Give to Gain: Leadership, Legacy, and Extraordinary Women Event

Join us for an uplifting in‑person celebration of leadership, legacy, and extraordinary women.

This event is an opportunity to connect with inspiring women in senior leadership roles, build meaningful networks, and engage in conversations that spark insight and motivation.

You’ll hear reflections on leadership, community, and the power of giving back — and leave with ideas, connections, and inspiration you can carry into your own journey.

City St George's Wall of Extraordinary Women

Our Wall of Extraordinary Women gallery, located in College Building, celebrates some of the great many whose work or study at City St George's forms part of a remarkable story of achievement. These women inspire us because they’ve been ready to try, to challenge and to lead; making life better for others and pushing the boundaries of what can be accomplished.

Each year, on International Women’s Day, a new City St George's woman is added to the gallery. Staff and students are invited to put forward their nominations, which are reviewed by a panel with representation across the University. We look forward to celebrating the new addition to the Wall for 2026 at this event.

Registrations close at 5pm on Thursday 26 February. Please view our Terms and conditions of attending public City St George's events before registering to attend.

Zoe Burdo is a City St George’s alumna, Partner and DEI Manager at Lane, Clark & Peacock (LCP). Her career reflects the spirit of “Give to Gain,” combining sector leadership with a strong commitment to community impact. Zoe champions equity and inclusion across financial services. She is a founding member of O:Pen, the UK pensions industry’s LGBTQ+ network, and contributes to several industry working groups. She also serves as Acting Chair and Trustee of the Pink Singers and mentors young LGBTQ+ people through the Just Like Us/Travers Smith scheme, demonstrating her dedication to giving time, expertise, and support to strengthen communities and drive positive change

Zoe will be joined on the panel by members of our University community to explore how giving time, knowledge, and support can strengthen communities, foster leadership, and create positive change.

Professor Juliet John is an internationally recognised scholar and sector leader whose career reflects the spirit of “Give to Gain.” She is known for her generous mentorship, collaborative leadership, and commitment to sharing knowledge across academic and cultural communities. At the University of Liverpool, she founded the Gladstone Centre for Victorian Studies, supported early‑career researchers, and led an AHRC‑funded project on Victorian archives. As Faculty Director for Student Experience, she oversaw learning and teaching for more than 9,000 students, championing high‑quality, inclusive education. Her dedication to pedagogy has earned teaching awards and international invitations to lecture. She is also a strong advocate for gender equity at City St George’s, serving as the Senior Diversity Ambassador for Gender and actively championing a more inclusive university community.

Rue Asghar is the Student Union Deputy President (Wellbeing and Equity) at City St George's. She is a dedicated advocate for student wellbeing, safety, and equity, embodying the spirit of “Give to Gain” through compassionate, community‑focused leadership. They work to ensure students feel supported, empowered, and heard, championing inclusive initiatives such as the Race Equality Charter, strengthening safeguarding, and driving positive change across the Union. Through their commitment to service and equity, they help build a safer, fairer, and more connected student community.

Tejal Roma‑Williams is a Criminal Solicitor‑Advocate with 13 years’ of post qualification experience. Tejal co‑founded The City Law School Innocence Project, leading trauma‑informed and anti‑racist investigations into wrongful convictions, and contributes to justice reform through advisory roles with Court Watch London and the Centre for Justice Reform. A member of Criminal Appeal Lawyers Association, and a founding member of Women in Criminal Law, and a primary school governor. Tejal also supports wellbeing in the legal sector as the founder of SANA Breathwork, demonstrating her commitment to strengthening communities through service, mentorship, and advocacy.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Office for Institutional Equity and Inclusion