International Women’s Day
On Thursday, 5th March 2020 GFSB WIB will mark International Women’s Day 2020 by dedicating an entire day to discourse and dialogue on this year’s theme:
#EachforEqual.
The Conference entitled “Harness Your Power – The Journey is Yours” will be held in the Aurora Ballroom at the Sunborn Hotel, commencing with a networking breakfast at 8.30am and ending at 5pm.
The Conference will be opened and closed by Minister for Equality and Justice, Hon Samantha Sacramento MP. Nina Vaca, Chairman and CEO of Pinnacle Group, listed as the USA’s fastest growing woman-owned business in 2015 and 2018, will be the opening keynote speaker. A senior representative from the British Association of Women in Policing will be the closing keynote. Panellists will consist of a wide range of local and international members of the Gibraltar Community sharing their expertise, journeys and personal experiences.
Tickets can be purchased at here at BuyTickets. The draft agenda can be found here.
Ticket holders are entitled to a professional headshot by Sheila Roberts Photography. There are limited slots, please fill in the spreadsheet here, please include your email address so photos can be emailed to you. Each person will receive three (3) high resolution jpegs emailed to them after the event.
This event is sponsored by PlayTech, Hassans, EY, Parasol Foundation and Ince . For more information on Corporate sponsorship please email gfsb@gfsb.gi.
Julian Byrne, GFSB Chairperson
Julian Byrne graduated with a first class honours degree in Graphic Design and Advertising. He founded Piranha Designs, a web design and development company in Gibraltar, in early 2000. Since then the company has grown to have a solid team in Gibraltar along with offices in London and Edinburgh. Clients range from small independent businesses to Government Departments, international football clubs and large firms.
He also has a number of successful websites that are businesses in themselves. Julian has been the chairperson of the GFSB for the last 3 years. He has helped to grow the membership substantially, started the Main Street Business Improvement District, and was heavily involved with the joining of Women in Business.
Janet Brear, GFSB Board member
Janet Brear is a retired Executive Director with more than 30+ years of change and project management experience in corporate roles in the UK Police Service. Before retiring in 2011, Janet was the Assistant Chief Officer in a Regional Director role for the four Police Forces of Yorkshire and Humberside employing 20,000 staff and £1bn budget. Janet had regional and national responsibilities to develop and im-plement a merger strategy that supported Home Office and Regional stakeholder’s objectives. Her work led to national legislative change in the UK and the Region was recognized nationally as being at the forefront of transformational change.
Prior to her Regional role Janet led change programmes in three UK Police Forces, of small, medium and large size, where she implemented cultural and organization-al change into more efficient and competitive support services working practices. Janet was renowned for ‘getting things done’ with and through people by embracing the hearts and minds of those involved to successfully deliver the organization’s im-provements.
Since retirement Janet relocated to Gibraltar supporting women and an equality agenda. She has continued to use her skills of introducing transformational change through her Chairmanship of Women in Business Gibraltar where she has spear-headed the merger with the Gibraltar Federation of Small Businesses which brought about a 50/50 male/female Board and Constitutional changes to the Articles of As-sociation reflecting diversity and inclusion.
Janet is an inspiring and energising individual who is passionate about making a dif-ference and leaving a legacy of lasting change and success. Throughout her career she was held up as a role model in a very male dominated public service sector. She was an active mentor for both men and women and was respected for her out-standing ability, being termed as a ‘miracle worker’ by the national police inspec-torate.
Janet holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration and a Diploma in Company Direction from the UK Institute of Directors (IoD).
Hon. Samantha Sacramento MP
Minister Sacramento is a Barrister by profession and practiced law in Gibraltar until elected into Government in 2011.
She is Gibraltar’s first Minister for Equality and has led on numerous initiatives on gender equality and has developed a gender equality strategy for Gibraltar. In the context of supporting the professional development of women and reducing the gender pay gap, some initiatives of this strategy include issuing Gibraltar’s first gender pay gap survey, launching a very successful national mentorship pro-gramme for women, commissioning training on unconscious bias, a review of ma-ternity leave, extend its paternity and parental leave. She is also the first female Minister for Justice.
