MEET OUR HOST AND SPEAKERS

Empowering businesses by day and inspiring confidence on air by night, I'm Merisha! With over two decades of experience, I'm an experienced Non-Executive Board Member for organisations which includes, West Midlands Probation Services. I'm a seasoned event host, growth strategist, and a passionate advocate for women unlocking their wealth potential. 

My mantra, “Your Mindset is Your Economy," reflects my belief in the transformative power of mindset. I've not only preached success but lived it. From opening a hair and beauty salon to building multiple revenue streams, I understand firsthand the importance of feeling good and achieving greatness.

Let's build empires, confidence, and create unforgettable memories together—whether you're in a power suit or PJs!

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 Grace Ononiwu was appointed as Director of Legal Services within the Crown Prosecution Service in April 2021, with responsibility for providing assurance to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the quality of the legal decision-making and casework progression across a number of CPS Areas. She also has thematic responsibility for Legal Guidance

and Development, and Head of Profession support. 

Grace qualified as a solicitor in 1991 and joined a private firm of solicitors practising criminal law. She joined the CPS as a Crown Prosecutor and held a number of positions, which led to her appointment as Northamptonshire Chief Crown Prosecutor (CCP) in April 2005, making her the first African Caribbean to be appointed as a Chief Crown Prosecutor in the history of the CPS.

In 2009, Grace was appointed into London as Deputy Chief Prosecutor (DCCP) of, what was then, the largest CPS region, with responsibility for the London Districts. In 2012, she was appointed Chief Crown Prosecutor for the East of England Region, and in 2014 appointed Chief Crown Prosecutor of the West Midlands Region, making her the first woman/ first black person to hold both posts.

Grace has made a significant contribution to the CPS Equality and Diversity agenda and was previously the Chair of the National Black Crown Prosecution Association (NBCPA).

Grace was awarded the OBE in 2008 in recognition for her work with the CPS and received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Hertfordshire in 2017, in recognition for her contribution to justice and the legal system, including her ongoing work to promote legal education. In November 2021, the University of Hertfordshire’s Law Court Building was renamed the “Grace Ononiwu Law Court Building” in her honour. Grace is now a Visiting Professor of the University and Patron of their Law Clinic which promotes practical legal experience to students.

On 31 August 2022 Grace received the honorary award of Doctor of the University from Birmingham City University in recognition of exceptional service to law and order in the West Midlands.

In the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours, Grace was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Law and Order and was included in the 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 Power List, which features 100 of the UK’s most influential men and women of African, African Caribbean and African American heritage.

Dr Shungu Hilda M'gadzah is the Director and Lead Consultant Psychologist: Diversity & Inclusion expert and Educational Psychologist at Inclusion Psychologists Ltd/ Six Stages Framework with senior leadership experience and Board level leadership experience in the voluntary sector and public sector. Experience within education as senior leader at Head of Service level leading and managing multi-disciplinary teams. 

Dr Shungu (M’gadzah)’s career includes working for 8 years in Higher Education teaching Post-graduate MSc Educational Psychology Students. She has over 30 years of experience working with young people and adults with learning disability, communication, social, emotional and mental health needs. 

Dr Shungu has a doctorate in Education and Child Psychology and her thesis was in the area of Emotional Intelligence. She has recently developed the Six Stages Inclusive framework for Understanding and Dealing with Discrimination and Racism designed for individuals and organisations.  

She offers psychological assessments, therapeutic services and is an expert witness in medico-legal, antiracism claims and educational appeals. She also offers diversity and inclusion coaching, supervision, training and consultancy for organisations. She is currently delivering training and executive coaching for the NHS, Schools and Corporate organisations. 

Dr Shungu is Chair of the Six Stages Framework Board. She is a Governor for a special school in Essex. 

Dr Sarah Charman is Professor of Criminology at the University of Portsmouth, Editor-in-  Chief of the International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice and Senior Associate Fellow at   the Police Foundation. 

She has researched and published widely on the sociology of  policing

and the policing organisation, most notably on policing cultures, police leadership,  police recruits and police retention. 

Sarah has advised and worked with a number of  government bodies and local and national policing organisations and is a regular  contributor to both the national UK press and policing practitioner publications.