Sumeet Valrani Lecture Theatre , CBG , LSE Campus
Free
Let's Talk About Race in the workplace is a panel event bringing together alumni from diverse backgrounds to discuss their experiences of starting and developing their careers.
Speakers will discuss their personal experiences of entering the workplace, developing their careers, and provide insights into what students can look for when choosing an organisation to work for that genuinely values diversity. They will discuss different initiatives they've seen that support students through recruitment processes and the approaches organisations are taking to address underrepresentation amongst Black, Asian and diverse heritage employees. They will also talk about the day-to-day realities of working in their sector and share advice on navigating relevant processes and situations effectively.
You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you have and meet with the panellists during the networking afterward, which includes drinks and pizza.
The event will be co-chaired by Ikenna Acholonu, Philanthropy Manager - Africa region and Lem Mandara, Advancing Black Careers, LSESU society
Panellists:
Sithokozile Thabethe, Senior Labour Market Strategist at Department of Work and Pensions (International History - Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation, 2021)
I'm a passionate strategist that has worked on tackling challenges ranging from youth unemployment and green transition to building sanitation infrastructure. In my role as a Labour Market Strategy Advisor at the Department of Work and Pensions, I lead efforts to drive the green jobs transition and foster collaboration across government departments and industry to tackle labour market challenges more broadly. I have a background in project delivery, having led the local delivery of government employment campaigns like Kickstart and working in Rwanda on building eco solutions to sanitation challenges. My academic journey includes an MSc in Empires, Colonialism, and Globalization, and a BSc in International Business Management.
Shreya Bhanot, Sales Lead Microsoft (Organisational & Social Psychology, 2015)
I am passionate, goal oriented and a consistent high performer in academics and creative pursuits. I possess skills for multi-tasking, analytical aptitude & articulate communication. I strive for and have a high need for continuous learning & achievement. I have experience of working across countries and cultures and am looking to leverage my knowledge & skills to enhance peoples perceptions, provide guidance and support the conversation of navigating through stereotypes, boxed thoughts and challenges.
Zaheed Patel, Legal Counsel at Google (Law, 2004)
Zaheed studied his LLB and LLM in Law at the LSE before training at global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills. Zaheed qualified as a technology lawyer spending time at a couple of boutique law firms before going in house at a large US Cloud Technology company Rackspace and then onto Google where he works in the Google Cloud legal team. Zaheed has been actively involved in a number of social mobility mentorship schemes over the year including the LSE Ethnic Minority Mentoring Programme.
Rupika Madhura, Director of Regulatory Standards (MSc in Regulation, 2018)
Rupika is currently the Director of Regulatory Standards for the regulator of Barristers - the Bar Standards Board. Rupika’s regulatory and policy experience spans over 18 years, after starting her career as a trainee Economist at the Greater London Authority. Prior to joining the Bar standards Board, Rupika worked at the energy regulator Ofgem, the water regulator Ofwat and Office of Road and Rail.
Rupika also sits on the Independent Stakeholder Board of Northern Gas Networks, where she Chairs the sub-committees of the Data and Digitalisation and Workforce Resilience – a role to further the interest of consumers in energy sectors.
Rupika holds an MSc in Regulation from London School of Economics, MSc in Business Economics from City University and a B.A. (Honours) in Economics from Delhi University.
Aurora Andrew (MSc International Social and Public Policy, 2023)