Finalists announced for the Chwarae Teg Womenspire Awards 2022

A leading Welsh awards ceremony, which celebrates the achievements of women across the nation, has announced its finalists for 2022.

The Chwarae Teg Womenspire Awards, headline sponsored by Vauxhall Finance, will recognise accomplishments from all walks of life. Finalists will inspire future generations, with their success being showcased through the following award categories:

·       Community Champion, sponsored by Tiny Rebel

·       Community Connector – recognising a woman with a learning disability, sponsored by Mencap Cymru

• Entrepreneur, sponsored by Development Bank of Wales
• Gender Equality Champion
• Leader, sponsored by Business in Focus
• Learner, sponsored by The Open University in Wales
• Rising Star, sponsored by Target
• Woman in Health and Care, sponsored by HEIW
• Woman in Sport, sponsored by Sport Wales
• Woman in STEM, sponsored by ABPI
• FairPlay Employer – for organisations working towards making gender equality a reality, sponsored by Hodge

Details of all the deserving Chwarae Teg Womenspire Award finalists can be viewed at: www.chwaraeteg.com/finalists.

Now in their seventh year the awards will, for the first time ever, become a hybrid event. They will take place on 29 September at the Pierhead Building, Cardiff Bay, while Womenspire’s media partner, ITV Cymru Wales, will simultaneously broadcast the ceremony online via its Face Book Live and Twitter.

The event has only been run ‘virtually’ for the last two years due Covid -19, but will be back with a bang – with Andrea Byrne hosting an epic night of inspirational stories and entertainment.  

Cerys Furlong, Chief Executive, Chwarae Teg, said:

“Womenspire is an awards ceremony like no other. Finalists are recognised for achievements from all aspects of life and from across Wales, yet they all have something very much in common – they have all gone above and beyond to make a real positive difference to their own lives and the lives of others. We want to shine a light on their remarkable accomplishments, as they can so often go unnoticed. At Chwarae Teg we want to applaud what they’ve done and hold them up as role models.

“It feels extra special this year as our finalists will be able to join us in person while a virtual audience of thousands will get to share the evening with us from the comfort of their own homes or workplaces.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Chwarae Teg Womenspire Awards 2022 finalists are listed below.

·       Community Champion award

Zarah Kaleem, Newport
As a young woman from an ethnic minority background who has a learning disability, Zarah realised that there was a lot of discrimination and judgement for people like her and within her community. Therefore, Zarah took it upon herself to deliver training and awareness courses within schools and businesses and has come a long way with her own confidence and personal achievements too, acting as a role model for others like her.

Dee Llywellyn, Neath
Being a disabled woman, who is part of the LGBTQ+ community with a transgender child, Dee quickly recognised that there was a lack of support and resources for parents like her and a lot of discrimination faced by young people especially. Therefore, Dee took it upon herself to create supportive communities and networks, training opportunities, inclusive events and many incredibly valuable resources for people like her.

Angharad Roche and Claire Wright, Cardiff
Friends Angharad and Claire set up Camper Gurlz in April 2021 – organising events for lesbian and bi women to alleviate the isolation and loneliness a lot of women were feeling during the pandemic. Now a large vibrant and supportive community of 1,500 in Facebook, the group is based on inclusivity and having fun. They have created a large variety of events from camping to bunk house weekends, coasteering, pottery, quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, bowling and meals out and developed Escape Events as part of the community.

Debbie Anne Turnbull, Llandudno

Just 3 weeks after Debbie’s son tragically drowned, Debbie was delivering support and education to young people about drowning prevention at her son’s school as well as training the teachers in how to handle loss. Now having educated over 510,000 young people and delivering training to businesses and organisations across the country, Debbie is truly supporting her community by giving them the insight and valuable information she is.

·       Community Connector award

Sarah Griffiths, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire  

Kind and supportive to her core, everything Sarah does in life is aims to improve the lives of others – advocating for women and men with learning disabilities on a daily basis. She puts others first in her self advocacy role with Monmouthshire People First and has been fundamental in the development of the new Once for Wales Health Profile – a communication tool for people with learning disabilities to support them when they access healthcare.

Dawn Gullis, Cardiff 

Bright, confident, but also sensitive and thoughtful to others; in her role with Cardiff People First, Dawn has a knack of finding the changemakers in the room and putting them on the spot in the most engaging way. She leads by supporting others and helping them to create links, encouraging them, forging new links and bringing new opportunities.

Sophie Hinksman, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

Sophie is a tireless campaigner who has been very active in the field of self-advocacy and the rights of people with learning disabilities for many years – seeking to address the inequalities they face. Having overcome her own barriers she was the first Chair of All Wales People First’s National Council, is an active member of Pembrokeshire People First and co-chair of the Learning Disability Ministerial Advisory Group. Sophie acts as a connecting bridge between the lived experience of people with learning disabilities and autism and Welsh Government and academics across a wide range of sectors.

