Eyestorm
AMPLIFYING WOMEN’S VOICES TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE
The Future Women Summit 2025:
A Day of Inspiration and Empowerment
On the 7th November 2025, Brighton’s Sussex County Cricket Ground played host to The Future Women Summit, bringing together thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers for a day of powerful conversations about women’s leadership, innovation, and impact.
Attendees gathered in The Boundary Rooms for an inspiring day’s programme, featuring exceptional speakers, master sessions, networking and an annual award ceremony.
Each speaker and session facilitator brought their unique expertise and perspectives on shaping the future of women in business and society.
Opening the Day: Setting the Tone
Mi Elfverson, Founder of The Vlog Academy and the head coach of the EyeStorm Women speaker programme, opened the Summit with a talk that truly set the tone of the day ahead; when women come together with a vision, we create a better future, not just for women, but for everyone.
The EyeStorm Speakers programme finale
The EyeStorm Women Speaker programme finale is always exciting, full of nerves for everyone but also determination and relief. After many weeks of prepping, writing, rehearsing and implementing all tips and tools they’ve learnt from the EyeStorm speaker course, this year’s speakers stepped forward to deliver their graduation talks.
And what powerful and moving talks they were! The room was vibrating with emotions and the messages were delivered with unique personalities and energy.
Nina Khoo, speaker support coach, introduced the speaker programme and the participants.
CARIN EKLUND – EyeStorm Women Speaker graduate
How much space do you allow yourself? Have you given yourself enough room to wiggle your toes? Carin’s talk was about stars, dreams and footwear. If you have let go of that which once made your heart sing, she inspired us to give our joy another go!
SARAH BUCHANAN-SMITH – EyeStorm Women Speaker graduate
Financial adviser Sarah, revealed why traditional money advice and “mindset hacks” fail when our nervous systems feel unsafe. In her powerful talk, she explored how shame and conditioning shape our relationship with money and why true financial freedom begins with regulation, safety, and self-trust. “The revolution will be self-regulated”.
NATHALIE CORDELL – EyeStorm Women Speaker graduate
Ever felt like you were going mad because despite achieving every marker of success, something essential was still missing? In her powerful talk, Nathalie shared her journey from corporate achievement to crisis to breakthrough – and the unexpected discovery that transformed everything she understood about happiness and fulfilment.
SHAHAD ALI – STUDENT
The youngest speaker of the day was Shahad Ali, who, despite only being 16 years old, was back with a third talk for EyeStorm Women. Her speech was a brave and powerful talk called “Melanin Matters”, where she looked at the different ways and wording that media uses to report on a crisis, depending on where in the world it takes place and who it involves.
The Impact Project Report 2025
EyeStorm Women have met online monthly during 2025 to discuss how they can contribute to gender equality in a more active way. By giving personal Impact Pledges, aligned with the work they already do, the participants have stepped forward and taken action to support women and girls.
Helen Guinness delivered a summary of the progress and what she herself has delivered.
Lee Baker spoke about her impact pledge to support women via coaching on mangrove plantation
Emily Jacob spoke about her wish to grow her support for women with trauma
Keynote: Ella Orr – Much More Social: Navigating the Digital Landscape
Ella Orr from Much More Social delivered an inspiring keynote speech on the importance of stepping forward to be seen and heard as yourself. With personal examples, she shared how she went from being a schoolteacher to a marketing consultant and started showing up for her own brand.
Keynote: Abi Mellor – From Inspiration to Impact: Finding Your Voice and Telling Your Story
Abi Mellor of MOREVER and the host of the Leading Lights Podcast, presented a slick keynote on how she has learned that the stories we dare to share have the power to inspire others, connect with others, shift perspectives and create lasting change, and how the future belongs to women who are ready to be seen, heard and celebrated.
Networking and Community
Beyond the formal sessions, the summit provided valuable opportunities for connections and collaborations. Attendees were encouraged to get chatting, find crosspoints, share ideas and goals and see what connections could be made.
A large board provided an opportunity for sharing needs and offers to connect with each other. There was also a speed networking session where everyone got to speak not just to each other, but to the nine experts in the room.
MASTER SESSIONS
The Summit offered two separate Master Sessions, with expert facilitators on different subjects. From Personal branding to Sustainability.
Jo-Anne Godden of RubyLab shared her insights on Sustainability and community impact
Rose Bundock of FemSights held a session on creating personal yet effective marketing campaigns
Mary Connolly of UN Women UK and the Cherie Blair Foundation talked about philanthropy and leaving a legacy
Nina Khoo spoke about the Highly Sensitive Trait and women in leadership roles
Carin Eklund of Magic Mittens shared a different approach to working with your own resistance
Ella Orr was supporting the attendees to find ways of showing up as themselves with authenticity and confidence
The Award Ceremony
The annual Vlog Academy award ceremony is in its ninth year and celebrates visibility – the courage to be seen, to share your voice, and to show up authentically in your business and beyond.
These awards aren’t about vanity metrics like video views or follower counts. The nominations honour members of the community who step into the spotlight with purpose and determination, conquering blocks and fears with resilience as they support others – creating a better future for us all by sharing their passion and expertise through social media, live video, training platforms, or other forums.
The in-house Conference Poet
The whole Summit was captured and transformed into a beautiful poem by conference poet Esme Floyd-Hall – a stunning conclusion to a fabulous day!
Looking Ahead
The Future Women Summit 2025 reminded us of the importance of collaboration and deeper personal connections, as well as the importance for women to step forward and speak up – about there vision, their needs and their goals – because when women thrive, everyone thrives.
For more information, visit eyestorm.org.uk