Celebrating our alumni this International Women’s Day
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 #GivetoGain emphasising the power of giving and collaboration.
We are proud of our alumni community who give their time, share their knowledge and donate to ensure our University community is thriving. We are delighted to share some of the big and small ways women in our alumni community are making a difference.
Soraya Verjee (pictured)
(BA Hons Music 2025)
Champion of underrepresented composes, Soraya recently graduated from the University and is now a freelance musician, aiming to challenge gender stereotypes and spotlight the music of women once forgotten.
Soraya recently performed at one of The Tung Auditorium’s lunchtime concerts. The concert series, supported by long-standing donor Yoko Ono Lennon, was held in celebration of International Women’s Day and was supported by The University of Liverpool’s Women’s Club.
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Yemurai Rabvukwa
(BSc Hons Chemistry 2020)
Yemurai is a 2025 Alumni Award winner, Senior Cybersecurity Associate and creator of STEM Babe, a platform inspiring over 76,000 followers to pursue tech careers. Recognised with the TechWomen100 Award and as a Black Tech Awards Rising Star finalist, she partners with global organisations to expand access to technology. A sought-after speaker, Yemurai delivers talks on cybersecurity, career pathways, and imposter syndrome, helping demystify tech for diverse audiences across the UK.
Yemurai recently attended an event at Downing Street to hear Prime Minister Keir Starmer discuss the AI Opportunities Action Plan One Year On. She also shared with the Prime Minister details on the work she's doing to raise awareness of AI upskilling opportunities through social media.
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India Sasha Atkinson
(BA Hons Business Management 2022)
Entrepreneur, disability educator and digital creator, India has built a platform of over half a million followers by combining humour and authenticity to change perceptions of limb difference and empower others. India won an Alumni Award in 2025.
Named a TikTok Ambassador and Voice for Change runner-up, she has partnered with major brands, featured on national broadcasters, and founded NI Rave Run, a community 5k blending accessibility, music and wellbeing while fundraising monthly for local charities.
Nicky Moffat CBE
(BA Hispanic Studies 1985)
Brigadier Nicky Moffat CBE, was the highest-ranking woman in the British Army until she left in 2012 and she also worked at the heart of government as a private secretary to the Secretary of State for Defence.
Nicky has dedicated her post‑military career to developing leaders, mentoring others, and sharing her expertise through coaching and public speaking, and her experiences have fuelled her commitment to helping people navigate challenging spaces, seek opportunities, and build confidence.
Community-nominated alumni
We asked you to nominate someone from our community, or yourself, to be spotlighted this International Women’s Day. Read on to find out who you’re celebrating this year.
Diana Madibekova
(PhD Management Studies 2024)
Diana is an award-winning ethical leader whose research on business and positive peace inspires her work fostering global cooperation and impact.
Diana said: “I have long been interested in peace and everything that safeguards and enables it. Over the years, I have advocated for peace, inclusive education, and women's empowerment in debates, talks, panels, and in media. This includes speaking at events organized by the United Nations and being part of a panel on “Women Inspiring Change” at the Geneva Centre for Human Rights Advancement and Global Dialogue.”
Anjum Rohra
(MSc Data Science and Artificial Intelligence 2025)
International graduate Anjum excelled in her studies whilst also supporting her classmates by giving her time to share her resources.
Anjum said: “I strongly believe that learning becomes more meaningful when knowledge is shared, and I found that helping others improved my own understanding and confidence as well.”
Jenifer Pushparaj
(MSc Business Analytics and Big Data)
Jenifer is a recent graduate who is pursuing her startup which seeks to help the international students through an adaptive and inclusive AI edtech model.
Jenifer said: “It’s such a beautiful outcome from me after going through all the topics gave me a idea to start a startup and built a MVP with technical, strategical and organisational thinking.”
Harshada Deshpande
(MSc Operations and Supply Chain Management 2025)
Harshada is a Specialist at Henkel Adhesive Technologies contributing to a European supply and stock network that supports operational performance at scale.
Harshada said: “Holding this role, in an industry where supply chain leadership has historically lacked gender balance, demonstrates that inclusive leadership strengthens operational performance and drives sustainable success.”
International Women’s Day Events
Liverpool Leaders with Dr Michelle Harrison
18 March 2026, 1pm, Online
Global President & Founding CEO of the Verian Group and Chair of the Verian Institute for Public Impact, drawing on a career built around purpose-based business, geopolitics and social change.
💭 Michelle will share insights on:
- Her path to leadership
- How to build a ‘hybrid’ career that integrates social impact and commercial success
- The art of networking and tips on navigating your career journey.
Inclusivity in Science
18 March 2026, 1-5pm
Join us for Inclusivity in Science, celebrating the success of women and girls in STEM and work in the region to support financial inclusion.
The programme features an EDI-themed student poster competition, talks from invited academic and industry speakers, and a showcase of PhD research from the School of Physical Sciences. Highlighting the School and Faculty’s broader equality, diversity and inclusion initiatives, the event will bring together students, University colleagues and industry partners from the Liverpool City Region to promote inclusivity across research and practice.
This is an in person in the Victoria Gallery & Museum.
Want to get involved this International Women’s Day?
As part of this year’s #GivetoGain campaign, which encourages us to give generously to increase opportunities for women, we're sharing some simple ways you can get involved.
Support the "Two Twenty-Five” challenge
Engineering graduate, David Dixon founded the charity Village Water in 2004, providing sustainable, community-led water systems across Zambia and Mozambique. This year the charity have launched a new fundraising challenge highlighting how access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) saves women in rural Zambia and Mozambique an average of two hours and twenty-five minutes every day, according to Village Water’s annual household surveys.
This time saved leads to improved health and education outcomes and creates greater opportunities for women and girls to participate fully in community and economic life.
Throughout March 2026, Village Water is encouraging individuals, teams and businesses to take part in a fundraising activity lasting two hours and twenty-five minutes, reflecting the amount of time women previously spent each day collecting water.
Find out how you can get involved
Volunteer with us
Discover the many ways you can volunteer at the University, from mentoring, to speaking at an event, to providing work opportunities for our students and grads.
Find out how you can volunteer
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Donate to the Student Fund
Thanks to the kindness of alumni, Maisie has been able to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. Her path into medicine hasn’t been straightforward – from overcoming self-doubt to discovering a deep passion for patient care, and she is now studying Medicine.