International Women’s Day 2025

For this year’s International Women’s Day celebration, we wanted to shine a spotlight on some of the inspiring female leaders at Capital City College (CCC) who have worked hard to get where they are and are now sharing their journeys 

Held each year on 8 March, this year’s theme, #AccelerateAction, is all about driving change and supporting one another to break barriers.

At CCC, we’re proud to have talented women in leadership roles across our organisation. Read on to learn more about their journeys.

Trovene Hartley, Chief People Officer

“I am where I am today not only because of my own sheer grit and determination, but because I had great examples of women in leadership roles, who gave me advice and guidance along the way and aided my development. One of the very first roles I had in HR, I recall having a conversation with the Head of HR who was Black female and she gave me great advice on how to tailor my applications for roles within the organisation, what courses to take to gain the required academic qualification, and how to just put myself out there and try new things. That stayed with me all throughout my career.” 

“We often fear what we don’t know and because of this fear, we often do not take chances. Women who want to become future leaders need to believe in themselves even when others do not. Do your research, talk to others, find out what it will take and then dig deep and take the steps needed to make it happen. You will fail, that is inevitable, but it’s what you do when you fail that matters, not the failure itself.”   

Seval Fadil, Assistant Principal

“I have the privilege to create change, shape strategies, and foster a culture where women feel valued and empowered to lead. As a senior leader and a woman from a Minority Ethnic background, I am committed to breaking barriers and empowering others. There are no ceilings to success—only opportunities we must create together. I have dedicated my career to mentoring, guiding, and uplifting women, ensuring they see their potential and have the support to achieve it. 

“When women lift each other, we all rise. Mentorship, advocacy, and collaboration break down barriers and build confidence. Success should be accessible to all, not just a privileged few. Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and seek mentorship. Leadership is about vision, persistence, and ensuring diverse voices are heard at decision-making tables.”  

Angela Joyce, Chief Executive Officer

“It’s about role modelling in our everyday actions, demonstrating collaboration, open communication, use of language and self-belief. Be authentic and true to yourself. I’m proud knowing I lead a brilliant team, committed to changing people’s lives.” 

Jackie Chapman, Group Principal Apprenticeships, Partnerships and Innovation

“As a woman, I have struggled through parts of my career with imposter syndrome, as have many other women I speak to. I am a single mum, from a working-class family in Essex. I did not go to university, and in fact my daughter is the first generation in our family to do so. My imposter syndrome has been exacerbated by the perception of poor academic background, as well as gender. I have been successful in many ways, and I put this down to always stretching myself and doing more than my job. 

“For women to succeed, the key is confidence. Be confident in your voice and the importance of what you have to say. Have confidence in your ability, which is good enough especially when you are always seeking to improve, confidence in your peers, to support and guide you, confidence in your strength and resilience. 

Margaret Gotlib, Assistant Principal

“Women supporting each other professionally is so important. Many inspiring women have achieved success through their own hard work and talent, and I always enjoy hearing their stories. I’d love to see more women stepping forward as mentors or coaches to help others grow in their careers. At the same time, I think more women should feel confident in asking for coaching or mentoring—it can be a great way to develop skills, gain new perspectives, and build valuable connections. 

“If you want to be a leader, invest in yourself and never stop learning. Focus on developing leadership, communication, and management skills. Take inspiration from great leaders, listen to their experiences, and learn from them. There are so many free resources available, and the best leaders never stop growing. You’re not born a leader—you become one through experience, learning from mistakes, and constantly developing your skills. I truly believe that with hard work and determination, you can achieve whatever you set your sights on, regardless of gender.” 

Katie Pike, Assistant Principal

“It’s really important for women to help each other professionally – especially as mentors to other women who aspire to leadership roles. I have had a great support network throughout my career and have valued the guidance of leaders who have encouraged me and helped me to develop my own skills. The support and guidance of female leaders I have looked to as mentors has been invaluable to me and I hope to be able to show the same mentorship to other future leaders throughout my career.

“The most important thing is to go for it! Be ambitious, be passionate about what you are doing and do it with courage, conviction and compassion. I also think it’s important to reach out to people and be proactive about seeking advice – especially if you are in the first steps of your leadership journey. I love working with such a diverse community of people across the college. Coming to work every day and seeing everyone supporting learners to develop their skills and progress onto great things is inspiring.”

Miranda Quantrill, Curriculum Manager ‑ Hospitality and Culinary Arts

“A support system offering trust, recognition, and support is so important. Believe in yourself, don’t be afraid to shout out even the smallest of achievements it will give you confidence. Listen, observe, and understand the importance of knowing who you work with and their individual qualities. Find solutions for yourself and others. For me, working with passionate people and having the privilege of being in a young person’s educational journey is what I like best about my role. Knowing I have helped people with lifelong careers and achieve their dreams.”

On this International Women’s Day, let’s commit to #AccelerateAction—support, uplift, and open doors for every woman striving for success.

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