London ACM-W Chapter

I am a Lecturer in Computer Science at City St George’s, University of London, and I am actively engaged in Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives. I am one of the founding members of the London ACM‑W Chapter and have been serving the Women++ society in my department since 2024.

Previously, I served as a Steering Committee member of the IEEE Women in Engineering UK and Ireland (WIE‑UKI) Group, contributed to the Athena Swan Self‑Assessment Team, and led Equality in Engineering Society at the University of Sussex.

My work with Women++ has been recognised through strong team achievements, including two awards in 2026: EDI/Civic Champion of the Year at the SST Dean’s Awards, City St George’s, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programme of the Year at the Women Leaders in Electronics awards by Electronics Weekly. I have also received Inspirational Volunteer Award from IEEE WIE‑UKI in 2023 and a Rising Star commendation at the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards by WorldSkills in 2022.

Statement of Intent

I am standing for re‑election as Chair of the London ACM‑W Chapter, with a continued commitment to advancing the chapter’s mission and objectives.

My plans as Chair are closely aligned with chapter’s objectives of building confidence and creating a culture of belonging. I will continue to celebrate women’s achievements in STEM through high‑impact events such as International Women’s Day and Ada Lovelace Day, building on the success of our previous activities. Alongside these celebrations, I prioritise outreach initiatives that inspire young girls to pursue careers in STEM, addressing common perceptions that such pathways are unattainable or overly difficult.

As Chair, I also plan to expand the reach of the London ACM‑W Chapter by strengthening its visibility and engagement. This includes establishing the chapter’s social media presence and actively inviting participation from women across London and neighbouring regions.

A key focus of my leadership will be working towards our objective of tackling inequalities and enabling research‑informed cultural change. Our recent team of chapter officers has already begun applying for research projects to evaluate EDI objectives and to understand the impact of technology and AI on women’s careers. I am highly motivated to seek funding opportunities that will allow us to explore barriers and opportunities for women in computing across both workplace and educational contexts, ensuring that our initiatives are evidence‑based and impactful.

Through continuity of leadership, collaboration, and research‑led action, I am committed to strengthening the London ACM‑W Chapter and advancing meaningful change for women in computing.

Email: Ferheen.ayaz@city.ac.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ferheen-ayaz-5631a71a7/

I am a Software Engineer with over four years of experience designing and delivering enterprise applications across the .NET, SQL Server, and Salesforce ecosystems. I recently completed my MSc in Software Engineering with Cloud Computing at City, University of London (now City St George’s), where I was awarded a merit scholarship and recognised as a Global STEM Leadership Scholar. I was also selected as Student Speaker at my graduation ceremony in January 2026. At Cognizant Technology Solutions, I led performance optimisation work that improved database response by 45% and migrated over 500,000 records at 99.7% accuracy. I am AWS and Salesforce certified, and I am passionate about building inclusive technical communities and creating welcoming spaces where women in computing  at every career stage can connect, learn, and grow together.

Statement of Intent

If elected as Membership Chair, my focus would be on growing the London ACM-W Chapter into a community that women genuinely want to be part of not just a name on a CV, but a network they return to repeatedly across their careers.

My three priorities would be:

1. A welcoming onboarding experience. First impressions shape long-term engagement. I would design a structured onboarding flow: a clear welcome email, an introduction to chapter resources, and a personal point of contact in the first month. Every new member should feel seen, not added to a list.

2. Retention through genuine value. Members stay where they receive something meaningful. I would work with the committee to ensure our event calendar serves the full membership: students looking for mentors, mid-career engineers navigating progression, and senior women seeking peers. I would also establish a quarterly member feedback loop so we are responding to what members actually want, rather than guessing.

3. Inclusive outreach. Women in computing are not a monolith. I would actively expand membership across groups sometimes underrepresented within women-in-tech communities  international students, returners, career-switchers, and women navigating visa and right-to-work questions. Having moved from India to the UK for my MSc, I understand how isolating early career steps can feel without a strong network, and I want to make sure no member faces that alone.

