Speakers and Entertainment
Dr Deborah Kayembe
Dr Debora Kayembe FRSA was called to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC) Bar in September 2000. She focuses on matters involving activism, legal, political and linguistic issues as well as Human Rights and International Law.
Her linguist profession led her to create her own linguistic company in 2009, serving international organisations in the USA, UK and mainland Europe by helping refugees and asylum seekers to settle within various resettlement programs as well as supporting victims of war crimes.
She joined the Assistant Counsel list of the International Criminal Court/Victim support section, then joined the International Criminal Court Bar Association in March 2016 and joined the language services of the office of the prosecutor at the International Criminal Court in 2015. She was a board director of the Scottish Refugee Council for 3 years, and in 2017 founded a charity, Full Options, which promotes human rights and peace. In 2019, history was made when she become the first African citizen to have her portrait erected on the wall of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, honouring her achievements and contributions.
In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the birth of the Black Lives Matter Movement; Debora survived a murder attempt by a white supremacist, as a result of which she launched the Freedom Walk Campaign, promoting racial justice and lobbying in favour of social reforms and community harmony.
In 2021, Debora became the first person of colour to be elected as Rector of the University of Edinburgh and the 3rd Women to hold the position. She became a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Commerce and Manufacture in 2022.
She was awarded “Activist of the year 2023” by the community network group “Proudly Black and Scottish” in recognition of her contributions to global activism in politics and Human Rights.
Debora has now begun a fellowship at the Carr Centre for Human Rights Policy at the Kennedy School at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.
Ann Beatty
Ann Beatty is the CEO of the Steve Sinnott Foundation, an international education charity, working to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4.
Ann has worked in a variety of roles on an operational and strategic level in the public and charity sector. She says: “I love people and connecting. I have enjoyed working in international development, education, community development, training & coaching. I am passionate about working with women as well as girls and boys. I believe creativity and developing positive relationships is key to progress’’
Ann has a special interest in the provision of quality, holistic and inclusive education and supporting the development of people and communities.
Come and join us to find out about how the work of the Steve Sinnott Foundation supports Education for All in a collaborative, reciprocal and sustainable way.
Ann is the UNESCO ASPnet U.K. Co-ordinator, a member of the first Co-housing community for women over 50 in the U.K. and a trustee of two arts and mental health charities.
Jalila Moufqia, SI Africa President 2023 – 2024
Jalila is a founding member of the Soroptimist Club of Agadir which has existed for more than 20 years and she is also founding member of the Soroptimist Club of Rabat. She has held various positions within the Agadir Club: President, Secretary and Treasurer.
During her term as President of the Soroptimist Club of Agadir (2017-2019), she initiated the networking of Moroccan clubs with the organization in Agadir of the 1st meeting of Moroccan SI clubs followed 6 months later by a 2nd edition led by the Club of Marrakech-founder. In December 2021, she organized for the SIAF, a one-day meeting in Marrakech, at the girls’ boarding school of the Soroptimist Marrakech Founder Club, Moroccan Soroptimists and contenders for the creation of new clubs in Morocco. On this occasion, the day included, in addition to a presentation of the Soroptimist and these local clubs, a meeting-debate with academics and social actors on the theme of violence against women and they too, “oranged the world!
Four years ago, when SIAF was born, Jalila was elected as Extension and Membership Director and after as SIAF President Elect.
Jalila has been SIAF President since 1st January 2023, and her term will finish in few weeks. During her term as SIAF President, Jalila promoted education but she also worked to reinforce structures of the fledgling federation (database, SIAF Projects Fund, Solidarity Fund, …).
Hafdís Karlsdóttir, SI Europe President 2024-2025
Hafdís Karlsdóttir, SIE President 2024-2025, is from Iceland and has been a Soroptimist for 35 years. She is a second-generation Soroptimist, following in the footsteps of her mother who died earlier this year after serving our organisation with honour for over 50 years. Ever since Hafdís joined her club in 1989, she has held various board positions, such as Vice President, Finance Controller and President at Club, Union and Federation levels. She also served as Assistant Director of Advocacy on SI level, responsible for the Presidents’ Appeal Women, Water & Leadership.
Hafdís holds a degree in Business & Accounting from the University of Iceland and a degree in Computer Science from Seattle Pacific University in Seattle (USA).