Frances Caroline Holmes, Llanfairfechan, Conwy 

Having been an active member of Conwy Connect for over 10 years, and a Trustee for the charity for a year, Fran became a Health Check Champion for Conwy Connect in 2021 – promoting health screenings to people with a learning disability, across North Wales through information workshops. Fran is a diving force who enthusiasm and dedication inspires her colleagues and those she communicates with every day.

• Entrepreneur award

Katie Clements-McCreesh, Port Talbot 
A fitness trainer who provides the support, flexibility and understanding that women need on a health and fitness journey. As Director of KCM Fitness, Kelly is a brave entrepreneur with a kind heart who has a strong work ethic – building her business from nothing more than once to a place where it is thriving. Providing online training for women, with gym access, she always goes above and beyond and holds the welfare of women central to her business goals.

Stacey Grant-Canham, Cardiff  

Stacey is a strong feminist fashion designer, empowering and celebrating women with the unique and powerful clothes and jewellery she designs. She set up Black & Beech in 2016, promotes sustainable and slow fashion with her business and has philanthropy at her core – supporting numerous charities and raising public awareness about gender equality, feminism and social and political issues. A passionate reader and a book lover she also sells intersectional feminist books online.

Katie Moss, Newport  

Katie has a big heart and genuinely cares about her clients, going above and beyond, as Managing Director of Otium Concierge. Katie started the business in 2017 when made redundant as a Private Banker. She is a true leader and has doubled her turnover year on year since starting the business. The business now has a team of five and is continuing to grow. She does all this whilst being a single mum to two-year-old, William, starting a networking club, and Katie is a volunteer ambassador for Ty Hafan Children’s Hospice.

Maggie Ogunbanwo, Penygroes, Caernarfon 

Culinary creator Maggie is living her dream as CEO of Maggie’s An African Twist to Your Everyday Dish®. She has brought a taste of Africa to Penygroes through food and plays a key part in the community by supporting other local businesses. As an entrepreneur and mentor Maggie works hard to lift other women and help them succeed and fulfil their potential. She has also authored cook books as well as “100 Things I Wish My Mother Had Told Me”!

• Gender Equality Champion award

Lara Baldwin, Bargoed
Lara is a proactive and determined HR manager, keen to be the driving force in creating a positive, motivated, productive and diverse workforce. Recognising gaps and issues within her organisation in terms of diversity and highlighting the fact that the industry is extremely male dominated, Lara is working hard to build connections and encourage participation and support in all areas of her valuable work and mission.

Sarah-Jayne Bray, Neath Port Talbot
Sarah-Jayne is the chair of the Gender Equality network at South Wales Police and exudes passion and determination to create positive change, to ensure that equality and diversity are at the forefront of her organisation. She has led on many valuable projects and has achieved incredible change for her organisation and the teams within it as well as the wider police networks too.

Emily Griffiths, Llansteffan, Carmarthen

Emily suffered with pain and illness for many years and struggled to be taken seriously by GP’s and consultants, recognising that her male sibling did not have this same issue. Emily was finally diagnosed with endometriosis at the age of 21, a condition that takes over her life and means she cannot work. Emily now campaigns for more awareness around the condition, equality in healthcare and other settings and works hard to ensure there are more opportunities and support available in rural areas like where she lives.

Gemma Jones, Llanyravon
As head of business intelligence at IPO, Gemma is bringing her principles and values into her role, by creating safe spaces where open and honest conversations can be had around all aspects of equality. Gemma is chair of the Womens network within her workplace and works hard to ensure that all voices are heard and represented.

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• Leader award

Marion Davies, Cardiff

A chemical engineer with an extensive career, Marion is now Plant Director at ConvaTec in Rhymey – creating a programme of development and opportunities for the 110 staff she leads. As a true people person Marion has fostered a culture of openness, making herself accessible to all staff and driving forward improvements, which in turn sees the business is thriving and securing investment. 

Sian Morgan, Carmarthen
Siân Morgan is responsible for transforming lives, in communities across Wales, and in the organisation she leads, as Chief Executive of Hafan Cymru. With a passion for people and believing in what they can achieve she has transformed what was a struggling organisation, when she joined in 2016, to the vibrant and resilient organisation that Hafan Cymru is today. Instilling a culture of transparency and openness where staff views count, she enables the best service and protections for the clients they serve.

Louise Phillips, Swansea

Louise is proud to be a Welsh woman who has risen through the ranks at Virgin Atlantic by providing excellent customer service, and leadership to staff, to be become Vice President – Customer Centres. Authentic and motivated she is proven to get the best of people and large-scale teams by ensuring they realise their contribution is special. As a role model and mentor she empowers others to realise their potential.

