Women Inspired – South Yorkshire
The South Yorkshire Women’s Network exists to inspire, empower, and elevate women from all backgrounds to reach their full potential. We are a community rooted in compassion, equity, and collaboration, committed to removing barriers, amplifying women’s voices, and creating opportunities for meaningful personal and professional growth.
We recognise that structural inequalities, gender bias, and the unequal impact of work-life balance continue to hinder many women’s progress. In response, our network offers a dedicated space where women can connect, lead, and thrive, supported by mentorship, shared learning, and leadership development tailored to their lived experiences.
While our focus is on the empowerment of women, we also champion allyship and inclusivity, encouraging dialogue and greater understanding across all genders to build a more equitable and supportive future for everyone.
Together, we are shaping a culture where every woman feels seen, heard, and fully equipped to lead.
In December 2022, the first South Yorkshire Women’s Network was established. Initially the ICB set up annual face to face networking events to bring women working in health and care across South Yorkshire together (details below about each event). However in July 2024 a South Yorkshire wide Women's network was set up and titled 'Women Inspired – South Yorkshire', the coordination of the network lies with the SY ICB People Experience team.
To join Women Inspired – South Yorkshire’s mailing and invite list, please complete this form
Women Inspired - South Yorkshire Committee members
Amy Pope - Head of Comms
Amy is currently working as a Project Support Manager in the NHS HR Futures team at NHS South Yorkshire ICB and supports on a variety of workforce related projects and networks. Amy joined the NHS in 2024 but has previously worked in social care and voluntary settings. Amy also loves any opportunity to be creative at work and enjoys designing different visual resources that are informative, accessible, and engaging.
Brigitte Kaviani - Head of Strategy & People
Brigitte is Programme Director for People Experience at South Yorkshire ICB, bringing over 38 years of NHS experience. She leads strategic workstreams including mental health, wellbeing, retention, EDI, and talent. Brigitte was named Employee Benefits Professional of the Year in 2024 and spearheads the ICS-wide ‘Mission: Menopause’ initiative. She is a passionate advocate for women’s health and a key supporter of the South Yorkshire Women’s Network.
Caroline Branigan - Head of Health & Wellbeing
Caroline leads health and wellbeing initiatives at SY ICB, supporting both internal staff and the wider health and care workforce. With over a decade in NHS HR roles, she is passionate about improving the wellbeing of women in the sector and driving sustainable, inclusive support programmes.
Hannah Din - Chair
Hannah Din is the CEO and Founder of Thrive Social Capital CIC, a social enterprise empowering ethnic minority and marginalised communities through inclusive employment, education, and wellbeing. With over 20 years of experience in the finance and corporate world, including work at the New York Stock Exchange and ownership of a hotel, restaurant, and bridging finance company across the UK and UAE, Hannah brings a wealth of commercial expertise to her community driven mission.
Jo McDonough - Head of Partnership
Louise Berwick - Deputy Chair
Louise is the Director of the South Yorkshire Primary Care Workforce and Training Hub and leads a multi-disciplinary team. Louise is dedicated to helping individuals reach their potential and believes the Women’s Network plays a vital role in addressing structural inequities and providing a safe space for support and discussion.
Paris Pinnock - Cowell - Head of EDI
Paris is Senior Project Manager for EDI at SY ICB and a registered midwife. With experience in community care, safeguarding, and cultural safety, she brings both lived and professional insight to her role. Paris champions equity, inclusion, and intersectionality within the Women’s Network.
Sarah Cooke - Head of Admin
Sarah is a Business Support Officer in the People Experience Team at SY ICB, with over five years of NHS experience. She plays a vital role in the smooth running of the team and is a passionate advocate for the Women’s Network.
Sarah Newbold - Deputy to Head of Strategy & People -
Sarah is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years of experience across NHS, charitable, and private sectors. Currently seconded to Barnsley Hospital NHS FT as People Promise Manager, she brings deep leadership and system-level insight. Sarah is committed to challenging inequality and amplifying underrepresented voices in healthcare.
Victoria (Tori) Russell - Head of events
Tori is Admin Co-ordinator at the Yorkshire Endoscopy Training Academy. With a background in labs and organisational development, she excels in planning and delivering impactful events. Her enthusiasm and attention to detail help bring the Women’s Network’s vision to life.
To contact any of the committee members email syicb.syicswomensnetwork@nhs.net
Reflections for Women Inspired Activities 2024/25:
Women Inspired 2024/25 Reflections
Women Inspired Upcoming Activity Calendar 2025/2026:
Upcoming Webinars, Workshops and Events 2025:
Tuesday 9th September (1-2pm) - Sleep Essential for Women + interview with Dr Guy Meadows workshop book here
Tuesday 16th September (1.30-4.30pm) - Understanding and Managing Imposter Syndrome Workshop book here
Wednesday 17th September (12-12.30pm) - Prioritising you and your self care book here
Wednesday 24th September (12-1pm) - Neurodiversity in the Workplace - The Role of the Line Manager and Organisation book here
Wednesday 15th October (12.30-1pm) Back Pain Awareness book here
Saturday 18th October (9.30-4pm) Menofest 25 Event - Crowne Plaza, Royal Victoria book here
Wednesday 22nd October (12.30-1pm) Women's Health book here
To view our booking platform use this link Upcoming HWB Webinars and Courses :: South Yorkshire I.C.S.
