Anna Barford
Director, Business Fights Poverty Institute and Principal Research Associate
Director, Business Fights Poverty Institute and Principal Research Associate
University of Cambridge
Menu
Whether you’re a business leader, sustainability professional, policymaker, or early-career professional, this summit is for you. It’s an essential gathering for anyone passionate about business’ role in driving equity and keen to make a real-world impact.
By attending, you’ll gain invaluable insights, connect with global peers, and learn from best practices in sustainability. You’ll leave equipped with practical advice and the inspiration to drive equity within your organisation.
Expect interactive workshops, engaging peer circles, inspiring talks, and safe-space sharing sessions. Our track record speaks for itself: across our 2023 Summits, 97% of attendees felt more connected, 98% learned something valuable, and 97% would recommend them. Reserve your place today!
As a valued member of our community, you’re invited to attend our 2-day Summit online at no cost. Simply use the Promo Code sent to your email. If you haven’t received it, please contact us.
We have a limited number of in person places available in Cambridge and Nairobi for the following sessions:
CAMBRIDGE: Join us on 7 March for our Lecture (3.00 to 4.30 pm GMT) and Networking Reception (4.30 to 5.30 pm GMT).
NAIROBI: Join us on 7 March for our Workshops (2.00 to 6.00 pm EAT) and Networking Reception (6.00 to 7.00 pm EAT).
Use your Promo Code to register for free. If you haven’t received it, please contact us.
The sessions deep-dived into the following topics:
Explore the evolution of the business and equity agenda with Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Responsibility Initiative. Join us as we look back at the big trends over the past two decades, and what light they can shed on how we navigate today’s complex challenges and transformative opportunities. Tune in to access deep insights and a dose of inspiration to guide you on your own journey.
6 March | Online
Join our session with The Global Financing Facility to discover the pivotal role of businesses in advancing health for women, children, and adolescents. We’ll be launching our new report, Delivering Healthier Futures. Hear the latest insights on how cross-sector collaboration and financial strategies are crafting healthier generations. Learn from practitioners and share your own experiences on innovative appraoches for impactful investment in global health systems.
6 March | Online
Join our Fireside Chat for a conversation on the nexus of AI and equity. This session will offer insights into the complexities, challenges and opportunities of utilising AI to foster inclusiveness. Engaging with experts in the field, we’ll explore practical strategies and ethical considerations essential for ensuring that AI contributes positively to society. This is an ideal opportunity for those looking to understand the real-world implications of AI on social equity, providing a thoughtful perspective on navigating its potential and pitfalls.
6 March | Online
In this timely webinar, we delve into the critical question of how businesses can effectively integrate intersectionality into their equity, diversity and inclusion programmes. We’ll explore how understanding the overlapping dimensions of equity – such as gender, race, socio-economic status, and LGBTQ+ identities – helps companies adopt a truly people-centred approach that delivers business and investor value, ensures every employee’s unique experiences and challenges are recognised and valued, and where progress can be effectively measured.
7 March | Online
Globally, Futuremakers by Standard Chartered and Women Win have supported over 1 million girls and young women to thrive since 2006. Join us to access insights and data-based learnings, to hear first-hand from two of the young women leaders about what works to support girls’ transitions from education to employment, and to identify opportunities to collaborate.
7 March | Online
The pandemic of GBV persists, costing the global economy US$1.5 trillion annually. Join Avon as they share lessons from their experience of addressing gender inequality to boost women’s opportunities, nurturing female entrepreneurial spirit, and creating safe spaces for women to thrive, driving actionable change for a more equitable and supportive future for women worldwide.
7 March | Online
Explore how gender-equitable value chains create mutual benefits for businesses and small-scale producers with Hand in Hand International. Learn from real-life examples and gain practical tools from businesses, NGOs, and producers who have successfully enhanced women’s lives and incomes through equitable practices. Hear the latest thinking on the business case for gender equity in supply chains and how to implement best practices for impactful change.
