At a reception held at the Guildhall in London held on 17th October 2016, Professor Averil MacDonald OBE, SEPnet's Diversity and Impact Champion, received the�'Starting Out Award' �from the Women's Business Council.

The award recognises Prof MacDonald�for her�work inspiring the next generation to take up careers in STEM including the�People Like Me project sponsored by Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).

Professor MacDonald has a long standing commitment to encouraging women into careers in Science and Engineering. She has been a role model and has pursued innovative ways of reaching out to girls at an early age to overcome the barriers to gaining STEM qualifications and taking up STEM careers.

In 2015 Professor MacDonald was awarded an OBE for her work in promoting Women in Science and Engineering.

See a People Like Me session with girls at the WISE conference in London on 10 November.�Hurry to register before tickets run out: �https://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/conference/wise-conference-2016