Minister Sacramento regularly represents the Rock as leader of the Gibraltar dele-gation at Commonwealth Parliamentary Conferences and is also a member of the CPA Regional Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentarian Steering Committee.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Nina Vaca
Since founding Pinnacle Group in her mid-20s, Nina Vaca has strategically developed it into the dynamic powerhouse that it is today, providing information technology services and workforce solutions to iconic global brands. Under her fearless leadership, Pinnacle Group has been ranked among the Inc. 500/5000 fastest-growing companies in the country for 13 years, making it one of only seven companies to do so in the history of the list. In 2018 and 2015, it was named fastest-growing woman-owned/led company in the nation by the Women Presidents’ Organization, as well as being named among the top two in 2016 and 2017.
Vaca is currently overseeing the company’s global expansion and the launch of its global resource deployment platform, which utilizes machine learning (ML) and proprietary algorithms to automatically match candidates to open jobs. Vaca is also one of the few Latinas in the nation serving on corporate boards.. This year she joined the Forbes Technology Council to provide insight into the technology industry along with other world-class technology executives.
Throughout her two decades in business, Vaca has also served as a dedicated civic leader and philanthropist, working relentlessly to expand opportunities for Hispanics and women in business, and most recently to expand opportunities in STEM fields for women and girls. Pinnacle Group was among the first cohort of industry partners to support the Pathways to Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program through the Dallas Independent School District.
Through this program, Pinnacle Group serves as an industry partner to Thomas Jefferson P-TECH Early College High School, a predominantly Hispanic school located near Pinnacle’s headquarters. Students in this program graduate in four years with a high school degree, and an associates degree in one of three pathways from Brookhaven Community College. Ninety-seven percent of the students in the Early College High School are minorities and the vast majority will be the first in their families to attend college. Since experiencing firsthand the power of entrepreneurship and business, Vaca has dedicated herself to advocating for women in business at home and abroad. In 2014, she was selected by President Barack Obama as one of the inaugural members of the Presidential Ambassadors for Global Entrepreneurship program and in that capacity, has traveled extensively to inspire entrepreneurs worldwide, including to Ghana, Vietnam, Bahrain, Jordan, Germany, Israel, Ireland, and
Ecuador, Vaca’s home country. Most recently, she was elected as a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), an independent, nonpartisan membership organization that provides foreign policy analysis to leaders in the U.S. and around the world. Vaca’s business insights are featured in a chapter of Leapfrog, a recently-released book that serves as a guide for women entrepreneurs. Last year, ALPFA and Fortune Magazine named Vaca one of the 50 Most Powerful Latinas in America.
She has been named a Woman of Distinction by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and honored as a Trailblazing Woman in Labor and Business by the National Women’s History Project At the United Nations Headquarters, the PVBLIC Foundation presented Vaca with the 2018 Imapcto Latino Award and in 2017, Vaca graced the cover of Latino Leaders Magazine as one of the 101 Most Influential Latinos in America, a list she has been included in for the past decade. She was recognized as Woman of the Year by Solo Mujeres Magazine at the 11th annual Tribute to the Hispanic Woman, which honors the accomplishments of women who have blazed trails, committed themselves to the community and set the course for future generations to come.
CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Catherine Hankinson
Catherine joined West Yorkshire Police as Assistant Chief Constable in May 2017 and has portfolio responsibility for Local Policing and Safeguarding across the county.
Prior to moving to West Yorkshire, Catherine served with Greater Manchester Police for 22 years and has worked in a variety of roles including Divisional Commander at Oldham and South Manchester where her key responsibilities were delivering operational performance, managing risk and developing partnerships with stakeholders and communities.
As Strategic Partnership lead with Manchester City Council, she worked with partners to develop Early Help & Intervention and Integrated Neighbourhood Working.
Shelina Assomull
Shelina Assomull works as a full time reporter for GBC newsroom, delivering daily content to its multiple platforms. This includes radio, televi-sion and online.
She joined the Newsroom in August 2018 as a Broadcast Assistant, where she gained essential experience on how the newsroom operates. Less than a year later she took on a Reporter role.
