A powerful celebration of female leadership, impact, and community contribution.
This year’s landmark event embraced the theme: “Smashing Stereotypes” - honouring women who are challenging convention and making a difference across Milton Keynes.
Around 400 guests gathered to recognise those making a difference - not just at the top, but at every stage of their journey. From emerging talent to sector-shaping leaders, the awards honoured women who are breaking new ground in spaces where they’ve long been underrepresented. This year also marked a notable first: the Women Leaders Awards’ youngest-ever finalist - Miah Wilson, Apprentice Machinist at Red Bull Racing - highlighting the rising wave of young women stepping into trailblazing roles.
Chair of Women Leaders, Dr Julie Mills OBE, and Vice Chair Ruby Parmar opened the evening with reflections on the Awards’ 10-year journey and a heartfelt tribute to the late Ranjit Singh, a champion of equality and inclusion.
“We’ve always said that supporting women doesn’t mean excluding men - it’s about addressing an imbalance that still exists in many workplaces. That imbalance is now widely recognised by investors, policy makers, and business leaders alike. Success stories inspire others - especially those whose talents are still waiting to be seen. Tonight is a celebration of progress, of role models, and of what’s possible when opportunity and talent are allowed to meet.”
2025 Award Winners:
o Community Impact (Employed) Maya Joseph-Hussain – Safety Centre
o Community Impact (Volunteer) Michelle Theuma – Concept Onyx Recruitment / Chair of Women in Enterprise
o Digital & Technology Stephanie Stasey – CEO, Miss AI
o Emerging Leader Emma Gasking – Avalon Transformation Partners
o Engineering, Science & Maths Professor Jacqueline Hannam – Cranfield University
o Entrepreneur Sophie Davis – Outdoor Adventure Girls
o Healthcare Jane Lambert – Makewell
o Manufacturing & Construction Lucy Kuhar - Architect
o Music, Arts & Creative Industries Monica Ferguson – CEO, The Stables
o None of the Above Samantha Amey – Ascent-trix Fitness
o Professional Services Lucy Bradban – Freeths
o Skills, Education & Training Maria Bowness – Milton Keynes College
o Sports, Leisure & Retail Joanna Fleet – Red Bull Racing
o Uniformed & Public Services DI Rachel Wheaton – Thames Valley Police
The most prestigious accolade of the evening, the Outstanding Contribution Award, was presented to Professor Jacqueline Hannam of Cranfield University, recognised for her transformative work in soil science, education, and EDI.
A Night of Recognition, Reflection, and Change
From shaping Formula One behind the scenes to leading climate science, from uplifting communities to transforming policing - each award recipient shared a story of courage, innovation, and leadership. The Women Leaders Awards continue to spotlight not just success, but potential, promise, and positive disruption.
Several finalists also received special recognition and support from local partners who share the Awards’ commitment to empowering women at all stages of their journey. Horwood House generously gifted an exclusive spa day to Binta Bah Pokawa, in honour of her outstanding public and community service.
Joanna Dodi and Miah Wilson were awarded fully funded places on the Red Thread Fellowship - an acclaimed year-long leadership programme designed to bridge the gap between corporate ambition and community impact. And ALL Women Leaders 2025 winners will now receive 12 months of complimentary access to the World Class Manager Series 1 programme - a CPD-accredited, online leadership development course created by The Red Thread Partnership in collaboration with GGI.
The 2025 event was made possible by the generous support of headline sponsor NHBC, along with valued sponsors and supporters including MK Community Foundation, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Freeths, PJ Care, MK Dons, Helix, Vinkez Consulting, MHA and Howes Percival.
As the Women Leaders Awards celebrated a decade of recognising Milton Keynes’ most inspiring women, the message was clear: progress happens when we challenge the expected, champion those still unseen, and lift each other higher.