Operationally, I would maintain accurate membership records, track engagement signals, and provide the committee with clear data on growth and participation. I would approach this role by combining the discipline I have built managing data and operations professionally with genuine warmth toward our members.

Email: Nausheen.fatma@citystgeorges.ac.uk

I am a Lecturer in Computing at City St George’s, University of London, with over 20 years of experience across academia, research, industry, and leadership in the UK, Egypt, and the USA. I have held roles including lecturer, assistant professor, research associate, Fulbright visiting scholar, industry manager, and academic mentor, working across institutions including City St George’s, University of London, University of York, and The Open University in UK and The American University in Cairo, Egypt and The University of Alabama, USA. Alongside teaching and research, I have organised workshops, chaired academic events, served on programme committees, mentored students and researchers, and collaborated with both academia and industry. I have also contributed to international standards development through my work as a member of the IEEE P7000 working group on ethical concerns in system design, which has further strengthened my commitment to responsible computing. These diverse experiences have given me a strong appreciation for inclusive communities, international collaboration, and supporting others through mentoring, networking, and professional development.

Statement of Intent

If elected as Vice President, I would like to help strengthen the London ACM-W Chapter through practical initiatives that support women++ not only as researchers and professionals, but as whole individuals navigating multiple roles and responsibilities.

My priorities would include:

1. A women++ in academia and research initiative
   I would like to help organise discussions or mini-workshops focused on challenges women++ face in academia—such as progression, visibility, confidence, collaboration, and leadership—and create a space to share strategies and solutions.
2. Workshops on opportunities and career advancement
   I would seek to develop a series of workshops or peer-led sessions on grants, fellowships, promotion pathways, international collaborations, and research networking, helping members access opportunities and build supportive peer networks.
3. Supporting sustainable and balanced careers
   I would like to bring attention to topics often under-discussed in technical communities, such as work–life balance, navigating caregiving responsibilities, wellbeing, and sustaining careers across different life stages.
4. Mentoring and community building
   I would support mentoring circles and informal networking spaces where early career academics, and more experienced colleagues can support one another.

I would bring organisational experience, mentoring commitment, and enthusiasm for helping build a chapter that supports excellence, inclusion, wellbeing, and meaningful community. I would be honoured to work with fellow officers and members to help create practical opportunities, strengthen support networks, and contribute to a chapter where women++ can thrive professionally and personally.

Email: Dina.mostafa@city.ac.uk

Mahsa Zolfaghari is a Lecturer in Computer Science, Cyber Security and AI and Head of Enterprise at the University of Staffordshire London. She holds a BSc, MSc, PhD, and PGCHPE, and is a Fellow (FHEA) and Senior Fellow (SFHEA) of the Higher Education Academy. With a strong focus on bridging academia and industry, Mahsa leads enterprise initiatives that foster innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. She has extensive experience in developing strategic partnerships and delivering projects that enhance student engagement and employability. Her work includes collaborations with major stakeholders, including opportunities linked to London Heathrow Airport. Mahsa brings leadership experience, a collaborative mindset, and a commitment to driving meaningful outcomes across academic and professional communities.
Statement of Intent
If elected as Chair or Vice Chair, I would bring a strategic, inclusive, and action-oriented approach to the role. My priority is to strengthen collaboration, ensure effective communication, and support the delivery of impactful initiatives aligned with our shared goals.

I am particularly committed to fostering a culture of engagement and innovation. This includes creating opportunities for members to contribute ideas, building stronger connections with external partners, and ensuring that our activities remain relevant and forward-looking. Drawing on my experience in enterprise and leadership, I would work to expand partnerships, enhance visibility, and support sustainable growth.

I also bring an established international network across the UK, US, and Europe, spanning both academia and industry. I would actively leverage these connections to foster collaboration, enable knowledge exchange, and create meaningful opportunities that enhance the reach and impact of our work.

As a leader, I value transparency, teamwork, and accountability. I am committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and that decisions are made collaboratively, with a clear focus on delivering value. I would also support continuity and effective planning to ensure that initiatives are successfully implemented.