7 March | Online | Nairobi
On the eve of International Women’s Day, dive into our community learning session to explore thinking and practice at the forefront of women’s empowerment. This session will provide a vibrant exchange of ideas, showcasing challenges, solutions, and firsthand accounts of impactful strategies. Contribute to and learn from the collective wisdom of the Business Fights Poverty global community. Join us to amplify your impact and connect with like-minded peers.
7 March | Online | Nairobi
Join us to envision a workplace future free from domestic violence. This session will launch a new Business Fights Poverty toolkit, developed with the expertise of Dr. Jane Pillinger, offering companies tools and strategies for supporting survivors. Learn from a decade of insights and practical guidance to build supportive, safe work environments for all. Discover how your company can be a key player in preventing domestic violence, empowering survivors, and enhancing workplace safety and well-being.
7 March | Online | Nairobi
Engage with thought leaders on advancing the business agenda on equity in 2024. Hosted with Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge this lecture will explore different perspectives on how we can best navigate the political, social, and economic headwinds. The session promises to inspire and offer actionable insights for driving equity forward in today’s complex global landscape, and embedding strategies for meaningful impact into business.
7 March | Online | Cambridge
How has the business agenda on equity evolved over the past 20 years?
Hosted with the Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School
Explore the evolution of the business and equity agenda with Harvard Kennedy School’s Corporate Responsibility Initiative. Join us as we look back at the big trends over the past two decades, and what light they can shed on how we navigate today’s complex challenges and transformative opportunities. Tune in to access deep insights and a dose of inspiration to guide you on your own journey.
Interviewees:
Jane Nelson, Founding Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative, Harvard Kennedy School
Interviewer:
Zahid Torres-Rahman, Co-Founder and CEO, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE (30 mins)
How can businesses transform health outcomes for women, children, and adolescents?
Hosted with the Global Financing Facility
Join our session with The Global Financing Facility to discover the pivotal role of businesses in advancing health for women, children, and adolescents. We’ll be launching our new report, Delivering Healthier Futures. Hear the latest insights on how cross-sector collaboration and financial strategies are crafting healthier generations. Learn from practitioners and share your own experiences on innovative approaches for impactful investment in global health systems.
Speakers:
Lilia Zakirova, Healthcare Public Policy Director, Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa, MSD
Sneha Kanneganti, Private Sector Lead, Global Financing Facility
Sue Tym, Social Impact Portfolio Senior Manager, Primark
Ronald Wakhu, Senior Associate, Health Finance Coalition
Maziko Matemba, Director, HREP-Malawi & Global GSOs Representative, GFF Investors Group
Moderator:
Annabel Beales, Collaboration Lead, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE (50 mins)
How will AI shape equity across societies?
Join our Fireside Chat for a conversation on the nexus of AI and equity. This session will offer insights into the complexities, challenges and opportunities of utilising AI to foster inclusiveness. Engaging with experts in the field, we’ll explore practical strategies and ethical considerations essential for ensuring that AI contributes positively to society. This is an ideal opportunity for those looking to understand the real-world implications of AI on social equity, providing a thoughtful perspective on navigating its potential and pitfalls.
Interviewees:
Edward Tay, Associate Professor (Practice) in Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Institute for Training and Research & Adjunct Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Digital Finance, National University of Singapore
Kacper Łodzikowski, Vice President, AI Capabilities, Pearson
David Norman, Managing Director, Cooperative AI Foundation
Sian Hawkins, Director of External Affairs, Cherie Blair Foundation
Interviewer:
Zahid Torres-Rahman, CEO, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE (20 mins)
How can a multidimensional approach to equity boost business performance and investor value?
In this timely webinar, we delve into the critical question of how businesses can effectively integrate intersectionality into their equity, diversity and inclusion programmes. We’ll explore how understanding the overlapping dimensions of equity – such as gender, race, socio-economic status, and LGBTQ+ identities – helps companies adopt a truly people-centred approach that delivers business and investor value, ensures every employee’s unique experiences and challenges are recognised and valued, and where progress can be effectively measured.
