Champion of the Year 2024
Donna Hay Award for Impact 2024: Recognising the impact of outstanding advocates
Champion of the Year Award 2024
Leah is the embodiment of an Apps for Good Champion! She has been supporting Apps for Good for many years, working for long term partner BNY as FX Product and Program Manager.
Leah goes above and beyond to spread the word about our work, and talks about her own experiences with Apps for Good students with such passion and enthusiasm. This year alone, Leah has mobilized a community of over 130 skilled BNY volunteers, who in turn donated hundreds of hours of their valuable time to students all over the UK.
Leah's passion and commitment is infectious. She is always the first to come up with a new idea, and continues think of interesting ways to engage our students - acting as a true role model for young people and her team.
Q&A with Leah Rowland
How did you get involved with Apps for Good, and how have you worked with us and our students?
Via our Women in Engineering Employee & Business Resource Group. I've led on all the volunteering initiatives and identified new ways to support Apps for Good. I've engaged with students at CCADIS this year and last year, in the annual Showcase and in onsite workshops.
Are there any particular highlights from working with Apps for Good?
Paying it forward and working with incredible people to support inspiring young people to build a better future through tech innovation. Being able to see the ideas come to life at CCADIS.
Can you tell us about your involvement with Showcase and what were the highlights?
I've led the volunteer initiative at BNY Mellon for 4 years. In 2024 I enlisted 135 volunteers who completed 2681 reviews! Seeing all the wonderful ideas and the way these young people have inspired me. Attending CCADIS and having the opportunity to be on the panel again.
From your perspective, how does industry engagement benefit young people?
Young people are our future so we need to start at grass roots. By empowering, supporting and advocating for them, it benefits the industry as they will achieve the results and be determined to make a difference, especially in entry level programs and apprenticeships.
What did you gain from the experience of volunteering with Apps for Good? How did it make you feel?
Inspired and hopeful. The young people are the future, if they are thinking about and addressing real life issues at such a young age there is hope. I am totally in awe too - if only I had an ounce of the confidence and awareness they have when I was their age. They should all be extremely proud of themselves.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about volunteering to support Apps for Good students?
Stop thinking and just do it. To have the opportunity of supporting young people achieve their dreams cannot be put into words, and to top it off you feel refreshed and inspired and know you are making a difference.
What top advice would you give your younger self?
Listen to others but make up your own mind. Validate all that is said to you and don't let anyone tell you or make you feel you can't do something, or you're not good enough.
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