Vicki is a highly ambitious and creative professional with 18 years of experience in creating, producing, programming and directing within the Creative Industries. Specialising in dance, theatre and festival settings, developing arts and cultural events for both communities and industry professionals.

Vicki has built a portfolio career within the arts sector and, in recent years, has worked in Dubai and parts of Africa. Her practice spans choreography, movement direction, producing and programming alongside event management and artistic mentorship. She works collaboratively and creatively with colleagues and peers to achieve the best possible outcomes in every project. Her aim is to inspire people, particularly families and children, to be creative through the power of the arts.

A Mumma to two fun loving boys, a coffee lover and always happier when the sun is shining!

Born and raised in Portsmouth, Alex is passionate about putting people, purpose, and community at the heart of everything she does. With more than a decade of experience across the energy sector and social impact programmes, her career has focused on creating opportunities, supporting others, and helping people realise their potential.

Through her work with the Aleto Foundation, she has connected with inspiring young people, developed meaningful partnerships, and contributed to programmes that create lasting positive change. She is particularly committed to championing diversity, strengthening local communities, and demonstrating that a person’s background should never limit their future aspirations.

A proud Portsmouth local, she embodies the values the city has instilled in her: hard work, resilience, loyalty, and a healthy sense of humour. Her approach is centred on building connections, uplifting others, and creating inclusive spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.

Ruby brings 12 years of experience spanning creative, brand and commercial marketing, combining strategic thinking with a passion for storytelling and community impact. A Fashion Communication graduate, she has worked across freelance and corporate environments, helping brands connect with audiences through meaningful and engaging experiences.

In her day-to-day role, Ruby leads global Trade Marketing for an international organisation, delivering initiatives that connect with customers across diverse markets and locations around the world.

A long-time supporter of Pamodzi, her connection began when her mum was recognised through the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards. Since then, she has proudly contributed to the organisation’s work, including illustrating the children’s book Who Inspires Us.

As Non-Executive Marketing Advisor, Ruby is passionate about helping women recognise their strengths, amplify their voices and embrace the value they bring. She believes there is a seat at the table for everyone and is committed to supporting Pamodzi’s mission to inspire, connect and empower communities through creativity and storytelling.

In working with Pamodzi, I am excited to spread the organisation’s message of diversity and equality for all, as well as being a part of giving the young people of Portsmouth a voice to make a change.

Debbie was a 2022 IWP award recipient for her voluntary work in the community. At the awards ceremony itself—boogying away on the dance floor—Debbie said to Roni, “This is a truly heartfelt event. I would love to be involved.” The rest, as they say, is history.

Debbie has designed and created Pamodzi’s merchandise, and she plays a key role in sourcing sponsors, fundraising, and organising events such as the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards, Girls’ Night In, and Kambini.

She is also a voluntary pastoral worker with The Vista Project, which provides support for women working in the sex industry. Alongside this, Debbie is a support worker for two SEN boys.

Three things Debbie strives for in her daily life are Kindness, Jesus, and Joy.

UBUNTU 💜💚👑

Laura Watford is Chief Executive Officer of STEMunity, an innovative University and Industry led initiative brining together STEM subject academics, schools and communities. Laura plays a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of our education and community programmes.

Jane Moody has over 15 years experience of supporting schools and in 2022 created her own CIC, Marvellous Fabulous Projects. She enthusiastically creates and delivers projects that continue to support schools and young people in Portsmouth. In addition to facilitating Pamodzi’s youth engagement projects, Jane has worked with and delivered projects alongside wonderful local Organisations such as The Lark Network, PCEP and Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

linktr.ee/marvellousfabulousprojects

Sarah Roads is the owner of three businesses based in Portsmouth specialising in Marine Recruitment and Payroll. She is best known for SLR Marine Recruitment which is her biggest passion recruiting for roles in the Marine sector. The Middle Group was a proud sponsor of the IWP [Awards] in 2021.

Sarah is a regional governor for TSAT and thrives on educating our younger generations on all the opportunities that are available to them, especially in the Marine Sector.

She is a Mum to wonderful football mad boys and is on the go all the time.

