Authenticity at work

My name is Tofunmi Omisore, and I’m a University of Nottingham alumna, having studied BA (Hons) Politics and International Relations from 2017 to 2020. Graduating during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic meant stepping into an uncertain job market and navigating a non-linear career path.

I began in executive search, where I developed the confidence to engage with senior professionals across a range of industries. I later transitioned into financial services audit and am now an exam-qualified accountant on the ACA pathway, learning to balance a demanding role with intensive exams.

My leadership experience as President of RY Notts, a Christian youth fellowship at university, helped shape my confidence, communication, and sense of purpose early on. Through every stage of the journey, my faith in Jesus Christ has kept me grounded. I’ve learned that resilience, mindset, and the courage to keep moving forward are what truly open doors, even in the most uncertain times.

Areas of EDI Interest:

• Representation for Black professionals
• Faith inclusion and respect for Christians in the workplace
• Mentorship and sponsorship programs for underrepresented groups
• Promoting inclusive recruitment and talent development practices
• Supporting workplace mental health and wellbeing
• Creating safe spaces for open dialogue on diversity, faith, and inclusion

Ask me about…

• Discussing religion, faith, and belief in the workplace, especially as a Christian
• Navigating racial microaggressions and bias in corporate and finance environments
• Practical examples of positive and effective inclusion practices I’ve seen or experienced
• Finding the confidence to be your authentic self at work, including embracing faith and identity
• Overcoming cultural bias and stereotypes in predominantly white, male-dominated industries
• Building resilience and mindset to thrive amid uncertainty and career challenges
• Pivoting careers: transitioning between industries and embracing change with confidence
• Leadership lessons from my experience as a student leader and professional
• Balancing demanding professional qualifications with work and personal faith commitments

IJ Samuel is a senior leader in the construction industry with over 20 years’ experience delivering major infrastructure and capital programmes across the UK and internationally. She is currently a director at Turner & Townsend, leading programme controls and PMO on multi-billion-pound projects, and serves as Board Chair of the Digital Twin Skills Academy.

As a Black woman in construction, IJ has often worked in environments where representation was limited and cultural bias persisted. Her career journey is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and inclusive leadership. She believes workplaces thrive when people can bring their full selves to work and is committed to creating spaces where diversity is valued.

Alongside her professional achievements, IJ is a mother of two and openly shares the realities of balancing parenting with leadership responsibilities. Through mentoring and advocacy, she empowers future leaders particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds to break barriers, reclaim narratives, and thrive in their careers.

Ask me about…

• Feeling able to be your authentic self at work
• Being a parent in the workplace
• Overcoming cultural bias in the workplace
• Examples of positive inclusion practices in the workplace 

Particular areas of EDI I'm passionate about

1. Representation and visibility

• Increasing the representation of Black professionals, women, and those from mixed heritage backgrounds in construction, STEM, and leadership roles.
• Creating visible role models so younger generations can see people like them thriving in senior positions.

2. Inclusive leadership and cultures

• Building workplaces where authenticity is encouraged, and people are not pressured to “code-switch” or hide parts of their identity.
• Equipping leaders to value diversity of thought and foster psychological safety.

3. Career progression and access to opportunities

• Tackling the “glass ceiling” that limits Black and minority professionals in project management, PMO, and programme leadership.
• Advocating for sponsorship, mentorship, and fair access to stretch opportunities.

4. Equity for working parents and caregivers

• Championing policies and cultures that enable professionals to balance senior careers with parenting and caring responsibilities—especially women and underrepresented groups.

5. Future talent and pipeline development

• Inspiring and mentoring the next generation, ensuring young people from diverse backgrounds have clear pathways into STEM and construction.

Shridhar completed an MSc in Civil Engineering at the University of Nottingham in 2005. Following graduation, he briefly embarked on a PhD in heat pump technology at the School of Built Environment, at the University of Nottingham, but soon chose to move into industry, joining Scott Wilson (now acquired by AECOM) as a graduate engineer to gain hands-on experience.

Since then, Shridhar has built a distinguished career with leading consulting and contracting firms, becoming a Chartered Engineer, and contributing to landmark projects such as Crossrail, the M1 & M25 motorways, and HS2 Scheme.

