As Diversity programmes come under scrutiny all over the world, women remain at the heart of the debate as they continue to make advances into the upper echelons of business and commerce and in social organisations. Systematic barriers do however remain, including unconscious bias, a lack of support networks, being more harshly judged than their male counterparts – all of which can result in a lack of promotion and career progression. Coaching and mentoring programmes are proving to be crucial in providing women with the guidance, resources and confidence needed to excel in their careers. Our guest speaker this month is Lara Ayoub, a strategist, trainer, coach, mentor, gender consultant, and founder of the Media Lab, a community interest organisation which focuses on the relationship between the media and the public. As a successful entrepreneur in her own right, having launched and operated five digital newsrooms, comprising three TV stations and two print publications in the Middle East, Lara has transposed the benefits of her business experience into her mentoring programme for young emerging female leaders with outstanding results and will reveal some of the secrets of her success from which we can all benefit. Lara is an Eisenhower Fellow, a Harvard Teaching Fellow, a public narrative coach with the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and is the recipient of the prestigious Goldman Sachs Fortune Global Women Leaders Award. Her skills as a qualified hypnotherapist provide her with a particular empathy and insight into the well being of youth and young leaders. Lara has a special interest in human rights and recognises their importance to women all over the world.

Tentative schedule for the day

9:30am to 10:45am – Registration, tea/coffee, Activity Leader and vendor tables

10:50am – Members to take their seats in the auditorium

11:00am – Introductions

11:10am – Guest Speaker

12:05pm – Q and A

12:20pm – President’s announcements

12:30pm – Meeting conclusion

12:45pm – Hospitality lunch (details tbc)