REVEALED: 2021’s Top 50 Gender Equality Trailblazers

WeAreTheCity has published its first-ever Top 50 Trailblazers in Gender Equality list.

2021’s trailblazers are responsible for several campaigns that will have a significant impact for gender equality, according to the organisation. All 50 have been spotlighted for using their voices to raise awareness of key issues that women and men face both in society and in the workplace that will impact our ability to achieve gender equality.

This group of inspiring trailblazers have built communities for the underrepresented and created spaces where women from different backgrounds can thrive. They have used their own personal platforms to champion gender equality and opened their networks so that others can make connections and feel supported.

INSPIRING TRAILBLAZERS

They have spearheaded and driven campaigns that raise awareness around gendered health and wellbeing issues, pay inequality, as well as women’s rights. They have given their time and expertise freely to charities and social enterprises that are driving gender equality, often below the radar and without any desire to be recognised for their efforts.

“As we leave behind yet another year of challenge for women in society, we would like to end 2021 by shining a positive light on the tireless efforts of 50 incredible individuals and teams,” stated Vanessa Vallely, CEO and Founder of WeAreTheCity. “We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank every single one of these changemakers, role models and trail blazers for making the world a more gender equal place.”

2021’S TOP 50 GENDER EQUALITY TRAILBLAZERS

The top 50 gender equality trailblazers for 2021 (in alphabetical order) include:

• Andrea Thomson, Editor-in-Chief, Marie Claire
• Ania Rontaler, Partner, Simmon & Simmons
• Ann Francke OBE, CEO Chartered Management Institute
• Bev Shah, Chief Executive, City Hive
• Birgit Neu, Senior DEI Advisor & Former Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, HSBC
• Caroline Graham, Head of Legal External Engagement, Barclays
• Cat Wildman, Co-CEO & Founder, The GEC
• Claire Cohen, Women’s Editor & Associate Features Editor, The Telegraph
• Daniele Fianaca, Co-Founder, Utopia
• Dave Thomas, CEO, RBC Europe
• David Savage, Group Technology Evangelist, Harvey Nash Group & Founder, Tech Talks
• Deborah O’Neill, Partner & Head of Digital, Europe, Oliver Wyman
• Dianne Greyson, Director, Equilibrium Mediation Consulting & Founder of #EthnicityPayGap Campaign
• Didem Un Ates, Applied Strategy, Data &AI, CDO Office, Microsoft
• Donna Herdsman, Managing Director: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (EMEA), Talking Talent
• Dr Diahanne Rhiney, Founder, The Baton Awards and BE & Beyond, A Female Intersectional Safe Space
• Dr Heather Melville OBE, Chair and Non Executive, CMI Women
• Dr Nancy Doyle, Chief Research Officers & Founder, Genius Within
• Dr Yvonne Thomson CBE, Entrepreneur, Author & International Public Speaker
• Edwina Dunn OBE, Founder & Chair, The Female Lead
• Eleanor Mills, Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Noon
• Flavilla Fongang, Founder, 3 Colours Rule & TLA Black Women in Tech
• Frances Scott, Founder & Director, 50:50 Parliament
• Gabby Edlin, Founder & CEO, Bloody Good Period
• Griselda Togobo, Founder, Forward Ladies
• Harriett Minter, Journalist, Speaker & Director, The HVM Group
• Joeli Brearley, Founder, Pregnant Then Screwed
• Joy Burnford, Founder & Director, My Confidence Matters Ltd
• Julia Streets, CEO, Streets Consulting
• Khayala Eylazova, Senior Manager, PwC
• Kiran Hothi & Sonam Kaur, Co-Founders, Not Your Wife
• Lady Val Corbett, Founder, Lady Val’s Professional Women’s Network
• Lisa Unwin, Founder, She’s Back
• Mirela Sula, Founder & CEO, Global Woman Magazine & Global Woman Club
• Pamela Hutchinson, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion, Bloomberg
• Paul Sesay, CEO & Founder, The Inclusive Companies and The National Diversity Awards
• Pavita Cooper, Founder, More Difference
• Professor Sue Black OBE, Professor of Computer Science & Technology Evangelist
• Richard Pickard, CEO, Inclusive Search
• Roni Savage, Chartered Engineer, Chartered Geologist and SILC (specialist in land condition)
• Rosie Nixom, Editor-In-Chief, Hello! Magazine
• Russ Shaw CBE, Founder, Tech London Advocates & Global Tech Advocates
• Sam Cooper-Gray, Senior Financial Services Leaders, Experienced NED and Charity Trustee, Diversity Campaigner & Speaker
• Seyi Akiwowo, Founder & Executive Director, Glitch
• Sharon Vibert, Director, Henpicked: Menopause in the Workplace
• Shilpa Shah, Director in the Human Centred Transformation Practice & Women in Technology Leader, Deloitte
• Simon Gallow, Advocate & HeForShe Lead, UN Women UK
• Tamara Box, Managing Partner, EME, Reed Smith
• Vanessa Kingori MBE, Chief Business Officer, Conde Nast Britain & Vogue European Business Advisor
• Vanessa Sanyauke, Founder & CEO, Girls Talk London

Find out more about the trailblazers here. Check out the world’s top male executives who are championing gender equality this year, here.