Women in Public Affairs Executive Committee
The Women in Public Affairs Executive Committee is responsible for the day-to-day co-ordination and organisation of the Network.
Ella Fallows, Co-Fouder
Weber Shandwick
Ella is Head of UK Public Affairs at Weber Shandwick, and formerly Outreach Manager for Northern Europe at Meta. She co-founded Women in Public Affairs with Laura Gilmore in 2012.
Previously she was Head of Political Intelligence at Lexington Communications and before that she managed political engagement programmes at Dods, ran parliamentary and policy training and worked for two Labour MPs. She has a Masters in Parliamentary Studies from Leeds University and a BA in Politics and History.
She's passionate about promoting and supporting women in all industries. She loves good food and travel, although she has a young son who prevents her enjoying either of those things regularly!
Laura gilmore, co-Fouder
Cummins Inc.
Laura co-fouded Women in Public Affairs with Ella Fallows after meeting whilst studying for a public affairs diploma. She is currently the Director of Corporate Affairs and Chief of Staff for Europe for Cummins, a Fortune 150 global power technology company.
Her earlier career was in politics, with her last political role being Head of the Liberal Democrat House of Lords Whips' Office during the Coalition Government. Laura lives in Hackney with her husband and two young daughters, Matilda and Grace. She is passionate about food, the environment and equality.
VICTORIA MCNISH, WIPA Chair
DGA Group
Victoria is a Public Affairs Director at integrated comms agency DGA, where she supports clients across the consumer, transport, sustainability and FS sectors. She also leads their high-profile campaigns on the menopause and on behalf of the UK’s beauty and wellbeing sectors, which was recognised by four industry awards for the team’s work supporting the left-behind sector during the pandemic. She was also recognised as Rising Star of the Year at the ICCO Global Awards 2021.
Prior to joining DGA, Victoria spent a number of years in another political consultancy, and started her career working as a researcher for a Conservative MP in Parliament. Beyond work, you’ll often find Victoria lapping the various parks of south London in marathon training or trying to find time for piano practice.
Lizzy Tomlin, HEad of Operations
H-Advisors Cicero
Lizzy is Head of Public Affairs at H/Advisors Cicero, where she works predominantly with financial services clients, focusing on consumer policy, financial services regulation and legislative affairs. Lizzy joined the company in 2017 and now leads on client service delivery in the UK Public Affairs team.
Prior to joining H/Advisors Cicero, Lizzy worked for another political consultancy specialising in planning and development, working on large-scale planning projects across the UK whilst circumnavigating local politics. She is also active in the Liberal Democrats and previously worked in Parliament for two Lib Dem MPs during the Coalition Government.
Outside of politics, Lizzy plays football for Wanderers FC and is a member of the club’s Administration Committee.
Emma Wade, HEad of Events
National Grid
Emma currently works at National Grid as Public Affairs Manager, where she has a focus on net zero jobs and skills in addition to energy policy matters. She has over a decade of public affairs experience, having also previously worked for various industry trade associations and in local government. In her last role, Emma led the day-to-day public affairs activity for ABTA – The Travel Association, during the global pandemic.
Emma’s academic background is in economics and international relations, and she started her career working in the UK Parliament. In her spare time, she volunteers as a Brownie Unit Leader for Girlguiding, and attempts to avoid injury while playing touch rugby.
Sophie levin, HEad of Marketing & Communications
The Football Association
Sophie delivers Public Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility for The Football Association, covering Government relations, stakeholder engagement and policy development across both England teams, elite men’s and women’s and grassroots football.
Previously she worked in consultancy roles at FTI Consulting and Hanover Communications, primarily focused on public affairs delivery for clients in the sports, leisure and media space. Outside of work, she can be found decrying the fortunes of Leeds United and traversing the parks and (pub) gardens of East London with her miniature schnauzer, Stanley.
Louise Abraham, HEad of campaigns
Department for Business and Trade
Louise is Senior External Affairs Manager at the Department for Business and Trade. She was previously Government Relations Adviser for CAFOD, an international development charity, leading on their parliamentary and government engagement.
She was previously a Consultant at Interel UK, delivering political engagement and campaigns activity for a range of clients in the sustainability, financial services and health and wellbeing sectors.
She has a first class degree in International Development from King’s College London. She is passionate about the environment, food and upcycling.
PRIYANKA PATEL, DEI LEad
Macmillan Cancer Support
Priyanka is a charity sector leader with extensive experience of securing national policy change that improves people’s lives. She is currently Public Affairs Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support, where she leads an award-winning public affairs team. She has previously held roles across the charity sector, at organisations including Citizens Advice and Young Lives Vs Cancer. Outside of work, she spends her time in museums and galleries. She is frequently planning her meal or her next holiday.
