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Chanté Joseph
Host at The Guardian Pop Culture PodcastChanté is a writer, digital content producer and host of The Guardian’s Pop Culture Podcast and Channel 4’s How Not To Be Racist & House of Horoscopes
A versatile journalist, Chanté frequently writes for publications including British Vogue, The Guardian, Gal-dem and VICE with her work ranging from celebrity interviews to cultural commentary and first-person reportage. Chanté fronted The Face Magazine’s ‘My Public Me’ podcast in 2020 and currently hosts panel discussions; works as a consultant for various companies and has collaborated with many household brands such as Bumble, adidas, Spotify and Youtube as a content producer.
Chanté is currently writing for her first book A Quick Ting On: The Black British Power Movement, due out in autumn 2022.
Guilaine Kinouani
Director and Founder of Race ReflectionsGuilaine Kinouani is the Director and Founder of Race Reflections. She is a psychologist and clinician with over 15 years experience working with issues of equality and justice in the fields of community development, research, management, organisational consultancy, training and psychotherapy.
Her first book Living While Black: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Racial Trauma (Ebury: Penguin Random House) is a powerful exposé of the lived experience of various manifestations of racism and their impact on the mind and body through arresting case studies, eye-opening research and effective and innovative coping techniques. In her second book White Minds (Bristol University Press) she tackles whiteness and the interplay of psychic and structural factors in the reproduction of race inequality.
You can find out more about the book here:
https://policy.bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/white-minds
Theo Smith
Founder of Neurodiversity at WorkI’m a leading Neurodiversity and inclusive recruitment advocate, founder of Neurodiversity at Work Ltd, Neurodiversity Leader at Dynamis Group, author of ‘Neurodiversity at Work: Drive Innovation, Performance and Productivity with a Neurodiverse Workforce’ and podcast host of Neurodiversity – Eliminating Kryptonite & Enabling Superheroes!
Once upon a time I was a professional Actor, then a leading expert in the field of recruitment. I now use my thespian skills to entertain my daughter and son and to inspire organisations and the world to the idea that neurodiversity is the future of work and beyond.
Krystal Wilkinson
Associate Professor at Manchester Metropolitan UniversityDr Krystal Wilkinson is Reader (Associate Professor) in Human Resource Management at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on the work-life interface, women’s health and wellbeing at work. Recent research projects have focused on solo-living staff; fertility journeys (including those going through fertility treatment, experiencing pregnancy loss and involuntary childlessness); mental illness during pregnancy and post-birth; and women’s health more broadly. She is editing a book called ‘Work-life Inclusion: Broadening perspectives across the life-course’ and is working with various stakeholders to raise awareness around her research topics and create resources. Current partners include the CIPD, various charities and employers. Her research has been featured in the media and trade press including the Wall Street Journal, the BBC and People Management Magazine. Prior to studying for her PhD, Krystal held operational Human Resource Management roles in different industries, including construction, retail and hospitality.
Sara Langston
Founder of Margareting AcademySara Langston is a Service Designer in the charity sector, and the founder of the Margareting Academy, a free resource for small charities and public services to improve and grow their services. She completed a masters in marketing whilst working in a local authority adult social care department, and became adept at translating commercial marketing concepts to be relevant in non-profits.
Cake Bennet
EDI Officer at Orbit Housing GroupCake has extensive experience in diversity, equality and inclusion, covering implementation, learning and content development and delivery, equality impact reviews, account management, customer service and sales, relationship management, and policy improvement.
Having previously spent several years working for Stonewall helping clients to improve the lives of LGBTQ+ staff, they are currently EDI Officer for Orbit Housing Group in the Support and Service Development team, where they look after the resident-centric EDI initiatives.
Maria Bolton
Employment Coach at Project SEARCH, The Calico GroupMaria works alongside interns and graduates to ensure they are able to learn new and exciting skills to prepare them for the start of their journey into work. She has supported people with learning disabilities and or Autism in both the independent living sector and in further education for her entire working career.
