Yvonne Akinmodun, FCIPD

Executive Career Coach, Speaker and HR Director

Yvonne Akinmodun, FCIPD is an Executive Career Coach, Speaker and former HR Director with over 25 years’ experience working across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

She is the Founder of Career Coaching Matters and the author of Powerful Career Conversations. Yvonne specialises in supporting HR and People professionals, along with mid- to senior-level leaders, to navigate career progression with greater clarity, confidence and strategic intent, particularly in today’s evolving world of work.

Her work sits at the intersection of individual career strategy and organisational talent development. She partners with organisations to design and deliver programmes that strengthen career conversations, improve retention, and enable more inclusive and visible progression pathways. Alongside this, she works directly with individuals who want to reposition themselves, progress into more senior roles, or successfully navigate career transitions.

Having built her own career in HR leadership and experienced redundancy mid-career Yvonne brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her work. She understands first-hand the challenges of navigating change, rebuilding confidence, and repositioning for new opportunities.

Yvonne is known for her practical, insightful and empowering approach. She challenges conventional thinking around career progression, helping her audiences understand not just how to perform well—but how to be visible, influential and strategically positioned for the future of work.

Chimbuani Ngaliae

HR Transformation Leader And Founder Of Horizon Peace

Chimbuani Ngaliae is an HR transformation leader and Founder of Horizon Peace, a London-based consultancy dedicated to advancing peace-centred leadership in organisations operating across cultures, geographies and complex human dynamics.

With over 20 years of international experience, she has led global teams and delivered large-scale transformation programmes within blue-chip organisations including Google, Vodafone and HSBC.

Through this work, she has developed a distinctive approach that bridges performance with cultural intelligence, human dignity and long-term sustainability.

She is the creator of the P.E.A.C.E Leadership Framework™, equipping leaders to navigate complexity, reduce friction and build environments where trust, openness and high performance can coexist.

Her work focuses on helping leaders move beyond reactive management towards intentional, steady and globally conscious leadership.

As a speaker, Chimbuani brings a grounded, experience-led perspective shaped by years of operating across cultures and high-stakes environments.

She challenges traditional leadership narratives by positioning peace not as a soft concept, but as a strategic and operational advantage in modern organisations.

Samantha Uwadiae

Founder and Director of Culture Transformation

Samantha Uwadiae is a Director level leader in People, Culture, EDI and Organisational Transformation with over a decade of experience across the NHS, central government and the charity sector.

She is a trusted advisor to Boards and Executive teams, specialising in culture transformation, equity, diversity and inclusion, leadership development and people governance.

Most recently, she served as Associate Director of EDI at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, having previously been Deputy Director of Culture and Leadership at East Kent Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

She has also held senior roles across government and the charity sector, shaping organisational approaches to leadership, culture and inclusion.

Samantha has been a professional coach since 2017 and holds an MSc in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. She is also an EMCC accredited Senior Practitioner and is currently completing the ILM Level 7 in Executive Coaching and Mentoring.

She coaches executives and senior leaders, focusing particularly on supporting women of colour and creating culturally and psychologically safe environments.

Samantha is a Board Trustee and People & Culture Subcommittee Chair at Inspire Partnership Academy Trust and a former trustee of Mind. She also previously chaired the NHS Shelford Group EDI Specialist Group.

She is the Founder and Principal Consultant at Uwadiae Partners, where she works with senior leaders to make leadership, culture and EDI visible, measurable and accountable in practice.

Kitan Olukoya

Bar Trainee, Speaker and Founder of The Bold Network

Kitan Olukoya is a speaker, Bar trainee and Founder of The Bold Network, a platform focused on equipping young people with the skills, confidence and connections needed to navigate professional environments.

With a background in family law and mental health advocacy, Kitan is passionate about creating more honest conversations around wellbeing, inclusion and the lived experiences of women of colour in professional spaces.

Her work explores themes including emotional labour, resilience, workplace culture and sustainable ambition, particularly for those navigating invisible challenges such as chronic illness.

Kitan has led networking and wellbeing initiatives for students and young professionals, collaborating with organisations, charities and leadership networks to create spaces centred on confidence, growth and belonging.

Through her speaking and community work, she aims to challenge performative notions of resilience and encourage more human-centred approaches to leadership, inclusion and workplace wellbeing.

Omotoyosi (Toyosi) Akinfemiwa

 CEO & Managing Partner, Elizabeth Roberts Accountants and Business Advisors

Omotoyosi (Toyosi) Akinfemiwa is the CEO and Managing Partner of Elizabeth Roberts Accountants and Business Advisors (ER), a firm widely recognised for delivering professional, personable, and practical accounting and advisory services to individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises, and charitable organisations.

A Chartered Accountant with extensive cross-sector experience, Toyosi has built a distinguished career spanning banking, public practice, and the charitable and voluntary sectors. She holds a first degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Finance, combining strong academic grounding with significant hands-on expertise. Alongside her leadership at ER, she serves in advisory capacities, supporting business owners in structuring their organisations for sustainable growth, resilience, and long-term success.

