She Leads …

International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Durham Students' Union and Durham University strongly believe in the support, empowerment and ambition of all women and want to mark the occasion with an event.  

Coincidentally, Durham is one of the first universities in the country a woman as Chair of Council, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor and SU President at the same time. Something to celebrate!  

We have an inspirational panel of leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds; academic, business and charity sector. There will also be plenty of opportunities to network. 

• Professor Karen O’Brien has been Vice-Chancellor and Warden of Durham University since 2022. Prior to this, she was Head of the Humanities Division at the University of Oxford, and Vice-Principal at King’s College London. She spent much of her career as an academic and is the author of, among other books, Women and Enlightenment in Eighteenth-Century Britain, which has just been translated into Chinese.
• Dr Monika Nangia is Academic Registrar and Director of Student & Academic Services at Durham University, where she leads strategic transformation across the student journey and champions an inclusive, student-centred approach to leadership. With over two decades of experience in higher education and governance, she has driven major organisational change, strengthened regulatory excellence, and advanced mental health and access initiatives across the sector. A passionate advocate for women’s leadership and ethnic diversity in senior roles, Monika is committed to empowering the next generation of women to lead with confidence, authenticity and purpose.
• Caroline Johnstone is a pragmatic board leader, with a real ability for helping people work together to get things done, underpinned by a combination of finance & people skills and over 40 years business experience across UK, Europe, Asia and US. She has wide experience at both strategic & operational level in times of significant change. She sat on the boards of Leeds and Manchester Universities before accepting the role of Chair of Council at Durham. She is currently a director of a UK FTSE100 global thermal energy and fluid technology company and has led and been a member of the boards of other global engineering, chemicals and modular buildings businesses. She also sat on the board of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Barca (a large Leeds-based charity) and on the Audit Committee of the Crown Prosecution Service.
• Ifejuola Atunwa is a finalist studying Social Sciences at Durham University and the current Liberation Officer within Durham Students Union. Within this role, Ifejuola is working to promote belonging in Durham; tackle the big issues that are facing students and champion diversity and inclusion. 
• Lil Collingham-Clark is Deputy CEO at Durham Students' Union. Prior to this, Lil worked for several large national charities in Executive roles focused on tackling disadvantage in education and the youth sector. She specialises in relationship management, organisational transformation and culture. She holds an MBA from Aston Uni, is a board member of NEAT Multi-Academy Trust and a member of Court at Newcastle University. Lil has two young children and is passionate about access, breaking down barriers and championing women to enter senior leadership. 

The event is open to staff and students and will include a drinks reception and canapes