Gateway to a Sustainable Future Forum 2025 Presented by the Creative Women Platform
- PARLIAMENT NEWS
- May 15
- 10 min read
Updated: May 16
May 2025 | Plaisterers’ Hall, London
A Global Gathering of Purpose-Driven Women
Following an elegant opening assembly at the House of Parliament on 7 May, the main programme of the Gateway to a Sustainable Future Forum 2025 unfolded across two transformative days at the historic Plaisterers’ Hall. Hosted by the Creative Women Platform, the forum united a prestigious global delegation of women leaders, pioneers, creatives, and advocates of sustainability, committed to reimagining our world through collaboration, innovation, and inclusion.
About the Creative Women Platform
The Creative Women Platform is an exclusive, high-profile global network that connects influential women across business, innovation, and leadership. It provides a refined space for female entrepreneurs, executives, and pioneers to exchange insights, strategies, and invaluable experience—empowering one another to lead with confidence, purpose, and clarity.
With more than 50 international representatives, the Platform has hosted powerful gatherings in Milan, Davos, Cannes, Riyadh, and now London. Its mission is to inspire, connect, and elevate women from all sectors through a community that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and sustainable progress.
Welcome to a Vision of Collective Impact
Olga Balakleets, Founder and CEO of the Creative Women Platform, set the tone for the forum with a stirring message of empowerment. "We aim to spread the meaning of creativity and inspire women to pursue the dreams they’ve long carried. This Forum is more than a programme—it is a place to learn, to connect, and to lead."
Islée Oliva Salinas, Chair of the Advisory Board, underscored the importance of unity and dialogue. "At the heart of this Forum lies the power of connection. We honour the resilience, innovation, and creative spirit that shape today’s most meaningful progress."
Dr. Viola Edward, Executive Director and Co-Founder of GRIT Academy, expressed a vision rooted in nature and shared purpose: "These days are a convergence of wisdom and creativity. May our work here inspire transformation rooted in harmony."
The programme was gracefully emceed by Emb Hashmi, award-winning journalist and presenter.
Day Two – 8 May 2025
The day began with an impactful keynote by Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder & CEO of OLIO, who explored how small-scale behaviour shifts can evolve into scalable, high-impact solutions for food waste and environmental justice. Her talk, "Driving Behaviour Change at Scale," demonstrated the real power of community-based innovation.
Jacqueline Bourke, Director of Creative Insights at Getty Images, followed with "The Power of Visual Storytelling," illuminating how image culture can challenge biases and inspire a deeper collective connection to sustainability.
Jill Douka, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Greece and Founder & Director of the Global Academy of Coaching, offered an uplifting exploration of "Leadership Through Purpose and the The Inner Game of Wealth: How Shifting Your Mindset Unlocks Limitless Success and Joy
The Belief System — Our Silent Architect of Wealth or Lack" calling on leaders to step into roles shaped by authenticity and heart-led strategy. She quoted on her speech "Money Is a Blessing _Transform Your Payments into Gratitude: Unlocking the Secrets to Wealth and Abundance, Wallace Wattles: "It is not possible to live a really complete or successful life unless one is rich."
In a lively and thought-provoking presentation, Dr. Paula Owen, Founder & CEO of Eco Action Games, discussed "How Gamification Can Help Educate and Empower People to Take Personal Action to Tackle Climate Change," introducing playful but scientifically-grounded tools to engage communities.
Daniela Baumann, Founder of Women Leaders of the World, shared her entrepreneurial journey in "From Broke to Boss: Building a Million Dollar Business," inspiring many with her story of resilience, reinvention, and building a global brand from humble beginnings.
Irina Gorbounova, Vice President M&A and Head of the XCarb Innovation Fund at ArcelorMittal, brought the corporate lens to the fore with her keynote "Industry Rewired: Where Intelligence Meets Impact," which showcased how industrial systems can be decarbonised through strategic innovation and capital investment.
The morning transitioned into the panel "Bridging Climate Action and Impact Investment," moderated by Marie Noëlle Keijzer, Co-Founder & CEO of WeForest. Joined by Dr. Paula Owen, Dr. Renuka Thakore, Founder of Global Sustainable Futures; Nandita Sahgal, Impact Asset Manager and Non-Executive Director of Murray Income Trust; Farah Shammas, Creative Women Platform Honorary Ambassador and Managing Director of St Raphael Resort and Marina; and Irina Gorbounova, Vice President M&A at ArcelorMittal, the panel addressed scalable green investments, systemic change, and the importance of nature-based solutions.
Farah Shammas presented a heartfelt keynote, "Leading the Way to a Sustainable Future," reflecting on the unique responsibility and opportunities within the hospitality sector to embrace sustainable innovation. She quoted on her speech "I am blessed to be in a position to make a real difference, to showcase how even large resorts can be eco friendly, sustainable and lower their carbon footprint. This is not an option, it’s a must, and we can all make a difference. The truth is that quality does not have to suffer, and we can easily have sustainable luxury.’
Aswar Kadie, Founder & CEO of Aswar Sports Agency, presented "AI-Powered Wearables for Sustainability and Innovation in Sports and Health," examining how wearable technology is transforming athletic performance and environmental awareness.
