Akeela Ahmed MBE is a business leader, social entrepreneur and equalities campaigner for 20 years. In 2014 she founded ‘She Speaks We Hear’ which gives unfiltered women’s voices a platform. Akeela advises and works with government in tackling anti-Muslim hatred, sitting on the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group as Chair of the Independent Members. She is a Trustee for the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and a Trustee for the Refugee Employment Network. In January 2021, Akeela became a Governing Body Lay Member and Equalities Champion at NHS Brighton & Hove CCG. Akeela was a co-organiser of the Women’s March on London and in January 2017 spoke to over one hundred thousand people at the Women’s March on London. For her work with WML she was listed as one of Stylist’s Women of the Year 2017. Her portrait was part of the National Trust’s We Are Bess exhibition at Hardwick Hall, which showcased modern and historic female leaders.