Speakers:
Rudaba Zehra Nasir, Global Lead, Economic Inclusion, Gender and Economic Inclusion Department, IFC
Daniel Seymour, Director, Strategic Partnerships, UN Women
Ama Ocansey, UK Head of Diversity and Inclusion, BNP Paribas
Dale Buscher, Vice President of Programs, Women’s Refugee Commission
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director, Business in the Community
Moderator:
Alice Allan, Director of Collaboration, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE (60 mins)
Unleashing girls’ economic potential: Keeping the score – insights from 17 years of the ’Goal’ girls education and skills programme
Hosted with Futuremakers by Standard Chartered
Globally, Futuremakers by Standard Chartered and Women Win have supported over 1 million girls and young women to thrive since 2006. Join us to access insights and data-based learnings, to hear first-hand from two of the young women leaders about what works to support girls’ transitions from education to employment, and to identify opportunities to collaborate.
Speakers:
Natasha Kwakwa, Global Head, Community Impact, Standard Chartered
Yvonne Henry, Director, Brands, Women Win
Elsie Potlako Lebese, GOAL participant and Biotechnology Student, University of Johannesburg
Jamal Khatoon, GOAL participant and Project Assistant, Right to Play, Pakistan
Moderator:
Alice Allan, Director of Collaboration, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE (60 mins)
How do we speak out against gender inequality?
Hosted with Avon
The pandemic of GBV persists, costing the global economy US$1.5 trillion annually. Join Avon as they share lessons from their experience of addressing gender inequality to boost women’s opportunities, nurturing female entrepreneurial spirit, and creating safe spaces for women to thrive, driving actionable change for a more equitable and supportive future for women worldwide.
Interviewees:
Andreea Moldovan, Managing Director – Europe, Avon
Laura Shaw, Representative, Avon
Location: ONLINE (20 mins)
How do gender-equitable value chains benefit businesses and small-scale producers?
Hosted with Hand in Hand International
Explore how gender-equitable value chains create mutual benefits for businesses and small-scale producers with Hand in Hand International. Learn from real-life examples and gain practical tools from businesses, NGOs, and producers who have successfully enhanced women’s lives and incomes through equitable practices. Hear the latest thinking on the business case for gender equity in supply chains and how to implement best practices for impactful change.
Opening Speakers:
Lucy Kerei, Programme Manager, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa
Amalia Johnsson, Deputy CEO, Hand in Hand International
Katharine Teague, Group ESG Director, ABF Sugar
Moderator:
Katie Hyson, Director of Thought Leadership, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE | NAIROBI (80 mins)
What’s the latest good practice on driving women’s empowerment?
On the eve of International Women’s Day, dive into our community learning session to explore thinking and practice at the forefront of women’s empowerment. This session will provide a vibrant exchange of ideas, showcasing challenges, solutions, and firsthand accounts of impactful strategies. Contribute to and learn from the collective wisdom. Join us to amplify your impact and connect with like-minded peers.
Spotlight Speakers:
Akinyi Walender, Africa Director, Practical Action
Alexandra Salas, CEO, Business Council for Peace
Ayan Said, CEO, Voicing Voices
Jiselle Steele, Private Sector Gender Advisor, Oxfam Business Advisory Service
Laura Macias, Global lead, Women Advancement & Leadership, RISE
Liliana Camacho, Director, Operations & Knowledge Management, The Better Way Alliance
Rachael Vichei, Founder, Girls Empowered Kenya
Shelley Pigott, Director of Strategic Engagement, The Power of Nutrition
Soma Kumari Rana, Regional Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer, Asia, iDE (International Development Enterprises)
Susan Achiech, Full-Stack Developer, Naamal Agency
Yaquta Fatehi, Program Manager, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan
Yasmina Zaidman, Chief Development and Partnerships Officer, Acumen
Written Contributors:
Peg Willingham, Senior Managing Director, Food & Agriculture, Save the Children
Rhiza Nery, Deputy Programme Coordinator, Connecting Business initiative (CBi)
Moderators:
Bill Omondi, CEO, The Debate Circle
Anna Olivia Spenner Hernandez, Community Learning Coordinator, Business Fights Poverty
Location: ONLINE | NAIROBI (50 mins)
How can companies support survivors of domestic violence and abuse through the workplace?
