A Reading woman was among those celebrated at the sixth Ladies First Professional Development Network Business Awards.
Julia Von Klonowski won the new Inclusivity in Leadership Award for her role as director of digital skills and consulting at Birmingham Metropolitan College, dedicating her time and expertise to coach and develop students in crucial areas such as employability, personal development and problem-solving skills.
Through this initiative, students have been afforded the opportunity to try and develop their digital skills and address real-world issues.
From tackling challenges related to the cost of living to breaking down barriers to learning, and this year’s focus on addiction.
One of Julia’s endeavours is the culmination of the digital skills project, where students from different colleges compete in London in front of esteemed employers such as Amazon, City of London Police, Wavemaker, Mastercard, HAYs Recruitment, and many more.
Oliver Stokes, who nominated Julia for the award, said: “Julia Von Klonowski embodies the spirit of mentorship and innovation, and her contributions have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless young individuals across the UK. Her dedication to empowering the next generation of digital leaders is truly commendable.”
He added: “What sets Julia apart is her compassion and genuine care for the young people she mentors. Her dedication extends beyond the confines of our institution, as she tirelessly works with students from various colleges across the UK.
“Julia’s commitment to nurturing talent knows no bounds, and she goes above and beyond to ensure that each student she encounters receives the guidance and support they need to thrive.”
400 people assembled at Dallas Burston Polo Club, in Southam for the glittering ceremony on Thursday (June 13th), hosted by Kirsty Leahy, Karen Jones and ‘Roberto.’
The evening’s entertainment also included performances by Birmingham’s Elmhurst Ballet School and singer Ruth Kelly, from Coventry.
The Awards, which were unveiled at The House of Commons in January, are headed up by Ladies First directors Tracey McAtamney and Karen Massey from Warwickshire.
Tracey and Karen said: “It was a phenomenal evening celebrating the achievements of women, men, and future young influencers in business. We couldn’t be more proud of this inspiring event. Huge congratulations to all of our 2024 winners. We also want to express our gratitude to all our sponsors, without whom this event wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you to the IXL Centre for creating a wonderful experience for our guests. We can’t wait to see what 2025 will bring.”
The evening, which included an auction and raffle and £5k ring prize drawer courtesy of Shipton & Co in Stratford, also raised £8,000 for The Giles Trust Brain Tumour Fund.
The charity was established in 2015 by former England cricketer Ashley Giles MBE and his wife Stine, who was diagnosed with three brain tumours over 12 years. The charity raises funds for research, pioneering equipment and support for patients.
Other winners included Business Woman of the Year, Trailblazer, Business Resilience, Outstanding Entrepreneur, two Lifetime Achievement Awards and awards recognising charity campaigns and volunteer work in the community.
The full list of winners can be found here: https://ladiesfirstnetwork.co.uk/2024-winners/
