Wonder Women, the inspirational women’s network that champions the elevation of diverse women into senior leadership in television and the creative industries, has confirmed its line-up of speakers for its second annual one-day Wonder Women Conference, which takes place on 21st September at BAFTA’s HQ in Piccadilly, London.
The Wonder Women Conference has designed its sessions throughout the day to give delegates a mixture of inspirational talks, informative panels and masterclasses. Delegates will hear from some of Television’s most inspirational female leaders in three exciting panel discussions that will explore The Business of Television, Unlocking Commissioning: Top tips from the Women at the Top, and Levelling up: How to Pivot & Rise.
Attendees will also be invited to learn new ways to develop resilience in an immersive masterclass with leadership coach, Michelle Moore and a conversation with author and producer Nova Reid will discuss mental health and how to be more human in an insightful Q&A.
The Wonder Women Conference, now in its second year, assembles highly influential industry leaders, trailblazing talent and on-screen talent from across the TV and creative industries sector to take part in a day of keynotes, panels and masterclasses in partnership with BAFTA.
Focusing on inspiring and providing a skills uplift to 250 women currently working in mid-level senior roles (both permanent and freelance) in the industry, the conference aims to challenge systemic industry issues which see women from underrepresented and marginalised groups disproportionately leaving the industry, something that is particularly prevalent in the current industry crisis.
With a holistic approach to self-development, the conference provides delegates with shared wisdom, inspirational talks, insightful keynote speakers and networking to inspire new ideas alongside leadership skills with the belief that specific and targeted discussions can raise awareness of the issues and drive meaningful change, as well as helping to reignite passion for the industry during difficult times and provide them with a community within the industry.
Founder of Wonder Women Ria Hebden said: “The purpose of this conference is to mobilise the major trailblazers in our industry to shine and share their collective wisdom and experience. This is at a time where some of our beloved colleagues are suffering from the cuts and redundancies.
“However, we must remind ourselves of our worth, value and contributions, irrespective of the external circumstances in our industry – it’s this that will continue to give us hope, by investing in our self-development and elevating each other as we rise. Particularly in times like these, it is crucial that we come together as an industry, and we are honoured to have such amazing support from BAFTA and our sponsors.”
The Wonder Women Conference is made possible by the support of BAFTA as well as its sponsors: All3Media, Banijay, PGGB, Tysers, Orchard Studios, Screenskills, Herbert Smith Freehills and Fremantle.
Founded in 2017 by television presenter Ria Hebden, Wonder Women was born out of an industry need to build a diverse and supportive community among women from underrepresented and marginalised groups and to share the collective wisdom from the most experienced women in television and the creative industries.
Wonder Women’s vision is to inspire, empower and connect the next generation of diverse, female leaders from all backgrounds and identities, through a unique, intersectional approach, that supports their professional and personal development through a series of live events, an inspirational podcast and year-long, nationwide mentoring programme.
The Wonder Women Conference is an extension of the wider Wonder Women brand, which also includes the annual Wonder Women Live! event, the Wonder Women TV Podcast, the Wonder Women Mentoring Programme and the newly launched Wonder Women Power Hour, a monthly online networking event.
Wonder Women is a Community Interest Company (CIC), steered by an exceptional advisory board of female leaders: Studio Lambert’s Senior Production Accountant Nicole Marie Joseph, Orchard Studios MD Nicola Hill, Systemic Leadership Coach Remi Olajoyegbe, Media Relations Expert Sharon Ezzeldin, Legal Counsel Hayley Brady from Herbert Smith Freehills and Anne-Marie Douglas, Founder & Co-CEO Peer Power Youth.
The full line up of 2024 speakers includes:
- Ade Rawcliffe, Group Director of Diversity and Inclusion, ITV, BAFTA board member and chair of BAFTA’s Learning, Inclusion and Talent Committee
- Afua Hagan, Journalist and Broadcaster
- Angela Ferreira, Managing Director, Douglas Road Productions
- Babita Bahal, Group Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Fremantle
- Claire Mottershead, Head of Factual and Formats at Orchard Studios
- Dawn Beresford, Director of Talent and Skills, Commissioning at BBC
- Fozia Khan, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Studios UK
- Gemma John-Lewis, Entertainment Commissioning, ITV
- Hilary Rosen, Director of Commissiong, UKTV, BAFTA board member and chair of BAFTA’s Television Committee
- Lyndsay Duthie, CEO, The Production Guild of Great Britain
- Mariayah Kaderbhai, Head of Programmes, BAFTA
- Michelle Moore, Leadership Coach
- Nova Reid, Author, Activist and Changemaker (The Good Ally, Becoming Anti-Racist).
- Remi Olajoyegbe, Systemic Leadership Coach
- Sarb Nijjer, COO, Banijay UK
- Scarlett Ewens, CEO of Matisse
- Soleta Rogan, Managing Director, Rogan Productions
- Tacita Small, The Small HR Company
- Tara Erer, Head of Originals, UK and Northern Europe at Prime Video
- And Wonder Women founder and television presenter Ria Hebden, who will introduce and moderate across multiple sessions.
