Wednesday 4 March 2026 11:45am
Online via Zoom; In-person at the Judge Business School, Trumpington Street, Cambridge
About
In collaboration with the Women’s Staff Network, we warmly invite University of Cambridge staff and students to a panel discussion exploring this year’s powerful theme: “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.”
International Women’s Day is both a celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for gender equality. This year’s theme calls us to look beyond celebration, to the real work of dismantling barriers that limit rights, access to justice, and meaningful participation for women and girls everywhere.
The multifaceted and multidisciplinary panel features:
- Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas, Head of Education Portfolio, NHS England
- Tariq Shah OBE, CEO of the Vigo Group
- Ritika Wadhwa, CEO and Founder of Prabhaav Global
- Dr Jennifer Waller-Martin (panel chair): Executive Director of the EMBA, Judge Business School
Together, we will consider:
- Rights: What it means to uphold and advance women’s rights within educational, professional and social systems.
- Justice: How justice (procedural, cultural and structural) influences the experiences of women and gender-diverse people in our community and workplaces.
- Action: What practical steps institutions and individuals can take to move beyond good intentions toward tangible change.
This conversation will be followed by a Q&A, providing space for shared insights, questions, and dialogue, across disciplines and perspectives. Whatever your role is at the University, we hope this event encourages reflection, and inspires action to support equality and inclusion.
All University of Cambridge staff and students are welcome. For those attending in person, refreshments and a sandwich lunch will be available from 11.45am onwards.
Please note that this event is governed by the values in the University Code of Practice on Freedom of Speech | Governance and Compliance Division
This hybrid event can be attended online via Zoom (link opens at 12.30), and in person, at the Judge Business School.
About the panellists:
Henrietta Mbeah-Bankas is the Head of Education Portfolio focusing on Blended Learning and the Educator Workforce Programme at NHS England.
She is a Registered Mental Health Nurse, Darzi Fellow Alumnus, and NHS Clinical Entrepreneur. Henrietta worked as a Visiting Lecturer, Topol Technology Review Project Lead, and Clinical Nursing Fellow (Research and Evaluation). A recent Executive MBA graduate from Judge, Henrietta sits on the Methodist Independent Schools Trust Board, the External Advisory Board for the Digital Media Lab at Imperial College London, and the Education and Training Advisory Committee for Orthopaedic Research UK. In 2025, Henrietta was recognised as a Poets & Quants 2025 Best and Brightest Executive MBA Graduate.
She has co-authored and contributed to academic and policy publications on digital innovation, healthcare education, mental health, and service delivery, and continues to support research in mental health at UCL.
Driven by a commitment to equity in health and education, Henrietta contributes her technical expertise to global health systems strengthening initiatives and international knowledge exchange roundtables.
Tariq Shah OBE, is the CEO of the Vigo Group
Vigo Group is a multi-generational real estate and regeneration group, focused on strategic development that transforms places and creates long-term value. He is passionate about growing communities and delivering a positive legacy in the built environment. Other roles include:
- Co-Chair, Business Advisory Board, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Advisory Board
- Chairperson, City Centre Board, Doncaster Council
- Trustee, AHS Foundation
- Independent Member, Public Services Honours Committee, Cabinet Office
Tariq is an experienced public and third sector leader with board-level roles across local, national and international organisations - championing social mobility, shared prosperity and inclusive opportunity. He is an advocate for the North. Believer in the power of place. Tariq has previously spoken for an event for the Wo+Men’ Leadership Centre in Cambridge on the topic of Accelerating Action through Allyship. Finally, he is a father, husband and increasingly slow runner.
Ritika Wadhwa is the CEO and Founder of Prabhaav Global
Ritika’s journey is one of remarkable achievement and global impact. Born and raised in India, she pursued an MBA in the UK and successfully navigated the challenges as an immigrant to both Canada and the UK. With over 30 years of experience at the Board level across three continents, Ritika has worked with senior stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
Driven by a passion for inclusion and innovation, Ritika founded Prabhaav Global, an organization dedicated to harnessing the transformative power of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) for impactful leadership. As a CQ Certified Facilitator and Fellow at the Society of Leadership Fellows, Windsor Castle, she is a recognized authority in the field. Other roles include:
- Strategic Independent Advisory Board Member, British Transport Police
- Co-Chair, Culture and Community First Board, Essex County Fire and Rescue Service
- Advisory Board Member, Westminster Business School
- Leadership Fellow at St George’s House, Windsor Castle
- Trustee and Board Director, The 5% Club
Ritika also teaches on the Cambridge and Financial Times Women in Leadership Programme.
Jennifer Waller-Martin is the Executive Director of the EMBA Programmes, at the Cambridge Judge Business School.
Jen is a passionate researcher of Inclusive Leadership, Management, Human Resources, Organisational Behaviour and Strategy. PhD, International Business with a Higher Education specialization (International School of Management, Paris). MSc Global Politics (University of London). Professorial Lecturer of Management, Hult International Business School, London. Her team recently won the EMBA Team European Diversity Award in November 2025.
Jen is British but has lived and worked in Asia, America and Europe. She is also neurodiverse, with ADHD and Hyperactivity being both her superpower and her drainers; Jen also co-Chairs the University’s Neurodiversity Coffee Chats on the final Friday of each month. Experienced undergraduate and postgraduate lecturer and avid ally of the neurodiverse, the LGTBQIA+ community, disabled, socio-economically challenged communities, and those with mental health and attachment disorders.
Other roles include:
- Company Director, JRM Global Ltd
- Publican, Three Horseshoes Comberton
- Chair, Comberton Parish Council