Awards celebrate success of women of colour in multitude of fields
The Baton Awards 2024 highlighted excellence among women of colour for the seventh time on Thursday – when 17 winners picked up awards for the part they’ve played in a variety of sectors, including charity, sport, media and emergency services.
Hosts for the night were podcast duo To My Sisters. South Londoners Courtney Daniella Boateng and Renee Kapuku presented under this year’s theme of Power In Solidarity.
The awards ceremony, in Cavendish Square, showcased the achievements of women of colour globally, including those in business and the charitable sector, taking place during 16 days of activism against gender-based violence following the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
The Baton Awards raises funds for children’s domestic abuse charity, Strength Within Me Foundation (S.W.I.M), a pioneering intervention to address the domestic abuse of young girls and women.
Founder of The Baton Awards, Dr Diahanne Rhiney, said: “Never has the global community been more polarised. Women from diverse ethnic backgrounds continue to be overlooked. Let’s pass the baton on together.”
The lifetime achievement award went to South Londoner Donna Herdsman, a senior client partner of management consultancy Korn Ferry. She is also Head of DE&I Consulting (EMEA).
She said: “I help clients navigate the landscape and business benefits associated with equality and equity, unleashing the potential of all to be their best self, especially as it relates to increasing diverse representation in the workplace.”
Ms Herdsman has nearly 40 years’ experience in management consultancy, with senior leadership roles at PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM and Hewlett Packard Enterprise on her CV.
Most notably, she presented to an EU forum on diversity in STEM across EMEA. She also worked with the government of South Africa, led by Nelson Mandela, transforming services, and supporting the transfer of skills to enable the development and growth of local talent.
She said: “The greatest gift is being appreciated for who you are, and that’s why I was so moved to receive my award.”
Next year’s awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on December 6, 2025, at a location to be announced in the next few months.
Pictured top: Donna Herdsman – winner of the lifetime achievement awards – and The Baton Awards founder, Dr Diahanne Rhiney (Picture: Savia Rocks)