IWD2025: Warwick Business School celebrates with empowering event at The Shard

Warwick Business School will mark International Women’s Day by inspiring women to lead with confidence at an event at WBS London at The Shard.

Haley Beer, Associate Professor of Operations Management at WBS, whose research has been used by the United Nations Development Programme, Ex-Apple boss Ruth Powell and Diana Theodores, Director of Theatre 4 Business, will be among the speakers at tomorrow’s gathering.

Organised by Warwick Women’s Professional Network (WWPN) the Accelerate Your Impact: The Power of Clear Communication event will help women become more confident leaders and boost their personal brand.

Sarah Pymm, Director of Global Alumni Engagement, said: “We are incredibly proud to have a global community of alumni who are using what they have learned at Warwick Business School to help them transform their companies, industries, and society.

“This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their achievements and inspire others to accelerate their impact.

“For International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women around the world and recognise the ongoing journey towards equality. Together, we can create a future where every woman has the opportunity to thrive, lead, and inspire. Let’s continue to support and uplift each other, breaking barriers and building a more inclusive world.

“Our alumni are driven by a desire to change the world for the better and be the Change Makers that create a fairer and level playing field for women.”

Dr Theodores, who has applied her expertise and 25-year experience in theatre to help business leaders and teams enhance their performance, communication, and leadership skills, will give a talk entitled Your Story is your Greatest Asset.

While there will also be talks and discussions from Ruth, a former Apple Europe Sales Manager who is now a coach and consultant and part of the WWPN committee, Dr Beer, Peace Ani, Founder of Occasio Consulting, and Co-Chair of the WWPN, and Deborah Saffer, Director of Information Security at Liberty Specialty Markets, who has worked in cyber security for 25 years.

Dr Beer, who has also collaborated with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to develop frameworks and methodologies to assess the social value created by its initiatives and policies, said: “Women can be empowered by the measurement of impact: determinations of progress, not just in economic terms, but in terms of social value created. Every positive change, no matter how small, contributes to a larger movement.

“Collaboration is key to empowerment. By building strong networks and supporting each other, women can amplify their voices and drive collective progress.

“Women should also embrace continuous learning and growth and this event will help in that regard. The more knowledge and skills you acquire, the more confident and capable you become in leading and inspiring others.

“And women should not be afraid to challenge the status quo. True empowerment and change for the better comes from pushing boundaries and advocating for the world you want to see.”

Tomorrow’s event is sold out, but you can register to join online.

Discover more about Warwick Business School’s Change Makers.