Gav is a seasoned video content producer with over 15 years of experience, specialising in translating brilliant ideas into video, telling stories and taking a project from conception to final edit, he expertly crafts narratives that captivate and inspires. Gav spent time building video departments from the ground up at an international travel agency and a leading international sports brand before deciding to set up Carmann Creative a freelancer partnership he runs with his wife, Amy.

Their agency aims to produce beautiful creative content, graphic design and video for social and positive impact organisations, with a focus on local community interest companies, charities and businesses in Portsmouth. Working with the likes of Pamodzi, STEMunity, Downtown Pompey and The Parent Network to name a few.

Stef first met Roni Edwards in October 2018 and played a pivotal role in helping the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth establish itself through his work with Shaping Portsmouth.

Reflecting on his journey, Stef shared:
“After retiring from my role with Shaping Portsmouth, I was eager to continue contributing to organisations that make a meaningful impact. With a background in finance and operations, I have been proud to bring my expertise to Pamodzi Creatives and am excited to support the next stage of its development. It is a true honour to serve as a non-executive director for this wonderful organisation, and I look forward to helping Pamodzi Creatives thrive and reach even greater heights.”

Jo Morgan is a respected thought leader, published author and changemaker dedicated to tackling sexual harassment and advancing gender equity across workplaces, education and communities.

She is the founder and CEO of Engendering Change Ltd, a consultancy supporting organisations to build safer, more respectful cultures. Through training, consultancy and public speaking, Jo works with businesses, schools and the public sector to prevent bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct, strengthen professional conduct and promote inclusive leadership.

Alongside her corporate work, Jo has spent over two decades advocating for women’s rights and challenging misogyny.

Through the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards, she helps celebrate women’s achievements and champion gender equity.

I’m Alison, Managing Director of Biscoes Solicitors, where I’ve proudly spent 32 years supporting vulnerable clients in care, adoption, and Court of Protection matters. Since becoming MD in 2015, I’ve led the firm’s growth with a focus on delivering accessible, approachable, high-quality legal advice. My fellow directors and I are committed to a people-centric, values-led culture that enables our team to thrive and provide excellent service to every client, every time. I’m also honoured to serve as a Director of LawNetUK, supporting excellence across independent law firms nationwide.

My passion for Portsmouth runs deep. I serve as a director and company secretary of Shaping Portsmouth CIC, a NED at the Guildhall Trust, and a Trustee of Pompey in the Community, helping raise aspirations across the city. I actively champion the Armed Forces Covenant and Employment Recognition Scheme, influenced by my upbringing in a Royal Naval family. A lifelong learner, I hold a law degree, a master’s, an MBA, and Chartered Manager status—and I’m always happy to share my business experience with others. One day, I hope to study psychology simply for the joy of learning, because people truly are fascinating!

Sharmin Akter joins Pamodzi as Funding Strategy Director, bringing extensive experience in strategy, partnerships, and operational delivery across complex, multi-site organisations. With over 15 years in public and private sectors, she is a people-first leader skilled in property strategy, FM, governance, ESG delivery, and vendor performance. Sharmin will shape a diverse funding plan—spanning grants, corporate partnerships, and innovative income streams—to power Pamodzi’s storytelling projects and community programmes. Known for building high-performing teams and embedding impact-led reporting, she ensures creativity and inclusion are sustainably resourced.

Sharmin moved to Portsmouth in 2021 to be close to her late best friend, Rachel, whose kindness and community spirit continue to inspire her. In Rachel’s memory, she volunteers with Pamodzi to enable creative, community-led storytelling across the city. Her leadership reflects Pamodzi’s values of integrity, inclusion, creativity, and community—championing diverse voices and challenging negative narratives through arts and storytelling.

A disturbing number of Roni’s friends have learnt to avoid eye contact with her whenever her trade-mark ‘I’ve just had a great idea for a project’ dance kicks in ; this normally means that you will end up being roped into an incredibly random creative community project. Roni is responsible for curating projects and produces the visuals and musical scores.

She is also a dance practitioner trained at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Dance and specializes in curriculum-led dance. Roni is founder of Dance-Africa.