Join us for our annual celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, with this year’s theme being ‘Give to Gain’.
The IWD 2026 Give To Gain Campaign encourages a mindset of generosity and collaboration.
Give To Gain emphasises the power of reciprocity and support. When people, organisations, and communities give generously, opportunities and support for women increase. Giving is not a subtraction, it’s intentional multiplication. When women thrive, we all rise.
Whether through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women’s advancement helps create a more supportive and interconnected world.
The event will feature a programme of guest speakers and a networking lunch.
Guest speakers
Kieran Wood – Youth Engagement Manager, Cambridge United Foundation
Football for change: tackling violence against women and girls
Globally, an estimated one in three women will experience gender-based violence in her lifetime.
Violence Against Women and Girls has been listed as a national threat, and is now to be on the PSHE school curriculum from September 2026. Within schools today, OFSTED report 92% of girls experience some form of gender-based violence and that misogyny has become normalised within the culture.
Cambridge United Foundation is excited to have formed a pioneering partnership with Inspire Indonesia and their Pledge United Programme, to deliver a unique programme that utilises the power of football to tackle these issues head on.
For us here in the UK, whilst gender violence is still an issue, the focus of their programme is upon the silent majority and encouraging and equipping young men to stand up to discrimination, inappropriate comments and ‘banter’ that can occur in dressing rooms or social situations, and to be advocates for women and girls.
We are delighted to be joined by Cambridge Community Foundation. Kieran Wood, Youth Engagement Manager, runs the Pledge United Programme and works directly with young people to educate them on the issue of violence against women and girls and, most importantly, on how they can be part of ending it.
Dr Gisela Otten – Chair, Cambridge United Women’s Board | Biotech Scientist | Former Cambridge United Women’s Player
Balancing elite sport and STEM
Former Cambridge United Women footballer, scientist, and current Chair of the club’s Women’s Board, Gisela was born and raised in the Netherlands and grew up playing football from a young age, featuring for local Dutch clubs including first-tier side HZVV Hoogeveen before pursuing her academic ambitions.
Alongside her sporting life, Gisela forged a successful career in molecular biology. After completing her scientific training in the Netherlands and the UK, she came to Cambridge to conduct postdoctoral research at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and now works in biotech, focusing on the development of next-generation medicines for cancer and neurodegenerative disease.
Gisela joined Cambridge United Women early in the 2019/20 season and went on to make over 100 appearances across six seasons, serving as team captain and playing a key role in the club’s development and culture. She scored memorable goals, led the team to county cup success and to their first national final, and was recognised with a PFA Community Champion Award for her impact on and off the pitch.
After retiring from playing in 2025, Gisela transitioned into club leadership. She joined the Cambridge United Board of Directors and now serves as Chair of the Women’s Board, helping guide the future direction of the women’s programme.
Paula Rogers-Brown – PRB Consulting
Driving Inclusive Leadership and Innovation
Paula is the Founder of PRB Consulting, a boutique advisory firm supporting business transformation and growth across scale-ups, corporates, research institutes, and innovation agencies. She brings strategic clarity and a highly collaborative leadership style to complex innovation environments, delivering sustainable impact across technology-led programmes, entrepreneurial ventures, and multi-stakeholder ecosystems.
Paula serves as a Panel Member for the Judicial Appointments Commission, is a Non-Executive Director of Cambridge Wireless and is also a member of the Cambridge Tech Week Steering Group. She mentors start-up founders and has recently contributed to national research and innovation strategy as a panel member for a UKRI Cross-Research Council Interdisciplinary Funding Scheme.
A recent commission for Cambridge Enterprise saw her develop a strategic roadmap to accelerate research innovation and entrepreneurship among underrepresented groups at the University of Cambridge. Paula established, Connect: Health Tech, a global interdisciplinary community of more than 3,000 professionals strengthening collaboration across life sciences, medicine, and adaptive technologies.
Her earlier executive leadership roles include positions at Innovate UK Business Connect and the Institution of Engineering & Technology, where she directed national innovation programmes, built strategic partnerships, and shaped sector-wide engagement initiatives.
Paula is a sought-after speaker on innovation entrepreneurship, and leadership, regularly sharing perspectives on building high-performing ecosystems and developing the next generation of founders and executives.
Georgina McCrae – Planning Director, Allison Homes
How intentional mentorship can build confidence in underrepresented voices
Georgina brings a wealth of experience to the planning sector, with a background in Geography and Planning that led to an early career spanning housing associations and major housebuilders. Since joining Allison Homes in 2023, she has continued to champion collaborative, strategic planning approaches that draw on a wide range of internal and external perspectives.
Throughout her career, Georgina has navigated what can often be a male-dominated industry. “As a woman in the industry, you can be one of a few – if not the only woman – in the room. But you have as much right and ability to influence discussions as anybody else.” This belief underpins her leadership style and her commitment to creating space for diverse voices at the table.
At our International Women’s Day event, Georgina will be sharing her insights on the power of mentorship – both receiving and giving it. She credits much of her own professional development to strong mentorship, particularly from senior female leaders who helped build her confidence, challenge her thinking and broaden her ambitions.
Georgina is passionate about fostering the next generation of women in planning and development, and will explore how intentional mentorship can build confidence in underrepresented voices, accelerate career progression, strengthen leadership pipelines and create more inclusive, collaborative workplaces.
Ian De Chastelain – Training Manager, Stagecoach East
Leading a national response through ‘Buses Against Abuse’
Driving Test Centre Manager, DVSA Delegated Driving Test Examiner and Training Manager at Stagecoach East, Ian has worked for Stagecoach East for over 20 years.
Alongside his operational responsibilities, Ian has played a central role in the development of Stagecoach East’s Buses Against Abuse (BAA) initiative. Working in collaboration with Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Constabulary and local crisis centres, the project equips bus drivers and staff with the skills and confidence to recognise and respond to Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The initiative has been so successful that its training materials have been shared with other police forces and Stagecoach operating companies nationwide.
The impact of the programme has also contributed to the development of a centrally written CPC module under the UK’s Buses Act 2025, making VAWG-focused training compulsory for operators. Stagecoach East were privileged to act as consultants on this national work.
The Stagecoach/BAA partnership has received six major awards since 2025, including recognition at the National Stagecoach Excellence Awards, the UK Bus Awards and multiple Chamber of Commerce awards. Notably, British Chambers of Commerce named Stagecoach East “Winner of Winners” at the British Chamber Awards at the end of 2025, an achievement we are particularly proud of at Cambridgeshire Chamber.
Ian will bring insight into how transport providers, businesses and communities can work together to tackle abuse, promote safer public spaces, and drive meaningful cultural change.
Sponsorship
Sponsorship packages for this event are available – please contact us to find out more.
Location
Huntingdon Racecourse
Thrapston Rd
Brampton
Huntingdon
PE28 4NL