Adam McCann (he/him)
Adam has 10+ years of experience working in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and is currently a Senior DEI Business Partner at Amazon. He has been volunteering with Diversity Role Models since 2013 and was the CEO between 2018-22, overseeing the charity through the pandemic and developing its digital delivery model. In 2021, Adam was recognised in the Pride Power List for his work towards creating true LGBT+ equality and inclusion. In his free time, he enjoys cycling, scuba diving and country walks with his husband Rupert and their two dogs.
Amanda Whiteside, Chair (she/her)
Amanda leads a global team in Amazon Web Services across EMEA, The Americas, and Emerging markets, focused on enhancing the Cloud services customer experience. With 15+ years' of experience driving growth for Fortune 500 companies through agile principles, she excels in organisational effectiveness and operational efficiency. Beyond her role, Amanda contributes to global CX committees, shaping the future of Customer experience. She was a 'CX finalist of the year' in 2021. In her free time, Amanda enjoys PADI advanced open water diving, hiking, and pottery.
Christopher Drennen (he/him)
Christopher has over 20 years of experience working in international investment banking as an advisor to governments, public sector institutions and financial companies. He has lived in many countries across Europe and the Americas. He supports a broad array of community-building and social development programmes. When joining Diversity Role Models, Christopher cited the importance of DRM and its work proactively promoting diversity and acceptance as children are in the process of forming their own conscious and unconscious biases.
Christopher Tune, Treasurer (he/him)
Christopher specialises in accounting disputes in international arbitration and commercial litigation. With over 20 years of experience, he offers expert witness services and accounting advisory for resolving commercial disputes. Christopher is a Fellow of the ICAEW and has conducted financial investigations, including bribery, corruption, money laundering, compliance, and fraud cases. Additionally, he played a key role in establishing and chairing the LGBT+ network of a Big 4 accounting firm and has raised funds for various charities by running the London Marathon nine times.
Costas Kyriacou, Secretary (he/him)
Costas leads strategy at Ambition Institute, an education charity that provides professional development to schools and educators to tackle educational inequality. Costas began his career as a maths teacher at a secondary school in London. As a management consultant after teaching, he delivered a wide range of strategy and operational projects for public sector organisations, including central government departments and local authorities. He later led strategy development at Teach First, a charity focused on building a fair education for all by providing lasting solutions to schools serving disadvantaged communities. Costas has previously volunteered as a role model with Diversity Role Models and is excited to support the organisation to fulfil its mission.
Daniela Grasso (she/her)
Daniela, the current Principal at Ark Priory Primary Academy in West London, brings years of experience in education leadership with a focus on safeguarding, inclusion, and excellence. As an Ark Network 'Safeguarding Champion,' she supports schools nationwide in best practices and LGBT+ pupil support. Daniela is committed to providing all children, regardless of their background, a high-quality education and abundant life choices. Her dedication to creating a nurturing educational environment reflects her belief in empowering students to become well-rounded and conscientious world citizens that offer a positive contribution to society.
Hans Svennevig (he/him)
With a background in Citizenship education since 2003, Hans has held diverse roles including teaching and departmental leadership. Leading Citizenship secondary teacher education at IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education and Society, he's committed to promoting diversity and valuing difference. Engaged in charitable activities and a member of Diversity Role Models' Education Steering Group since 2018, Hans champions diversity and inclusion as the basis of a healthy democracy. An avid explorer, he enjoys walking, travel, and culinary adventures.
Heidi Mallace, Vice Chair (she/her)
With 20+ years in communication and reputation management, Heidi advises top executives, including C-suite leaders, on effective communication strategies. Starting her career at Brunswick, she became a Board Director at strategic communications firm Project Associates, and leadership communications and creative agency CTN Group. She also led special projects at online reputation management pioneers reputation.com. Heidi Co-Founded Curayio, a consulting, coaching, and training business which advises individuals and teams on their in-person, on-camera, and online leadership, reputation and communications.
Steve Sutton (he/him)
As a Business Process Management Consultant Lead at BP for 9 years, Steve drives process excellence, standardisation, and digitalisation across divisions like Production, Trading, Finance, and more. As Co-Chair of BP Pride UK, his leadership led them to notable recognitions, including being shortlisted for the British Diversity Awards and the British LGBT Awards in 2022, as well as being listed as one of Stonewall's top 100 employers. A gymnastics coach and National Recreational Gymnastics Tutor, Steve resides in West Sussex with his husband, both proudly parenting five children.
Tamoor Ali (he/him)
Tamoor brings 17 years of business development experience in the energy industry and is actively involved in making it an inclusive environment for everyone. Tamoor was featured as Stonewall Role Model of the year in 2015 and ranked in the financial times Top LGBT list in 2017.
Tamoor has been part of the Diversity Role Models family for many years, initially becoming a trained Role Model sharing his lived experience in classrooms, graduating to become Treasurer and then Chair of the Board. He is also active in the BP Pride network since its inception, launching the Allies program, is currently part of reciprocal mentoring program for senior leaders.
Directors Emeriti
Antonia Belcher (she/her)
Antonia is a founding Partner of MHBC, with over 40 years' of experience in construction and property. Transitioning in 2000 in a male-dominated industry, she became a pioneer for LGBTQ+ representation. Antonia actively advocates for positive change for Women/LGBT in Surveying, and taking pro bono appointments. Honoured as one of OUTstanding/Financial Times Top 100 LGBT Business Executives for five consecutive years (2014-2018) and recognized in 2016's City A.M. Power 100 Women List for her commitment to a fair and inclusive workplace. In 2022, Antonia was awarded an OBE by the late Queen for Services to Equality in Business, in Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours list.
Scott Sullivan (he/him)
Scott is an experienced strategic HR professional with varied experience throughout the employee cycle. Scott has been key in helping businesses, most recently in the legal sector, achieve their results through managing and developing talent. Scott is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD Level and also sits as a Justice of the Peace in East London. Scott is also a fan of foods which come with gravy, music which has clapping in it and winning at Monopoly.