Her skills, strengths and attributes in finance, organising, managing and leadership, have given her the opportunity to work in executive positions across different fields for over thirty years. Until retiring in 2022, she worked at the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO), as the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, and the Deputy Director General.
In addition to her work, she has been a board director of both public and private companies, using her education and skills to the fullest.
Baroness Floella Benjamin
Born in Trinidad, Baroness Benjamin came to Britain as a 10-year-old in 1960 as a Windrush child.
She left school at 16 with the aim of becoming Britain’s first ever black woman bank manager but changed direction and became an actress, presenter, writer, award winning business woman and independent television producer, politician and active advocate for the wellbeing, care and education of children throughout the world.
Baroness Benjamin has been in the entertainment industry for over 50 years and has appeared on stage, radio, film and television, working with some Britain’s top drama directors.
She has written over 30 books including ‘Coming to England’- which tells the Windrush story. The latest picture book edition of ‘Coming to England’ is now a number one best seller. The BBC film adaptation of the book won an RTS Award in 2004.
Her creative work has been recognised with numerous awards including, a BAFTA Lifetime Award, the JM Barrie Award, for her lasting legacy to children’s creative arts and The Women Film & Television Lifetime Achievement Award.
From 2006 to 2016 she was Chancellor of the University of Exeter. A statue was erected at Exeter at the end of her term to celebrate her contribution to Higher Education.
In 2010 she entered the UK House of Lords where she speaks on children’s, diversity, equality and women’s issues.
She was made an Honorary Freeman of the City of London in 2018 In 2020 she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire. In 2021, she made history by becoming the first Honorary Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Educators.
Furthermore, Baroness Benjamin is Chair of the Windrush Commemoration Committee.
SI President, Siew Yong Gnanalingam
Siew Yong Gnanalingam holds a Bachelor of Economics degree and Diploma in Accounting from the University of Malaya.
On her graduation, Siew Yong joined the Economic Development Board of Singapore in 1969. After a short stint, she joined Malaysian Tobacco Company in 1970 as its first female executive and served as PR Executive and Manager. In
1978 she joined Malaysia Airlines System where she initiated many PR campaigns and events promoting the airline image
and retired as Vice President, Group Corporate Communications in 1997.
She was selected as 1 of 14 women in PR to be included in the book, ‘Reflections of Pioneer Malaysian Trailblazers’, launched in 2022. She started Ayur Centre in 2000, the first premier Ayurvedic centre in Malaysia, and currently manages her family’s property investments. Siew Yong was a charter member of SI Petaling Jaya in 1994, moving up to Club President in 1998 and SI Malaysia President and National Representative before taking on the position of President, Federation of SI South West Pacific (2012 – 2014). She initiated a Federation-wide “Walk the Talk – Stop Violence Against Women” with an exemplary walk “From Perlis To Sabah” over 16 days in November-December 2012. Her term as President concluded with a SISWP Convention in Kuching 2014.
She was appointed the International Convention Chair of the 21st Soroptimist International Convention KL 2019, the first to be hosted in an Asian country, during which she held a tree planting CSR project leaving a green legacy to mark the Convention. She is currently President of the international organisation. Acknowledging the significant challenges posed by climate change, along with prevalent issues of violence and conflicts that particularly impact women and girls, Siew Yong has taken up the mantle to advocate for the campaign “Save Mother Earth, Save the Future”. Additionally, she endeavors to promote a culture of”No War, Only Peace” advocating for peace within households, communities, and globally.
Entertainment
Hjaltibonhoga
The Shetland Islands in the far north of Scotland can boast a tradition in fiddle playing of over 300 years with lessons being delivered in schools maintaining this art. Much of the older tunes are based in the Scandinavian culture of Shetlands forbearers, the Norse, with a growing and developing tradition that is very much alive.
‘Hjaltibonhoga’ is old Norse for ‘Shetland, my spiritual home’. The group were formed in the Shetland Islands in 2014 to perform on the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo that year and have performed every year since. The group provides the fiddlers for the show and have toured with the Tattoo to Shanghai, Norway, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. The live audience of 220,000 people in Edinburgh alone is just under 10 times the population of Shetland!
Celebrating their 10th birthday this year, the group have performed at the Shetland Folk Festival in May and will record their second album this winter.
Just over 290 fiddlers have played with the group over these 10 years, and a small group will be entertaining us during the Networking session on Friday evening.