Changing careers: a leap in the dark or the ultimate act of self-confidence?

Women have always had to do things differently. With AI and evolving industries redrawing the world of work, that ability has never mattered more. Join our panel discussion for tips and insights from four women who have made bold career changes – and hear from a respected Financial Times journalist who has documented trends in today’s fast-changing workplace.

What drives a pilot or a dancer to trade the cockpit or the stage for the office? Can anyone dream of making the opposite move? And how much retraining does it really take for an actuarial scientist to start coaching managers, or for a philanthropy expert to climb the banking ladder?

Join the Bayes' Global Women’s Leadership Programme for a stimulating discussion.

The conversation will dig into the challenges and unexpected joys of reinventing your career, and what it truly takes to adapt, reskill and thrive in a world of work that's being reengineered beneath our feet.

Panellists

Laura Caldow is an Associate Director at BOP Consulting specializing in global cultural strategy, infrastructure, and workforce development across the UK, US, and GCC. Drawing on a 20-year career performing internationally with The Royal Ballet, Glyndebourne, and the National Theatre, Laura pivoted into strategy during the pandemic, earning an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School and advising the Mayor of London’s creative taskforce. She sits on the Board of Trustees for Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, mentors with Dancers’ Career Development, and publishes on creative workforce sustainability.

Namita Dixit offers a rich cross-sector perspective combining 8 years in commercial, retail, and asset management banking at HSBC with over a decade in higher education and charity fundraising. Currently in HSBC Corporate Banking supporting non-profit growth, her career includes leadership positions such as Head of Alumni and Development at the University of Wolverhampton, as well as corporate development roles at Bayes Business School, where her journey originally started as a student caller. Namita specializes in strategic growth, partnership building, philanthropy, and relationship management.

Joanna Hjalmas is Managing Director and co-owner of Baggette + Co Wealth Management, leading Strategy and Finance. She began her career as a commercial pilot before transitioning into executive leadership as head of a flight training academy. Joanna holds an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School (sponsored by a Coca-Cola Global Women’s Leadership Scholarship) and was awarded a Presidential Fellowship by the Royal Aeronautical Society in 2020.

Emma Jacobs writes features with a particular focus on work, changes in the workplace and office life for the Financial Times. Previously, at the FT she was the co-author of the satirical column, Work Tribes and edited features, UK news, as well as working on FT.com's companies, markets and world desks.

Pankti Killawala is a leadership coach, facilitator, and trainer helping technical professionals and emerging leaders navigate career transitions and step into leadership roles with confidence. Drawing on 15 years of experience as a Senior Actuary in the UK insurance market, she combines financial sector expertise with psychology, neuroscience, and coaching. Pankti is a Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and holds ICF (ACC) and EMCC certifications.

Meletia Michaelidou (Moderator) is a marketing professional with over eight years of international experience, having built her career across different countries and roles. Her journey has been shaped by continuous learning and change, from moving countries and pursuing her Executive MBA at Bayes to becoming a qualified yoga teacher alongside her professional path. She is currently a Digital Marketing Manager for an automotive brand in the UK.