Melvin Riley
Social-tech Entrepreneur
Melvin is an aspiring political leader, international speaker, award winning; Social-tech entrepreneur and activist and advocate for: Technology, SDGs, International development, politics & policy reform and racial equity, for the past 10 years Melvin has been a leading voice
for young people across the UK, addressing some of the most pressing socio-economic challenges facing society. Through his work, he has campaigned, implemented solutions, and influenced policy engaging with organisations, policy makers, business and political leaders on both a national and international stage.
He is the founder of the National Youth Technology Council (NYTC) the UK's first youth platform dedicated to tackling technology challenges aimed at shaping the future of technology policy, governance, and development of responsible AI, digital and emerging technology, working directly with think tanks, government bodies, and tech companies.
Navi Aulkh
Brand Strategist
Navi Aulkh is a passionate brand strategist, creative consultant, and community leader with over 15 years of experience driving meaningful change in the third sector. As the founder of Sodium & Co, Navi specialises in crafting thoughtful and impactful brand strategies that amplify the missions of charities and community organisations. Her work bridges the gap between creativity and purpose, ensuring that every project she undertakes puts people at its heart.
Based in Wolverhampton, Navi is deeply committed to her local community. She is the founder of the Love My City campaign, an initiative that celebrates and empowers Wolverhampton while fostering a sense of pride and belonging. Her grassroots work has supported vulnerable groups, including children, youth, the homeless, and individuals struggling with addiction, providing hands-on support and designing sustainable solutions that inspire hope and transformation.
Nysha Chantel Givans
PhD Researcher
Nysha Chantel is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at the University of Wolverhampton. Her research centres on the role of traditional storytelling in empowering marginalised communities, particularly Black communities, including African Americans. Nysha explores how storytelling foster’s identity, strengthens community bonds, and nurtures empowerment, while remaining relevant in today's society.
Rooted in post-colonial theory, her work examines storytelling as a tool for resisting dominant narratives and amplifying the voices of the marginalised. Drawing from cultural studies, she investigates how storytelling preserves cultural identities and fosters a sense of belonging. Nysha's research aims to showcase the transformative power of storytelling in promoting social and cultural empowerment, emphasising its vital role in the resilience and recognition of underserved communities.
Paz Heer
Cake Artist
Paz Heer is a renowned cake artist based in Wolverhampton, known for creating extraordinary edible masterpieces that blend art, flavour, and emotion. From humble beginnings in a small shop, Paz has built a successful career, transforming cakes into unique works of art that celebrate milestones and evoke deep connections.
With a passion for storytelling through food, Paz has crafted cakes for high-profile clients, pushing the boundaries of creativity and turning every challenge into an opportunity for innovation. Embracing the chaos of the creative process, [Your Name] has learned to turn setbacks into breakthroughs, finding resilience and growth in imperfection.
Through his work, Paz showcases the power of curiosity, chaos, and creation—not only in cake artistry but in any pursuit of meaningful achievement. Their story inspires others to explore their creative potential, embrace challenges, and transform visions into extraordinary realities.
Peter White
Workplace Wellbeing Leader
Pete is a British military veteran and a passionate advocate for veteran wellbeing and mental health. After serving in the RAF, including deployment in Afghanistan, Pete faced significant challenges transitioning to civilian life, struggling with PTSD and depression. His personal journey through the chaos of military service and its aftermath has shaped his mission to transform veteran support.
Today, Pete works as a workplace wellbeing leader, using his own experiences to inform his practice. He has benefited greatly from trauma therapy with Combat Stress, which helped him find creative ways to rebuild his life. Pete now champions the need for systemic change in how veterans are supported after service, calling for compassionate, proactive approaches that replace neglect with care.
Through his work, Pete aims to inspire others to see veterans not as broken, but as resilient individuals capable of thriving with the right support.
Sarah Thompson
Business Law Lecturer and Employbaility Manager
Sarah Louise is a Business and Law Lecturer and Employability Manager. She is interested in supporting individuals in their personal development and career progression. She has presented at different research conferences and events inspiring different individuals to question and challenge their thought process, life choices, and relationship/connection made within themselves and others.
Sarah Louise’s academic, research, and public speaking interests evolved from her curious and creative side to her personality. Her research and conversation topics emerge from her love for travelling, reading, creative writing, event management, photography, and theatrical performances. Sarah Louise’s interests have encouraged the questioning and challenging of who we are as people and our connections to what we desire