Prior to her joining GBC, she spent six months at The Straits Times in Singa-pore. Working as a journalist for the national newspaper, she reported on a va-riety of fields, from foreign affairs to science and community stories. She in-terviewed local and international figures, including the UN’s Asia-Pacific Sec-retary General, and a robot named Sophia!
In 2016 she worked at Open Democracy’s Barcelona-based bureau, Democra-cia Abierta, where she was an Editor and Writer during her Master’s studies.
However, Shelina first fell for a career in Broadcast Journalism in 2015, when she joined a Washington D.C newsroom as part of The Washington Center programme. During this internship she interviewed a number of congressmen, activists and celebrities, including Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Shelina studied International Relations during her Masters, with a focus on feminist theory. Her research into Gibraltar’s position within Britain’s military structure, and its impact on the role of women in Gibraltar Society, received her university’s research project award and a Distinction.
Her research has been published.
Shelina has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy with First-Class Honours.
Desiree Mchard
Desiree Mchard is the Managing Partner of BDO Gibraltar, the firm’s Head of Audit and Assurance and International Liaison Partner.
Desiree is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and graduate of Leeds University. She has been working in public practice for over twenty years, initially training with another large audit firm and later being financial controller of an insurance firm and an asset manager, Desiree joined BDO in 2000.
Desiree specialises in financial services, with expertise in funds, distributed ledger technology, blockchain, cryptocurrencies and the online gaming sector. She services multi-jurisdictional assignments by working with clients and BDO offices worldwide and has been closely involved in numerous Gibraltar gaming companies’ IPO listing on the London Stock Exchange.
Desiree has served as President of the Gibraltar Society of Accountants and as a board member of the Gibraltar Finance Centre Council. She is a board member of the University of Gibraltar’s audit committee, an executive committee member of the Gibraltar Investor Compensation Scheme, the Gibraltar Association for New Technologies, the Gibraltar Funds and Investment Association – Technical Committee and the FSC’s Auditors’ Advisory Panel.
Desiree was involved in the proposed changes to the Companies Act, EIF legislation and transposition of numerous EU Directives.
Nyreen Llamas
Nyreen Llamas is the former Chief Strategy Officer of MoPlay. In this executive role, she headed the development and directional strategy of the business and was part of the 7 strong executive team.
Prior to her appointment with MoPlay, she was a partner within the corporate and commercial department at Hassans, a leading law firm in Gibraltar. Advising many of the largest Gibraltar licensed gaming operations in relation to their licensing and regulatory matters from an operational, business and compliance perspective. She speaks regularly at gaming conferences on business, regulatory and compliance matters and is a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law.
Nyreen is an honours graduate in English and Spanish Law from the University of Kent, England and also studied at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. She was called to the Bar of England and Wales and Gibraltar in 2001.
Nyreen also acts as Programme Leader for the Post-Graduate Certificate of Gibraltar Law offered by the University of Gibraltar and sits on the Key Advisory Group on Law for the University of Gibraltar. She is also a Member of the Gibraltar Public Service Commission, independently appointed by the Gibraltar Governor.
Kathryn Morgan
Kathryn Morgan has worked in financial services for over 30 years, in both companies and regulators. She is a qualified actuary and has led research on risk management and capital adequacy assessment.
Along the way, Kathryn has mentored and coached other women working in financial services with the aim of increasing their confidence and opening up new opportunities.
More recently, with her involvement in the international regulatory world, she has researched the ways that traditional financial services may not always hit the needs of women, and how technology and government pressure can improve this.
Kathryn has lived in Gibraltar for just over five years, with her husband, Will, and daughter Teddy.
Michaela Rees
Michaela Rees is the Director of Knightsbridge Incorporations Limited, Sterling Rees Tax & Accountancy Limited and Sterling Rees Wealth Management Limited all operating within the financial services arena. Michaela set up Sterling Rees in 2006 after her daughter was born as a means of maintaining a flexible lifestyle. Since then Sterling Rees has grown into one of the most reputable accountancy firms in South Wales. Michaela ensures that her team are conscious of the individual needs of the clients and provide a tailored personal service, providing expert and pragmatic tax and wealth man-agement advice to individuals and companies alike. Michaela is a keen advocate of fe-male led business believing that women can offer a different perspective on traditional professional concepts.