Join us to envision a workplace future free from domestic violence. This session will launch a new Business Fights Poverty toolkit, developed with the expertise of Dr. Jane Pillinger, offering companies tools and strategies for supporting survivors. Learn from a decade of insights and practical guidance to build supportive, safe work environments for all. Discover how your company can be a key player in preventing domestic violence, empowering survivors, and enhancing workplace safety and well-being.
Opening Speakers:
Christel Adamou, Director, Office of Professional Ethics and Conduct, Asian Development Bank
Susan Bright, CEO, Employers Initiative Against Domestic Abuse
Natalie Deacon, Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability, Avon International
Katie O’Brien, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Anglo American
Pamela Zaballa, CEO, NO MORE
Claudine McMahon, Head of Culture and Inclusion, Vodafone
Shabnam Hameed, Gender Based Violence Specialist, IFC
Moderator:
Jane Pillinger, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy and Criminology, Open University
Location: ONLINE | NAIROBI (80 mins)
How do we drive forward the business agenda on equity in the context of 2024?
Hosted with Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge
Engage with thought leaders on advancing the business agenda on equity in 2024. Hosted with Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge this lecture will explore different perspectives on how we can best navigate the political, social, and economic headwinds. The session promises to inspire and offer actionable insights for driving equity forward in today’s complex global landscape, and embedding strategies for meaningful impact into business.
Speakers:
Dame Barbara Stocking, DBE, President Emerita and Honorary Fellow, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge and former Chief Executive, Oxfam GB
Rt Hon Liam Byrne MP, Labour MP for Birmingham, Hodge Hill, and Chair, All Party Parliamentary Group on Inclusive Growth
Claudine McMahon, Global Head of Culture and Inclusion, Vodafone
Moderator:
Professor Anna Barford, Bye Fellow, Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge
Location: ONLINE | CAMBRIDGE (90 mins)
Anna Barford
Director, Business Fights Poverty Institute and Principal Research Associate
Director, Business Fights Poverty Institute and Principal Research Associate
University of Cambridge
Natasha Kwakwa
Global Head, Community Impact
Global Head, Community Impact
Standard Chartered Bank
Jane Nelson
Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative
Director, Corporate Responsibility Initiative
Harvard Kennedy School
Jane Pillinger
Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy and Criminology
Visiting Senior Research Fellow, Department of Social Policy and Criminology
Open University
Edward Tay
Associate Professor (Practice) in Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Institute for Training and Research & Adjunct Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Digital Finance
Associate Professor (Practice) in Sustainability and Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Institute for Training and Research & Adjunct Associate Professor, Asian Institute of Digital Finance
National University of Singapore
Rhiza Nery
Deputy Programme Coordinator
Deputy Programme Coordinator
OCHA / UNDP Connecting Business initiative
Shabnam Hameed
Gender Based Violence Specialist
Gender Based Violence Specialist
IFC
Laura Macias
Global lead, Women Advancement & Leadership
Global lead, Women Advancement & Leadership
RISE
Alexandra Salas
CEO
CEO
Business Council for Peace
Maziko Matemba
Director, HREP-Malawi & Global GSOs Representative
Director, HREP-Malawi & Global GSOs Representative
GFF Investors Group
Jamal Khatoon
Pakistan, GOAL participant and Project Assistant
Pakistan, GOAL participant and Project Assistant
Right to Play
Sian Hawkins
Director of External Affairs
Director of External Affairs
Cherie Blair Foundation