She has completed the CIPR Professional Public Relations Diploma and the CIPR Digital Communications Specialist Diploma. Julie also has a Level 1 qualification in British Sign Language.
Lucy Warren, Operations officer
Crestview
Lucy is a Consultant at Crestview Strategy where she supports clients using grassroots mobilisation and advocacy. She is highly tuned to the benefits of creating a workplace with gender parity and sees creating a pipeline of future female talent within the organisation as a personal priority.
Previously, Lucy worked with the Women and Work APPG and chaired several panel discussions on how to make the workplace a better space for women. In her spare time, she can be found at her local boxing club.
Maria baker, Events officer
Headland
Maria works in the Public Affairs team at Headland, working across a range of clients across food and drink, financial services, and planning. She has been with Headland for three years, joining from another consultancy.
She began her career in the Conservative Party press office covering the EU referendum and 2017 General Election, before joining Parliament to work for the Scottish Conservatives.
Outside of work you’ll find Maria stomping along the Thames path, sampling London’s best spicy margs, or at home with her cat, Emmental.
Kendal sefton, Events officer
Field Consulting
Kendal is a Senior Account Manager at political and corporate communications agency Field Consulting, where she primarily supports clients across the transport sector. Kendal works pro-bono with the grassroots women’s rights organisation, Our Streets Now, where she supports public affairs and comms activity to raise awareness and educate on the issue of public sexual harassment.
Being still relatively new to the world of public affairs, Kendal is passionate about engaging newer members of the public affairs community.
Prior to joining Field Consulting, Kendal studied a Master’s degree in History at the University of Sheffield and outside of work, she can often be found heading out for a long walk or when it’s a bit chilly, exploring new countries.
Nicole Wyatt, campaigns officer
Hanover
Nicole is a Senior Consultant at Hanover Communications, where she supports many clients with their Parliamentary engagement and helps them navigate the regulatory and political landscape, across a range of sectors.
Nicole also volunteers her time by being a mentor for I Have a Voice, a non-profit supporting young people from under-represented backgrounds to engage with politics.
Previously, Nicole worked at GK Strategy, a political advisory firm, and a Public Affairs Officer at Dogs Trust, an animal welfare charity.
KATRINA RATTU, campaigns officer
UCL
Katrina currently works as the Public Affairs Manager for UCL where she has a focus on science, research and policy. She previously worked in academia looking at the intersection between policy making and academia including exploring the various mechanisms that will inform and influence policy makers as well as leading to an increased take up of research in policy making. She completed the Local Government’s Associations (LGA) Graduate Scheme and the National Graduate Development Programme (NGDP), and set up a Policy Network and co-founded the BAME staff network at a local authority.
Outside of work Katrina can be found producing podcasts and creating content for TikTok. She is passionate about building inclusive cultures and holds a Level 7 in Leadership and Management from the ILM.
Janette aquilina, Marketing & Communications officer
British Poultry Council
Janette leads the British Poultry Council’s political and public affairs strategy. Working on a range of issues including EU exit, trade policy, sustainability, net zero, and immigration & labour policy, she navigates a highly regulated and politically complex industry to help ensure that feeding people remains at the heart of UK society.
Previously, Janette worked in the Arts External Relations team at the British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, managing high-level Government and industry stakeholder relationships. She is currently completing the CIPR Specialist Diploma in Public Affairs and has a Master’s from The Courtauld Institute of Art.
On the weekend she can be found exploring new art galleries or sipping wine in a pub with her dog Maple.
JULIE BYERS, Marketing & Communications officer
Domino’s Pizza UK & Ireland
Julie is the Senior Government Affairs Manager for Domino’s Pizza UK & Ireland, where she leads their Government and Parliamentary engagement. She has considerable experience working in trade associations, most recently as Public Affairs Manager at the Food and Drink Federation. Prior to that, Julie was Public Affairs Manager at the Association of Convenience Stores.
Julie has a degree in Politics from the University of Surrey, where she explored the representation of women in NBC’s The West Wing in her dissertation. Outside of work, Julie enjoys swimming, musicals, and a good negroni.
Vanessa Nkemayang, events officer
Grayling
Vanessa is a Corporate Affairs Executive working across a mixture of public affairs and corporate clients within Grayling. She has a background in Strategic Communications, training as a communications specialist at FTI Consulting via the Taylor Bennett Foundation programme, a charity that exists to encourage people from a BAME background to pursue a career in communications. Before this, she worked at the Department of Education, supporting campaign delivery through her research and analytical skills.
Prior to entering the professional sector, Vanessa lived and studied in Paris for three years where she gained an International Relations degree. She has a key interest in diversity, inclusion and social mobility, implementing this interest across her work. Vanessa is also fond of solo travelling, recently journeying to Costa Rica on a sponsored trip for voluntary work after winning a Sutton Trust and J.P Morgan Award.