At Stepwell Alliance, we drive impact by tackling modern slavery and gender-based violence through bold action.

Meenal brings over 25 years of experience in the social impact sector, focusing on addressing modern slavery, human rights violations, access to education, and violence against women and girls (VAWG). As a local councillor for Hertsmere Borough Council and the former Director of Shiva Foundation, she has influenced policy and advocacy in collaboration with stakeholders in business and local government, developing sustainable solutions to complex human rights and social issues.

She initiated Women for Change, a breakfast series that provides corporate women with the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations and inspire social change. Meenal has also contributed as a Strategic Advisor on Purpose and Sustainability for a boutique London hotel group and served as Vice-Chair of the 8.7 Commonwealth Network. Presently, she is the chair of the Fairness in the Criminal Justice System panel for Hertfordshire Constabulary and works with leaders in India to empower women and girls in the red-light districts of Mumbai and Delhi.

Committed to serving marginalised communities, Meenal fosters change through cross-sector collaboration, active listening, and value-based leadership. She is very excited to launch Stepwell Alliance to pave the way for bold change.

Laura is currently pursuing a masters in Politics and Communication at The London School of Economics, building on her studies at University College London and Corvinus University, where she earned a degree in Communication and Media Studies with distinction.

She believes that communication is everywhere, but effective communication—rooted in listening, understanding, and shaping connections—is what truly makes an impact.

At Stepwell Alliance, she manages external and internal communications, oversees client relations, and coordinates projects and events. With experience in social media marketing and event planning, she develops strategic initiatives that resonate with key audiences.

Passionate about media influence and public affairs, her work is driven by a commitment to clarity, collaboration, and innovation in an ever-evolving media landscape.

Philippa King is an expert in International Development, Human Rights, and Anti-Human Trafficking with 15+ years of experience driving systemic change. She has led cross-sector partnerships, influenced national policies, and developed safeguarding frameworks to combat exploitation.

Philippa co-authored Cultural Competency in UK Responses to Modern Slavery, her work on “Understanding the Potential of Licensing Teams and Frameworks to Tackle Modern Slavery”  led to the Home Office revising the Licensing Act 2003 Statutory Guidance and resulted in the delivery of training for housing licensing officers to identify and disrupt exploitation. She has advised corporations, governments, and regulatory bodies, to develop culturally responsive anti-trafficking programmes that integrate ethical practices across operations and supply chains in various sectors including hospitality, local government, and care.

She has represented organisations in high-level forums, including meetings with the UN Secretary-General, advocating for stronger safeguarding policies. Committed to evidence-based, collaborative solutions, Philippa ensures a lasting impact on the sectors and communities she serves.

Nishma is a facilitator, educator, and activist with over a decade of experience in social justice. Based in London with roots in Gujarat and Mumbai, she has spent the past four years leading organisational and community development, designing training curricula rooted in feminist and anti-oppression practice, and advancing gender justice, labour rights, and feminist tech.

With a background in law, Nishma critically examines punitive and individualistic approaches to harm, conflict, and abuse. Her experience spans the private sector, civil society, and community organising, alongside leadership roles shaping strategy, directing programs, and managing transnational teams.

As a freelancer, she has worked with clients including the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, Womankind, Healing Solidarity, European Human Rights Advocacy Centre, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute, South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre, Fearless Futures, and many more. She trained in law at Linklaters LLP, holds a BSc in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Warwick, and is a qualified lawyer in the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

Elizabeth is a former City lawyer, having worked in private practice and in-house at a global investment bank; in this latter role, she gained significant experience in Modern Slavery and wider CSR issues, creating a Modern Slavery steering group, drafting and leading the firm's Modern Slavery statement for board approval/publication, and working on a variety of CSR strategies across the group (both domestic and international). Elizabeth also has a depth of experience in communications and PR strategy (including crisis management) in a corporate setting.

Elizabeth's wider interests include children's education and literacy; sport and wellness and the ways in which these contribute to wider health, education and personal development; global politics and history; and art and design.

