This autumn, WIS committee members attended two ingenious events by Windo; a company focused on increasing access and transparency for reviewing an organisation’s sustainability data. Read on to hear from our committee members about their experience.
Written by Buse – Outreach and Liaison Co-Lead at IC Women in STEM
On the 28th of October, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 BCG Young Female Leaders’ Forum at BCG’s London headquarters. The atmosphere was electric, filled with ambitious young professionals eager to engage in meaningful discussions about gender equality in the workplace.
The “Future Female Leader Panel,” skillfully moderated by Claire Eason of BCG, particularly resonated with me. The panelists didn’t just share theoretical insights – they talked about personal experiences and practical strategies for creating truly inclusive work environments. Their candid discussion about retention and empowerment of women in the workplace sparked numerous thoughtful conversations among attendees.
Alice Bolton, Partner & Associate Director at BCG, delivered a compelling keynote on “Advancing Gender Inclusion & Equality.” What struck me most was BCG’s tangible commitment to gender parity. Rather than just presenting aspirational goals, Bolton outlined concrete steps and measurable actions that organizations can implement. Her presentation left me feeling both inspired and equipped with practical tools for driving change.
As the Women in STEM society’s Outreach and Liaison Co-Lead, I actively engaged with industry leaders throughout the event. The conversations reinforced our society’s crucial role in supporting women in STEM fields. Connecting with established professionals who share our vision for gender equity was both validating and energizing, opening new possibilities for collaboration that align perfectly with our mission.
The event reinforced my belief in the power of bringing together diverse voices to address workplace inequality. It wasn’t just about discussing challenges – it was about crafting solutions and building a network of allies committed to creating lasting change.
Written by Himanshi – Events Officer at IC Women in STEM
On the 30th of October, I joined 167 other university society leaders for Windō’s flagship event, Preside 2.0. It was hosted at Bloomberg’s spectacular London headquarters. The event hosted students representing 130 societies, and over 45,000 students across universities in the UK and beyond. The societies varied vastly, from Climate Action societies to FemTech and finance. It was a pleasure to hear about their stories of spearheading and founding their societies and the changes they were bringing about. The room was abuzz with enthusiastic chatter, the clinking of cutlery against plates and notification alerts of newly formed LinkedIn connections.
Once we were seated for the conference, Ken and Olly, founders of Windō spoke of the platform new features including a career mentoring chatbot – so exciting! They shared their vision for Windō in a world where students entering the workforce are increasingly concerned about DEI and sustainability.
Their claim was backed by the results of Windō’s Young Talent Values Report. They found that among the next generation of professionals:
- 69% of young talent prioritize value alignment with their employers
- 70% are actively seeking sustainability-focused roles
- 62% emphasize the importance of salary transparency in job descriptions
These statistics were much stronger than I had anticipated and went on to reflect just how deeply our generation valued DEI and sustainability. These statistics laid the bedrock for the discussions of the day. Two panel events between society leaders and a Bloomberg employee were riveting and thought-provoking. The People Panel focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Society leaders shared insights on why DEI was important to them and how companies can demonstrate their commitment. The Planet Panel addressed Sustainability; society leaders in ESG and Climate Change societies spoke of their interest in the field and how they engage members.
This was followed by an insightful talk by Bloomberg’s sustainable finance data solutions group leader. He described how Bloomberg uses geospatial analytics to track actual ESG commitments and how they have a competitive advantage in this area.
The day concluded with another round of networking and this time around, with drinks and hors d’oeuvres in hand, people spoke of climate, equality and their values. I left the event, with a renewed view of society leadership, a strengthened value system and a rejuvenated sense of responsibility towards my planet and its people.
Looking Forward
The event highlighted the growing intersection of technology, sustainability, and inclusive practices in the workplace. For students interested in these areas, the insights shared at Preside 2.0 point to expanding opportunities in roles that drive environmental and social impact and to how employers can better showcase their commitment in real terms.
These events echoed WIS’ strong alignment with DEI and sustainability efforts. We look forward to attending more events and supporting initiatives which promote these themes.
Stay tuned for upcoming Imperial College Women in STEM events focusing on technology, sustainability, and career development.