Overall, I would strive to lead with clarity, purpose, and a strong commitment to making a positive and lasting impact.
Email: mahsa.zolfaghari@staffs.ac.uk

I am a Software Engineer with over four years of experience designing and delivering enterprise applications across the .NET, SQL Server, and Salesforce ecosystems. I recently completed my MSc in Software Engineering with Cloud Computing at City, University of London (now City St George’s), where I was awarded a merit scholarship and recognised as a Global STEM Leadership Scholar. I was also selected as Student Speaker at my graduation ceremony in January 2026. At Cognizant Technology Solutions, I led performance optimisation work that improved database response by 45% and migrated over 500,000 records at 99.7% accuracy. I am AWS and Salesforce certified, and I am passionate about cloud-native engineering, mentoring early-career women in tech, and building communities that help them transition confidently from study into industry.

If elected as Membership Chair, my focus would be on growing the London ACM-W Chapter into a community that women genuinely want to be part of not just a name on a CV, but a network they return to repeatedly across their careers.

My three priorities would be:

1. A welcoming onboarding experience. First impressions shape long-term engagement. I would design a structured onboarding flow: a clear welcome email, an introduction to chapter resources, and a personal point of contact in the first month. Every new member should feel seen, not added to a list.

2. Retention through genuine value. Members stay where they receive something meaningful. I would work with the committee to ensure our event calendar serves the full membership: students looking for mentors, mid-career engineers navigating progression, and senior women seeking peers. I would also establish a quarterly member feedback loop so we are responding to what members actually want, rather than guessing.

3. Inclusive outreach. Women in computing are not a monolith. I would actively expand membership across groups sometimes underrepresented within women-in-tech communities  international students, returners, career-switchers, and women navigating visa and right-to-work questions. Having moved from India to the UK for my MSc, I understand how isolating early career steps can feel without a strong network, and I want to make sure no member faces that alone.

Operationally, I would maintain accurate membership records, track engagement signals, and provide the committee with clear data on growth and participation. I would approach this role by combining the discipline I have built managing data and operations professionally with genuine warmth toward our members.

Email: Nausheen.fatma@citystgeorges.ac.uk

I am a Computer Science Lecturer at City St George’s, University of London, with a background spanning software engineering, data science, and data visualisation. I hold a PhD in Data Visualisation and an MSc in Data Science, and my research and teaching are rooted in a commitment to equity and inclusion in computing. As an active ACM member, I have served as Treasurer of the London ACM-W Chapter, during which time I  co-organised two landmark events, Ada Lovelace Day and International Women’s Day 2026,  while expanding the chapter’s professional network. I am also a founding member of Women++, a society dedicated to empowering women in computing.

Statement of Intent

I am standing for re-election as Treasurer of the London ACM-W Chapter, and I do so with a clear sense of what we have achieved together and what more we can build.

During my first term, we delivered two high-profile events,  Ada Lovelace Day and International Women’s Day 2026, which helped us expand our network of members and collaborators. I am proud of what we accomplished, and I believe these foundations give us the momentum to go further.

If re-elected, my priorities centre on three interconnected aims. First, I want to continue growing the chapter by increasing the number and variety of events we run, building on the success of Ada Lovelace Day and International Women’s Day to create more opportunities for female professionals to connect, collaborate, and support one another. Second, I am committed to mentoring and supporting students, particularly those at the start of their computing journey,  helping them find their place in a community that champions their success. Third, I want to strengthen the chapter’s role in research, both by facilitating and participating in work that explores gender equity in computing, and by fostering partnerships with organisations such as Women++ and other ACM chapters that share our mission.

As a researcher and educator, I bring both analytical rigour and a genuine passion for equity in computing to this role. I understand the chapter’s mission not as an abstract goal but as something worth working for concretely through every event we run, every connection we foster, and every student we support and mentor.

I would be honoured to continue serving the chapter in this role.

Email: mirela@citystgeorges.as.uk

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirela-reljan-delaney/