Maria's passion is ensuring everyone has the opportunity to grow and develop in all areas of their life and to have the same chances as anyone else to live their best life.
In her spare time Maria has been actively involved with Drum Corp UK since the age of 9 and has performed all over Europe and still teaches brass to the new recruits.
Dr Alex Conner
ADHDadultUKAlex is a consultant in ADHD support and education. He was the Director of Taught Post-Graduate Education and a Reader in Biomedical Science Education at the University of Birmingham Medical School until 2022 when he became a full-time ADHD consultant. Alex has ADHD and was diagnosed as an adult.
Alex was trained in coaching at Warwick University in 2013, embedding coaching into all aspects of his portfolio. In 2021, Alex won a National Teaching Fellowship based on non-directive coaching approaches to teaching technical, medical education He is the Chair of the charity “ADHDadultUK” advocating and supporting for adults with ADHD
He also co-hosts the most popular ADHD podcast in the UK, “The ADHD adults” with Professor James Brown and Sam “Mrs ADHD” Brown. Alex gives talks and writes articles on ADHD, including for the THES, The Independent and Medical News Today. He has also published more than 50 scientific papers on many aspects of brain science including ADHD and neurodiversity.
Jackie Jones
Training Specialist at Afta ThoughtJackie is an actor and facilitator who has worked with AftaThought for over 12 years. The company has been operating for over 30 years and is now part of the Calico Group. Afta Thought train within the public and private sectors across the country in a wide variety of topics, and are excited to be collaborating with HDN to offer blended training options in the near future!
Melissa Lacide
Senior Engagement Officer at Quality of Life FoundationMelissa is passionate about community participation and quality in design, understanding the aspirations, connections and needs between people and places. She has wide-ranging experience working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, managing client and partnership projects, and mapping social value across community investment.
Her career spans working in the social housing sector to establish community development and enable resident involvement; as a consultant practising participatory design; advising in placemaking and supporting stakeholders in community-led design; and, design research engagement at an architectural practice.
Melissa’s role at the Foundation is to lead on our engagement work, ensuring it has a more positive impact on quality of life, especially inclusive of stakeholders who are most marginalised and underrepresented. Working across resident reviews, quality of life mapping, and stakeholders her role supports clients to work collaboratively, develop an engagement strategy, review and report on methodologies, and deliver projects across neighbourhoods.
Kevin Maxwell MBE
Kevin writes and advocates for social justice and equity focusing on race, sexuality, mental health, homelessness and housing. He began writing with a blog, followed by opinion pieces for newspapers and magazines, including the Independent, Guardian and Big Issue and appeared on television and radio for the BBC and Sky.
Kevin was awarded an MBE for services to diversity through literature for his book, Forced Out, published by Granta, about his time as a detective in the Greater Manchester Police and Metropolitan Police. He is currently working on a new book with a homelessness charity, and just completed the Board Trainee Programme with Housing Diversity Network as a Next Generation Trustee.
Kevin holds a Masters in Writing from Regent’s University London, is a Member of the CIH, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and will soon begin studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership and Management: Homelessness and Housing with London South Bank University and London Housing Foundation.
Sarah Moorhouse
Tutor at Project SEARCH, The Calico GroupSarah is employed by Burnley College as a Tutor on the DFN Project SEARCH program based inside Calico's head office. She has worked within the Education sector for the last 11 years, specialising in SEND for the past 7 years.
Sarah is a passionate supporter of inclusion and providing opportunities for young adults with learning disabilities. Sarah teaches young people strategies to break down their own barriers to employment and empowers them to live their lives as independently as possible.
Sarah has recently gained the keys for her first allotment and spends many happy hours digging away pretending she has 'green fingers'.
Aduke Onafowokan
Associate at Housing Diversity NetworkFollowing careers in Law and management consulting for global organisations, including Deloitte and British American, Aduke launched her own consultancy business to plug the gap between EDI aspirations and tangible DEI outcomes in organisations.