Tracy Spencer-Jones, Denbigh

A Westend star, Tracy founded the Denbigh Workshop to use theatre and arts to develop the individual, their inter-reaction and contribution to community and enable individuals to fulfil their potential. Tracy encourages as well as educates and is an indefatigable fundraiser whose efforts result in opportunities for inclusion that would otherwise be denied to many within the community due to financial constraints. She brings a ‘can do’ attitude to all that she undertakes and makes others believe in themselves and achieve their ambitions whether that be in employment, theatre or in life.

• Learner award

Julie Edwards, Haverfordwest 
Julie is a multiskilled people person who believes that everyone has something to give and that it’s never too late to learn. Having has spent 20 years working in administration, she completed Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation2 career development programme at 63. This was after being asked to facilitate improvements at her workplace – housing association, Ateb. She has since been promoted thanks to her talent for recognising the skill sets of others and forging an effective team and revolutionised her work life balance, which involves caring for parents and grandchildren.

Celsey Janes, Swansea 

Celsey’s passion for her work and learning shines! She left school with few GSCEs, but returned to learning after she began working on the ground for the cleaning arm of Thrive Group Wales during the pandemic. The social enterprise supports victims of domestic abuse through charity Thrive Women’s Aid. When offered a team leader role Celsely signed up to Chwarae Teg’s Agile Nation2 career development programme and has not looked back! Despite lacking in confidence, her determination and commitment to learning now sees her, at the age of 23, leading a team of 24, continuing to learn, and supporting others to do the same.

Rehnaz Khan, Cardiff 

Rehnaz is a blind woman of Pakistani heritage, smashing stereotypes and changing perceptions of who can represent the fitness industry, having qualified as a Level 3 Personal Trainer this year. She is already working hard and spreading her passion and encouragement by running spin and strength classes which she wants to make sure are accessible to women from all backgrounds by leading by example.

Claire Laudan, Caernarfon, Gwynedd 
As a very balanced person with acute attention to detail, Claire was always told by her mother she’d make a great solicitor. However she left school at 16 and only returned to learning having been inspired by a woman speaker at a Chwarae Teg event. With a young family of three boys, and despite being told that becoming a solicitor would be too difficult given where she lived, her hard work and determination sees her now living her dream.

• Rising Star award

Casey Hopkins, Swansea
After wanting to study languages at university but not being able to, Casey opted for Computer Science. Being one of only 7 girls out of a class of 120, Casey worked hard to prove that this was a career path available to women. She now educates and encourages many women into the industry, having inspired many to consider it as an option and excel.

Nicole Hughes, Dyserth, Denbighshire
Working as a research and evaluation officer for Welsh Women’s aid, Nicole has had to overcome many barriers to get where she is today. She is always helping others who are entering the industry and looking for advice and both her research and support of others has had a huge impact.

Lora Payne, Barry
Lora left school at 16 with very little GCSE’s, fled an abusive relationship, became a single mum at 18 and was made redundant. Lora turned these initial barriers and hard situations into something positive, going back to university, working tirelessly and finally setting up her own business to allow her the flexibility she needed and to offer others the opportunities and working practices that Lora never had herself.

Emily Roberts, Swansea
As a woman with cerebral palsy, Emily often found it hard as a child to know how to dress, how to shower, how to get out of bed and carry out other daily tasks. Emily didn’t want other young people with disabilities to face the same struggles that she did and so decided to create YouTube videos to inspire, educate and support others in her position as well as family and friends in how to live life as a person with a disability. Emily also does a lot of charity work, writes blogs, works with Whizzkids and is an ambassador for Cerebral.

• Woman in Health and Care award

Sayma Ahmed, Cardiff  

Resilient, strong willed and hardworking, Sayma is a founding member of Muslim Doctors Cymru which has been tackling false myths around vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic. She has an acute understanding of the real concerns and reservations that can be held by ethnic minority groups as well as many living in deprived areas. She uses this knowledge and her position as a trusted professional to break down cultural barriers and provide support to those who are often most in need.

Kelly Clewitt, Prestatyn 
Kelly is a dedicated and compassionate leader of a district nursing team. She is passionate about her staff, the profession and the care provided to patients and their families. During the pandemic when many services supporting people in their own homes took a step back, Kelly and her team took a step up – often being the only people providing physical and emotional support for vulnerable patients.

Carol Davies, Torfaen

Carol is a dedicated lung cancer nurse whose desire to give patients and their families a voice, along with the best care possible, goes above and beyond. Described as someone who takes away sadness and gives hope, she sees the best in everyone and what they can become, whether they be a member of staff or someone who needs care. By addressing and leading on committees she speaks up for lung cancer patients to ensure they, and their families, receive the best possible treatment and support.

