DAWN AIREY – CHAIR OF PANEL

Dawn recently stepped down as CEO of Getty Images, a position she held between 2015 and 2018, but continues to be on the Board.  Dawn is also on the Boards of Grosvenor Estates and Blackbird.   She is also Chair of the FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship Board, The National Youth Theatre and Digital Theatre.

Dawn is a veteran of the media industry having worked in television for 30 years, holding senior positions at ITV as its first Network Controller of Kids and Daytime and latterly Managing Director of Global Content.  She was also the first Director of Programmes and subsequently CEO and Chair of Channel 5.  She also worked at BSKYB as Managing Director of Channels and Services.  She spent 3 years as Yahoo’s SVP in EMEA.  

In 2017 she was News International’s Visiting Professor of Media Studies at Brasenose College, Oxford University.    She is a Fellow and a Vice President of the Royal Television Society, and in 2018 was given an Honorary Doctorate of Arts by Edge Hill University for her outstanding contributions to the media industry. 

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ANITA ASANTE

Anita Asante is a former England defensive midfielder/ centre back who currently plays for Aston Villa in the FA’s Women’s Super League (FAWSL). With 71 caps international caps under her belt, spanning 14 years, including competing for Great Britain at the 2012 Olympics, Anita is a hugely prominent figure in the footballing world.

The 35-year-old made her England debut in 2004, and she went on to compete in two Football World Cups and three UEFA European Championships. Anita also kicked off the first ever women’s Olympic football match for Team GB at the London Olympics in 2012.

Her showcase career began with Arsenal as a teenager; a club where she went on to be part of the historic quadruple winning Arsenal team who were crowned champions in the Champions League, Premier League, Premier League Cup and FA Cup all in one season. Arsenal also became the only English team to ever win the Champions League.

Anita has also played top-flight club football for Chelsea, where she most recently won the WSL title in 2020 and the FA Women’s Continental Cup, as well a successful stint playing football in the USA and Sweden where more domestic honours came.

Away from the pitch, Anita enjoys talking about football and women’s sport, working for media outlets such as the BBC and Sky Sports. She is also a passionate ambassador for Show Racism the Red Card, the UK’s anti-racism educational charity, and Amnesty International UK. She is an excellent speaker, and is well qualified to share her experiences. Whether it’s talking about leadership, overcoming adversity, diversity, equality or being a prominent figure in the challenging world of a male dominated sport, she has a story you want to hear.

AMAZIN LETHI

Amazin LeThi is a global LGBTQ advocate, keynote speaker, athlete and cultural change leader. Amazin has captured audiences with her story from the United Nations to Google and governments from all around the world. As a thought leader and through conversations, panel discussions and Q&As, Amazin shares her personal journey of homelessness to becoming one of the most visible and influential LGBTQ activists in the world. Her story was included in the It Gets Better campaign and the first White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Asian anti-bullying campaign Act to Change. She is the global ambassador to 6 organizations and has been honoured by GLAAD, Human Rights Campaign and in 2020 named a global changemaker. She advisors’ governments and companies all over the world around LGBTQ and sports equality and most recently was part of the Team Biden campaign as part of their Out For Biden Team: LGBTQ and Asian communication digital advisor.

For further information: www.amazinlethi.com

Social Media & Linkedin: @amazinlethi

CHRIS PAOUROS 

Tottenham Hotspur fan Chris is a season ticket holder for both the men's and women's teams. She is chair of the board at the Women’s Equality Party and spent many years running Europe’s first 'out' women’s football team. Amongst the many strings to her bow, Chris is a trustee of Kick It Out, independent member of the FA’s Inclusion Advisory Board, Board member at the Football Supporters Association and co-chair of Proud Lilywhites, the official Tottenham Hotspur LGBTQ+ supporters’ association. Passionate and dedicated, Chris is a leading voice across the footballing world - and someone who is guaranteed to engage and inspire!

SAM ADAMS

Sam Adams is known as The Real Life Coach.   She works with Sports Professionals and High achievers to help them live more expansively, authentically and successfully to enhance themselves and their performance whether playing their game or living their “REAL LIFE”

Sam is also a Property Business owner, Speaks regularly on BBC Radio, writes regularly for Scene magazine and a Motivational Speaker, having spoken at International conferences and delivered workshops to International sporting bodies.

She is passionate about helping all people live their best life by being real.  Also super passionate about ALL sport and raising the visibility of women in sport.

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