UCL School of Management

20 November 2025

UCL SoM Celebrates Women in Entrepreneurship Day with ElevateHer Panel Event

In celebration of Women in Entrepreneurship Day on Wednesday 19 November, UCL School of Management hosted the ElevateHer panel discussion, moderated by MSc Entrepreneurship alumna, Tessa Beishuizen (2024 - 25). The event brought together three accomplished founders and investors who shared practical tools and honest reflections to inspire and equip the next generation of entrepreneurs. The panel featured:

  • Rachael Twumasi-Corson: Founder of Ayaa Botanicals and Afrocenchix (successful exit), Vice-Chair of British Mensa, and UCL alumna;

  • Fiona Hudson-Kelly: Angel investor and Founder of Silver Linings Solutions Limited (successful exit);

  • Sayaka Wakita: Senior Capital Growth & Investments Manager at Unrest, former principal ballerina, and Harvard alumna.

Together, they offered diverse perspectives on building ventures, navigating bias, and leveraging personal experiences as strategic advantages. The conversation was rich with insights that resonate far beyond gender, underscoring what every founder can learn from women entrepreneurs.

Tessa Beishuizen, who moderated the discussion, reflected on the impact of the evening: “What made this panel so impactful was the honesty and practicality of the stories shared. These women didn’t just talk about success - they showed what it really takes to build something meaningful, especially when the path isn’t straightforward. I left inspired by their clarity, courage, and commitment to doing things their own way. That’s a message every aspiring founder needs to hear”.

The event reinforced the School’s commitment to entrepreneurship education that combines academic rigour with real-world relevance. It also broadened the conversation about what success looks like and how it can be defined on one’s own terms. Pierre-Jean (PJ) Hanard, School Lead for Entrepreneurship at UCL School of Management, commented: “This panel reminded us that the entrepreneurship journey is rarely linear. The experiences shared reveal important lessons for all founders: turning disadvantage into differentiation, taking ownership of your narrative, and building success with integrity in systems that are not always fair or inclusive”.

Full panel takeaways below:

Women founders can turn “different” into their greatest strength.
The panel emphasised that non-traditional backgrounds become strategic assets when reframed deliberately. By connecting their lived experiences to investor value, founders transform potential bias into curiosity, inviting investors to wonder “What opportunity does she see that we are missing?” rather than questioning her presence. Controlling your narrative prevents others from filling gaps with stereotypes. Skills and lessons from previous experiences are often transferable. Sayaka used her ballet background in unexpected ways: the discipline from 20 years of performance, her relationships with wealthy ballet patrons who became investors, and her Japanese heritage to open new markets. These were advantages her competitors did not have.
 
When the system is biased, build alternative paths to capital.
Rachel shared a stark reality: when she raised VC in 2021, she became only the eighth Black woman in a decade to do so in the UK. Yet women founders succeed by designing creative routes, turning customers into angel investors, hosting events where clients meet traditional funders, and using competitions for visibility. These methods prove traction while reducing reliance on biased gatekeepers. Rachel had better data than many peers, but VCs needed to see customer excitement. When her customers invested their own money and traditional VCs saw this at her events, it brought the numbers to life. Customer commitment gave VCs the confidence to invest.
 
AI and no-code tools are levelling the playing field.
No-code platforms break the “male CTO bottleneck,” enabling women to build MVPs and test ideas with fewer resources. These technologies also free women from time-consuming operational tasks, allowing them to focus on vision and strategy. AI acts as both assistant and strategic advisor, managing investor lists, coordinating events, and supporting scenario planning. These tools do not just help founders work more - they create time for work-life harmony. Instead of spending hours on admin tasks, founders can focus on strategy while still having time for family and wellbeing.
 
Confidence is physical: leadership begins before words are spoken.
The panel explored how posture shapes both internal confidence and external perception. Founders should optimise the first and last three seconds of every interaction, as these moments disproportionately influence investor decisions. Standing tall and taking space is not performative; rather, it is a practical tool for commanding authority in rooms where it is not automatically granted. This is not about being fake; it is about developing yourself. Just as you dress for the job you want, you need the physical presence that earns respect. The good news is that anyone can learn these skills with practice.
 
Protecting your health protects your business.
Rachel’s story of passing out at the wheel while pregnant illustrated the dangers of hustle without boundaries. The panel advocated for “work-life harmony” over balance, prioritising what matters most in each moment rather than trying to juggle everything equally. As they emphasised, if it is you or the business, choose you. Businesses can be rebuilt; your health cannot. Entrepreneurs run on passion, but bodies have limits. You need to know when to stop and recharge. Sayaka reinforced this, whether dancing ballet for 10 hours or studying until 3am, intense work can’t last forever. When your body sends warning signals, listen. Real success comes from harmony between ambition and wellbeing.
 
Community and mentorship are non-negotiable.
The panel shared practical advice for building support networks: approach potential mentors with specific, small requests (“Could you spare 10 minutes for advice on this specific challenge?”) rather than asking for long-term mentorship. This builds trust incrementally and creates investment in your journey. Choose mentors who see your potential, not your limits. Find people who are where you want to be. Show them you have followed their work and explain why they are the right person to help. When you implement their advice and update them on progress, they become invested in your success. After a few meaningful conversations, they feel part of your journey and want to see you win.
 
Ambition without apology.
Women should name wealth creation as a legitimate goal. Stating financial aspirations openly normalises women as wealth creators and decision-makers, not just operators. When women articulate ambition unapologetically, they signal to investors, partners, and teams that they are playing a big game. Fiona was proud to be a wealth creator for her family. She said “I don’t do poor” without shame, making it her guiding principle. Sayaka ignored the mentor who said she would never get into Harvard because of her English. The message: believe in your ambition even when others do not.
 
Success means more than exits and valuations.
The panel broadened success to include alignment with personal values, enabling others, and modelling authentic leadership. Non-linear careers and self-defined fulfilment are not compromises; they are evolution. When successful women visibly integrate ambition with care, health, and identity, they expand what future founders can imagine for themselves. Sayaka spent 20 years in ballet before entering venture capital and founding an arts foundation. Her journey was not linear, but it was deeply rewarding and prepared her in ways she never imagined. Non-traditional paths create founders with unique perspectives and resilience that straight careers rarely build.
 
The evening brought together three remarkable women, each with a different perspective on what it takes to build and grow a venture. Their paths were completely different, from ballet to VC, from law school to beauty brands, from corporate to successful exits - but all shared a deep sense of purpose, courage, and authenticity. What made their stories powerful was their honesty about the journey. They didn’t start with all the answers or unshakeable confidence. They built courage through action: sending that first email, making that difficult ask, entering that competition. The message was clear: stop waiting for the perfect moment. Start where you are, with what you have. Momentum comes from moving, not from being ready.
Last updated Friday, 21 November 2025