About the Event

Here at The Epicentre we want to bring together a community of women in business to share experience and fast track ‘changes’ in the beliefs we have around what is possible in our careers.  At the same time creating a safe space for like-minded individuals to open up, learn and create a network of support.

We are therefore excited to launch a 3 Part Series ‘Changes – Transforming Women in Business’

• Reflections
• The Here and Now
• The Way Forward

We will be joined by 3 inspirational women who will share the biggest challenges that have impacted them, how they overcame these and the overall influence this has had on their career.  The events will explore how gender and change punctuates our careers: how it can derail our ambitions and define who we are unless we learn how to confront it and activate change.

This will be punctuated by the research that very much still keeps this debate alive and demonstrate why it is important to continue the conversation and empower each other.

Logistics

This is an evening event for professionals to meet in an informal, relaxed space over a glass of wine, soft drink and some nibbles.

Date: Autumn 2021 Series of Event on one Thursday each month

• • Thursday 14th October – REFLECTING Looking back to look forward – What can we learn from what we have been through and what has changed?
  • Thursday 18th November – THE HERE & NOW Where are we now? What is worrying us right now?
  • Thursday 9th December – THE WAY FORWARD Where are we going? How will the post-COVID world impact women at work?

Time: 17.30-19.30

Schedule: A brief outline of the evening;

• 17.30 Welcome Drink
• 18.00 The Context with Cassie McMaster
• 18.15 In Conversation with Sarah Howard
• 18.45 In Conversation with each other

The Research – Why is this  important?

The Context with our Expert – Cassie McMaster

Cassie will add the context to each part of the series of our 3 events giving an overview of what the research tells us for women in business; in the past, the present and the future.  This will help us understand why it is important to have the conversation and why it is important to strengthen our community to build each other up.

Inspirational Women – What can we learn?

PART 1

Our Speaker – Sarah Howard MBE

REFLECTING Looking back to look forward – What can we learn from what we have been through and what has changed?

We are delighted to be joined by Sarah Howard MBE to start the conversation. It was Sarah who approached us about starting this series of event as she feels very strongly that we should be bringing women together in a ‘safe space’ to share our stories and build a network of support and opportunity. Sarah has long felt frustrated that more women don’t put themselves forward for board roles despite the vast experience and talent that she sees and is keen to know why. She will reflect on the challenges she has faced and her experiences that have lead her to the roles she now holds and how she has navigated her path in predominantly male-led sectors and posts.

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PART 2

Our Speaker – To be announced

THE HERE & NOW Where are we now? What is worrying us right now?

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PART 3

Our Speaker – To be announced

THE WAY FORWARD Where are we going? How will the post-COVID world impact women at work?

Biography – Cassie McMaster

Cassie holds a master’s degree in Multi-Disciplinary Gender Studies from the University of Cambridge, where her research into the impact of sexual misconduct policies at institutions of higher education earned her a distinction. Prior to her education at Cambridge, Cassie worked extensively in women’s policy issues in the United States and abroad and has conducted research on gendered issues at the United States Senate, The National Women’s Law Center, and in collaboration with the University of Amsterdam. Currently, she is the co-founder of leep impact, a startup on a mission to create stronger connections between employers and jobseekers that share a common interest in diverse and sustainable workplaces.

Biography – Sarah Howard MBE

Sarah is an experienced Chair and non-exec. She is highly effective leading her boards through change and growth. A skilled networker, she brings together the right people and organisations to achieve sustainable results. With a background in management consultancy, Sarah has worked for high profile organisations including JP Morgan and KPMG. She is a Director of Sarand Business Software, the company supplies bespoke software to a wide range of clients.

Sarah is the Chair of the British Chambers of Commerce and a Past President of Suffolk Chamber of Commerce. She is also the Independent Chair of the West Suffolk Alliance which is bringing together services across West Suffolk. Sarah has recently joined Jaynic as a non-exec director. Sarah is the Chair of Abbeycroft Leisure, a not-for-profit Leisure Trust and is a Governor at West Suffolk College and a Member of Suffolk Academy Trust.