Jonathan Scott
Jonathan Scott is the producer and presenter of GBC’s weekly current affairs programme Viewpoint, offering 60 minutes of extended interviews, panel discussions and in-depth reports. As well as general news reporting, he has been GBC’s anchor for European Elections and General Election coverage. He enjoys cycling and is the father of two young children.
Peter Pink-Howitt
Peter founded the startup law firm Ramparts in 2012, following his move to Gibraltar from London to work within the gaming industry. His vision was to found a law firm that provided niche and specialist expertise to clients in the Finance and Gaming sectors, but also created an environment in which his team flourished, felt supported and were able to successfully balance family life with their their working day. In 2019 Ramparts was acquired by global law firm Ince plc. Peter’s passion for technology and arts also inspired him to create an online social network for artists, writers and musicians (2008-2009). Peter will share with the conference his thoughts on his life journey and life choices to date.
Fiona Young
Fiona is an employment lawyer with 20 years legal experience. She is one of 4 appointed mediators for the Gibraltar Employment Tribunal and has mediated disputes in both public and private sector as well as providing employment mediation services internally for a number of companies including the gaming, finance and insurance sectors.
Fiona provides coaching for managers to help improve their leadership and managerial skills and runs conflict resolution and communication skills training for a variety of industry sectors. She is a firm believer in the power of using inter-personal skills effectively for better work place and personal relationships and is a passionate advocate of using our best human characteristics to resolve a variety of challenging situations both at home and in the workplace. Fiona was a committee member of WIB before it merged with the GFSB in 2019 and is currently serving as a Board member of the GFSB.
Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera
Dr Jennifer Ballantine Perera has, since 2011, held the post of Director of the Gibraltar Garrison Library, where she has been responsible for turning around a historic institution into one that is taking its place in Gibraltar as a key research library. She is affili-ated to the University of Gibraltar as the Director of the Institute for Gibraltar and Medi-terranean Studies. Jennifer has worked on a number of research projects, including the AHRC funded project, ‘Gibraltar Community and Identity’ (2003 – 2006); the ESRC funded oral history project on Gibraltar, ‘Bordering on Britishness, (2013-2017); and an EU funded project ‘The Encyclopedia of Migrants’ (2015- 2017). Jennifer founded Calpe Press, a publishing house dedicated to promoting Gibraltar writings, in 2009, with 7 books published to date. She has contributed to a number of television and radio programmes including BBC’s Who Do You Think You Are?, SW-Radio Deutsch, and the BBC Radio 4 programme, Profile. Her main area of research is Gibraltar’s colonial history with focus on the geopolitics of space informing Gibraltar in relation to Great Britain, Europe and the Mediterranean region.
Mandy Gaggero
Mandy Gaggero, born in Gibraltar, began her career as a teacher. She spent 10 years teaching in Loreto Convent before joining the family firm MH Bland & Co Ltd in 2005. Established in Gibraltar in 1810, the family has owned and run the company since 1891. Mandy grew up listening to her father and then her brothers talk about the different company activities in Maritime and Tourism. She never imagined or planned to join until a conversation with her brother and Chairman, Johnnie, changed all of that. She joined the Calypso Tours team and learned the ropes on the ground. She went on to develop and grow the Marketing department until being appointed Marketing Director in 2017.
Nuria Harjani
Nuria Over the last eight years, Nuria has undertaken roles in corporate and business development within the Fintech, Gaming and E-money industries. Leveraging the knowledge gained and professional connections made, the start of 2020 saw Nuria launch her own consultancy business, NAU, which focuses on strategic partnerships and start up consultancy services within these industries. As well as venturing into new fields such as Real Estate, NAU’s current engagements also include working closely with Blockchain companies and Medicinal Cannabis (CBD) companies.
Being somewhat of a renaissance woman, Nuria prides herself on having a strong work ethic, a will to win attitude and a powerful network of professionals and entrepreneurs across several of Gibraltar’s industries, all of which, in her view, are key attributes to helping her clients, and NAU, grow.
“Soar and own it” is a great focus topic for Nuria. She believes that by being determined, positive and empowered as well as empowering those around you- one can accomplish anything.
