Our founder Taban receives the Visa Everywhere Pioneer20 award

We’re delighted to let you know that our Founder Taban has been announced as a winner of the inaugural Visa Everywhere Pioneer20 project.

 The honour means she has been selected as one of just 20 trailblazing women in Europe who judges stated “excel in their respective fields” and have “meaningful impact” in their communities.

All 20 winners are currently or have previously identified as a refugee – as Taban did after surviving genocide as a child and fleeing conflict in her homeland.

The first Pioneer20 award programme is run by WeAreTheCity, a free hub for women in business, in partnership with Visa. All of the winners were recognised for facing down stigmas and stereotypes, campaigning, changing lives, challenging narratives and empowering women and girls.

WeAreTheCity Founder Vanessa Vallely OBE says: “WeAreTheCity has been humbled to read the stories of so many incredible women who were nominated for this year’s Pioneer20. These women have shown such resilience, strength, and tenacity. Despite their own harrowing experiences, they have worked tirelessly to ensure that their fellow refugees and asylum seekers have the support they need to rebuild their lives.

“I am honoured that we have had the opportunity alongside Visa to shine a spotlight on their incredible work. Congratulations – you are an inspiration to us all.”

You can read about all of the Pioneer20 winners here…

The award comes just months after Taban was also named as one of the UK’s Top 50 equity trailblazers in the 2023 Trailblazer50 list, also compiled by WeAreTheCity. The list was announced ahead of International Women’s Day in support of its #EmbraceEquity theme, highlighting individuals working to make society a better place for women. Taban was recognised as one of many who go above and beyond to drive conversations around domestic violence against women and girls, period poverty, race, menopause, FGM, child marriage and social mobility.