Prior to joining ER, Toyosi worked with the Central Bank of Nigeria and Citibank, where she gained valuable experience in Internal Control and Treasury Operations. This background has equipped her with a robust understanding of governance, financial stewardship, and risk management, which she brings into her work with clients and organisations alike.

Toyosi also possesses in-depth knowledge of the responsibilities and regulatory requirements of charity Boards of Trustees. She currently serves on the boards of Woodhall Capital International Foundation and Islington People’s Rights (IPR), a London-based charity focused on alleviating poverty and reducing the impact of debt on individuals and families.

Passionate about education and empowerment, Toyosi is committed to teaching, coaching, and mentoring young people and aspiring professionals. She also lectures part-time in Accounting and Economics, reflecting her dedication to knowledge-sharing and capacity building.

Outside of her professional life, Toyosi enjoys dancing, reading, travelling, exploring new cultures, and playing chess. She is married and a proud mother of two daughters.

Matt Davies

CEO Hapus People

Matt is a fellow of CIPD with a HR / People career spanning more than 20 years.

Previously holding senior roles at British Gas, Target Group and Monmouthshire Building Society.

Having set up Hapus People, he’s passionate about supporting Hr colleagues to massively enhance the impact they make.

Matt is an executive coach and mentors leaders across HR.

Having come from a small town in South Wales Matt has grown up passionate about the opportunities available to people from a low socio-economic background.

Matt now lives in Cardiff with his husband, Patrick and his two sausage dogs.

Paul Oyewusi

Founder & Managing Partner, POMA Point

Paul Oyewusi is an organizational transformation strategist and management consultant who advises leaders on building high-performing institutions that deliver sustained results and long-term relevance.

As Founder and Managing Partner of POMA Point, he works with founders, chief executives, senior leadership teams, and public-sector leaders to solve complex organizational challenges and strengthen execution across strategy, people, and systems. His work spans organizational transformation, leadership effectiveness, operating model design, workforce strategy, performance systems, and enterprise-wide change.

His core belief is that organizations rarely fail because of a lack of strategy, but because strategy, leadership, and execution become misaligned. His work focuses on closing this gap by helping leaders translate intent into consistent delivery and measurable outcomes.

Paul has supported organizations across consulting, technology, fintech, and high-growth sectors through periods of expansion, restructuring, and transformation. He is known for helping leadership teams simplify complexity, align priorities, and build operating environments that enable disciplined execution.

His experience spans Africa and international markets, giving him a broad perspective on organizational performance across emerging and developed economies. This enables him to bring globally informed thinking while remaining grounded in practical execution realities.

Beyond his advisory work, Paul is a speaker on organizational transformation, leadership, the future of work, and institution building. He has contributed to industry platforms including HR Expo Africa, where he shared insights on leadership and organizational effectiveness in evolving workplaces.

Paul holds an Executive MBA and professional credentials from globally respected institutions. He is a member of the FinTech Association of Nigeria, the Society for People Analytics, ForbesBLK, and other professional networks committed to advancing leadership and enterprise excellence.

Through his work, Paul helps leaders build organizations that can execute with discipline, adapt with confidence, and endure beyond the individuals who lead them.

Tolulope Dayo-Peters

Head, People Management Organization: Quest Merchant Bank

Tolulope Dayo-Peters holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Estate Management (2000) and a  Master of Business Administration (2005), both from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She also  obtained a Master’s degree with Commendation in Strategy and Human Resource Management  from the University of Bedfordshire, United Kingdom, in 2009. 

She began her career in Human Resources in 2001 with the former Standard Trust Bank (now  UBA Plc), and in 2002 joined Bond Bank Limited, where she gained experience across Human  Resources, Domestic Operations, and Branch Operations. Following the bank’s evolution into  

Polaris Bank, she served as Acting Head, Human Capital Management. She later joined  SunTrust Bank Nigeria as Head, Human Resources. 

Tolulope is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), UK; an  Associate of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (ACIPM), Nigeria; an Honorary  Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (HCIBN); and a member of Chartered  Institute of Directors Nigeria (CIoD). 

With over 24 years of experience in the banking industry, she is a results-driven HR professional  with deep expertise in business partnering, employee engagement, and culture transformation.  She is recognized for her strong analytical and conceptual capabilities and her proven ability to  lead and implement innovative organizational change. 

She has served on several strategic committees and played key roles in major transformation  initiatives across institutions. Her extensive experience across all areas of Human Resources  positions her to effectively lead the Bank’s People Management function and drive its human  capital strategy. 

Tolulope is currently the Head, People Management at Quest Merchant Bank.

Catina M. Artenant MBA

Human Resources Technology Leader

Strategic and visionary technology leader with deep expertise in innovation, continuous improvement, and proactively anticipating evolving business needs.

Recognized for the ability to translate complex technical concepts into business value, manage technical debt, deliver transformative roadmaps, and lead large-scale digital and HR technology transformations.

