SHEREE’S BIO
Listed as one of the UK's Top Most Influential Women in Tech & an international multi-award winner for her services to Diversity & Inclusion in industry, Sheree (@nirushika) is a Global Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader; Advisory Board Member, Women Who Code; Contributor, Forbes. She is the Author of "Demanding More" (with Kogan Page Publishing) - a book which aims to teach readers about how deliberate exclusion has been in systems and society, so we can be purposefully and deliberately inclusive moving forward. Order now!
WITH GROUPS CREATING PROGRAMS TO ENCOURAGE FEMALES TO CONSIDER STEM, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST BARRIER TO ENTRY THAT IS STILL PREVALENT TODAY?
We must focus on gender stereotypes which stop young girls, young women and older women from getting into and staying in the industry. It isn't enough to bring people in, if the environment they come into isn't inclusive or working for them. Our focus must be across both representation and inclusion.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRES YOU?
I am inspired by my Dad a lot. I lost him at the end of 2020 and I am always grateful of the lessons he passed on to me - to never allow anyone to disrespect me and to always push myself because I can do whatever I want to, if I put my mind to it.
WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT/ACCOMPLISHMENT?
I am very proud of my career trajectory as a 30 year old woman of colour from a poorer background. Having signed a book deal before I was 30, and being a published Author is something I am so proud of. Having the ability to use my voice and actions to leave things better than I found them is a real privilege.