Combining academic curiosity, lived experience and evidence-based approaches with her vast experience in change management, Aduke has a proven track record of initiating, designing, delivering, and improving measurable DEI change programmes across industries. An avid learner, Aduke has studied critical leadership, diversity and inclusion theories at leading institutions, including Yale School of Management, INSEAD, and The University of Oxford.
Aduke's unique ability to provide psychological safety for learning around complex and sensitive themes has become her unique proposition in the DEI Industry.
As a public speaker, Aduke has delivered two TEDx Talks on Diversity and Inclusion at global events, including Brandminds Romania, Sustainable Brands Turkey, and at Amazon, Facebook, Montagu Private Equity, Payconiq Netherlands, and many more.
Aduke has worked extensively in the corporate, civil service and nonprofit sectors, tackling niche diversity and inclusion challenges in law enforcement, immigration and refugee rights, equitable funding health care, social care, and cancer research, as well as developing inclusive corporate cultures in organisations including The National Lottery, UN Refugee Agency, NHS Confederation, University of Oxford, National Trust, Africa Development Bank and many more.
Aduke is also an award-winning social entrepreneur who founded The Sister Sister Network. This organisation has impacted over 10,000 women across the UK through free leadership development training and sponsorship opportunities.
Aduke is a board trustee at Smartworks Reading, Oxford Brookes Union and is Vice-Chair of the Institute of Directors in Oxford.
Nicola Roye
Head of Asset Strategy at Clarion Housing GroupNicola has over 20 years’ experience in Strategic Asset Management and development within social housing. She has helped shape the group's Asset Strategy and has lead on the development of Clarion's Neighbourhood Standard which forms a key part of Clarion's Asset Strategy 2050.
Her work through the Neighbourhood Standard has supported her passion of celebrating diversity and inclusion and empowering communities. Nicola heads up a team of analysts where her work focuses on improving the quality of homes and communities sustainably and inclusively .
Claire Ruff
Portfolio Analyst at Clarion Housing GroupClaire is a Portfolio Analyst at Clarion with a 6-year track record in asset optimisation, empowering businesses to make informed strategic decisions. Her expertise lies in the built environment, leveraging invaluable insights gained from frontline Housing Management roles and Strategic Asset Management.
Drawing upon her experience, Claire has helped shape and refine Clarion's Neighbourhood Standard. She has actively engaged with internal and external stakeholders, demonstrating dedication to community engagement and enhancement.
Passionate about neighbourhood improvement and enhancing life chances, Claire has a steadfast commitment to fostering positive change and promoting sustainable growth.
Nikki Sinclair
Associate Director of RSM UKNikki is an accomplished Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) expert with 18 years of leadership experience, dedicated to advancing D&I initiatives across a variety of organisations with diverse missions and goals. As Associate Director for RSM, Nikki leads engagements on The RACE Equality Code, helping clients to embed D&I practices and policies within their organisations.
With a wealth of experience as the former Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion at the Legal Ombudsman, and working at a senior level within multiple large complex organisations including West Midlands Police, NHS and local councils Nikki brings a strategic vision and operational expertise to her work at RSM. She works closely with clients to develop tailored strategies that address their specific needs and challenges, ensuring that D&I is integrated seamlessly into their organisational culture and practices.
As a committed advocate for the advancement of D&I, Nikki is passionate about driving meaningful change and creating inclusive environments that enable individuals to thrive. Her expertise in ESG and social impact, combined with her deep understanding of D&I best practices, make her an invaluable asset to clients seeking to build more equitable and sustainable organisations.
Helen Thompson
Deputy Chief Executive at The Calico GroupHelen Thomspon is a Calico Group’s Deputy Chief Executive, Helen Thompson leads an organisation which creates sustainable change through kindness, compassion and inclusion.
Helen has dedicated her career to supporting the most excluded in society, dealing with addiction, abuse, trauma, homelessness, unemployment, mental health and more.
During the last decade, Helen has spoken and presented multi-media performances at numerous conferences and events across the UK. She has also created and hosted webinars. Being a DJ for 25 years, Helen also performs regularly at festivals, clubs and social settings to thousands of people.