Proven success driving global HRIS rationalization efforts, advancing AI-enabled product strategies, and fostering cross-functional collaboration across Centers of Excellence, Digital Products, and HR organizations.

A respected leadership coach, peer circle leader, and mentor, dedicated to developing talent, empowering high-performing teams, and cultivating future leaders. Known for building strong leadership communities, facilitating meaningful peer development experiences, and mentoring professionals to achieve career growth, increased confidence, and measurable success.

Combines strategic thinking with a people-first leadership approach to drive organizational effectiveness, engagement, and sustainable transformation.

Subject matter expert in Workday Core HCM, Recruiting, Time and Absence, Payroll, Learning, Advanced Compensation, data governance, and enterprise HR technology strategy, with a demonstrated ability to align technology investments to business objectives while delivering scalable, innovative solutions.

Rukayat Alabi

CEO, RKY Careers | Founder, Limitless Without Borders

Rukayat Alabi is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur, global speaker, career coach, business coach, and the dynamic CEO of RKY Group. A proud member of the Forbes Coaches Council, Rukayat is deeply committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in tech, the workplace, and business. Her mission centres on supporting underrepresented professionals as they navigate the UK job market and build sustainable and thriving businesses.

She is the author of the transformational book Limitless and Thriving, a practical and inspiring guide for professionals and founders navigating change, career transitions, business growth, and new beginnings. Since its release, the book has gained significant attention for its blend of personal storytelling and actionable strategies, and it continues to inspire individuals across global communities.

Through her visionary leadership, Rukayat has founded several impactful ventures, including:

• RKY Careers, a multi-award-winning EdTech company with more than 2,000 success stories, 5,000 alumni, and a thriving community of more than 100,000 members
  • Apply Buddy Ltd, an AI-powered job application as a service platform
  • The RKY Business Hub, a dedicated coaching and resource community for entrepreneurs
  • Limitless Without Borders CIC, a movement and event platform championing global talent and innovation
  • The Limitless and Thriving Podcast, a platform dedicated to amplifying diverse voices in business, technology, and career development

With more than thirteen years of professional experience in the banking sector across the UK and Nigeria, Rukayat successfully transitioned into tech and entrepreneurship. Her personal journey fuels her passion for empowering professionals to secure meaningful work and build sustainable businesses in the UK and beyond.

Her work and influence have been recognised globally through multiple awards and media features. She has been featured in Forbes, The US Times, Channels TV, Arise TV, The Guardian, Tech Cabal, Tech Economy, Punch, and Vanguard. Her notable accolades include:

• Top 25 Women Changing the Face of Education, 2022
  • EdTech CEO of the Year, UK, 2023
  • Innovative Entrepreneur of the Year, 2024
  • Top 25 Driving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Corporate UK, 2024
  • Career Support Organisation of the Year, 2024 and 2025
  • Outstanding Coach and Mentor, UK, 2024
  • Tech Start Up of the Year, 2025
  • Black Tech Achievement Awards Finalist, 2025
  • Black British Business Awards Finalist, 2025
  • CEO Awards, UK Business Awards, Innovations and Excellence Awards, among others

Through RKY Careers, she has coached more than 5,000 professionals, helping them transition into high demand tech roles, gain UK work experience, and acquire digital skills that position them for long term success. The organisation has become a trusted partner for international students, career changers, and professionals seeking accelerated career growth.

Through RKY Business Hub, she has coached more than 100 founders as they start, build, and scale their businesses in the UK, equipping them with the knowledge, systems, and strategies needed for sustainable business growth.

Rukayat is also a sought-after keynote speaker and has delivered powerful talks at major conferences and institutions, including:

• Elevatech Summit, 2025
  • Thrive Summit UK, 2025
  • UK Black Business Show, 2025
  • Techsphere Society Conference, 2025
  • Limitless Without Borders Conference, 2023 to 2025
  • Africans Unite Conference, Birmingham, 2023
  • The Innovation Summit, 2023
  • Tech Summit, Manchester, 2022
  • Multiple university careers conferences, entrepreneurship forums, and women in tech panels

Rukayat’s work continues to drive economic empowerment, social mobility, and inclusive innovation. Through RKY Group, she has helped thousands of professionals secure better jobs, increase their earning power, and transform their lives, contributing to the stability and advancement of families and communities across the UK.

A standout initiative is the RKY Scholarship Grant. In 2024, she launched the £10,000 Scholarship Grant for Women to support mothers re-entering the workforce with mentorship, education, and tech training. In 2025, she expanded this vision with the £20,000 Scholarship Grant 2.0, supporting 100 underrepresented individuals, including international students, ethnic minorities, and career returners. This initiative reflects her commitment to bridging opportunity gaps and shaping a more equitable future of work.

Her impact is not only measured through career outcomes but also through the ripple effects of changed lives, empowered families, and stronger communities. Rukayat remains committed to building ecosystems, amplifying diverse voices, and inspiring people to pursue possibilities without limits.