See below recordings from the Women Inspired Webinars
11th February - Women Inspired: South Yorkshire Women’s Network - Breaking Barriers: Navigating systems and building careers webinar.
SY Women Inspired_ Race Equality Week Webinar-20250211_120533-Meeting Recording.mp4
Gina Yashere Talks About Her Mum | Live at the Apollo | BBC Comedy Greats - YouTube
22nd April - SY Women Inspired: South Yorkshire Women's Network - Women Empowerment Webinar with Laura Serrant.
12th May - SY Women Inspired Webinar - A World Beyond the Classroom: My Mission to Support Vulnerable Communities with Ridwana Wallace-Laher.
4th June - Sy Women Inspired Webinar - From Barriers to Bridges with Sofia Mahmood.
From Barriers to Bridges Presentation
10th July - South Yorkshire Women Inspired - Moving Beyond the Tick Box: Building Culturally Competent and Truly Inclusive Workplaces with Hannah Din.
14th July - South Yorkshire Women Inspired 1yr Anniversary - Resilience in the face of uncertainty - The importance of a glow up, Time out and laughing in the face of adversity with Shahida Siddique.
The Women Inspired Network held its first in-person event to share and celebrate the successes of women across South Yorkshire. This event included a diverse range of inspiring speakers sharing their lived experiences in the hope of connecting, inspiring and empowering all women in our region.
The International Women's Day 2025 campaign theme is Accelerate Action. The theme focuses on speeding up women's equality.
https://niftyfoxcreative.pixieset.com/womeninspiredsouthyorkshire2025/
Here are some snapshots of the day.
Meet Hannah Din Chair of the Women Inspired Network, she shares her story of how she started her career and explains about "Empowerment"
Meet Vicki Beevers a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, she explains what Neurodiversity week is and why it is important and shares her own story.
Meet Tori one of our Events committee for the Women Inspired Network, here she will reflect on the International Women's Day event.
Meet Laura Wiltshire who is a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, who explains what LGBTQ+ is and shares her own personal story.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ February 2025
Meet Najma Timms who is a committee member of the Women Inspired Network, who explains what Hijab and world Hijab day is.
On the 8th March, as part of International Women's day Doncaster Primary care hub arranged the first Women's network event aimed at colleagues in primary care and Voluntary sector.
This was the an opportunity to network with colleagues across primary care and the voluntary sector in South Yorkshire. We heard inspirational stories from local women’s leaders about their journey, barriers they have overcome and lessons they have learnt. The event was also an opportunity to learn about the menopause champion and advocate training courses we have on offer and the importance of menopause awareness for all staff in the workplace.
Click Here to see all of the activities and events which took place on International Women’s Day 2024 across the ICS.
This event brought together inspiring women and their allies from across our organisations to share their stories and provide some insight and advice for career progression.
To coincide with the theme for International Women’s Day 2024 the theme was ‘Inspire Inclusion’ and looked at the value women's inclusion, and the sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment that comes when women feel included at work.
This event was hosted by Jo McDonough, Director of Strategic Development, RDaSH. Speakers included;
Akeela Din Mohammed DL, Deputy Lieutenant of South Yorkshire, Co-chair of Inclusion and Fairness Forum and Director of Health
Kathy Lavery, Chair of RDaSH
Christine Joy, Chief People Officer, SY ICB
The network meeting in July 2023 was hosted by Sharon Mays, Chair of Sheffield Health and Social Care Trust, and speakers included;
- Sheila Lloyd, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nurse RDaSH
- Catriona Collins, Head of People Resourcing, Sheffield Children’s Hospital
We also spent time having table discussions on ‘Inclusive Recruitment for Women and People from Minority Backgrounds’ and many solutions were explored and put forward.
The first network meeting in March 2023 was hosted by Kirsten Major, CEO of Sheffield Teaching Hospital, and speakers included:
- Mandy Espey, Health Inequalities Lead Doncaster, talked about her journey and shared some top tips.
- Rukeya Miah, Deputy Associate Director of Nursing at Bradford Teaching Hospitals shared her passion for inclusivity.
- Dr Maria Read, a Sheffield GP with over 50 years of Primary Care experience.
Our first event brought over 100 women together from across health and care in South Yorkshire and was hosted by Kathryn Singh, CEO at RDaSH. Speakers included;
Ali Bishop, the EDI Lead for South Yorkshire ICS talked about the importance of peer networks
Sheeba Jefferson, Deputy Nurse Director at Sheffield Teaching Hospital shared her personal journey
Jo McDonough, Director of Strategy at RDaSH talked about barriers to progression such as mental health and physical conditions
We also saw Kathryn Singh be presented with an award for a lifetime of commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
Feedback from attendees of the session has been extremely positive:
“Huge thanks for organising such a fantastic event and for having me in the company of such an amazing and inspirational group of leaders!”
“Great event – so inspiring and interesting. Thank you so much.”
“Thanks for a fabulous event. I was very inspired and made some great connections. Made to feel very welcome.”
“Congratulations on a fabulous event today. It was so inspiring listening to those leadership journeys, which were different in many ways but had key themes running through all three.”
To see the amazing impact of our first event, see our short film.