Susanna Kempe (She/Her)

CEO, Laidlaw Foundation
Oluwamayowa Olomo

Director of Operations, Sartorial Essence

Hello! My name is Mayowa and I am an operations director with a background in architecture and interior design, bringing over eight years of experience in the real estate and design industries. I have led design teams, optimized processes, and driven operational efficiency to improve business performance. Currently, I am pursuing an MBA at IE Business School, where I am focused on expanding my leadership and business expertise to drive operational excellence and strategic innovation. As a Laidlaw Scholar, I am committed to research and leadership initiatives that foster industry transformation and efficiency. After my MBA, I aim to transition into management or strategy consulting, leveraging my expertise in operations and business strategy to solve complex challenges and drive sustainable growth.
Hannah Watton

Marketing Manager, Laidlaw Foundation

Hi everyone! My name is Hannah and I’m the Marketing Manager at the Laidlaw Foundation. I was previously a UCL Laidlaw Scholar in the 2022 cohort, where I studied English Language and Literature. It’s a real privilege to now work with the community as part of the Foundation team. My role focuses on building and nurturing an engaged global Scholars network, creating events that strengthen connection, and shaping how we share the Foundation’s work and impact. In my spare time, I love cooking new dishes, reading, going to the theatre, and café hopping around London. Please don’t hesitate to reach out or connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to chat! 
Marie Lydie MAGNE TEDOM

Content Manager Reserve , Diageo

Bahidi Bleriona

MBA Graduate, IE Business School

Laidlaw Scholar and International MBA graduate with over a decade of international experience in economic research, financial conferences, and stakeholder engagement across Africa, the Americas, and Europe. I am passionate about translating complex policy and financial topics into accessible conversations and building meaningful connections across institutions and communities. As Secretary of the Women in Business Board, I remain committed to strengthening the Laidlaw network and supporting initiatives that empower ethical and inclusive leadership.
Maria Sobcakova

Senior Media & Advocacy Manager, L'Oréal

Marketing professional with 5+ years of experience and a strategic, entrepreneurial mindset. Skilled in building brand awareness through digital media, influencer collaborations, PR, events, OOH, CSR initiatives, and e-commerce activations. Expertise in luxury and beauty industries. Currently completing an MBA program at HEC Paris with a 100% scholarship. Actively seeking opportunities in luxury brand management or global communications strategy.
Ripa Hovsepyan

IMBA student, IE Business School

Bringing Global Perspective & Proven Expertise to Drive Impact Impact and a global mindset have been part of my life since I first began traveling and living in different countries. From the Caucasus region to Europe, Asia, and the US, I’ve seen firsthand how creative ideas, creative thinking, collaborative diverse teams, partnerships, and human-centred leadership can transform communities, organizations, and even countries. Currently, as an International MBA candidate at IE Business School, I am expanding my expertise into digital business, transformation & innovation, and ethical leadership - building on 9+ years of cross-sector, cross-cultural experience in driving impactful outcomes in diverse environments. • Deep understanding of cultural nuances and behaviors that cross boundaries. • A proven track record in relationship building, partnership management, negotiation, project & operations management, and strategic planning. • Orchestrated 80+ projects, events ranging from small-scale workshops to international conferences, forums, and expos. • Strong expertise in cross-cultural and cross-functional communication with government officials, multinational companies, CEO's, executives, and senior managers. Stakeholder management. • Experience contributing to innovation-driven projects (tech & Edtech), with strong skills in leveraging technology for organizational advancement. • Leadership in mentoring teams, capacity building, driving collaboration, and achieving results in diverse settings. • A creative and tech-savvy approach to problem-solving and innovation. Beyond my professional work, I’m a traveler, life-long learner, writer, and dancer—passions that keep me curious, adaptive, and deeply connected to people from all walks of life.
Ángela Adame Mendoza

Brand Strategy & Communication Lead , MOLENTI

Cyril Barthelet

Mechanical engineering student, EPFL

I like Space and Robotics.
Courtney Laing

MBA Candidate, London Business School

Thom Brooks

Professor of Law and Government, Durham University

Laila Abed

Student, Columbia University

I am a junior at Columbia University, majoring in Urban Studies with a specialization in Public Health, and a 2024 Laidlaw Scholar. My first summer research was with the Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Preservation and Planning Mapping Historical New York Initiative. I digitized historical maps and census data, contributing to a digital atlas of early New York settlements, focusing on Queens and the Bronx. For my second summer, I worked with WeCanMake, a community land trust, on a mixed-use housing microsite in the UK.
Allyson Grace Chai Yi Jing

Psychology and Social Anthropology undergraduate student, University of St Andrews

Sarah J Herchel

Associate Vice Provost, Educational Innovation, Tufts University

Fatema Tapia

Student , London School of Economics

Kate Ivanchenko

Student Employability Officer, Laidlaw Programme Coordinator, Trinity College Dublin

Arailym Ualkhanova

International MBA student, IE University

I am currently an International MBA candidate at IE Business School, supported by the Laidlaw Women Scholarship, where I am expanding my knowledge in global business strategy, corporate governance, and technology-driven solutions for organizational management. With over ten years of experience in internal audit and governance within Kazakhstan’s mining and metallurgy industry, I have contributed to transformative initiatives, including audit system automation, ERP integration, and sustainable reporting processes.  My academic and professional journey has equipped me with skills in change management, process improvement, and corporate policy development. As I progress through my MBA, I am particularly interested in exploring new perspectives on sustainability in business and fostering inclusive organizational cultures. Proficient in English, Russian, and Kazakh, with intermediate Spanish skills, I am eager to connect with and learn from a diverse community of forward-thinking leaders.
Chitung

Student, London Business School

Chico Paulics Bresler

Student, University of St Andrews

Hi, I'm Chico, a University of St Andrews student starting third year. I study Physics and Philosophy, being interested above all in the fundamental interpretations of quantum mechanics, metaphysics, and the impacts of non-determinism to the existence of free will. My Laidlaw research project was focused on analysing vanadium dioxide layered meta surfaces in search of epsilon near zero materials with tunable properties, utilising transfer matrix methods. Outside of my studies and project I enjoy reading, playing board games, chess and video-games, cooking and sometimes writing. Get in contact if you would like to chat about anything mentioned above or any subject you are passionate about. :)
Shoshana Daly

Student, Tufts University

Biochemistry Major on a premedical track Researcher in the Hengel Lab at Tufts Biology Research on DNA repair proteins Passionate about global and public health 
Harsha Sanyukta

Student , Said Business School, Oxford University