Paula Latin
Paula is GBC’s creative and driven Head of TV. Her 20 year career has been dedicated to the art of television making, and GBC’s unique set up has allowed her to develop a diverse set of skills.
As a programme maker Paula, has produced, presented, filmed and edited some of GBC’s most successful series. She is also credited with co-ordinating and directing GBC’s most complex and significant Outside Broadcasts; for both National and International markets.
As Head of TV, it’s Paula’s passion and desire to produce the best, that has resulted in her spearheading a young, dynamic and creative team who have elevated GBC TV to new heights.
Justine Picardo
Justine is a Partner at Hassans International Law Firm in their Corporate and Commercial Department. She joined the firm in September 2007 and focuses on transactional work using Gibraltar based structures and construction and development law.
At the age of 17 in 2004, Justine was part of the organising committee that arranged a three day Human Rights Symposium in Gibraltar attracting leading Human Rights activists from around the world and delivered the closing speech based on the rights of children and she also assisted Ian Felice in updating the Companies Act section on the 5th Edition of “Gibraltar: International Finance Centre”.
In 2019, whilst still being a full time working partner at Hassans, Justine opened a new business in Gibraltar. Studio 44 on Madison is a hair and beauty salon with a new concept focusing on the needs of a modern working woman such as having a work space at every hair station with charging points for your mobile and tablets/laptops and providing a food/cafeteria service so you can attend during your lunch break. She has also opened Gibraltar’s first medical aesthetic clinic with two surgical rooms. It is the only fully licenced clinic in Gibraltar able to perform any medical aesthetic procedure ranging from Botox and fillers to full day surgeries such as blepharoplasty to hair transplants.
Abigail Cornelio
Abigail is a Partner at Hassans International Law Firm. Within the Corporate and Commercial Department, Abigail has led and been involved in a broad spread of corporate transactions, specialising in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, corporate governance, financing transactions and private client work. She has extensive experience with international transactions in a wide range of sectors including natural resources and mining in emerging markets. Abigail also advises corporate groups and individuals on structuring and operational aspects of their business, at a local and international level.
Abigail graduated from the University of Hertfordshire and completed the Bar Vocational Course at the Inns of Court School of Law, London. She is a member of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and was called to the Bar of England & Wales and the Gibraltar Bar in 2003. Abigail joined Hassans as an Associate in the Financial Services Department. In 2004, Abigail moved to the Corporate and Commercial Department and has been a Partner since 2011.
Abigail is a positive individual who enjoys exercising, good food (and wine) and reading. Abigail is a wife and a mother to two boys, 5 years old and 1 year old.
Karla Schweitzer, PhD
Karla is an organizational development professional with more than 20 years’ experience helping people reach their potential. Karla focuses on identifying development needs and creating roadmaps to propel leaders and teams forward. She has created and delivered numerous courses and workshops in leadership development, employee engagement, performance management, mentoring and coaching, and change management. Throughout her career, Karla’s goal has always been to provide the tools all people need to thrive professionally.
Karla has helped professionals advance in their careers in the NGO, non-profit, legal, telecommunications and FinTech sectors. She is green-belt certified and holds a PhD in Mass Communications.
Dianne Vallejo
Dianne is CEO of Bassadone Motors, part of the Bassadone Automotive Group with interests in the UK, Finland, Spain and the Baltics.
Based in Gibraltar, Dianne is responsible for the strategic direction, operations and development of several well-known automotive brands, including Toyota, Volkswagen, Honda, Kia and Renault.
Dianne holds an honours degree in International Business from Liverpool JM University. She has held several roles within the Automotive trade and earlier in her career was a Central Buyer for TJ Hughes plc.
Karen Zammit
Karen Head of IT Recruitment, Europe with Pentasia, the global leader in interactive gambling & gaming technology recruitment. Founded in 2001 and having expanded rapidly through recommendation and referrals, Pentasia now operates on a global basis and works with an unrivalled network of clients and candidates, providing local expertise from its offices in the UK, Malta, Ireland, Gibraltar, Singapore, Macau and the USA.
