My journey with The Conduit began while running a global consulting business. Paul van Zyl invited me to invest in this new club, leading me to become a founding investor and director of Conduit Connect. After selling my business, The Conduit's extensive network exposed me to significant environmental issues, prompting me to launch the NGO River Action in 2021. This NGO addresses freshwater pollution, focusing on the severe impacts of intensive agriculture.

The Conduit's supportive environment has been crucial for campaigners and NGOs like ours, offering a base of operations without needing fixed locations. The Conduit taught me the importance of providing solutions, not just identifying problems. For instance, we hosted panels with key environmental leaders and showcased solutions from early-stage businesses, resulting in significant opportunities. My key takeaway is to always present actionable solutions alongside highlighting issues.

I care about belonging, education, and creative expression. I'm pursuing a PhD in anthropology at Oxford, exploring how undergrads use rituals to cultivate belonging. I also deliver keynote talks and workshops on fostering belonging in organisations.

My tumultuous educational journey inspired me to help build the London Interdisciplinary School, funded by Conduit Connect, to reimagine education for future leaders. Additionally, I advise companies on aligning their products with their brand and mission.

My journey with The Conduit began in 2019 when I fell in love with its ethos and community. An event with Daniel Markovits’ book "The Meritocracy Trap" significantly influenced my academic work. I've hosted events for my students at LIS and connected them with Conduit members for mentorship, creating numerous opportunities and collaborations. A powerful lesson from The Conduit is the impact of a simple smile, which can transform someone's day and lead to meaningful connections and friendships.

I'm Mex, co-founder of Women in The Food Industry, a social enterprise supporting women in hospitality, food production, farming, food tech, sustainability, and nutrition. Our goal is to increase women's representation and support their career progression in these fields. I also serve as a trustee for School Food Matters, a charity that educates children about food origins and campaigns for better school meals.

I first visited The Conduit on a sunny open day, connecting with many people over lunch and attending an engaging talk on women’s football. Working with The Conduit's Impact Programme team on two events has been immensely valuable. I've networked through the women in philanthropy group and introduced others, like The Vegan Society, to the club's resources.

For women entering the food industry, know that you are not alone. Join Women in The Food Industry and sign up to our newsletter to connect and advocate for change.

I'm Sarah, founder of IMMI Watch. I moved to England from the Philippines five years ago with an idea for IMMI, seeking connections in the social impact space.

At The Conduit, I found a vibrant community and met key supporters. IMMI was inspired by my personal experiences with inadequate period-tracking apps and my work in Southeast Asia, where menstrual health education faces cultural barriers. IMMI offers a simple, privacy-focused period-tracking watch requiring no internet and featuring long battery life.

The Conduit has been crucial in forming meaningful connections, allowing me to discuss my vision with like-minded individuals and gain support from investors. Looking ahead, IMMI aims for global partnerships with nonprofits and commercial expansion, especially for teenagers, to improve early menstrual health education. My message: Work on something important; it might take your whole life, but you have your whole life.

I was born and raised in Australia with Malaysian and Indian heritage. Growing up without a strong cultural community, I often felt boxed in by others' misconceptions. Living in seven countries, I faced severe racism in Sweden, which affected my mental health and led me to seek therapy. However, therapists often failed to understand my cultural background. This inspired me to create Tala Thrive, which matches people with culturally sensitive therapists and coaches. I’ve interviewed 120 therapists to ensure they understand the diverse needs of people of colour.

The Conduit has been instrumental in my journey, providing a workspace and valuable connections, including an advisor for my company. Tala Thrive aims to support diverse cultural backgrounds, offering tailored mental health support. If you're interested in learning more or supporting our mission, I'm always open to having a coffee and discussing it further.