Inspiring Women in Pharmacy (#IWDPharmacy): IWD 2018 at 12:30 & 21:00 GMT

For the second year, join in one or both online events on International Women's Day (8 March 12:30-1:30pm and/or 21:00-22:00) to hear inspirational stories of women in Pharmacy, their journeys, the challenges and barriers and how they overcame them to achieve their goals.

Dialling in details /online url to access the panel discussion is provided via email on completion of registration

The panel members who will join one or both sessions are:

Find out a little bit more about each of our panellists below. To connect with them on Twitter, click on their names.

Thorrun Govind is a community pharmacist with a strong media presence, including a monthly slot as the resident pharmacist at BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio London. A member of her local LPC, Thorrun has been described as a 'one woman pressure group' helping raise the profile of Pharmacy locally and nationally. In her spare time she enjoys studying law and attending Zumba classes!

Thorrun is avid tweeter on pharmacy issues- @pharmthorrun.

Claire Thompson is an award-winning scientist, strategist & storyteller. Founder @agilityht. Deputy Chief Scientist @rpharms. Runner, footballer, wannabe-comedian. All in fab shoes!

Victoria Rutter Is the Executive Director, Commonwealth Pharmacists Association. After spending 10 years practicing in Singapore and developing several cross-country partnerships to support the development of the profession overseas, Victoria’s current role as the first executive director of the CPA, supporting the development of the profession across the Commonwealth,seemed a natural progression to her career when she relocated to the UK in April 2016. She has already made a big impact on the organization.

Her many other hats include being a wife and mum to a young son and a daughter, who keep her busy with their various sporting pursuits and family pets – a crazy chocolate Labrador and two newly acquired guinea pigs. Her family shares a love of travelling and exploring new cultures, foodsand wine, as well taking part in activities such as scuba diving, skiing and trekking. Having a young daughter inspired Victoria to get more involved with Girl Guiding and she has recently begun her leadership training. Her passion to develop herself and others to be the best that they can be led to Victoria becoming involved in the coaching community and gaining a Master Practitioner qualification in NLP.

Tess Fenn has worked in the hospital, academia, community and primary care sectors during her long career as a pharmacy technician. She has led on pharmacy technician & support staff development, CPD and quality assurance of vocational qualifications. Tess has been an active member of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK, holding the posts of Education Officer & Vice President and is now the President. Tess is also the secretary for the European Association of Pharmacy Technicians.

Tess is an avid collector of antique jewellery & enjoys nothing more than pottering in the garden.

Luvjit Kandula currently works as the Chief Officer of Leicestershire and Rutland Local Pharmaceutical Committee. Her role with the LPC involves advancing community pharmacy in the local NHS whilst representing Community Pharmacists interests. She is also PCPA community pharmacy group chair ; and seconded as Programme Manager at NHS Digital

Luvjit has extensive experience working as a Community Pharmacist also having worked in hospital pharmacy and industry both in the UK and abroad. Previous roles include Head of Pharmacy Services and Management of the Pre-registration Programme and also Chairing Warwickshire Local Pharmaceutical Committee.

Luvjit loves to play music, do yoga and holistic therapies in spare time

Laura Sile is a final year pharmacy student studying at Liverpool John Moores University. She has previously been involved with the BPSA, taking on the roles of Pennine Area Coordinator and Competitions Coordinator - was also an official delegate of Great Britain at the International Pharmaceutical Students' Federation (IPSF) world congress in India. She is an active Dementia Friends Champion, ambassador for Pharmacist Support, and enjoys taking on a challenge whilst fundraising (cycled London to Paris, Summited Mount Kilimanjaro and have participated in many charity runs, including half marathon for Pharmacist Support). Laura was awarded the LJMU Student Citizenship Award 2016 for her contributions towards the university and community.

Naveen Dosanjh's practice background is within mental health, a field for which she is extremely passionate. Through her career thus far, Naveen has not been afraid of taking a risk and stepping into challenging roles, often pursuing positions that offer the opportunity to innovate. Currently as one of the Chief Pharmaceutical Officer’s Clinical Fellows, Naveen is honing her interest in clinical, strategic and systems leadership. At CPPE she is exploring leadership in education at a national level and with NHS Improvement she is enhancing her experience of quality improvement and operational productivity by being involved with the Carter Review in Mental Health and Community Services. Naveen believes in advancing the role of pharmacy professionals as leaders within healthcare and is an advocate for driving forward race and gender equality within the healthcare workforce. Naveen is passionate about improving health policy and services for the most vulnerable as well as addressing health inequalities that persist in society. She has an interest in clinical research and enjoys exploring the science behind human behaviours. Naveen balances her health related interests with philosophy, creative pursuits and hiking.