Linda Plant, BBC’s The Apprentice star and CEO of the Linda Plant Academy, offered "From Market Stall to Stock Market," sharing the grit, foresight, and passion that turned her into one of the UK’s leading entrepreneurs.
Dr. Viola Edward followed with "Breath of Leadership: Cultivating Sustainable Change from Within," highlighting the vital connection between personal wellness and outward leadership.
A major highlight of the afternoon was the session "The Future is Creative," led by Olga Balakleets in conversation with HRH Princess Noura Bint Saud bin Naif AlSaud, Founder of AlMashtal and Rukun Creative Exchange, and Patron of the Creative Women Forum Saudi Arabia. Together, they discussed the dynamic role of the creative economy in shaping global transformation, especially across youth and urban communities. (see more about princess Noura participation with the Creative Women Forum London (click)
Shaikha Fouz Al-Sabah, Founder of Khaleejesque, shared "The Power of Collaboration: Designing a Sustainable Future," reinforcing the value of creative partnerships in the Gulf and beyond.
Nandita Sahgal returned with "Creative Impact Investing," offering insight into aligning financial strategy with deeply rooted social and environmental outcomes.
An inspired conversation followed between Maxim Jago, Founder of the Creativity Conference and futurist, and Martha Fiennes, award-winning filmmaker and digital innovator. Their exchange explored how emerging technologies like AI and immersive storytelling tools are reshaping the narrative arts.
The panel "Designing Economies That Work for People and Planet," moderated by Natalia Barbour, Creative Women Platform Chair in Spain and Founder, NXERA Consulting, brought together Islée Oliva de Salinas, Chair of the Advisory Board of the Creative Women Platform; Sahiqa Bennett, Founder and CEO of AIYAH, Daniella Bauman, Founder of Women Leaders of the World & CEO of LOFTI Studios, and Shaikha Fouz Al-Sabah. Together, they debated frameworks for regenerative economies, sustainable metrics, and creative policy reform.
Sarah, Duchess of York, delivered a moving keynote "Leading with Heart," sharing her lifelong commitment to community care and humanitarian initiatives.
This was followed by an "In Conversation" session with Rebeca Riofrio, Director of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion & Sports, which offered rare personal insights into resilience and advocacy. Read more details on this session (click)
Dr. Bindunie Rowland, Creative Women Platform Honorary Ambassador, Wellness Expert, and Philanthropist, keynote"Timeless You: An Emotional Age Experience," inviting delegates to reconsider age, vitality, and inner peace as essential elements of leadership. She quoted “There’s no such thing as anti-aging — but only gracefully ageing...an emotional evolution. When women understand their emotional age, they stop trying to reverse time… and start
Maxim Jago returned for "Will AI Lead Us Into the Future?"—a provocative discussion of the implications of emerging technologies on our collective destiny.
Ilenia Lombardi, Creative Women Platform Chair in Italy and Vice President of Glawbus, spoke passionately about "Sustainability in Construction," making a case for rethinking our physical world through the lens of environmental stewardship. Ilenia shared an example of a large-scale oil and gas refinery project in Saudi Arabia that escalated into an extensive international arbitration, highlighting the importance for companies involved in international projects to recognise the necessity of strict adherence to sustainability requirements. She quoted: "It is essential to avoid operational, financial, and reputational risks. In fact, attempting to reduce costs during the design or construction phases by compromising on sustainability can lead to considerably higher expenses and risks in the long term.”
The closing panel of the day, "Policy, Power, & Purpose – Legal Leadership for a Creative Sustainable Economy," moderated by Natalia Barbour, featured Daljit Sandhu, Founder & Shareholder and Former COO of Precede Capital Partners; Dr. Virginia Rivera, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Puerto Rico and Co-Founder of Mujer Emprende Latina; Ilenia Lombardi, and Althea Bunce, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Sri Lanka and Founder of Luxury Travel Boutique. Their dialogue addressed legislative and corporate pathways for sustainability and equity.
Day Three – 9 May 2025
The final day began with a powerful keynote, "The Art and Risk of Compromising AI," delivered by Ilijana Vavan, Head of Channel, GSI and Commercial Business EMEA at Check Point Technologies. Her address offered both a cautionary and strategic perspective on the role of cybersecurity and ethical AI development in a digitally reliant future.
Alysia Helming, Creative Women Platform Honorary Ambassador and Founder of EarthStudios, delivered an inspiring talk titled "Manifesting a Sustainable and Clean Energy Future," sharing how her storytelling sparked policy conversations and led to real-world investment in clean energy.
This was followed by a compelling session titled "Tech Frontlines – Women Shaping Security, AI, and Impact Innovation," where Ilijana Vavan engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with Sahiqa Bennett, CEO & Co-Founder of AIYAH. Together, they explored the intersection of gender, ethics, and tech-driven solutions for sustainable systems.
