18/03/2025
Yesterday, we had a delightful evening at the BBC Embrace event, in collaboration with the Asian Women of Achievement Awards, at the iconic BBC studios. The setting was truly fantastic and we were surrounded by AWA alumni and an inspiring cohort of Asian women.
The event kicked off with an insightful keynote from Jess Schibli, BBC’s Head of Creativity and Diversity, where she spoke about the trailblazing Asian women who’ve made an incredible mark at the BBC, setting the tone for a powerful evening. Later, Pinky Lilani spoke with Shoku Amirani from BBC Children in Need and Sir Nick Young about championing women in leadership roles, fostering the next generation of female leaders, and the importance of male allyship.
For the past 25 years, the Asian Women of Achievement Awards and the Women of the Future Awards, have empowered so many talented women to be seen and heard. While these awards have been transformative, there’s still work to be done in exploring ways to build on this momentum and overcome ongoing challenges.
The evening also featured a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by host Nadia Ali, with Serena Kern-Libera, Anila Dhami, Kim Rowell, and Ena Jawa where they discussed issues such as inclusion, representation, and the barriers that still exist for women and mothers in the workforce, particularly in leadership positions.
The night ended on a high note with a fireside chat led by Philip Robinson along with Kiran Nandra, Ritula Shah, and Lalita Taylor FRSA, who shared their experiences and discussed how female Asian representation in creative spaces has come a very long way.
The evening was a perfect blend of inspiration, connection, and even a bit of fun with networking and Bingo! A huge thank you to Lalita Taylor FRSA, Kim Rowell, and everyone who made this event possible!
