Marcia Lewinson
Meet Marcia Lewinson, the dynamic CEO of Women Acting In Today’s Society (WAITS), leading the charge in steering the strategic operations of this impactful organization. Marcia is not just a leader; she’s a visionary ensuring that WAITS remains at the forefront of its sector as a women’s educational charitable trust.
With Marcia at the helm, WAITS follows a powerful strategy, aptly summarized as WAITS =, designed to provide a holistic service to women. This includes crucial support for those facing Domestic Violence issues and empowering women from diverse communities to actively engage in decision-making structures across public, private, and voluntary sectors.
In 2012 Marcia opened the WAITS first refuge, leading to further 4 refuges being opened in the Birmingham area, these centres are dedicated to supporting women experiencing Domestic Abuse and those affected by offending due to Domestic Abuse. These new initiatives seamlessly complemented WAITS existing services, fostering both Domestic Abuse work and community integration for women offenders.
Recent accolades include the Award for 2021 Ladies professional Network & in 2023 the Ladies Professional Network Advocates for Charity Award.
Marcia Lewinson is delivering impactful work through her role as CEO at WAITS.
Suzanne founded Attitude is Everything in 2000, a charitable organisation which connects disabled people with music & live events industries to improve access together – see www.attitudeiseverything.org.uk.
In January 2019, Suzanne was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of Creative United, an organisation which supports the arts, cultural & creative industries through innovative growth programmes & membership schemes.
In December 2020 Suzanne created her own blog site called themusingsofspu.com which is about being disabled & also living with a cancer diagnosis.
In July 2022 Suzanne was conferred an Honorary Fellowship by Falmouth University in recognition to outstanding contribution to the live music & events sector & support in embedding inclusivity & accessibility into Falmouth University courses.
Head of Legal at Post Office Limited – Post Office Horizon Inquiry
As Head of Legal for the Horizon Inquiry, this high-profile role positions Andrea to lead a team that will make a difference both internally, with her team and externally with the Post Office’s response to the Inquiry.
Previous roles include Deputy Director at the Government Legal Department (GLD) working on the Covid Inquiry and Infected Blood Inquiry. Prior to that working in Tax, Immigration and Employment Law with a two-year stint as GLD’s Board Secretary and Head of Governance. As one of the most senior black lawyers in the organisation, Andrea was given the platform to improve Diversity & Inclusion within the Department and the opportunity to lead, develop and inspire others in addition to the ‘day job’ of being involved in law that affects the country as a whole.
Andrea is the Chair of Trustees for the charity Elevating Success and is training to be an Executive Coach.
Head of FX Legal Managing Director and General Counsel, Citi
An Employed Barrister (England & Wales), NY Attorney and recently named in The Lawyer Hot 100 of 2023 and as GC of the Year, Legal Business Awards 2022, Sharon heads the FX legal team globally. She is Chair of the Bank of England’s FXJSC legal sub-committee and member of the global steering committee for Citi’s Black Heritage network .
Sharon is a founding member of the In House Pro Bono Group, a trustee and playing member of the Croydon Symphony Orchestra, a member of Brunel University Council, a Corporate Advisory Board member for Urban Synergy and the Patchwork Foundation and BACFI representative on the Bar Council’s Race Working Group.
In 2021 Sharon was listed in Cranfield’s Women to Watch 2021, became a Bencher of Lincoln’s Inn and was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to the financial sector.
Elizabeth Sheldon was Chief Executive and Chairman of Evidence Talks. A company co-founded by Elizabeth, Evidence Talks enjoyed over 25 years as a globally recognised and long-established leader in the development of Digital Forensic Solutions, Triage Technologies and associated training and was renowned for its’ innovation and cutting-edge research.
Elizabeth is currently a consultant for CCL Solutions Group, one of the country’s leading digital forensic, cyber security and data experts.
Elizabeth is Director and former Vice President for Security of the National Aerospace, Defence and Security Group; an advisory board member of Women in International Security and, is an Ambassador for Security at the nearby South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership and a proud trustee of Camphill Communities in Milton Keynes – an organisation dedicated to offering opportunities for people with learning and mental health disabilities.
Elizabeth prominence is raising the profile of women in science. In 2016, she received two Business Leader awards at the Milton Keynes Women’s Leaders Awards and was awarded the National First Woman of Science and Technology at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Awards in 2017.
