring for her mother with progressive dementia and ovarian cancer from the start of her career drives her passion to champion workplaces that embrace empathy and flexibility. Alongside her day-to-day role, she is co-lead for the EMEA Inclusion Allies and a consultant for the EMEA Well-being team, bringing together 47 mental health first aiders and well-being communities across the region. For the past three years, she has hosted a monthly forum creating safe, compassionate spaces, especially for women balancing work and caregiving.

Beyond her role, Laura is a UN Women UK Participant volunteer and successfully championed a major Wells Fargo grant focused on gender-responsive procurement, increasing corporate spending with women-owned businesses. She is also the illustrator and creator of the award-winning My Emotions Activity Book, helping children understand and express their feelings. Trusted by organisations including Women’s Aid, Great Ormond Street Hospital and The City of London Police, the book has reached 75,000 children worldwide, with 7,000 printed copies distributed to vulnerable groups.

Her children’s well-being resources are also promoted across major financial institutions for no commercial gain. Bringing lived experience, leadership and compassion, Laura strives to make a lasting difference both inside and beyond her organisation.

Mita Davé – KPMG

Mita is a successful Partner in Banking Risk & Regulation. Beyond her professional role, she is a mother of twin daughters and a strong advocate for gender equality at KPMG.

She has spearheaded the award-winning RaiseYou programme and launched AccelerateHER – two initiatives that have significantly advanced women’s careers over the past five years. Under her leadership, these programmes have been pivotal in striving for gender parity and giving women the confidence to achieve their goals. Mita strongly believes that when an organisation is intentional in its support for women, it will thrive.

Her outcomes-focused approach has delivered remarkable results, developing an empowered pool of female talent with a clear career vision and providing them with the knowledge, tools and confidence to succeed. At the same time, she has enabled leaders to play an active role in advancing the DEI agenda by understanding their responsibility in attracting, developing and retaining female talent.

Mita’s influence extends beyond the UK. As part of KPMG’s FS Women’s Global Steering Committee, her insights and hands-on approach have helped raise awareness and advance gender diversity on a global scale. She also advises clients on supporting women to achieve gender parity and provides mentoring and coaching beyond KPMG.

Monika Maciukeviciute – Lloyds Banking Group

Since joining the LBG Female Finance F+ Network committee in 2023 and stepping into the role of Chair in 2024, Monika has transformed the network’s reach, impact and inclusivity. Despite the role typically being held by more senior colleagues, she has led with vision and purpose — focusing on turning “words into actions and success stories.”

Under her leadership, the network launched key initiatives including support sessions for early-career women through the graduate network, a focus group for newly promoted women to inform development programmes, and a major membership expansion of approximately 800 colleagues. Monika also built partnerships with other internal networks, brought male allies onto the committee and delivered a series of high-impact events — including a multi-hub International Women’s Day celebration with over 200 attendees.

She spearheaded a rapidly growing speed mentoring programme, scaling participation to 160 people — a 60% increase from the previous year and four times its original size. Feedback from colleagues consistently highlights her exceptional organisation, inclusive leadership and ability to unite and empower others across levels.

Monika’s leadership is action-oriented, collaborative and deeply committed to progressing women’s careers across LBG.

Natasha Jamal – Mastercard

Natasha, Vice President for Social Impact at Mastercard, exemplifies inclusive leadership through her dual commitment to internal and external DEI efforts, with a particular focus on gender inclusion.

Overseeing a global philanthropic portfolio set to impact over 20 million people by 2027—at least 50% of whom will be women—Natasha’s leadership is strategic and deeply personal. Her diverse background and career, spanning Canada, Kenya, the UAE and the UK, informs her inclusive approach. Internally, she coaches rising female leaders, participates in formal mentorship programmes and shares best practices across teams to help foster a more inclusive culture in the workplace. Externally, she and her team are responsible for initiatives like Strive, Strive Women and RISE, which empower women entrepreneurs and workers globally to thrive by connecting them to digital tools, resources and support.

Natasha also serves as a Trustee for UK-based non-profit INTRAC (which helps strengthen civil society organisations around the world), aligning her professional and personal advocacy. And she is part of the UK government-backed Invest in Women Taskforce.

Through measurable outcomes, such as increased access to digital tools and financial services for women, Natasha’s work sets a benchmark for future leaders. Her pragmatic, empathetic leadership style and commitment to systemic change make her a standout advocate for gender equity and inclusive growth.

Navroop Birha – AlRayan Bank

Navroop Birha, Deputy Head of People at AlRayan Bank, has been instrumental in driving the Bank’s inclusive people strategy and cultural transformation.

