The Women's Staff Network (WSN)

I am a new member of staff within the Business Engagement Team in External Engagement.  Starting at the University at the beginning of lockdown has been challenging, particularly missing out on the social and networking elements of starting a new role but the support I’ve received from colleagues as well as the openness and welcoming nature of everyone I’ve encountered has made this the easiest transition into a new organisation I’ve experienced in my career.  It is in large part, due to this that I am running for one of the two vice-chair roles for the Women’s Network.  I want to be able to provide that same welcoming support for all colleagues within the university as well as give back to the community who have made me feel so at home.

In my last role at another institution, I helped to establish the informal Women’s Network as a result of undertaking the Aurora programme with Advance HE. The learnings from this programme, hearing the lived experiences direct from the other delegates and speakers, and the connections we all made not just to each other but to delegates within other institutions really benefited my own development as well as benefited the University.  My focus in developing this network which I will seek to carry forwards if accepted as Vice Chair will be in making sure that all female voices have representation within the university and that the representations made on behalf of female colleagues reflect our individualism and experiences not just stereotypes. 

I am keen to help build a supportive network for women here at the University which shares the lived experiences for all women across the University and can advocate for gender equality and help to raise the voices of women across the institution. On a selfish note, being part of this network will give me the opportunity to get to know more people from all areas of the University.   

As the Chair of the Women Staff Network (WSN), my commitment is to foster empowering environment where women can truly thrive in their professional journeys. My vision is to cultivate a vibrant community that not only supports our members but also amplifies their voices within the university.

I am particularly passionate about expanding mentorship and networking opportunities that will foster valuable connections among our members.

I believe that together we can strengthen the WSN's impact on university policy discussions, ensuring that women's perspectives are represented and valued. I encourage all members to actively participate as their involvement is crucial to the network's success and to shaping a future where women can excel in their careers.

Laura is a highly qualified professional with an Executive MBA and a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership. With over two decades of experience in Strategy, Management Consulting, Project Management, and IT Systems. Laura's skill set includes strategic analysis, business process design, and risk management. As a Non-Executive Director (NED), she has experience overseeing governance and performance of various C.I.C.

Throughout her career, Laura has efficiently managed and delivered numerous international projects in both the public and private sectors. In 1998, she undertook projects for the Mexican government during the dot-com bubble. After relocating to the UK in 2004, Laura joined the University of the West of England, Bristol.

In 2021, Laura relocated to Wolverhampton and founded Verko Consulting a Recruitment agency that focuses on social responsibility and organisational prosperity through diversity, equality, and inclusion principles. In 2023, Laura joined the University of Wolverhampton Business School. She firmly believes in these principles not only driving success but also creating a more equitable world.

Lynnesia Brooks, originally from Anguilla, a British Overseas Territory brings lived experience, academic insight, and cultural awareness to her role as Vice Chair of the Women’s Staff Network. Since moving to the UK in 2016, she has navigated challenges around identity, integration, and inequality, experiences that continue to shape her advocacy for inclusive and supportive environments for all women.

Lynnesia holds a BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Law from the University of Wolverhampton (2022), where she was awarded the Social Policy Prize for Best Overall Achievement, and an MA in Applied Science (2023). Her undergraduate research examined women’s dual responsibilities, social expectations, exclusion from specific employment sectors, and political assumptions about unpaid care. Her master’s research explored citizenship, political inclusion, and the use of language in reinforcing structural barriers particularly for ethnic minorities.

Lynnesia’s professional background includes over 10 years of legal experience as a paralegal in Anguilla. In the UK, she has worked across Local Authority, Healthcare, Education, and Community sectors, including roles at Citizens Advice and the Disability Resource Centre Birmingham. She has delivered projects focused on tackling fuel poverty and increasing access to essential services. Since 2022, she has worked as an Academic Coach in the Faculty of Education, Health and Wellbeing, supporting students with personalised academic and wellbeing strategies.

Lynnesia is dedicated to creating meaningful dialogue and inclusive culture-building. She is particularly passionate about encouraging staff from diverse backgrounds to engage with the network, believing diverse voices and lived experience is key to driving systemic change.

• My Career Journey series - a Network intranet page is currently under construction for exclusive access to MCJ resources
• WSN helps to host and facilitate the Menopause Café - held monthly on Tuesdays and Thursdays on an alternating basis, to try and accommodate colleagues who may work part time. Join the Café join for a chat or a rant, to share stories, experiences, tips and a laugh or two!
• The University is committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive campus. Incidents can be reported - anonymously if preferred - using an online form.

For more information about the University's work on Gender Equality please read our Athena SWAN Action Plan.