Jo lives with her partner in Johannesburg in South Africa, but she grew up in Cornwall on a farm and experienced a very outdoor type of childhood.
Jo found comprehensive school nurtured her to achieve better things in the future. She enjoyed maths and the sciences, in particular biology and chemistry where her teachers inspired her love of the subjects through their enthusiasm.
Jo went on to study for a BA (Hons) in Natural Science natural science at Cambridge University, something she never thought she would do. But with the encouragement of her teachers she did so!
University offered Jo lots of sporting, social and academic opportunities which brought her out of her shell. She had enjoyed playing rugby at college where she was captain of the team, and her love of the sport went on throughout university.
After graduating, Jo didn’t feel ready to move into the world of work, so she moved to Lancaster to do a masters in the science of the environment, before starting work for Black & Veatch doing Environmental Impact Assessments. She did this for two years before moving to PwC to do environmental assessment work.
With a passion for travel, Jo moved to Cape Town via a secondment with PwC working on the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Africa. From here, she moved to Johannesburg on a short-term project as an independent consultant. This role has spiralled to become seven years and counting and has taken her to the UK and South America.
Jo now lives in Johannesburg working in sustainable finance and social and economic development for Adam Smith International and operating on a programme to seek water infrastructure into the area. She finds working as young, white woman is often difficult and needs political manoeuvres to find her way through the barriers to success!
Follow your heart, take courage, do the things that you really want to do. Miranda Kirschel, Commercial Director, Circular1Health
"Keep your head. Use your strength to keep moving forward." Hannah Paterson, Technical Manager for the Spent Fuel Consolidation Programme at Sellafield Ltd.
"Have a bit more fun" says Saralyn Thomas, Senior Consultant, Abbott Risk Consulting
When you have options, be true to your values. Andy Worrall, Integrated Fuel Cycle Section Head, ORNL
I don't care at all about making a load of money, I care about growing something that's going to be the best it can be. Rob Hurlston, Principal and Chief Engineer, Fidelis Engineering Associates.
Don't change who you are for anyone else. Stay true to yourself. Melissa Evans, PA to the Board, National Nuclear Laboratory
"Follow what you're passionate about" Dave Goddard, Fellow, NNL
The Conversation. Professor Juan Matthews, The University of Manchester and Dr Tim Gregory, NNL
“Where you really start adding value, is where you start talking about what you think!” Gwen Parry-Jones, Chief Executive, Magnox Limited
Award entry sting
"You are not wedded to a particular pathway, retrain and learn something new." Charlotte Williams, Head of Communications, NNL
"Curiosity serves you well!" Dr Tim Gregory, Analytical Nuclear Chemist, NNL
Take a risk once in a while! Robin Taylor, Senior Fellow, National Nuclear Laboratory
Have that inner belief, you can do it. Georgia Pawson, Consultant Analyst, Corporate Risk Associates
“Just try and be slightly better than yesterday or the week before as it’s those small improvements that compound over time!” Arun Khuttan, Engineer, Magnox Ltd
"Enjoy the journey of learning." Maggie Brown, Hinkley Point C, EDF
"There's lots of fun ahead, life is an adventure" Callum Thomas, CEO, Thomas Thor Associates
Failure isn't always a bad thing, it's how you grow from it! Fiona Reilly, Managing Director, FiRe Energy
Being convinced that a course of action is the right one is to question it and question a bit more! Tom Greatrex, CEO, Nuclear Industry Association (NIA)
Don't ever be afraid, try new things! It's the only way you'll get to truly enjoy different experiences! Nichola Newton, Head of Technology & Digital Change, NNL
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