The Student Sessions

Today Tonia is talking to Jeannine McMillan.   

Jeanine holds a Bachelors of Arts in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University. In her career she has worked in the communications, industrial, software, and aerospace industries. 

Currently, Jeannine is the Small Business Liaison Officer (SBLO) at Rolls-Royce North America, where she ensures that the company utilises small businesses to diversify their supplier base. Additionally, Jeannine is actively involved in recruiting future commercial talent into Rolls-Royce.

As a passionate advocate for inclusion, and the Advisory Board Lead for the Rolls-Royce Black Employee Network, Jeannine is a prominent voice on racial justice and inclusion. Jeannine talks to Tonia about her experience during the events of 2020 and Rolls-Royce’s response. You can read their open letter and commitment to employees from Summer 2020 here.

Today Tonia is chatting with the inspirational Roberta Johnstone.

Roberta  was an alcoholic, addict, anorexic, and bulimic. Self-harm and self-deprecation became a place of comfortability in a world she felt she wasn't a part of. During her "rock bottom" she was given the opportunity to go to rehab where the journey towards learning to love herself began. Now, in a time of her life where she feels utterly content, Roberta reflects on how her past has shaped her into the successful and grateful young woman she is today. 

In this episode Roberta is very frank about what she went through and this may be a trigger for some. The frank conversation also contains swearing. 

In today’s episode, Tonia is joined by the inspirational Patrick Hutchinson.  Patrick is Co founder of UTCAI, Personal Trainer, Athletics Coach & Author’ 

Coventry born, London bred Patrick has been motivating people through personal training and martial arts and uplifting his community long before he became a national hero. 

Patrick is a loyal friend, uncle and grandfather. He is as resilient, protective and furiously passionate about his own future as he is about the future of those around him.  

And because of that, on Saturday, June 13th 2020 Patrick made a move that would change the course of history. Patrick says “Some of the protesters were trying to protect him, while others trying to harm him”. 

"As I was carrying him, he was still receiving blows. It didn’t cross my mind that he might be a counter-protester or hold prejudices, my instinct was just to get him out of there."  His iconic picture was broadcast across the world.

Tonia Galati is talking to the inspirational Shanique Clarke.

Shanique is a First Class Business and Sociology Graduate from Aston University and current MSc Management Student at Manchester Metropolitan University. Here she talks to Tonia about over coming feelings of being isolated and imposter syndrome. 

Today Tonia is talking to Felix Wong

Felix  from Allianz talks about some of the challenges and barriers he has overcome over the years, as well as his career within Allianz and the diversity of opportunity within the organisation for all.

Today your host  Tonia Galatia is chatting with the inspirational Faustina Edward

Faustina is from Saint Lucia and moved to the UK in 2017 to pursue a law degree. 

 Before that, she revamped and managed an after-school programme in her community. In 2018, she was named a Highly Commended Runner Up Queen's Young Leader, alongside outstanding young leaders across the Commonwealth for her work in education-focused youth development. 

 Alongside her professional aspirations, Faustina remains committed to assisting students with their academic journeys.  

 Positivity and motivation are at the core of The Unicorn Project, Faustina’s motivational blog which also includes snippets of her life as an international student.

In this episode Tonia Galati is talking to the inspirational Amy Roberts

Amy is a Psychology graduate who developed a disability during her studies and has used this to support other students within higher education with disabilities. 

She exceeded expectations, not only finishing her degree, but achieving a First.  

Her career goal is to continue to provide a high level of support and guidance to university students with disabilities, by applying what she has learned in her degree and working life, as well as from her personal experience as a student in order to have a positive impact on students’ lives.

In this episode Tonia is chatting with the inspirational comedian Raul Kohli

As a stand up comedian, Raul has fast become one of the most captivating acts on the circuit.  His Edinburgh Fringe debut show Newcastle Brown Male was one of BBC Radio 4, The Huffington Post & the Skinny’s top picks of the Fringe 2016.  

As well as several radio & TV appearances, Raul is about to release his own 6-part comedy podcast about Hinduism on BBC Sounds’.  In this episode he talks about confidence, adapting and pushing comfort zones.

In this Episode Tonia is talking to the inspirational Naomi Ngondi

Naomi reflects on her journey from South Africa to the U.K. She talks about adjusting to cultural differences, racism, mental health and overcoming personal battles.

 **Please note this episode carries a trigger warning**

Today Tonia is talking to the inspirational Chike Iroegbunam.

 Chike is an accounting and finance postgraduate student with ambitions to enter high finance. This dream has at times felt, due to unforeseen setbacks, fanciful. However, he knows that there is no straight road to success so continues to construct his individual path whilst dealing with Dyspraxia. He treats each day as a personal battle, and tries to keep focused until the war is won.

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