On the evening of March 3rd in Manchester, members and guests of Junior Chamber International (JCI) gathered to celebrate International Women’s Day with a powerful and inspiring panel event. Hosted by JCI’s Manchester chapter, the event brought together four outstanding professionals from across the region to share stories, spark conversations, and reflect on the importance of inclusion, representation, and using your voice to drive meaningful change.

JCI is a global not-for-profit organisation for young people aged 18 to 40. With over 150 chapters worldwide, JCI empowers young leaders to make a difference through personal development, community involvement, and global connections.

The Panel: Voices of Leadership and Change
The evening’s panel featured four dynamic speakers, each offering unique perspectives on professional growth, community impact, and equity in the workplace:
● Anyonita Green, Head of Marketing at Connexiant, opened the discussion by
reflecting on her 15-year journey in marketing and communications across industries.
"As a Black woman, my career has been shaped by both gender and race," she
shared. "I've often been the only one who looked like me in the room. I’ve had to fight to be heard and seen, while making sure I’m uplifting others along the way." Anyo made the important point that inclusion must be more than a buzzword, it had to involve action.

● Sarah Watkins, Business Director of Marketing & Digital at Michael Page, described her career shift from the Royal Northern College of Music to recruitment. “The rise of International Women’s Day over the last few years has been amazing to see,” she said. Sarah highlighted the increasing integration of ED&I into corporate careers: “Michael Page now has a career pathway dedicated to ED&I—something that simply didn’t exist five or ten years ago.” Her work advising clients on inclusive recruitment practices showcases the ripple effect that committed professionals can have.

● Mariam Hussein, Software Engineer at On The Beach and 2023 MYTA Rising Starwinner, brought raw honesty and humour to the panel.

"I didn't know what I wanted to do—my PhD plans fell through because of COVID," she explained. After teaching herself to code, Maryam found her path in tech and now advocates for accessibility in the industry. "Only 28% of tech roles in the UK are held by women. That's all roles—not just engineering. That’s why I work with Code First Girls—we’ve taught over 250,000 women to code." Mariam emphasised the power of everyday actions: "You don’t always need to shout it from the rooftops. Real progress often comes from small, honest conversations."

● Nick Shepherd, Business Development and Partnerships Manager at the GM Business Growth Hub, brought a regional lens to the conversation. He shared his commitment to inclusive economic development: “We’ve tailored our support to female-led, disability-led, and Black-led businesses, as well as communities in the most deprived wards across Greater Manchester.”

Nick challenged the audience to reflect deeply: “You can’t help others until you’re aware of your own biases. It starts with self-awareness.”

Conversations That Matter
The panel addressed the complexities of ED&I in today’s climate—particularly in light of shifting global attitudes. Anyo highlighted the performative nature of some corporate diversity initiatives: "In some cases, diversity policies felt like a token gesture. The real work is in embedding inclusion into the culture, not just ticking boxes." The panel shared thoughts on the recent backpedalling on ED&I commitments from major international companies, expressing that It was disheartening to see the reversal, especially when some organisations only embraced inclusion because of external pressure. They did observe that companies that truly believed in it still continued those policies.

A powerful moment came when the panel discussed navigating discomfort. Mariam shared, “I've been the only woman—or person of colour—in a room more times than I can count. But I’ve learned that small conversations create real change. Whether it’s talking to a colleague about menstrual leave or sharing my experience in tech, every interaction matters.”

Nick added, “Sometimes you have to be the person who stands up—who uses their privilege to speak for others who can’t yet. It’s about being a champion, even when it’s uncomfortable.”

Turning Insight Into Action

The panel closed with a call to reflect, act, and amplify others. "Our voice is our power," Anyo reminded the room. "We have to use it—for ourselves and for those coming next." As the session wrapped, attendees were encouraged to ask themselves: What conversations am I having? Who am I lifting up? How can I make space for others?

What’s Next at JCI Manchester?

JCI Manchester continues to offer opportunities for young professionals to develop skills, connect with peers, and make a positive impact in their communities. With events like panel discussions, workshops, socials, and charitable initiatives—including the Manchester Young Talent Awards—there’s something for everyone. Interested in joining? Follow us on Instagram or speak to a board member to get involved.

Thank you to Michael Page for providing the venue for this panel discussion and making this conversation possible.