Arish Mudra Rakshasa-Loots (he/him) is a neuroscientist, educator, and activist. He is currently completing a PhD in Translational Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, where his work is funded by the Wellcome Trust, with additional funding from the University of Edinburgh, the South African MRC Extramural Unit on the Genomics of Brain Disorders, and the Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation. Arish obtained a BA in Liberal Arts from Earlham College in the US, where he majored in Biochemistry and Neuroscience and minored in Ancient & Classical Studies. His broad undergraduate training lends itself to his versatility as a scholar, with academic publications, conference presentations, and awards in disciplines ranging from computational biophysics to postcolonialism. Arish is a recipient of the prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship, through which he travelled to many different parts of the world to engage with HIV/AIDS healthcare and grassroots activism. Arish’s experiences as a queer brown immigrant in the West have driven his passion for global leadership and his awareness of modern systemic inequalities. He is particularly committed to the eradication of HIV/AIDS, which disproportionately affects marginalised populations such as the LGBTQ+ community. Arish aspires to train the next generation of conscientious, passionate scientists as an educator and contribute to global intersectional campaigns to end the AIDS pandemic.

Cara Mckeown is Philanthropy Officer, University Programmes at the University of Edinburgh. She works primarily with donors and alumni to fundraise for philanthropic initiatives and scholarships which support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her work supports strategic priorities across the University, including Widening Participation. Cara also works closely with the University's Sport & Exercise team to fundraise for high-performance sports scholarships.

As Chief of Staff Jhumar’s focus at the University is two-fold, acting as aide, adviser and problem-solver to the Vice-Chancellor to assist with achieving his objectives and responsibilities towards the success of the University; and ensuring our alumni, donors and partners are at the heart of the OU family along with our staff and students.

Jhumar was responsible for delivering the University’s first ever fundraising campaign, raising £60m and running a year-long integrated campaign to celebrate The Open University’s 50th anniversary in 2019 across the four UK nations and internationally. She has a background in major gifts consulting and practice in the not-for-profit sector, working with house-hold names, large and small and advising individuals and families on shaping their philanthropy.

She is an Executive coach, mentor and trainer focussing on major gifts fundraising, career planning, leadership development, confidence and gravitas, influencing and negotiating. She is an alumna of Said Business School, the University of Westminster, the Open University and the University of Mumbai.

She is passionate about building talent, diversity and confidence in our sector and loves public-speaking.

Vikki has a diverse background having worked in the public and private sector, nationally and internationally. Before joining the University, Vikki was the Director of People and Culture for NHS England, and before that the Interim Executive Director of People and Culture for Southwest Ambulance Trust. She was also the Chief Talent Officer for the University of Plymouth and held a number of senior roles whilst working for Nike based in The Netherlands and the US. Vikki is also an experienced Non-Executive and Chair, Guest Lecturer and an Executive Coach.

Caroline Davis is the Co-Executive Director for CASE Europe.

Magda Joshi (she/her), Engagement Manager at Birkbeck, University of London, serves as Co-Chair of CASE Multi-Cultural Network.

Magda is an engagement, events and marketing professional, who is passionate about cross-cultural dialogue and the power of multi-cultural collaborations. In her role as Engagement Manager at Birkbeck, University of London, she shapes and delivers Birkbeck's ambitious Alumni Engagement strategy. She oversees a portfolio of volunteering and other engagement opportunities, aimed at creating meaningful relationships with Birkbeck alumni and friends. Harnessing the community's potential, to both support current students as well as to foster meaningful connections, is at the heart of her team’s work.

Osaro worked as a Consulting Fellow for Halpin for over a year before joining as a full-time Consultant in September 2021. Already a familiar name to many of Halpin’s clients, she has completed reviews with a growing number of institutions including the Universities of Sunderland, Manchester, Liverpool, Exeter, Durham and Sussex.

In 2020, Osaro researched and authored Halpin’s research project ‘UK Universities’ Response to Black Lives Matter’ and chaired a follow-up webinar. In 2022 Osaro joined the Halpin team as researcher and project manager, working with Unite Students on a landmark project examining Black students’ experiences of university accommodation. This significant piece of work continues to live on and deliver impact.

Osaro is currently a Trustee at the British Youth Council and serves as Deputy Chair, working alongside fellow Trustees and staff to help young people make social and political change.

From lived experiences, she created the ‘Make Diversity Count’ campaign, which is calling for all UK organisations to have transparent and effective anti-discrimination policies and procedures for long-term change.

While studying at the University of Hull for her undergraduate and Masters degrees, she was elected for three successive years to work in the best interests of students: she was a postgraduate student Trustee and a two-term President at Hull University Students’ Union (HUSU). She was their first ever Black woman President, and the first Black two-term President at HUSU.