AMBERfest 2025: Speaker bios
Empowerment through Connection & Creativity
Date: 8th March 2025 | Time: 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Location: Connect Event Space, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7AP
Spaces are limited, book your ticket here.
If you would like to attend but have financial barriers to buy a ticket- please contact us at support@ambercommunity.net
Join us at AMBERfest 2025, our first in-person event where the AMBER community come together for the first time and connect over inspiring talks, workshops, storytelling and networking sessions. Find out more about speakers below:
Aman Sunner, Your Go To Self Worth Mentor
Aman mentor’s women to unlock their self belief, master their emotions and take back control of negative thoughts so that you can live a life of freedom, flow and fulfilment. Using a blend of science and spirituality she helps create the biggest shifts for her clients by reframing & reprogramming thoughts & beliefs, releasing emotional weight & clearing stagnant energy. Aman Sunner has recently launched her brand new podcast: Finding your worth from within.
Dr. Raheela Shaikh, NIHR-Research Fellow, Warwick Medical School.
Dr Raheela Shaikh is a passionate public health researcher dedicated to addressing health inequalities, particularly within ethnic minority communities. Holding a PhD from the University of Warwick and a master’s degree in public health (MPH) from the University of Wolverhampton. She has built a career at the intersection of research, teaching, and community engagement, striving to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world health challenges.
Currently a Research Fellow at Warwick Medical School’s CLARITY-NIHR initiative, Raheela plays a key role in co-creating knowledge partnerships, challenging the "hard-to-reach" narrative, and fostering inclusive engagement in public health research. As a Programme Manager at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, she leads the MSc in Public Health course, providing mentoring and inspiring the next generation of public health professionals.
With over a decade of experience in community volunteering, Raheela has been instrumental in designing and delivering culturally sensitive health promotion initiatives. Her work spans from conducting systematic reviews and health data analysis to organising large-scale community awareness events across the West Midlands. A strong advocate for women’s health, she is particularly committed to empowering women through health education, ensuring their voices are heard in research and policy discussions.
As a woman in public health, Raheela believes that empowering women in healthcare strengthens entire communities. Her journey reflects resilience, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to creating a healthier, more equitable society. Raheela has a profound research interest in Stroke Medicine. Beyond her professional life, she finds joy in gardening and horse riding—activities that nurture both her mind and spirit, much like her work nurtures the communities she serves.
Suneta Bagri, director of Turning-Point Education and co-founder of Teach Well Toolkit.
Suneta is a dedicated professional who has navigated life’s challenges while building
a meaningful career. Balancing the demands of motherhood with personal
experiences of loss and disability, she has learned the value of resilience and
adaptability. Facing workplace discrimination, Suneta has evolved her career to
advocate for wellbeing and inclusion, drawing on her own experiences to raise
awareness and understanding. Her journey is one of quiet determination, focusing
on growth and learning through adversity. She remains committed to supporting
others and finding strength in life’s challenges, believing that even the most difficult
moments can lead to new perspectives, and an opportunity to grow through what
you go through.
Suneta is a highly experienced school leader, educational consultant and an a multi-
award winning coach with a deep commitment to supporting the growth and well-
being of educators. With over 25 years in leadership roles, she has a proven track
record of fostering positive school cultures, mentoring educators, and enhancing
coaching practices. Having trained at the Centre of Supervision, Training and
Development (CSTD) in Bath, she specialises in Mediation, Supervision and
Coaching, bringing a compassionate, reflective approach to helping educators
navigate challenges, build resilience, and refine their skills. Drawing on a
background in extensive training she is committed to creating a supportive
environment where educators feel valued, understood, and empowered to thrive
professionally and personally.
Manjit Sidhu, Systemic and Family Psychotherapist
Manjit is the founder of Family and Systemic Therapy, a specialist service supporting individuals, couples, and families in creating stronger, more fulfilling relationships. With over 20 years of experience across CAMHS, NHS forensic mental health, and private practice, she offers culturally informed therapy grounded in understanding generational patterns and family dynamics.
Manjit’s clients often come to her feeling stuck—struggling with vulnerability, people-pleasing, or communication challenges. She works with them to uncover inherited influences, break unhelpful cycles, and foster healthier connections. In her work with couples, she focuses on identifying unspoken dynamics that cause misunderstandings, helping partners rebuild intimacy, navigate life transitions, or end relationships respectfully and collaboratively.
Parenting is a key focus of Manjit’s practice. She helps parents understand how their family histories shape their parenting styles, supporting them to build nurturing, connected relationships with their children.
As a brown therapist, Manjit brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by first-generation immigrants and their families. She helps clients navigate cultural identities, manage intergenerational conflicts, and find balance in today’s complex world. Her compassionate, systemic approach empowers clients to create meaningful and lasting change in their lives.
Surinder Kaur, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, NHS
Surinder Kaur is a dedicated mental health professional with over three decades of experience in the NHS, specialising in mental health since 1988. She became a Registered Mental Health Nurse in 2001 and has since pursued an impressive educational journey. Surinder has been a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) for more than 15 years, with recent years dedicated to providing psychological therapies within a specialised service for individuals experiencing a first episode of psychosis. Her approach emphasises working holistically, including individuals aged 14 and above, their families, and key influencers in their lives. Having recently completed the Feeling Safe Programme at Oxford University, Surinder is now working toward her EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) accreditation, further expanding her therapeutic skillset. Her passion for mental health shines through in her varied and impactful work.
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but learning how to manage it can significantly improve your overall well-being. This interactive workshop will explore the importance of recognising your personal stress triggers and understanding how they impact your day-to-day life. Participants will gain valuable insights into stress management techniques, and, time permitting, the session will conclude with the practice of a grounding technique to help bring calm and focus during challenging moments.
Join us to take the first step towards building resilience and fostering a healthier, more balanced lifestyle.
Shahzadi Yousaf, Insurance broker, member of Pure Protection Ltd
Shahzadi Yousaf is an experienced insurance broker and member of Pure Protection Ltd, bringing 28 years of expertise in the insurance industry. With a passion for empowering families to take charge of their financial well-being, Shahzadi specialises in providing comprehensive and tailored income and life insurance plans at no cost to clients. Her client-centric approach is rooted in transparency, active listening, and consistent communication, fostering trust and ensuring families feel secure and supported during critical life events. Shahzadi is dedicated to delivering on her promises, offering whole-of-market advice, and conducting annual reviews to keep insurance plans competitively priced and aligned with changing circumstances.
Through her work, she emphasises the importance of financial security and peace of mind, providing customised coverage options that suit each family's unique needs. Shahzadi’s goal is to help families navigate life’s challenges with confidence by equipping them with the right protection and support. In her talk, Shahzadi will delve into the importance of taking charge of personal finances and the role of tailored insurance plans in achieving long-term financial security and why this is such an important topic to consider for Asian women.
Why Attend?
AMBERfest is your chance to connect with a community of inspiring women who are passionate about wellness, parenting, careers, and finance. Whether you are looking for advice, inspiration, or simply a space to share your story, AMBERfest is here to help you thrive.
Let’s come together to make a difference! #Togetherwecan #AMBERfest2025.
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