On Thursday, September 19th, 2024, the University of East London’s (UEL) Royal Docks School of Business and Law (RDSBL) became the stage for a groundbreaking two-day symposium, “Women Overcoming Barriers to Success: A Cross-Sector Narrative Perspective of Hope.” The event, organized by Dr Doirean Wilson, UEL Associate Professor of Sustainability in Management and G100 Club UK Country Chair of the Higher Education & Industry Connect Wing, ignited a dynamic conversation on gender equity, leadership diversity, and the power of resilience in overcoming professional challenges.

 

The symposium opened with a moment of pure emotion as Dr Patti Boulaye OBE, renowned singer, actress, and artist, delivered a stunning rendition of Etta James’ classic “At Last,” setting the tone for two days filled with inspiration and empowerment. Boulaye’s soulful performance received rapturous applause, marking the beginning of an event that would explore the diverse narratives of women leaders who have defied the odds.

 

The prestigious event was a collaborative effort with the Jamaican High Commission, supported by UEL’s Centre for Innovation Management and Enterprise (CIME), and sponsored by Supply Care Solutions. Guests included ambassadors, thought leaders, entrepreneurs, UEL students, and staff—all eager to gain insights from some of the most distinguished women in leadership today.

 

Central to the symposium was G100 Club’s bold “Mission Million” initiative, presented by Founder and President, Dr Harbeen Arora Rai. This global campaign seeks to fast-track gender equity in leadership by drastically shortening the time it would take to achieve balanced representation at the highest levels—an ambition that, without intervention, could take 130 years. G100 aims to achieve this in just ten.

 

Throughout the event, VIP keynote speakers shared their career-life journeys, offering insight into the barriers they encountered and the strategies they used to overcome them. These personal stories, marked by resilience and determination, deeply resonated with the audience. Zeinab Badawi, the award-winning journalist and broadcaster, discussed the challenges women face in maintaining career momentum while balancing family life. “Regardless of where you are in the world,” she noted, “there are still disproportionately fewer women in top positions. How do we balance the desire to have children with the momentum needed to stay on our career paths?”

Other distinguished speakers included Paulette Simpson CBE, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica National Bank UK & Executive Director of The Voice Media Group; Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE, President of the European Federation of Black Women Business Owners; and The Worshipful Mayor of Southwark, Naima Ali. Each speaker added their voice to the symposium’s central theme—how women, across sectors and industries, can rise above systemic barriers to achieve success.

One of the key moments came when His Excellency Alexander Williams, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the UK, emphasized the importance of diversity in leadership. “Diverse leadership teams, including women, can improve organizational performance, innovation, and governance,” he said. His sentiments were echoed by Dr Stuart Lawrence, a G100 Denim Club member and “He-for-She” advocate, who delivered an impassioned speech on the limitless potential of women to overcome challenges. This belief was echoed by Dr Leroy Logan MBE, a former senior black British police officer, whose life as an officer was portrayed by British Actor John Boyega of `Star Wars` fame, in the award-winning film `Small Axe` Red, White, and Blue feature, by Director Steve McQueen.

A series of prestigious awards were presented throughout the event, recognizing leaders whose work has had a profound impact on advancing gender equity. The “Women of the Decade” award was bestowed upon Professor Fatima Annan-Diab, Executive Dean of RDSBL; Zeinab Badawi; and Her Excellency, The Rt Hon Baroness Patricia Scotland, Commonwealth Secretary-General. These women, through their contributions in education, media, and international leadership, embody the spirit of progress toward a more inclusive future.

The Rt Honourable Dr Stuart Lawrence, son of Baroness Doreen Lawrence, and brother of  Stephen Lawrence who was murdered in a 1993 racist attack, and Colin Burton, National Reference Lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, were honoured with the “Legendary Leaders of the Decade” award, while several others received accolades for their groundbreaking work in creating a better world for all. Notable among them were Professor Amanda Broderick, UEL’s Vice Chancellor and President, recognized as an “Iconic Woman Creating a Better World for All,” and Dr Jak Beula, CEO of Nubian Jak Community Trust, Darren Johnson Founder XLTRAINING, Rudi Page CEO MCW Connectivity, and Michael Mowatt Founder & CEO BVTV, who all received an “Iconic Companies Creating a Better World for All” award.

 

In addition to the awards, young leaders and innovators were also celebrated for their contributions to creating a brighter future, with awards going to Aret Komlosy and Adam White-Johnson, and Remeez Saleem.

The event also served as a platform for future academic contributions. Dr Doirean Wilson announced that she had been invited to be a lead guest editor for a special issue of the Journal of Applied Accounting Research, an output of the symposium. This publication will feature research papers from symposium speakers, including UEL academics and global thought leaders, furthering the conversation on gender equity and leadership diversity.

As the symposium came to a close, Dr Doirean Wilson reflected on its profound significance: “This event has showcased the power of hope, resilience, and collaboration. Together, we are not just imagining a better future for women; we are actively creating it.”

With its message of optimism and collective action, the G100 Club Global Symposium left attendees inspired to continue the work of breaking down barriers and advancing women’s leadership across sectors, industries, and geographies.