Pam Bowen CBE was the Senior Prosecution Lead for human trafficking / modern slavery at the Crown Prosecution Service for 18 years during which time she worked on changing legislation and cross Whitehall policy and developing new guidance for law enforcement and prosecutors.  

She was responsible for improvements in victim identification and support in the UK and mutual legal assistance and capacity building in 35 countries overseas. 

A leading expert in human trafficking, she represented the UK internationally at the UN, the Council of Europe, OSCE, and the EU Commission. She participated in expert groups to develop model law and explanatory position papers for all countries. In recognition of her international work in human trafficking, she was awarded the CBE in 2014.

Pooja Taparia is a visionary social entrepreneur and the Founder and Chief Executive of Arpan, a globally recognised non-profit dedicated to eliminating Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in India. Under her leadership, Arpan has become one of the world's largest organisations in this field, impacting over 20 million children and adults.  

Pooja's work has earned her and Arpan numerous accolades. As a global thought leader and TEDx speaker she is frequently profiled for her expertise in child protection, talent management, fundraising and social entrepreneurship.  

Pooja advises multiple social impact startups whilst she continues to shape a safer future for children worldwide.

Swatee Deepak works with governments, private and public foundations on strategy development and design. She advises individuals and families on wealth redistribution and oversees a diverse portfolio of businesses and start-ups in philanthropy, socially minded enterprises, and the arts. 

Previously, she was Director of the With and For Girls Collective, the world’s only participatory fund by and for adolescent girls, and Director of Stars Foundation, which funded grassroots organisations supporting children and young people globally. 

A founding member of collectives like Closer Than You Think, Healing Solidarity, and Shake the Table, Swatee is also a Visiting Fellow at LSE’s Marshall Institute. She serves on the Advisory Board of L’Oréal Fund for Women and Co-Chairs the Boards of the Global Fund for Children and EMpower. 

Committed to justice and liberation, she thrives on bridging and convening for collaborative action across philanthropy and social justice movements.

Red Godfrey-Sagoo is the Chief Executive Officer of Rape Crisis South London. With a lifelong commitment to gender equality and human rights, Red began her career in the humanitarian space in the United States as a disaster services director for the American Red Cross. Her journey then continued across food poverty and educational inequalities for marginalised groups with United Way, social integration for those with intellectual disabilities at Special Olympics California, and the refugee crisis impacting unaccompanied minors across European refugee camps with Safe Passage and Citizens UK.

As CEO of the Sophie Hayes Foundation she focused on life-changing support for women and girls trafficked across the globe to the UK, and as Director at Thomson Reuters Foundation, she directed the organisation’s Responsible Business pillar, focusing on policies and operations that negatively affect people, communities and the environment within the social element of ESG frameworks.  

In her current role at Rape Crisis South London, Red is leading on the 40-year-old organisation's first full transformation, in order to meet the rising demand for services for women and girls that have suffered rape and sexual abuse.

Red has served as Chair of the Commonwealth 8.7 Network and on the board of trustees for The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), UN Women UK, Anti-Slavery International, BrightFuture, and National Voices.

Manny is the Founder-CEO of C&E Advisory, an international ‘business & society’ advisory firm, leading a network of consultants who help organisations create purpose-led value and sustainable impact. He advises on sustainable business, stakeholder engagement, DEI, social innovation, and community issues.

Committed to social and environmental causes, Manny has served on various non-profit boards and is recognised as a changemaker for young people. He co-founded The Charter School North Dulwich and The Charter School East Dulwich and played a key role in establishing The Charter Schools Educational Trust, which now educates nearly 5,000 students across nine inclusive state schools.

As Founding Director & Co-Chair of Mission Beyond, he works to support 1 million under-resourced young people by 2030. A Fellow of the RSA, an alumnus of the Davos-based World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leader programme, Manny was awarded an MVO (Member of the Royal Victorian Order) for his work with disadvantaged youth.