The day continued with the panel "Beyond the Spotlight – Women in Media Breaking Barriers and Building Legacy," moderated by Rebeca Riofrio, Director of the UK Parliamentary Society for Arts, Fashion & Sports. The discussion featured Liz Perkins, Award-Winning Journalist & Campaigner and News Editor at The Sunday Telegraph; Olivia de Courcy, Beauty Brand Consultant, Strategic Storyteller and Luxury Beauty Editor; Evgenia Siokos, Editor and Arts Writer at The Telegraph; Samar Abdul Malak, Editor-in-Chief of Elaph Arabic Media and former Editor of How To Spend It Arabic – Financial Times; and Nishma Patel Robb, Founder & Chief Sparkle Officer of GlitterSphere and former Director of Brand & Reputation at Google. Each shared their challenges and triumphs in shaping narratives across modern media landscapes.
Next, Pernilla Corizza, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Sweden and Founder & CEO of Honor Your Leadership, delivered "The Future of Sustainable International Leadership," a keynote urging for moral courage, cross-border collaboration, and transformative mentorship in global leadership practices. She quoted “To build sustainable leadership, we must also empower the next generation — with the tools to face life’s challenges, believe in themselves, and walk with both pride and humility. Our shared responsibility is to every day help them own their story and shape a future rooted in lasting values.”
Next session "Navigating Sustainable Financial & Investment Decisions in Global Economic Turbulence" followed, moderated by Islée Oliva de Salinas. The panel featured Daljit Sandhu, Founder & Shareholder and Former COO of Precede Capital Partners; Lorena Ezcurdia, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Mexico and Founder of Makler Seguros & Ezcurdia & Asociados; Alysia Helming; Karin Rodriguez, Chair of the Creative Women Platform in Argentina and CFO of Signo Plast S.A.; and Elena Howarth, Chair of the Platform in French-speaking Switzerland and Wealth Manager at Bank Lombard Odier, Geneva. The discussion revealed new frameworks for financial resilience amid geopolitical change.
Daljit Sandhu returned with a keynote, "Financing the Future: How Green Loans Can Incentivise Sustainable Real Estate Development," offering insights from her leadership in capital markets.
Prof. Sylvia Tiryaki, Chairwoman of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Slovakia, She called it simply: “The Sustainable Future is Human.” And indeed, what followed was not a speech in the traditional sense, but something closer to a collective reckoning. See more about her speech (click)
In the panel "Perspectives on Strategic Growth and Leadership in Complex Environments," moderated by Islée Oliva de Salinas, panellists included Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Creative Women Platform Honorary Ambassador and Advocate for Education and Sustainable
Development; Jill Douka; Aswar Kadie; Dr. Virginia Rivera; and Pernilla Corizza. Each offered reflections on adaptive leadership, diplomacy, and integrity.
Rebeca Riofrio moderated the vibrant panel "Interdisciplinary Voices – Creativity & Cultural Strategy," featuring Dr. Rhona Eskander, CEO of Chelsea Dental Clinic and Co-Founder of PÄRLA; Charlotte Kane, Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Consultant and Multidisciplinary Artist; Dr. Sima Al Asad, Aesthetic Doctor specialised in Cosmetic Gynaecology; and Holly Scarfone, Digital Creator, Philanthropist, and Advocate for Female Empowerment. Together, they explored creativity as a tool for advocacy, business, and social impact. More about this particular panel ( click)
Sahiqa Bennett’s keynote, "Women, AI, and the Future," tackled data equity, ethical code, and the long-term cultural impact of AI advancement.
Dr. Viola Edward then moderated the panel "Women’s Voices in Healing, Resilience & Mental Sustainability," joined by Jill Douka, Heather Hayes (CEO of Heather R. Hayes & Associates), Dr. Bindunie Rowland, and Pernilla Corizza. Together they reflected on trauma, healing, and sustainable wellness.
Adam Morse, award-winning filmmaker and disability advocate, spoke about a powerful "Innovate with Insight," a keynote merging narrative vulnerability with creative courage.
In the panel "The Power of Creative Expression – Shaping Culture, Identity & Influence," Alexa Jago, President of New Horizon Pictures and Board Member of BAFTA North America, led a dialogue with Gabriella Di Laccio, Founder of Donne Foundation;
Amira Fouad, Chair of the Platform in the UAE, Concert Pianist, and Founder of Encore; Adam Morse; and Maxim Jago. They discussed how storytelling and the arts influence collective identity and reshape culture.
The final keynote of the day, "Taking Action: The Atlantic Forest," was delivered by Claudia Quinonez, Global Head of the Content Innovation Group at Bloomberg. Her presentation combined journalism, environmental advocacy, and the global call for climate justice through impactful narrative.
The forum concluded with powerful closing reflections from Olga Balakleets, she quoted "At Creative Women, our mission is to inspire women to envision impactful ideas and projects that contribute to making our world a better and more sustainable place to live and create."
Islée Oliva Salinas, and Dr. Viola Edward. Each leader reiterated the Forum’s purpose: to uplift women in every sphere of life and to catalyse change through creativity, integrity, and unity.
Join the Creative Women Platform
Start building your creative network. Increase referrals and business opportunities. Connect with a global community of dynamic multicultural professional women. Gain access to the CW Inner Circle. Be inspired by powerful minds. This is where collaboration meets legacy.
For more information on this platform and events visit
Comments