Three leading women in their fields talked about their real experiences and real lives at an event hosted by Women of World Jewish Relief (WOWJR) at JW3. The evening raised money for the work we are doing to prioritise the needs of women across all of our programmes.

Jane Lush, Kate Kuper and Melinda Simmons

The panel included Melinda Simmons, the UK’s next Ambassador to Ukraine who will take up her new position in September. Kate Kuper, an expert in social impact and philanthropy who worked in Nelson Mandela’s first government before going on to work at the World Bank. And Jane Lush, former chair of BAFTA and previously Controller of Entertainment and Comedy at the BBC.

During the wide ranging and lively convesation, they spoke openly and with frank honesty about their careers, challenges they had faced and the importance of supporting other women. Melinda talked passionately about the choices she had made throughout her career that had led her to a position as an Ambassador. Jane spoke movingly about the death of her friend and colleague Jill Dando and the impact it had on her and her team. Kate talked with humour about being a working mother and the importance of creating more equal partnerships in marriage. There were laughs from the room when they discussed the reality of juggling work and family life and dispensed their advice on how to network successfully at any time of life.

The event was hosted by Rebecca Singer, Head of Communications and Community Engagement at World Jewish Relief and raised money for the work the charity is doing on prioritising the needs of women across all of its programmes.

The WOWJR committee will be planning more events in the future.  Find out more ways you can get involved here.

Paul Anticoni, Jane Lush, Kate Kuper, Melinda Simmonds, Rebecca Singer