Earlier this week we welcomed a room full of changemakers from all ages and stages, for our highly anticipated BrightList Awards which were hosted at our Mayfair Club. From CEO’s and founders to writers, artists and human rights activists, the evening was dedicated to celebrating each of our 24 nominees and the way they inspire sisterhood through action.
Setting the tone for this impactful night was Sara Mardini, Human Rights activist and Syrian Refugee whose story, along with her sister Yusra Mardini, inspired the biographical film The Swimmers. Sara gave a truly powerful speech about her personal experience and the wider challenges that people displaced by war have to face.
With the night in full swing, it was time for the awards.
Exceptional Entrepreneur Award, in partnership with HSBC
The first award to be announced was the Exceptional Entrepreneur Award, presented by Sam Copper-Gray, HSBC. With Annabel De Gheldere, founder of WOMCO, and Kim Palmer, founder of Clementine on the shortlist, it was Nicola Kilner, Co-founder of DECIEM and The Ordinary who took the award home. It has been said that Deciem changed skincare by taking a step away from expensive formulations and instead focussing on science and an accessible price tag. On the night, Nicola shared that she believes everyone has the right to good skincare and to feel good in the skin they’re in.
Male Allyship Award
At AllBright we know how important it is to work with allies to see change and when it comes to gender equity and we need men to be part of the movement. The shortlist included Amrit S Maan OBE, a solicitor who for over 25 years has supported hundreds of women with his pro bono legal work and Match Sienkiewicz who created Home Safe London, a charity to help women get home safely from nights out by paying for their Uber home. The winner of this award was Jordan Stephens, writer and performer who is fighting to destigmatize men’s mental health with his #IAMWHOLE campaign which has reached over 120 million people online and was recognised in the Houses of Parliament.
Women of Courage Award, in partnership with Smart Works Charity
Sponsored and presented by Smart Works Charity, this award recognises and celebrates the women who are raising awareness for important issues against all odds. While lead campaigner on the Justice 4 Grenfell campaign, Yvette Williams MBE and Secretary-General of the Muslim Council of Britain, Zara Mohammed were considered, Sara Mardini took home the award.
Innovative Trailblazer Award
This award is for those demonstrating outstanding innovation and passion for their product whilst making a positive contribution to society. Confidence coach Tiwalola Ogunlesi and Angel Arutura, an anti-racism educator, social activist and sustainability focused content creator, were on the shortlist. However, it was Valentina Milanova, the founder of Daye who was the recipient of this award. Daye is on a mission to close the gender pain gap and overcome historical gender biases in medical research and product innovation.
Purpose Before Profit Award
The nominees of this award included circular fashion champion Josephine Philips, founder of Women Rise NFT Maliha Abidi and Megan Jayne Crabbe, who is best known for her promotion of body-positivity and self-acceptance through her raw, unfiltered, and unapologetic content. The incredible Megan Jaybe Crabbe won for her work to empower women.
Wellness Pioneer Award, in partnership with Rituals
This award is to recognise those who challenge the status quo when it comes to mental wellbeing in the workplace and beyond. The nominees included Jodie Cariss, the founder of Self Space, a first-of-its-kind high street walk-in therapy clinic and Jasmin Harsono who is the founder of the compassionate wellness brand Emerald and Tiger. Presented by Penny Grivea, Rituals, the recipient of this award was Ellie Middleton, an emerging powerful voice in the neurodiversity space, breaking taboos and empowering neurodivergent people with the tools to best navigate the work space and change the narrative on neurodiversity.
Inclusion Advocate Award
All the nominees for this award make crucial contributions to the conversations around diversity and inclusion and championing change in organisational culture. Zeinab, Lamisa and Sara unite and uplift Muslim women with their creative agency Muslim Sisterhood and Arooj Aftab, aims to break down barriers in the quest for inclusivity within the fashion industry. But taking home the award was Broadcaster Shani Dhanda, who helps businesses and brands break barriers and become more inclusive and accessible.
Madeleine Sisterhood Works
Finally, The Madeleine Sisterhood Works Award honours an extraordinary woman who embodies sisterhood throughout their personal and professional life. This award was open to the public and we received many exceptional entries. The shortlistee’s included Victoria Jenkins, a designer and disability advocate who champions adaptive and inclusive fashion through her brand, Unhidden. We also had Nuthana Prathivadi, a children's doctor in the NHS and vice president of the Medical Women's Federation. It was Jennifer Ogunyemi, founder of 'Sisters in Business' which is changing the narrative of Muslim business women, who took home the award on the night.
Eight Awards. One unforgettable Night.
We’d like to say a huge thank you to all our nominees, judges and partners for helping make these awards possible, and keep your eyes peeled for the next BrightList Awards!