Today, he serves as senior engineering manager at VINCI, where he focuses on optimising engineering management and processes, driving automation, promoting sustainability, and making construction projects more efficient and profitable, while also working to make the industry more attractive as a career for the next generation. To broaden his leadership perspective, Shridhar also pursued executive business education at London Business School.

Guided by values of clarity, intelligence, growth, and freedom, Shridhar sees engineering not simply as a job, but as an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world. His interests in exploration, culture, and nature continue to shape his outlook on global infrastructure and inspire his vision for the future of construction.

Dr. Ajanaku is a seasoned public health professional with a proven track record in programme management, clinical practice, and research. He currently serves as a population health portfolio manager at the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust and a resident doctor at King's College Hospital Foundation NHS Trust in London.

His extensive experience includes key leadership roles at global organizations such as Save the Children, Action Against Hunger, and Médecins Sans Frontières. In these roles, he successfully managed large teams, developed international grant proposals, and led initiatives to improve health and nutrition outcomes for vulnerable populations.

He holds a MPH from the University of Nottingham and a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from Lagos State University. His background combines practical clinical experience with a deep understanding of public health principles, research methodologies, and project management. He is dedicated to leveraging evidence-based approaches to make a lasting impact on global health and medicine.

Ask me about

• Imposter syndrome and how to overcome it
• Feeling able to be your authentic self at work
• Managing workplace stress and protecting mental health

Particular areas of EDI I'm passionate about

• Inclusive culture and belonging

I started within students' unions when I was elected as Vice President Activities and Employability at London South Bank SU after I graduated.

I have been fortunate to work at a range of students' unions including Brighton, Warwick and Newman. I am currently the Student Voice Manager at UoNSU.

I also run a monthly webinar series with Unitu around student voice and student engagement. I have recently completed my MA in Student Engagement in Higher Education and published articles for Wonkhe around student engagement.

Areas of interest:

• Trans and non-binary
• Neurodivergency
• Disability (generally)

With a commitment towards fostering meaningful equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, I have had the fortune to work in a number of impactful roles.

After graduating with an International Relations BA from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, I began as a Protection Assistant with the UNHCR in Malaysia, where I provided support and counselling to asylum-seekers and refugees, in addition to fostering inclusivity as a member of the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.

Moving to the UK, I joined the University of Nottingham as a senior administrator in the Assessments Team, while helping to promote EDI efforts within the RAA Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group.

Currently, as a residential experience officer, I co-ordinate events, offer pastoral care, and help amplify LGBTQIA+ voices as one of the Co-Chairs of the University's LGBTQIA+ Staff Network. By working in tandem with the community, as well as applying my lived experiences as a trans woman from Southeast Asia, I aim to create a university where our LGBTQIA+ community can thrive.

Areas of interest:

• Transgender inclusion in the workplace
• Immigrant, refugee and asylum seeker-specific needs and support
• Embedding care and wellbeing into the workplace
• Building and preserving an inclusive culture at work

I am Meredith Coney, Head of Education and Student Experience in the Faculty of Engineering, leading a team that supports the student journey from admissions to graduate employment. I joined the University of Nottingham in December 2023 after 17 years at Loughborough University.

I studied a BA and MSc in Archaeology at the University of Leicester, while studying I had a part-time job in the Distance Learning unit of my department and enjoyed supporting people from all over the world to undertake their studies.

When I graduated, I didn't have a clear plan on what I wanted to do, but loved working at the University and applied for a temporary role at Loughborough University while  I worked out what I wanted to do. A temporary role quickly became the start of a career in higher education management, not a field I had ever considered before but which I love!

Areas of interest:

I am passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion, in making our university accessible to all, to ensure that our students all feel like they can make the most of their university time and go on to a successful career they are passionate about.

I have a varied professional background, including roles in hospitality, call centres, and health and safety.

Currently, I work at Valpak, the UK’s largest environmental compliance scheme. I work with a range of stakeholders across many businesses, to ensure their businesses are compliant with UK environmental regulations.

Areas of interest:

I’m committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting and championing Black professionals.

I am a Business Psychologist that currently works as a Global Performance Consultant within the Tech Industry. I have worked in different businesses, but my roles have always been focused around how we can use Psychology to get the most from and for our people - from construction to casinos, people are what make a business what it is.

Areas of interest:

LGBT+, Women and Neurodiversity at work.