AMBERfest 2025: A day of inspiration, connection & community
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AMBERfest 2025: A day of inspiration, connection & community *
AMBERfest 2025
AMBERfest 2025, the first-ever in-person event hosted by the AMBER team made its electrifying debut at Millennium Point in Birmingham on International Women’s Day, Saturday 8th March. The energy was unmatched, the conversations transformative, and the enthusiasm unmistakable, as over 70 guests gathered for a day of learning, connection, and empowerment.
With a sold-out crowd eager to dive into thought-provoking discussions, AMBERfest 2025 delivered an inspiring line-up of expert-led panels and workshops covering wellness, parenting, careers, and financial health. The atmosphere buzzed with curiosity and shared purpose as attendees explored practical strategies for personal and professional growth.
Beyond the incredible insights from our dynamic speakers, the event fostered a warm, inclusive space where conversations flowed freely, connections were forged, and ambitions were reignited. From candid career advice to empowering financial literacy tips, every moment of AMBERfest was designed to uplift, inspire, and equip guests with the tools to take meaningful action in their lives.
As the day drew to a close, one thing was clear—AMBERfest 2025 was more than just an event; it was a movement. A testament to the power of community, representation, and shared ambition, this milestone gathering has set the stage for even bigger things to come.
Missed this year’s event? This is just the beginning—AMBERfest will be back, bigger and bolder! Stay connected, stay inspired, and join the movement. Keep up to date with our plans through the monthly AMBER Mail—AMBER is just getting started!
The AMBERfest 2025 Community
Warm welcome & the power of community
The AMBER team kicked off the day by highlighting the importance of community and AMBER’s ongoing initiatives to uplift and support Asian women. The message was clear: representation, connection, and support are vital for growth—and AMBER is here to create that space. AMBER also introduced their ‘Together We Talk’ conversation cards as part of an icebreaker activity- stay tuned as these will be available to purchase soon.
Inspiring talks from leading experts
AMBERfest 2025 featured an extraordinary lineup of speakers, each bringing deep expertise, lived experience, and powerful perspectives. Their talks weren’t just informative—they were transformative, sparking self-reflection, confidence, and action among attendees.
Dr. Raheela Shaikh, a public health researcher, tackling health inequalities and the importance of inclusive engagement in research, challenging the outdated narrative of “hard-to-reach” communities.
Suneta Bagri, a multi-award-winning coach and education leader, shared her journey of resilience and advocacy—showing how life’s toughest challenges can shape strength, growth, and a commitment to well-being and inclusion.
Manjit Sidhu, a highly experienced systemic and family therapist, explored intergenerational family dynamics and how cultural identities shape parenting and relationships. Her session resonated deeply, providing tools to break unhelpful cycles and build stronger connections.
Shahzadi Yousaf, a seasoned insurance broker, delivered a compelling talk on financial security for Asian women, emphasising why financial independence is essential for long-term stability.
Aman Sunner, a Self-Worth Mentor and Podcast Host, delivered an inspiring talk on the power of mentorship, showing how reprogramming thoughts, releasing emotional blocks, and mastering self-belief can unlock a life of freedom, flow, and fulfillment.
Meet the AMBERfest Speakers
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Dr Raheela Shaikh- NIHR Research Fellow, Warwick Medical School
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Manjit Sidhu- Systemic and Family Psychotherapist
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Shahzadi Yousaf- Insurance broker, Pure Protection Ltd.
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Suneta Bagri- Director of Turning Point Education and Co- founder of Teach Well Toolkit.
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Aman Sunner-Self Worth Mentor, Podcast host
Hands-on workshops that sparked action.
Beyond the talks, attendees had the chance to dive into interactive workshops, leaving with practical takeaways to apply to their personal and professional lives.
🔹 Stress & Well-Being – Surinder Kaur, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with over three decades in mental health, led an interactive stress management session. Attendees explored their personal stress triggers and learned grounding techniques to build resilience.
🔹 Financial Health Check – Prab Dhillon (accountant) & Shahzadi Yousaf (insurance broker) guided guests through an actionable financial health checklist, helping them take real steps toward financial well-being.
🔹 Parenting & Generational Change – Manjit Sidhu facilitated an eye-opening conversation on what we want to keep and let go from our own upbringings, encouraging attendees to redefine parenting for the next generation.
🔹 Career Growth & Visioning – Sharon Kaur led an engaging career development session, where attendees reflected on their career journeys, shared insights, and explored where they want to go next.
Aneila Afsar
An unforgettable keynote: Aneila Afsar’s story of strength & breaking barriers
As the day drew to a close, AMBERfest ended on an incredibly high note with an inspirational talk by Aneila Afsar—a trailblazer in the fitness industry, a dedicated single mother, and a quarter-finalist on Gladiators.
Aneila’s story is one of resilience, passion, and breaking barriers. As a Muslim woman in fitness, she has navigated an industry with limited representation, proving that no matter your background, faith, or circumstances, you can overcome challenges and inspire change.
Her talk beautifully tied into AMBER’s four pillars, reflecting on how wellness, parenting, career growth, and financial stability have shaped her journey. Aneila’s message was clear: empowerment comes from within, but having a strong, supportive community makes all the difference.
With Aneila set to compete in the BBC One Gladiators semi-finals, the AMBERfest community will be cheering her on, celebrating her achievements and unwavering spirit. Read our interview with Aneila here.
A movement that continues beyond the event
By the end of AMBERfest, attendees walked away not just with new knowledge, but with renewed confidence, motivation, and a sense of belonging. The event wasn’t just about learning—it was a celebration of resilience, and the endless possibilities for growth.
Missed out this year? This is just the beginning! Stay connected, get involved, and join us on this incredible journey by signing up to the AMBER Mail here. #TogetherWeCan
Testimonials
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"The ladies that organised this and brought it to the public eye are truly amazing women they are hard working daughters, wives and mothers but still found time to organise such a great event"
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“Loved the event. Very well organised and amazing energy throughout the whole day especially from the organisers. Would love to see more content on nutrition.”
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“Considering I don't tend to enjoy events like this- I had a really productive and enjoyable day. The running order was perfectly put together and the day flowed cohesively. An overall enjoyable experience”
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“More please ! It was such a wholesome and unifying event… one that has already made a positive impact in the confidence I have gained in taking the next step!”
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“All speakers were amazing, loved it. Wish I could have done all the workshops.”
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“Utterly mind blowing! Great event and the best IWD event I have ever attended. You ladies smashed it out the park. Incredible role models and powerhouses of the community!”