Nalanie Chellaram
Nalanie Chellaram is a modern spiritual teacher, a true Soul Doctor dedicated to selfless service. She was born in 1954 into the distinguished Indian family the Harilela’s. She grew up in the presence of a close family friend, who, unbeknown at the time, was to have a deep and lasting influence in her life. This frequent visitor and friend was Swami Satchidananda, her beloved Guru.
Nalanie travels the world to spread a message of wisdom, compassion and love, based on the philosophy of Yoga. Nalanie is the founder of the Integral Yoga Centre Gibraltar and George Harilela Hall in Sotogrande, she gives Satsangs both there and Internationally.
In March 2008, Nalanie received an Honour in Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second New Years Honour’s List. She was recognised for her ‘Services to Humanity’. In October she also received a “Humanitarian Award” from the Satchidananda Ashram in the USA.
In 2009 Nalanie set up an association called “Service in Satchidananda”, a non-profit international collective of charities established in honour of Sri Swami Satchidananda and based on his core teaching of selfless service.
Dr. April Nilsen-Nunn
April is a general practitioner who trained and Qualified in 2009 from Leeds Medical School. She initially embarked on a surgical career before en-tering general practice in 2014. Whilst training in surgery she worked in many specialities such as urology, breast, ENT, cardiac, and colorectal. It was during this time that she completed a MSc (Edinburgh) and has been published multiple times in various medical publications. The knowledge from these specialities has only proven to enhance her knowledge in general practice. On qualifying in General Practice she was ranked higher than the National average in both professional behaviour and clinical performance.
During her training Dr. April found herself fortunate to have spent nearly a year in ob-stetrics and gynaecology meaning she now has a real interest in Women’s Health includ-ing sexual health / STD / contraception and subfertility.
She also has a keen interest in mental health issues and supporting patients going through issues / stress at home or work. She enjoys being part of the mental health MDT ap-proach and work closely with mental health groups and counsellors in the local area to help support patients experiencing problems.
Given her time in surgery she is fully qualified and insured to undertake minor surgical procedures, joint injections and aesthetic procedures.
Beran Parry
Beran is the CEO Gen-X Health . She has profound knowledge and recognised expertise are the solid foundations for Beran Parry’s professional career as one of the foremost nutritionists and wellbeing experts in her field.
A multiple award-winning Bestselling Author with dozens of titles to her credit, covering all aspects of wellbeing, fitness and diet mastery, celebrated Mindset Mentor, Lecturer, Nutritionist and Weight Control Specialist, Beran Parry is a Transformational Health Coach, a Master Exercise Physiologist and a past appointed Master Nutritionist and Exercise Physiologist to the European Commission in Brussels.
With over 100,000 sales and downloads of her books and 2 million pages read, she has helped thousands of men and women all over the world with their health, wellbeing and weight.
Beran is a powerful force for positive health change in the lives of everyone she meets. Her clients include a vast selection of fabulous individuals as well as high profile CEO’s, VIPs, business leaders and politicians.
As a respected international speaker, Beran has made presentations to the European Commission and she’s been interviewed regularly by the media in the United States and in the UK. She’s also appeared on television in Gibraltar where she’s discussed the life-enhancing benefits of her Nutritional Programs.
In 2001 she founded Parry Wellness, a Corporate Wellness Organisation
In 2004, she launched an intensive research project on the benefits of Smart Menopause Transitioning and Paleolithic and Ketogenic Nutrition.
By 2014, her 10 year research programs had produced a series of highly informative and Bestselling Books on Amazon.
In 2013, she had the good fortune to collaborate for 5 years with one of Europe’s finest Functional Medicine Doctors, Dr. Anne Lannoye. This meeting of minds led Beran to incorporate Functional Medicine as a fundamental and essential diagnostic tool in the cutting-edge discipline of Forensic Nutritional Analysis.
In 2019 her bestselling book, “ Ageless Metabolic Cure “ enjoyed bestseller status in 3 Amazon categories for a six month period
Sonal Samtani
Sonal is a final year PhD student currently completing her research study titled “Rehabilitation in Alzheimer’s disease (and other forms of dementia): in terms of cognition, function and quality of life” at Queen Margaret University joined with the University of Gibraltar. This research adopts a pragmatist philosophy and uses explanatory sequential mixed methods with a thematic analysis methodology.
