International Women’s Day 2025: 14 University alumni accelerating action

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International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is #AccelerateAction and marks a call to accelerate action for gender equality. .

We are proud to spotlight some of our graduates who are driving change and championing equity through their work.

Keep an eye on the University’s Instagram and the alumni Instagram for more on International Women’s Day.

Akua Danso (MArch 2016)

Architecture graduate and architect at Scott Brownrigg Akua is the co-founder of Black Females in Architecture, a network for Black women to connect with each other. It also offers work placements, creative workshops, mentoring sessions and entrepreneur training.

Tina Taylor (FIMBA 2024)

Tina is the founder of Aim Sky High (ASH) Talent, an agency that leverages strong community ties to scout and support talent from underrepresented backgrounds. She recently won the prestigious Havas Boost Business competition.

Latoya Robinson (Criminology 2008)

Latoya has been instrumental in relaunching legal firm Clyde & Co’s cultural and ethnic diversity network and was appointed as the External Engagement Lead for the Manchester and North offices. Layota was a finalist in the ‘One to Watch’ category in the 2024 Northern Power Women Awards.

Layla Wright (BA Hons in Politics with Law 2018)

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Since her graduation, Layla has established herself as one of the country's leading young journalists. Her work has involved a BBC Radio 4 investigation into knife crime Paid to Stab, she explored the Liverpool and Real Madrid UEFA Champions League final 2022 in a BBC Panorama documentary The Champions League Final: What Went Wrong? and most recently explored a wave of influencer women in America in documentary, America’s New Female Right.

She featured in our 2023 Alumni magazine.

Denise Nurse (Law 2004)

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Denise Nurse is a business coach, TV presenter and lawyer who kicked off her diverse career with a degree in Law at Liverpool. As a successful business woman, in 2007, she co-founded Halebury, a ground-breaking UK law firm that revolutionized the legal industry with its introduction of flexible and agile working practices. As the CEO of Realise Your Value, her coaching business, Denise is committed to creating economic empowerment for her clients. Denise is Co-Founder of the Black Founders Hub, a peer networking organisation for ambitious Black Founders in professional services businesses, and Support SEND Kids, a charity dedicated to facilitating easier access to educational rights for SEND children and their families.

Watch the full interview with Denise in our Alumni magazine. 

Stephanie Barney (Biological and Medical Sciences 2023)

Steph founded Girls On The Go (GOTG), a social enterprise that tackles loneliness among women. Initially a running club, GOTG evolved into a wellness brand, hosting over 1,000 girl-only events across Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham. With over 110k online followers, GOTG provides safe, inclusive spaces inspired by Steph’s own experiences of isolation.

Steph recently took part in our Early Career Challenges webinar, part of our Bringing the World to Liverpool series.

Suzannah Nichol OBE (BA Hons Building Management and Technology 1993)

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Suzannah is the Chief Executive of Build UK, the leading representative organisation for the UK construction industry. She has championed more women working in the industry and called for more flexible working arrangements.

Hear from Suzannah at our upcoming Liverpool Leaders event on the 9 April. 

Yemurai Rabvuk (BSc Hons Chemistry 2020)

Yemurai Rabvuk works as a Cybersecurity Associate for a top US investment bank. Known as STEM Babe on TikTok and Instagram, Yemurai shares resources for individuals looking to get into STEM.

Shalom Lloyd (MBA 2010)

Shalom is Founder and Managing Director of Naturally Tribal Skincare. Naturally Tribal employs local women in the Kingdom of Essan, Nigeria and focuses on the ethos of ‘trade not aid’ and using sustainable, ethically sourced, natural African materials.

Lucky Ali (MBioSc 2022)

Lucky on stage accepting award

Lucky is a multi-award-winning social entrepreneur. She has successfully launched multiple initiatives including Lucky's Café, a purpose-driven cafe and Bangladeshi kitchen with a thriving Community-building Social Hub based on the Wirral.

Lucky won an Alumni Award in 2024.

Faith Osiobe (MSc Global Human Resource Management 2011)

Faith is an HR professional who has been an international alumni ambassador since her graduation. She received an Alumni Award in 2019 for her work bringing international students together and growing the Nigerian Alumni Network to 600 professionals. Faith won an Alumni Award in 2019.

Find out more about the Nigerian Alumni Network.

Katie Atkinson (BSc Hons Computing Information Systems 2002 and PhD 2006)

Katie Atkinson

Katie is Professor of Computer Science, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Sustainability Research at the University of Liverpool. The Centre's focus is to bring together and support researchers with different types of knowledge, experience and skills from across disciplines, as well as engaging and collaborating with national and international experts, to drive forward impactful research contributing to outcomes for the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Vibha Vasuki (LLM (T) International Human Rights Law 2018)

Vibha is a Principal Consultant for SheSR Consulting LLP, a legal firm focused on women’s workforce participation, safety and inclusivity in urban and rural India. Vibha also works as a volunteer for Ashodaya Samithi, a civil rights and social action organisation. She previously served a variety of legal, consultancy, and research roles for the Symbiosis School of Media and Communication, Ungender Legal Advisory, Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement, Daksh, The Dialogue, and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative.

Emma Abbasi (MBA 2017)

Emma founded DearBump, an app designed to give mums expert support during pregnancy and postpartum. Emma was a finalist in the ‘Disruptor for Good’ category in the 2024 Northern Power Women Awards.

Keep an eye on our alumni Instagram for more on International Women’s Day.