Lilia Zakirova
Healthcare Public Policy Director, Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa
Healthcare Public Policy Director, Eastern Europe Middle East and Africa
MSD
Sandra Kerr CBE
Race Equality Director
Race Equality Director
Business in the Community
Susan Bright
CEO
CEO
Employers Initiative Against Domestic Abuse
Rachael Vichei
Founder
Founder
Girls Empowered Kenya
Peg Willingham
Senior Managing Director, Food & Agriculture
Senior Managing Director, Food & Agriculture
Save the Children
Elsie Potlako Lebese
GOAL participant and Biotechnology Student
GOAL participant and Biotechnology Student
University of Johannesburg
Yvonne Henry
Director, Brands
Director, Brands
Women Win
David Norman
Managing Director
Managing Director
Cooperative AI Foundation
Susan Achiech
Full-Stack Developer
Full-Stack Developer
Naamal Agency
Soma Kumari Rana
Regional Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer, Asia
Regional Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) Officer, Asia
iDE (International Development Enterprises)
Yasmina Zaidman
Chief Development and Partnerships Officer
Chief Development and Partnerships Officer
Acumen
Yaquta Fatehi
Program Manager
Program Manager
William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan
Shelley Pigott
Director of Strategic Engagement
Director of Strategic Engagement
The Power of Nutrition
Liliana Camacho
Director, Operations & Knowledge Management
Director, Operations & Knowledge Management
The Better Way Alliance
Jiselle Steele
Private Sector Gender Advisor
Private Sector Gender Advisor
Oxfam Business Advisory Service
Ayan Said
CEO
CEO
Voicing Voices
Akinyi Walender
Africa Director
Africa Director
Practical Action
Ama Ocansey
UK Head of Diversity and Inclusion
UK Head of Diversity and Inclusion
BNP Paribas
Daniel Seymour
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Director, Strategic Partnerships
UN Women
Sue Tym
Social Impact Portfolio Senior Manager
Social Impact Portfolio Senior Manager
Primark
Sneha Kanneganti
Private Sector Lead
Private Sector Lead
Global Financing Facility
Dame Barbara Stocking
DBE, President Emerita and Honorary Fellow, Murray Edwards College and former Chief Executive Oxfam GB
DBE, President Emerita and Honorary Fellow, Murray Edwards College and former Chief Executive Oxfam GB
University of Cambridge
Claudine McMahon
Global Head of Culture and Inclusion
Global Head of Culture and Inclusion
Vodafone
Laura Shaw
Representative
Representative
Avon
Andreea Moldovan
Managing Director - Europe
Managing Director - Europe
Avon
Dale Buscher
Vice President of Programs
Vice President of Programs
Women's Refugee Commission
Bill Omondi
CEO
CEO
The Debate Circle
Lucy Kerei
Programme Manager
Programme Manager
Hand in Hand Eastern Africa
Amalia Johnsson
Deputy CEO
Deputy CEO
Hand in Hand International
Katie O’Brien
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Anglo American
Christel Adamou
Director, Office of Professional Ethics and Conduct
Director, Office of Professional Ethics and Conduct
Asian Development Bank
Rt Hon Liam Byrne
MP, Labour MP for Birmingham, Hodge Hill, and Chair
MP, Labour MP for Birmingham, Hodge Hill, and Chair
All Party Parliamentary Group on Inclusive Growth
Ronald Wakhu
Senior Associate
Senior Associate
Health Finance Coalition
Kacper Łodzikowski
Vice President, AI Capabilities
Vice President, AI Capabilities
Pearson
Katharine Teague
Group ESG Director
Group ESG Director
AB Sugar
Pamela Zaballa
CEO,
CEO,
NO MORE
Rudaba Zehra Nasir
Global Lead, Economic Inclusion, Gender and Economic Inclusion Department
Global Lead, Economic Inclusion, Gender and Economic Inclusion Department
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Natalie Deacon
Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability
Director Corporate Affairs and Sustainability
Avon International
Business Fights Poverty is proud to be a Founding UK B Corp.
© 2023 Business Fights Poverty.
The Business Fights Poverty logo and tree device are registered trademarks.
