Book Anj as your Speaker
Hi, I’m Anj Handa, Founder of Inspiring Women Changemakers, professional speaker and conference facilitator. I’ve been recognised in Forbes as one of the 10 Diversity & Inclusion Trailblazers You Need to Get Familiar With, in the Charity Times 2023 International Women’s Day list, and was was named as one of Grant Thornton UK’s 100 Faces of a Vibrant Economy in 2018. The most random accolade I’ve received is being described by i-news as ‘a bloody brilliant woman’!
In addition to running my social business, I am an experienced charity trustee. Recently, I was Chair of the board of trustees of arts organisation Freedom Studios and Independent Governor and Committee Chair at Leeds Arts University. As such, I belong to only 1% of Black and brown women in the UK holding Governance roles at this level.
How I got into changemaking
When I started out on my changemaking journey, I had no idea that it would lead to my work being featured in national and international media, books and high-profile campaigns. In 2014, my life changed when I was introduced to Afusat Saliu and her two daughters. I led a high-profile campaign on their claim for asylum based on the risk of Female Genital Mutilation to her girls if returned to Nigeria, at the time when Boko Haram had hit the headlines.
I pulled together a top legal team and started a Change.org petition which gathered 126,500 signatures. The campaign attracted attention from the global media, MPs and even personalities such as Richard Branson. Unfortunately, the family was eventually deported but my fundraising campaign through a local charity secured their accommodation and schooling for a full year.
I learned that by gathering professional, motivated people together, it’s possible to make an impact on the lives of others on a massive scale. And that’s how Inspiring Women Changemakers came about.
Using story to teach and inspire others
I believe that the authority to speak on diversity, equity and inclusion within leadership must be reflected by my own example. I share the personal and professional lessons developed through my career and draw on my experience of leading a high-profile legal and media campaign. My talks cover little-explored themes such as cultural and psychological safety, emotional correctness and radical self-care. These experiences inspire others to make change in themselves, their workplaces and communities, and the wider world.
Trained as a speaker and in media relations, I’m multilingual (my second language is German) and bring inter-cultural expertise having worked with global teams and on diplomatic assignments. This experience qualifies me to advise organisations on how to attract and retain diverse talent and develop highly effective, globally savvy leaders.
My Speaker Topics
I’m recognised as an authority on Good Governance and Inclusive Leadership, with a focus on people dynamics: effective communication, influence and impact, and navigating change. With in-depth knowledge of UK equality and employment policies and international best practices and as a professional lobbyist of almost 20 years, I have a wealth of social change practices to share.
My talks focus on three key areas and can be tailored to your objectives. These are:
- Radical Self-Care for Changemakers
- Navigating the Labyrinth: Shattering the Myth of the Glass Ceiling
- Why you’re not harnessing diverse talent – and what to do about it
As a professional speaker, I have delivered keynotes for clients such as Sky Business, Innovate UK, Leeds Beckett University, Glaxo SmithKline, CIMA and The Chartered Management Institute.
Additionally, I’m a skilled conference host and moderator. Conferences include ‘Disorienting Race’ by Carnegie School of Education, and annual conferences of grantmaker Rosa Fund and domestic abuse charity, IDAS.
Gary Hibberd
Each year, Agenci hosts a ‘Cyber Security’ event, where we ask speakers from all walks of life to offer insight into our Digital world. We were delighted to have Anj speak and her presentation went down a storm!
She was articulate, funny, emotive and thought provoking - not easy to do in the time we gave her! I would highly recommend Anj to speak at your event. I have nothing but praise for her approach and her style.
Book Me
I am represented by Scamp Speakers and Inspirational Speakers. Please contact me with your enquiry in the first instance.
Within the IWC membership, we have a range of speakers who cover other topics, so get in touch with me to discuss your event.
Featured in Print
I have been featured in Generation Share by Benita Matofska and Sophie Sheinwald, a visual storybook featuring 200 global changemakers, and the largest ever collection of changemaker stories. My work on Female Genital Mutilation and asylum also been included in Eradicating FGM in the UK by Guardian writer Hillary Burrage, and Refugee Tales by Comma Press.
