The organisers of Asian Women of Achievement Awards (AWA), in association with NatWest, have revealed 2023’s shortlisted finalists who are playing a crucial role in the UK today.
The Asian Women of Achievement Awards, founded by Pinky Lilani CBE DL in 1999, celebrate multicultural Britain and the contribution of diverse cultures and talents to UK society. The awards spotlight the phenomenal Asian women across the UK and across industries, who are making a valuable and important contribution to British life.
From high-flying CEOs and impact investors to award-winning journalists, app developers tackling cyber bullying, researchers advancing human health science and pioneering athletes, these nominees are a true testament to the crucial role played by Asian women in the UK today.
HOPE & INSPIRATION FOR THE NEXT GENERATION
“We are honoured to introduce an outstanding cohort of exceptional leaders hailing from a diverse range of professions and sectors. These remarkable women have left an indelible mark in their respective fields, and their accomplishments serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the next generation of global leaders,” stated Pinky Lilani CBE DL, Chairman of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards. “We applaud each and every nominee – their unwavering determination to break down boundaries is redefining the leadership landscape and empowering countless others.”
Adding to her comments Julie Baker, Head of Enterprise and Climate Engagement and Partnerships NatWest Group said: “As long-term sponsor of the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, we understand the importance of recognising and celebrating Asian women and the valuable contribution they make. At NatWest we’re committed to supporting female entrepreneurs. Our Enterprise Hubs across the UK aim for 60% of places to go to women and 20% of places are currently filled by ethnic minority led companies. This year’s Awards shortlist is impressive, especially during an ongoing challenging environment. My congratulations to everyone shortlisted and I look forward to hearing your stories.”
2023’S AWA FINALISTS
This year’s shortlisted candidates by category include:
Arts & Culture
- Khairani Barokka, Writer, Artist & Editor, Modern Poetry in Translation
- Nicole Chui, Artist, Professor
- Raminder Kaur FRSA FRAI, Professor of Anthropology and Cultural Studies, School of Global Studies/Director, University of Sussex/Sohaya Visions
- Nusaiba Mohammad Timol, Founder & Director, WAW Creative Arts
- Rubina Pabani and Poppy Jay, Podcasters, Brown Girls Do It Too
Business
- Shazia Azim, Head of Financial Services Consulting, PwC UK
- Satmeet Kaur Chahal, HR Generalist Manager, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
- Viola Jardon, Senior Programme Manager, Institute for Sustainability Leadership, University of Cambridge
- Sharmila Paranjpe, Chief Ombudspersons & Chairperson PSHC, Wipro
- Ritu Sehgal, Managing Director, Head of Transaction Services & Trade, NatWest Bank
- Tingting Yang, Global Spirit of Progress Manager, ESG, Diageo
Entrepreneur
- Jeroo Doodhmal, Founder & CEO, Pip and Henry
- MasakoEguchi-Bacon, Founder & CEO, Ocean Bridge Management
- Susan Fang, Founder & CEO, OxBridge Holdings
- Pranee Laurillard, Co-Founder & Director, Giggling Squid
- Safak Muderrisgil, Chair, ETKIYAP
Media
- Anila Dhami, Freelance Presenter & Journalist, 5 News ITN, ITV News London
- Catharina Moh, Presenter, Producer & Director, BBC News Current Affairs, The Travel Show
- Nabihah Parkar, Video Journalist, Vice World News
- Ushma Vyas, Head of Video – Innovation, Saga
Professions
- Harleen Deol, Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon, East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
- Bhavisha Gorecha, EMEA Operations Chief of Staff, Head of the Office of the SMR, EMEA Co-Head of the BAME Network, Credit Suisse
- Ediscyll Lorusso, Senior Thrombosis Clinical Nurse Specialist, St George’s University Hospital
- Krishna Mistry, Body Engineering Programme Lead, Volta Trucks
- Kalpana Shah, President – Elect, Institute and Faculty of Actuaries
- Rachpal Thind, Partner, Sidley Austin
Public Service
- Neelu Agarwal, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Lead, Prudential Regulation Authority, Bank of England
- Anita Grant, ACO for Trust and Legitimacy, Sussex Police
- Jhumar Johnson, Chief of Staff, The Open University
- Dr Sonali Kinra, General Practitioner/ Deputy Medical Director, NHS North Central London Integrated Care Board
- Dr Shivani Sharma, Associate Professor & Executive Lead: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, University of Hertfordshire, School of Life and Medical Sciences
Real Estate, Infrastructure & Construction
- Farheen Ahmed, Technical Director, Arcadis
- Lesha Chetty, Business Unit Director, Local Government and Communities, Cities and Places Market, Mace
- Gemma Kataky, Managing Director, The Blackstone Group
- Michelle Miranda MRICS, Regional Director, Faithful+Gould
- Aasia Mohammad, Transaction Management Director, CBRE
- Saba Nayab FRICS, Director of Sustainability Valuations and Advisory Services, CBRE
Science
- Christina Hu, Head of the ZOE Health Study, ZOE
- Dr Hina Khan, Executive Director, Space Scotland
- Professor Ji-Seon Kim, Professor in Physics & Director of EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Plastic Electronics, Imperial College London
- Dr Reshma Rao, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, Imperial College London
- Professor Suchitra Sebastian, Professor of Physics, University of Cambridge
- Dr Shweta Singh, Assistant Professor, University of Warwick
Social & Humanitarian
- Kanchana Gamage, Founder & Director, The Aviatrix Project
- Dr Nargis Islam, DClinPsy, C.Psychol., AFBPsS , Freelance Consultant Clinical Psychologist/ Clinical Lead for Inpatient Psychological Therapies Services, Buckinghamshire Oxford Health, NHS Foundation Trust
- Nidhi Kapoor, Director – Pre-Sales, Visa Government Solutions, Visa
- Nisha Patel, BBC Radio Journalist/UK Commissioner for Perception, The Scouts
- Atifa Sayani, Head of Academic Programmes, Aga Khan Schools, Aga Khan Development Network
- Amara Sharif, Cross Company Allyship Programme Lead, KPMG UK
Sport
- Rupinder Bains, Board Member, The Football Association
- Yashmin Harun BEM, Chair & Founder, Muslimah Sports Association
- Alhena Moosa, Football Coach & Manager, FC Leytonstone
- Jayna Patel, Premier League Kicks Programme Manager, Premier League Charitable Fund
Technology & Digital
- Farah Al-Sader, Director, Deals Insights & Analytics, PwC
- Simran Mohnani, Circular & Sustainable Supply Chains Venture Associate, Deloitte Ventures
- Trisha Prabhu, Founder & CEO, ReThink
- Namrata Sarmah, Chief Product Officer, INTO University Partnerships
- Shefali Stephens, Capital Markets Senior Manager, Accenture
- Jenita Treacy, Senior Product Manager, Transport for London
Young Achiever
- Anisah Akhtar, Head of Student Experience and Corporate Communications, Luton Sixth Form College
- Cathy Yitong Li, Facilitative Committee Member, UNFCCC Women and Gender Constituency
- Arushi Madan, Assistant Vice President – Software Engineer, Barclays
- Koyesha Mukherjee, Senior Policy Advisor, Department for Business and Trade, Government of United Kingdom
- Maryam Rahbar, Chief Scientific Officer, Jack Fertility
- Miriam Walker-Khan, Diversity and Inclusion Reporter, Sky Sports
AWA AWARDS EVENT
The winners will be announced at the Asian Women of Achievement Awards 2023 celebration event, which will take place on Thursday 8 June at the Hilton London Bankside.
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