Over the past five years, she has led strategic improvements to HR policy – most notably enhancing Family Friendly and Flexible Working Policies to support returning mothers and embed flexibility across the organisation.

A core part of her impact is leading the Bank’s Women’s Network Group – an intersectional platform for connection, development, and dialogue. Under her leadership, it has grown to 66 active members and played a pivotal role in increasing female representation, reducing turnover, and supporting career progression. Notable achievements include the Women in Leadership Programme, designed to help women build managerial capability and gain formal qualifications.

Navroop’s approach is inclusive and data-driven, addressing women’s varied experiences across ethnicity, faith, age, neurodiversity and caregiving. As the Bank’s liaison with WIBF, she has broadened development and mentoring opportunities for over 60 women.

Combining strategic vision with strong peer influence, Navroop has embedded equity into culture, policy and leadership – delivering measurable improvements in engagement, trust, and inclusion and positioning DEI as a driver of long-term success.

Radhika Vaidya-Sahdev – Mastercard

Radhika Vaidya-Sahdev is a transformative leader whose dedication to inclusion has made a lasting impact across Mastercard and the wider industry.

Within Mastercard, Radhika leads a global team, champions the Women’s Leadership Network awards programme and the Women’s Mentoring Initiative. Since 2018, she has sponsored and mentored all MBA recruits across Europe (majority of whom have been women), actively supporting their career advancement.

Radhika is routinely invited to engage on broader conversations on race and gender, advocating for professional growth and structural changes. Particularly of note, her efforts improved parental leave policies and infrastructure for mothers.

Radhika believes that introducing young girls to career possibilities early, especially in STEM fields, is key to building a more inclusive workforce. This is exemplified by her invitation to speak at schools and partners with the school’s sixth form careers team to provide practical workplace advice. She has also inspired many young girls through Girls4Tech events, Mastercard’s flagship STEM education program for girls.

She was recently invited to represent Mastercard at the 50/50 Women on Boards London Conversation on Board Diversity and continues to champion this initiative.

Radhika’s multifaceted inclusion efforts underscore her significant contributions to nurturing talent and championing diversity in the industry.

Renee Sterling – Wells Fargo

Renee Sterling is an Executive Director at Wells Fargo, serving as International Data Controller and EMEA Regulatory Controller. She is also Chair of the International Finance Inclusion and Opportunity Council and a member of the Enterprise Finance Inclusion Pillar. Renee has led initiatives to promote connectivity across teams, partnering with groups such as the International Finance Site Engagement Leader to deliver events including townhall watch parties, a holiday pub quiz and the 2025 Enterprise Finance Movement Challenge, encouraging colleagues to connect, stay active, and focus on well-being.

Passionate about inclusion and opportunity, Renee recently assumed a leadership role in the EMEA Black Connections Employee Resource Network. Her efforts have been recognised in the 2023 and 2024 Empower Role Model Future Leader List, supported by YouTube and Involve and as a 2024 WIBF Inclusive Leader Finalist.

Beyond Wells Fargo, Renee runs a lifestyle blog and serves as Treasurer and co-chair of The Arts Facet for the London Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is also a charter member of the Alpha Delta Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, leading its Build Our Economic Wealth Pillar to support women entrepreneurs. In addition, she is a shadow board member at City Lit through the Minerva Board Prospect Programme.

Zarah Wiles – Wells Fargo

Zarah Wiles is an exceptional inclusive leader who exemplifies the values of equity, access and empowerment. She joined Wells Fargo as Lead Regulatory Counsel and within two years became Global Head of Cross Border Regulatory Legal, where she designed and implemented a cross-border regulatory model that enhanced risk visibility and operational efficiency across jurisdictions.

Within her first year she was appointed Co-Chair of Wells Fargo’s Women’s Connection network, where she has delivered impactful initiatives including panels on self-advocacy, leadership development workshops and the launch of a new Parental Network to support carers and working parents. A powerful role model and natural mentor, Zarah supports others through both policy and presence, actively mentoring women and men, amplifying underrepresented voices and serving as a trusted ally across employee networks.

Her influence extends beyond the workplace. She is a judge for the Roman Ratushnyi Scholarship, supporting Ukrainian women law students, and co-founder of a logistics operation supplying the Ukrainian front line. She also serves on the legal committee of The Circle charity, advancing women’s rights globally.

Zarah’s leadership bridges legal, corporate, and humanitarian spheres, delivering with integrity, courage and clarity, and setting an aspirational standard for inclusive leadership.