Founder of The Student Grief Network and now Executive Head of Grief Programmes at Kaplan International, Anna has over seven years’ experience supporting bereaved students and the staff who work with them. Her session is all about building more compassionate, grief-informed spaces in higher education.

Chrissie brings leadership experience from Deliveroo and Bolt, and a deep passion for gender equity and emotional intelligence. If you're working in the student movement and looking to grow your leadership journey, or support others on theirs, this is not to be missed.

Sophie will explore how her time in student leadership became the launchpad for a rewarding career in charities and higher education. Expect honest reflections, practical takeaways, and some big inspiration on what comes after your time in office.

Frances will be sharing how her time as a sabb at her students’ union shaped her journey into law; from tackling student issues and fighting for inclusion, to discovering a passion for justice that led her to specialise in discrimination and employment law. She’ll also dive into the soft skills that carried her through: networking, public speaking, and the art of backing yourself.

Nifemi’s led the charge on mental health, cost-of-living, tackling racism, allyship, and access to student services. Her session is all about keeping yourself well while doing big work; setting boundaries, protecting your energy, and remembering you don’t have to do it all to make an impact.

A former Essex SU President and VP International, Nashwa now works independently with leaders on team development and communication. She’ll be diving into the realities of sabb life, exploring how officers can work better together (especially when team dynamics get tricky), and how to balance personal priorities with shared goals.