Dawn Garwood, Barry
Dawn trained to become a mental health dietitian at the age of 40, after working as a dental nurse since she was 16. Dawn is a bold, compassionate and passionate individual who is not afraid to challenge the norm, fight in your corner and stand beside you. Dawn believes her superpower is empathy and clearly connects with her patients, doing incredible work. She also supports her fellow colleagues and new students coming through by working as a mentor and always encouraging others.

• Woman in Sport award

Lydia Clements, Cardiff
Lydia’s passion for cricket is infectious, and as a player for Wales Women’s First Team, Captain of the Women’s Team at Radyr and Manager and Coach of the Wales U13 girls’ squad she is an inspiring role model for cricketers of all ages and abilities. She has created a pathway for junior girls at the club by creating an encouraging environment alongside the best possible training, coaching and playing experience. This is all while she studies to qualify as a solicitor!

Siwan Lillicrap, Neath
At school age, Siwan didn’t know that a career in rugby could be a possibility for her, but through determination, talent, courage and hard work, Siwan is now a highly successful professional rugby player, who has captained the Welsh Women’s rugby team and coaches/mentors’ younger players into the game too.

Vera Ngosi-Sambrook, Cardiff

Vera was encouraged into cycling when she joined a new workplace in 2017 and hasn’t looked back. With the pandemic meaning group cycling was not allowed, she started to plan her owen solo cycling routes, take up long-distance cycling and started to share her love of cycling and experience on social media – becoming an influencer. She is actively engaged in the Women of Colour Cycling Collective and in 2021 she was awarded the Ultra Distance Scholarship aimed at increasing representation of Ethnic Minority communities in the Pan Celtic Race.

Emma Thompson, Cardiff
After being told that “girls don’t play football”, Emma was playing football in the park and was scouted by Cardiff City ladies at the age of 15. Since then, she has gone on to have an incredible career in sport and is inspiring other young girls to take up and continue playing football by coaching them, supporting them and acting as an inspiring role model.

• Woman in STEM award

Katherine Axten, Cardiff
Deciding to study software engineering at university, slightly later in her career, Katherine boldly pushed through the judgement and inequalities she faced to become a highly skilled software engineer. She also encourages and inspires other women to take roles in the STEM industry and gives them the confidence to change careers later on in life by writing a blog about her experiences and including useful resources and advice.

Tanya Jones, Gaerwen, Anglesey
Tanya is passionate about inspiring and educating people, young and old, into STEM careers in North Wales and beyond. Working as a mentor, events organiser, project officer and in many more roles, Tanya works tirelessly to empower, encourage and signpost others into a wide range of roles within the STEAM industry.

Paige Tynan, Wrexham

Paige was told by her science teacher in school that she would never make it and instead of studying science opted to study childcare instead, however after failing her English exam due to undiagnosed dyslexia, Paige smashed through her barriers and opted to study forensic science instead, she is now a highly skilled lecturer of bio sciences at the very university she studied at!

Emma Yhnell, Cardiff
As a senior lecturer at Cardiff University and member of the British neuroscience association, Emma is making waves within her industry. She not only mentors and educates people of all ages on science and finding creative ways to get people interested in it, but is also working hard to improve the equality, diversity and inclusion within her sector, often having to stand up against criticism to fight for her beliefs. 

• FairPlay Employer award

Charles River

Charles River is a global life science contract research organisation with a mission to create healthier lives – united by one purpose: Together We Create Healthier Lives. The business is committed to building a safe, inclusive and welcoming workplace. From the top there flows a culture of which woks to better understand and increase the diversity in its workforce, Board and leadership so that as a business Charles River can better represent its patients, clients and the communities in which it serves.

Gwent Police

Gwent Police cover an area of 600 square miles, including the five local authority areas of Blaenau Gwent, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. The organisation has a strong commitment to all the people living in its broad and diverse communities. This has seen the organisation thrive, as it values difference and encourages inclusivity – both within the organisation and through the service it provides.

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service

South Wales Fire and Rescue Service is dedicated to meeting the different needs of a rich and diverse community and committed to being an employer that reflects all the people it serves. A top goal is to create a workforce in which all women are supported to be all they can, and are equally valued for their skills, expertise, resilience, knowledge, and contributions. The service has ‘stepped outside the box’, becoming a role model to other Fire and Rescue Services – sharing its good practice on a UK scale.

The Open University in Wales

The Open University in Wales has students in every constituency of the nation with almost half of from its most disadvantaged areas. A world leader in modern distance learning, the OU is a pioneer of teaching and learning methods which enable people to achieve their career and life goals studying at times and in places to suit them. The organisation is inclusive, innovative and responsive with a commitment to equality and equity is embedded in all it does.