21 Sep 2026

The Human Edge: Leadership, AI and Inclusive Progress

Venue: County Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1 7PB and streamed online
Date: 11 November 2026
Time: 09:30–18:00 hrs

To register, please follow the link: 
Begin Registration: POWERful Women Annual Conference

Overview

The 2026 POWERful Women Annual Conference will focus on the bold action, collaboration and accountability needed across the energy sector to secure lasting progress on gender diversity and inclusion.

With just four years remaining to meet the 40% by 2030 target, the conference will bring together the industry for a day of discussion, insight and practical tools to help organisations, and the wider sector, embed diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) at the heart of business.

Now in its 12th year, this flagship event will convene senior leaders, DEI professionals and changemakers from across the energy sector and beyond. Attendees will take part in thought-provoking panel discussions, expert-led workshops and valuable networking opportunities.

Programme

This year's conference will focus on Inclusive Leadership and AI. During lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a ‘Lunch and Learn’ session exploring the gender pension gap. In the afternoon, a series of workshops will be available for EDI professionals, women working across the sector, and male allies.

TimeActivity
09.30 Registration and Coffee
10.00 Welcome Address
Monica Collings OBE, POWERful Women Chair
10.10 Ministerial Address
10.20 Launch of POWERful Leaders’ Coalition Annual Report 2026
Miya Paolucci, POWERful Women Leaders’ Coalition Chair & UK CEO, Engie
10.35 Coffee & networking
11.05
SESSION 1
– The Human Edge: Why Kindness Matters in Inclusive Leadership
  • Ritika Wadhwa - CEO, & Founder, Prabhaav Global (Moderator)
  • Graham Allcott – Author, KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work
  • Energy Leader (tbc)
  • Sinead Obeng, Business Development EMEA, Shell
12.05 Lunch & networking
12.30 Lunch & Learn – Understanding the gender pension gap
Susan Hope, Business Development Director, Scottish Widows
13.35
SESSION 2
– The Human Edge: Powering an Inclusive AI Future for Energy
  • Tomi Issacs - Talent Development, Bloomberg (moderator)
  • Carol Yan, General Manager – Energy & Utilities UKI, Amazon Web Services
  • Jenny Garrett OBE, Jenny Garrett Global
  • + another panellist (tbc)
14.35 Coffee & Networking
15.00

Workshops - Delegates choose one of five workshops running concurrently.

  1. Balancing the Moral and Commercial Value of EDI
    Dan Robertson, Managing Director, FAIRER Consulting
  2. Responsible AI and EDI: Risk, Realities and Opportunities
    Workshop leader to be confirmed
  3. Communicating Your Value with Confidence and Credibility
    Sally Spicer, Co-Founder, Talent Included
  4. How To Stand Out as a Candidate in the Age of AI
    Katy Hall, Global Head of Diversity, NES Fircroft
  5. Menopause Matters: How Men Can Be Better Allies at Work
    Mark Sproston, Author, The Menopause Survival Guide (For Men)
16.00 Drinks reception - Special guest entertainment
18.00 Event close

Bring a Male Ally

This year we encourage you to bring along a male ally who will benefit from hearing the discussions, participating in one of our workshops, and networking

Registration fees:

In-person: £180.00 (includes plenary sessions + access to a workshop)

Virtual: free (gives access to plenary sessions only)

To register, please follow the link: Begin Registration: POWERful Women Annual Conference

If your company is interested in supporting our conference, please contact Georgina Worrall - [email protected]