She has a Bsc (honors) in Biochemistry from the University of Warwick and has qualified as a Physician Associate from the University of Birmingham. Sonal currently works as a Physician Associate in a rehabilitation medicine ward at St Bernard’s Hospital and is part of the Memory Clinic. She has presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference and at the Inter-Island Public Health Conference. Sonal has also spent the past summer as a visiting scholar at the Memory and Ageing Clinic (MAC) at University California San Francisco (UCSF). Her research and clinical goals include participating in conferences, publishing in renowned journals and exploring the concept of active ageing.
Dineen Garcia
Dineen is a successful leader with multi-industry and legal experience. She is the Principal of Diversity Global Consulting, LLC., a diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm focused on leveraging DE&I for positive business outcomes. Her core competencies lie in: relationship-building, cultural and emotional IQ, analysis and strategy, the ability to work independently or within a team, excellent oral and written communication skills, and project management.
Prior to launching her consulting firm, Dineen was Macy’s Vice President of Diversity & Inclusion Strategies. As a senior executive at Macy’s, Dineen was a brand ambassador responsible for the Latino & Asian communities. She had national responsibility for chartering D&I within five key pillars: community partnerships, marketing, workforce, supplier diversity and communications. Her efforts led to the expansion of Macy’s footprint within the Latino community leading to its’ recognition as a “Best Company for Latinos” (Latino Leaders Magazine, Dec. 2016). She was also instrumental in Macy’s receiving the 2017 Business Leadership Award from The Latino Commission on Aids for its steadfast commitment to the eradication of HIV/Aids.
An accomplished attorney, Dineen practiced law before entering the world of diversity & inclusion. She began her legal career as a prosecutor and continued on as a civil litigator, where she represented the City of New York and corporate clients in employment discrimination and civil rights matters. After six years as a trial attorney, Dineen moved in-house with Federated Department Stores, Inc., where she managed contracts, employment and loss prevention matters. She subsequently assumed the inaugural General Counsel role at PACO Group, Inc., a Program/Construction Management firm. As General Counsel, Dineen managed and oversaw all legal matters. Dineen holds a Juris Doctorate degree from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from C.W. Post/Long Island University. She is admitted to practice law in New York and Florida before Federal and State Courts.
Among her accolades, in 2015 Dineen was named one of People En Español’s “Las 25 Mujeres Más Poderosas” and was profiled by Diario Las Américas Entre Mujeres. In 2014, she received the Glass Ceiling Award from the National Diversity Council, and a Leadership Award for Marketing/Diversity Initiatives from the South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 2013, Dineen was recognized by Hispanic Business as a 2013 Corporate Elite: Top 25 Executive.
A professional with an adventurous spirit, Dineen embraces change and is proud of the pivots her personal and professional journey have taken so far. Along these lines, in 2017 Dineen and her family embarked on a global adventure relocating to Andalucía Spain, where she continues to expand her diversity and inclusion expertise through travel, cultural enrichment, language immersion and new experiences.
Ayelet Mamo Shay
Ayelet Mamo Shay, a business woman, journalist and PhD researcher of small Jewish communities around the world, moved with her husband and children to Gibraltar from Israel following a job offer. Since arriving in Gibraltar, Ayelet has felt that she has been “cheating” on her country by falling in love with the other country that has welcomed her so warmly- Gibraltar! Despite the challenges and dilemmas of moving to a new country, Ayelet has embraced the opportunities offered by the relocation to become a good ambassador for both her native Israel and Gibraltar. This life-changing experience has given Ayelet the inspiration to write her book Relocation Darling, Relocation! – a realistic, humorous, emotional novel about the hottest and most charged topic in modern society today, one that touches many families across the world: relocation to another country in pursuit of a promising career.
Ayelet is the Co-Founder and Director of Benefit Business Solutions Ltd (www.benefitgibraltar.com )- a Gibraltar based business & innovation consultancy firm. She also serves as the Chairwoman of the Gibraltar-Israel Chamber of Commerce (www.gibrael.org), actively working to strengthen the business relations between the two countries and promoting business opportunities across the two ends of the Mediterranean. Ayelet regularly lectures around the world on power of the woman, relocation, Jewish communities, and business innovation.
