MEET THE TEAM

Founder of FLISS and Chair of Trustees. Julia is a Chartered Engineer with the IChemE, and graduated with two first-class degrees from the University of Cambridge and the University of Nottingham. She is now a Senior Project Manager in the renewable energy industry and is also completing a part-time MBA at Imperial College Business School. A longstanding advocate of women in engineering, Julia has dedicated her career to the promotion of diversity and inclusion in our workforce, and FLISS is the product of that commitment.

Founding Member of FLISS and Trustee. Vince is Fellow of the Institute of Chemical Engineering and Chartered Engineer, Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, Associate Fellow of the Women in Engineering Society and Trustee/Non-Executive Director, and Fellow of the Energy Institute. He is vice chair of TrustEd CSAT Multi Academy Trust, and Trustee/Non-Executive Director of MyBigCareer, an educational charity working with students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and Focus Expatriates.

FLISS Trustee and Marketing Lead. With an MSc in Marketing and a background in the arts, Ellie brings a creative approach to marketing in STEM industries. She is currently working for a design, engineering and landscape architecture consultancy where she leads the marketing team on growing the brand and developing services. Ellie has spoken to so many women that lack confidence in their profession and truly believe it’s through a lack of representation and guidance.

FLISS Trustee and Mentoring Lead. Katy is a physical chemist by training, spending her early career working on scale-up of electrochemical processes. Her career spans nearly two decades working in several universities, holding research, academic, and technical roles, before becoming Senior Technical Manager in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty Deputy Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Co-Chair of the Women’s Staff Network at University of Nottingham. Katy recently completed an MBA at Nottingham Business School and leads a highly skilled technical team in the Faculty of Engineering, supporting varied research and teaching activities. Throughout her career Katy has recruited, managed and mentored numerous scientists and engineers, and has benefited from being both a mentee and reverse mentee. She is passionate about EDI, improving workplace culture and supporting staff so they can reach their fullest potential.

Founding Member of FLISS, Trustee and Safeguarding Lead. Sam recently completed a BEng from the University of Nottingham and is currently reading for a Masters Degree at the University of Cambridge. Sam is passionate about promoting a more equal and diverse engineering workplace and is hoping to advocate for this in the remainder of his studies and later career.

Founding Member of FLISS, Trustee and Finance Lead. Sam is a Process Project Engineer in the food and beverage industry. He graduated from the University of Nottingham with an MEng degree in chemical engineering. Over the last decade, Sam has regularly supported young people with a genuine enthusiasm for a future career in STEM subjects through mentoring, tutoring, and volunteering activities. He has a proactive approach to encouraging everyone to promote the benefits of a diverse workforce.

FLISS Trustee. Lola Okunrinboye is a Chartered Environmentalist and Sustainability professional. She is the Head of Environment for C2X, C2X is a company owned by A.P. Moller Holding and A.P. Moller – Maersk created to make a significant contribution to a fossil-free future by accelerating the availability of green methanol at scale, which will serve to defossilise the chemical, shipping, and aviation sectors.

Lola is a self-motivated leader, inspiring speaker, and facilitator. She is a change maker, innovative thinker, goal focused with proven achievements. Lola’s passion for engagement has encouraged her to leverage technology as a tool for connecting and building a strong network. Lola commentated on BBC Scotland as a specialist contributor on environmental and sustainability issues. she mentors and coaches environmental and sustainability professionals and helps sustainability professionals enhance their visibility and vocalize their value so they can land their dream career. She has presented as a speaker and panellist in several forums and conferences internationally discussing topics ranging from career progression, intersectional environmentalism, and sustainability. Lola sits on various committees and working groups which include the Energy Institute Professional development committee. She is a full member of the Energy Institute and IEMA. She holds a Bachelors degree in chemical and process engineering and a Masters degree in Environmental and energy engineering from the University of Sheffield. She is a mum with three adorable children and In her spare time, she enjoys travelling and exploring new cultures. 

FLISS Trustee. Graduating as a Telecommunications Engineer specialised in advanced electronic systems from Valencia, Spain, Maria has worked at leading high-tech companies, including Samsung and MediaTek, across the globe. A certified ILM Level 7 business mentor and coach, Maria is also a passionate social entrepreneur. Currently, she works at the Royal Academy of Engineering, supporting engineering and deep tech startups in scaling their businesses.
With a career that spans engineering, entrepreneurship, and mentoring, Maria is dedicated to fostering sustainable growth and helping both businesses and individuals achieve their full potential.

FLISS Fundraising Lead. Zoe is an experienced fundraising professional with backgrounds in NGOs and institutes like UNHCR, Save the Children, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. A strong advocate of personalized fundraising, Zoe excels in evaluating situations, crafting tailored strategies, and implementing sustainable development plans. She is passionate about addressing the gender gap in STEM, recognising the significant impact of mentorship on women, their companies, and the industry. With an MSc in Marketing, Zoe is dedicated to driving positive change in the UK’s STEM sector.

FLISS Social Media. Yca leads the social media strategy at FLISS with a creative and thoughtful approach. With a BSc in Healthcare Science from the University of Nottingham, she now combines her passion for health-tech and marketing as part of a leading AI software company. Yca joined as a volunteer, driven by her commitment to advocating for women in STEM. She’s dedicated to bridging the mentorship gap and empowering women in STEM by expanding their visibility and access to opportunities, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment.

FLISS Executive Assistant. Milly is a Charity Governance and Operations Lead, and holds a fellowship with The Royal Society of Arts. They are currently studying for an MBiochem degree at the University of York, alongside volunteering as an Advisory Board Chair. Milly joined FLISS as a volunteer after finding benefit in the mentoring programme, and they work with each trustee subcommittee to ensure smooth operations within the organisation. They are dedicated to improving access to education, as well as diversity within the STEM and charity sectors.