Gill Cooke
Gill Cooke is an award-winning Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) change-maker and thought leader with a remarkable track record in delivering complex, cross-geography, and cross-functional EDI Strategies and programs. Gill is an accomplished trainer and facilitator and supports organizations with their policies, processes and strategies. Gill has had a squiggly and varied career, from Television Production to IT Programme Management to HR to now being a self-employed Inclusion Consultant and Associate. Gill has left a lasting impact on the organizations she has worked with, transforming them into more inclusive and supportive environments.
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
My father was a Tropical Diseases scientist so Gill spent her childhood in Sudan and has lived and worked in both Egypt and France. I had a wonderful childhood in Africa with special memories and bonds, however, attending a boarding school in England from a young age also gave her strong independence and confidence. Gill’s unusual upbringing has brought a unique perspective to her work, valuing diversity and inclusion from a young age. Gill’s academic journey includes studying at the prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies, further adding to her expertise in intercultural matters.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I founded #STEMConnext in 2018. #STEMConnext’s vision was to connect people and profile businesses, building a community outside of London where like-minded professionals can network, share ideas and support each other
We celebrate and champion equality and equity for all. We believe that a genuinely diverse talent base is good for business, good for technology and good for both men and women. Our goal is to support that belief with practical and effective action. STEMConnext’s events offered networking, panel experts and audience Q&A, Interactive Lunch & Learns and workshops. I closed down #STEMConnext in 2022 but learnt loads from the experience. I am now a sole trader, freelancer Consultant and Associate but I may still launch as a new business.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I’d love to encourage budding entrepreneurs to start thinking about their personal brand now. start networking, learning from others, understanding their values and goals. You don’t need to have a business to start doing this work. Then see where the opportunities take you. I’d also love to encourage women to believe in themselves and their worth. Being able to influence and negotiate cannot be under-estimated whatever path you take.
What’s the most important thing you have learned in your personal life and professional journey? What is your personal motto in life?
Believe in yourself, treat others as you would like to be treated. Don’t underestimate your value and worth, if we all take small steps to make the world a better place, together we will achieve great things. I love Maya Angelou and one of her greatest quotes is”I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
With your grit and determination, you are making a considerable impact, breaking through, and serving as role models for many budding entrepreneurs. What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
Believe in yourself, be your own biggest cheerleader, be kind to yourself and Don’t give up!