Data, AI and Security event celebrating LGBTQ+ individuals in tech and security around IDAHOBIT.
Speakers
- Kavita Kapoor, Product Director at Just Eat, BCS Pride Chair & Lecturer In Product Management for Emerging Technologies
- Nicola Martin, Head of Quality Engineering, Adarga.
- David Downing, Co-founder The Lavender Group & Spyrian
- Sarah Rench, Global Generative AI Security Lead and European Security Lead.
Agenda
6:30pm - Start of event
8:30pm - Close of event
Synopsis
Join us on May 13th at the BCS Moorgate, for an enlightening event exploring the intersection of AI and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in partnership with Interbank.
Delve into cutting-edge discussions on
- Why is that chatbot homophobic?
- LGBTQ+ Travel and Security Risks?
- AI Bias, Data Quality and Data Literacy: Implications for the LGBTQIA+ Community
- How Generative AI, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and YOU are changing the world?
Our esteemed line-up of speakers includes Nicola Martin, David Downing, Kavita Kapoor, and Sarah Rench. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and engage in meaningful conversations. Register now to secure your spot!
About the speakers
Kavita Kapoor, Product Director at Just Eat, BCS Pride Chair & Lecturer In Product Management for Emerging Technologies
Kavita Kapoor is a distinguished technologist with a passion for leveraging machine learning to transform education. With an extensive background in product management and emerging technologies, she has made significant contributions to the tech industry. Kapoor's work has been recognized with several awards, highlighting her expertise and innovative approaches.
As a thought leader in the field, Kapoor is deeply committed to exploring how machine learning can revolutionize the educational landscape. She believes in the power of technology to democratize access to quality education and enhance learning outcomes for students worldwide. Through her lectures and talks, Kapoor shares her insights on the intersection of technology and education, inspiring others to embrace the possibilities of AI-driven learning solutions.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Kapoor serves as a Product Director at Just Eat Takeaway, a leading online food delivery platform. In this role, she leads product development initiatives, driving innovation and enhancing user experiences. Kapoor's strategic vision and leadership have been instrumental in Just Eat Takeaway's success as a global leader in the food delivery industry.
With her diverse background spanning technology, education, and product management, Kapoor continues to make a significant impact in both academia and industry. Her dedication to leveraging technology for social good and her innovative contributions to the tech sector have earned her a well-deserved reputation as a visionary leader and changemaker.
Nicola Martin, Head of Quality Engineering, Adarga
“With over two decades of experience in the tech industry, Nicola is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion in software engineering. She is also widely in demand as a thought leader in quality and software engineering.
Nicola is a Fellow of the BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and the Women’s Engineering Society. She is also a Council and Committee Member for the BCS. Additionally, she is recognised as a mentor, speaker, and panellist, addressing topics such as AI and quality, software testing, and diversity in tech.
Nicola's contributions have earned her a number of prestigious accolades, with inclusion in the UKTech50 long list and the Computer Weekly Most Influential Women in UK Tech List (Top 50). She is also celebrated as a Changemaker by Diversein.com and was honoured as the Women in Tech Excellence Awards Role Model of the Year in Tech (Highly Commended). Notably, Nicola is the inaugural recipient of the Bupa everywoman in Technology AI Champion Award.”
David Downing, Co-founder The Lavender Group & Spyrian
David has worked in Global Risk, Intelligence and Security Risk management and having worked for security companies like Solace Global, ITN/ITV, Willis Towers Watson, and a number of small boutique security and intelligence firms. David has freelanced as in the wider due diligence and investigations space. He set up The Lavender Group, an LGBTQ+ Security networking group, after experiencing first hand some of the more ‘conservative’ traits of the security industry and noticing there was an opportunity to support the LGBTQ+ security community.
Sarah Rench, Global Generative AI Security Lead and European Security Lead
Sarah Rench is the Global Generative AI Security Director & European Security Lead in the ICOE at Avanade, where she designs and manages teams to build Generative AI Security systems. She promotes Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in everything she does and through all her various roles including being; European Executive Sponsor of Prism Avanade's LGBTQ+ network, Interbank Committee member, Vice Chair of British Computer Society Pride network. She is also the founder of DiverseCxO which empower social equity through getting C-suites and those in senior positions to gift their time through volunteering in mentorship, sponsorship and charity work to drive a better workplace and society.
She frequently presents in the House of Commons & Parliament on Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security and importance of Diversity Equity and inclusion, she was also previously a board member of All-Party Parliamentary Group on AI (AI APPG). Sarah actively encourages women, LGBTQ+ and other minority groups to get into Artificial Intelligence & Security/STEM through her work on the executive boards listed above, but also historically through DevelopHer & Bayes Global Women's Leaders Programme (which provided scholarships to high education).
Sarah has won various awards; Inspirational Role Model of the Year, European Diversity Awards 2023, appears on UK’s Top 100 Most Influential Women in Tech list numerous years, Data Leader & Twenty Women in Data Winner!
Our events are for adults aged 16 years and over.
BCS is a membership organisation. If you enjoy this event, please consider joining BCS. You’ll be very welcome. You’ll receive access to many exclusive career development tools, an introduction to a thriving professional community and also help us Make IT Good For Society. Join BCS today
For overseas delegates who wish to attend the event, please note that BCS does not issue invitation letters.
COVID-19
BCS is following government guidelines, and we would ask attendees to continue to follow these guidelines:
England: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Scotland: https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/
Wales: https://www.gov.wales/coronavirus
Northern Ireland: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ireland
This event is brought to you by: PRIDE specialist group
