Avye Couloute
Founder, Maker, Coder, Social Entrepreneur, Workshop Leader, Female Tech & Engineering advocate
Girls into Coding
I founded Girls Into Coding (GIC), a social enterprise, in 2018 when I was 10 years old. Now, at 16, I continue to lead the organisation alongside my mum. Together, we form a unique mother-and-daughter team, working collaboratively to drive the GIC mission.
GIC engages girls aged 10 to 14, particularly from underrepresented groups, with FREE hands-on workshops and bootcamps in coding, robotics, engineering, physical computing, computer-aided design, and manufacturing. These activities allow them to see their abilities and potential while developing confidence and a sense of belonging in the digital space.
Through our mission and community, we champion gender diversity and challenge stereotypes in the digital sector & STEM in general. We seek to address the female underrepresentation in the sector, striving to create a future where girls and women are equally engaged in STEM activities, education, and careers, with an equal sense of belonging and representation.
Elizabeth Excell
Data Engineering Manager
Lloyds Banking Group
My core proposition is to drive digital transformation that not only optimises organisational processes but also fosters inclusivity, security, and ethical practices in technology. Through the innovative application of cutting-edge technologies and a commitment to upskilling underrepresented groups, I aim to set new standards for digital excellence. My work combines technical expertise with a strong sense of social responsibility, making significant impacts both within my organisation and the wider community.
Having published my first conference paper on Gender Bias within Toxic Language Detection while studying for my Master’s degree and subsequently been invited to give a lecture on Natural Language Processing at Durham University, improving diversity and representation within the tech sector to improve outcomes for users has long been a passion of mine.
Gabi Michem-Evans
Senior User Researcher
Centre for Digital Public Services, wales
I grew up not seeing user-centred design jobs in Wales and felt I had to move to England to start my career. My ambition is to make Wales an exemplar country for user-centred design in the public sector and to prepare the workforce for this to happen.
Through my work I aim to make the Welsh public sector an exciting, mature, inspiring place to do user-centred design work to ultimately improve citizens' lives.
I challenge the siloed, traditional waterfall approach of delivering digital work and encourage collaboration, constructive challenge and authenticity in my work. I believe in using creativity to inspire our efforts; coming from a design background I use my design thinking skills to bring stakeholders together to run ideation workshops, design critiques and team collaboration sessions. I believe working in this way is attracting talented people into our profession to make much needed digital transformation in Wales.
Georgia Collins
arup
I am passionate about using digital to generate valuable insights which can be used to improve the world we live in. At Arup, I enjoy working on large infrastructure and environmental projects and using my digital expertise to help deliver high-quality work for our clients. I am particularly keen to promote the important of ‘where’ and integrate geospatial into all our projects. I am a big proponent of automation and using it to drive efficiencies.
As a young digital leader, I am eager to showcase the power of geospatial and encourage engagement between digital experts in my organisation, in the region more broadly. I am keen to encourage others to foster their digital skills and to play my role in helping drive digital transformation.
Hannah Lavelle
Digital Lead
Gwent Drug and alcohol service
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, GDAS integrated Breaking Free Online into its services in 2021. Initially, staff received comprehensive training to recommend this tool to clients, leading to a promising uptake. However, by mid-2022, an increase in referrals strained keyworkers’ caseloads. To address this, we revamped our strategy by training administrative staff to register clients for Breaking Free Online, primarily recommending it to those with low-level drug use. Clients retained the option to switch to a keyworker if needed.
We promoted registration through our website, social media, and printed materials. Breaking Free was offered alongside keyworker sessions and while clients awaited their initial appointments. This strategy alleviated staff workload and led to a steady increase in sign-ups, totaling 365 with a 100% retention rate. The data shows a monthly decrease in substance use and improved mental health among users, highlighting the tool’s significant impact on our service delivery.
Jack Gould
Programme Manager
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
My core proposition is centered around harnessing digital technology to enhance our staff and patient experiences. Passionate about technological advancements, I thrive in autonomous roles where I can guide Senior Project staff, ensuring their projects align with strategic goals and making data-driven decisions. At 26, I bring fresh, innovative ideas to the table, contributing to meetings and suggesting process improvements. I've successfully introduced new communication methods for digital change and programme updates, demonstrating my commitment to effective organisational change. My leadership style is defined by empathy, kindness, and honesty, fostering an environment where staff feel understood and motivated. I am dedicated to their growth by aligning annual goals with their development. My confidence has grown significantly, enabling me to present confidently at various meetings and forums. I excel in delegating tasks with clarity, ensuring that projects are completed thoroughly from start to finish.
Kaoutar Addi
Project Lead
Digital Skills HUB
Digital Skills Hub was established in August 2023 to address digital exclusion in the Boscombe-Bournemouth community. My aim is to ensure that digital skills—ranging from basic to advanced—are freely available and easily accessible. Through a variety of courses, drop-ins, events, and workshops, I support both individuals and businesses in enhancing their digital literacy.
The Hub’s mission is to boost productivity, economic growth, and digital engagement in the area. By offering services like employment support, business learning, and specialised workshops, we help residents and businesses become more digitally empowered. I actively collaborate with local organisations across multiple sectors, driving digital transformation and ensuring our community stays future-focused.
My goal is to make a lifelong positive impact by providing a safe, welcoming space for learning and growth, enabling everyone to succeed in the digital age.
Lucy Lyons
CEO & Co-founder
Kestrix
Kestrix is on a mission to unlock energy retrofits of existing buildings at scale. To do this we build the 'Google Maps of heat loss' – we commission thermal drones flights over whole neighbourhoods at a time, and develop AI tooling to 1) map heat loss from buildings in 3D, and 2) generate energy efficiency retrofit plans for those buildings. You can think of us as the automated energy surveyor – or the data layer to power the climate transition of buildings already standing.
Sebastian Moore
Business Relationship Manager at HM Treasury
HM Trasury
As a digital leader, my core proposition is to democratise digital proficiency across the public sector, ensuring every employee has the skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing digital environment. After identifying critical knowledge gaps during a significant technological shift within the UK Government, I designed the Digital Upskilling initiative to bridge these divides.
My approach ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or digital literacy level, can benefit from accessible, high-quality training. The initiative is not just about enhancing technical skills; it’s about empowering staff to innovate, collaborate, and deliver superior public services. By embedding digital literacy into the heart of government operations, I’m paving the way for a more agile, inclusive, and forward-thinking Civil Service.
Zoe Galvin
Digital Programme Manager
KEnt County Council
As KCCs Digital Programme Manager, I am dedicated to enhancing digital experiences and driving transformation within Kent County Council. My focus is on improving service delivery, reducing costs, and promoting accessibility and inclusion. I lead initiatives such as the Digital Post project, which aims to streamline postal activities and support hybrid working practices. I advocate for user-centered design, ensuring that our digital services are intuitive and meet the needs of all residents. My commitment to digital transformation is evident in my efforts to foster collaboration across departments and leverage technology to achieve strategic goals. I am passionate about creating a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, empowering teams to embrace digital solutions that enhance efficiency and deliver better outcomes for our community.