International Women's Day
- Chartered Civil Engineer and water sector leader
- BBC presenter and science communicator
- Neurodiversity and inclusion advocate in STEM
Ayo Sokale is a Chartered Civil Engineer, BBC presenter, and Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), whose career bridges infrastructure delivery, inclusion advocacy, and science communication.
Ayo developed her engineering career over more than a decade in the water sector and built environment, including nine years at the Environment Agency delivering major flood risk management projects. She now serves as Principal Engineering Manager and sits on several ICE committees and the ICE Council, shaping national infrastructure policy while mentoring the next generation of engineers. Ayo has also served as Reading's Deputy Mayor and founded Plastic Free Caversham, giving her a grounded, evidence-based perspective on what inclusion and sustainability look like in practice.
As a Black autistic woman working across engineering, broadcasting, and public service, Ayo brings lived experience to conversations about neurodiversity, representation, and systemic change. She co-presents the CBeebies science show Get Set Galactic, and her media work includes projects with BBC Reel, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, and Smithsonian Channel.
Ayo hosts and delivers thoughtful, high-energy sessions for leadership teams, STEM organisations, and companies navigating culture change. Blending engineering insight, systems thinking, and personal experience, she speaks on sustainability, neurodiversity, innovation, inclusion, and the realities of building environments where different perspectives are genuinely valued. Audiences leave with practical ways to think more creatively, lead more inclusively, and better support talent within complex organisations.
Book Ayo to inspire your organisation with practical solutions that turn today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities through the power of diverse thinking and sustainable innovation.
Ayo's showreel and videos
Topics, sessions and talks
Driving Meaningful Change In A Climate-Critical World
Ayo Sokale addresses the pressing climate change challenge and its implications for modern professionals. She discusses the sustainability triad, environment, social, and economy, alongside the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Key topics include biodiversity, reducing single-use plastics, and the roles of individuals, businesses, and governments. Ayo highlights environmental injustice through UK and US case studies and critiques current approaches to sustainability. Attendees will learn about the interconnectedness of sustainability, economy, psychology, and technology, equipping them to drive meaningful change.
Women In Tech, Construction, And STEM
Ayo Sokale addresses the crucial issue of equal representation for women in tech, construction, and STEM fields. She emphasises the importance of having women involved in designing the built environment and technology that shape our lives. Ayo challenges existing biases surrounding women's careers and highlights their positive contributions to these industries. By exploring the evolution of gender representation and drawing lessons from nature's diversity, attendees will gain insights into overcoming biases and fostering inclusivity in their professional environments.
Ayo Sokale emphasises the importance of diversity of thought in her talk. As a black autistic woman in STEM, she reflects on how societal pressures often push individuals to conform, which undermines true inclusion. Ayo argues that genuine diversity requires creating spaces where everyone can authentically express themselves and be respected for their unique contributions. Attendees will learn about the barriers to inclusion and strategies to foster an environment that values diverse perspectives.
In this engaging talk, Ayo Sokale addresses the challenges leaders face in navigating political constraints and conflicting stakeholder needs while striving for meaningful change. Drawing from her political career and leadership experiences, she emphasises the importance of self-awareness and understanding the desired impact. Ayo introduces the GROW model for goal-setting and the Kotter 8-step change model to facilitate transformation. Attendees will learn five key lessons for driving positive change, including anti-dehumanisation and radical self-accountability.
Addressing Social Mobility In Modern Britain
Ayo Sokale emphasizes the importance of social mobility in the EDI conversation, particularly in the UK, where class issues are deeply ingrained in culture. She argues that acknowledging and addressing these issues is crucial for societal progress. Social mobility enables individuals to move through social strata, benefiting businesses and the economy. Attendees will learn about the structural barriers affecting social mobility and the necessary actions for policymakers and corporations to create inclusive opportunities for those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
Why we recommend booking Ayo
Ayo's ability to move fluently between technical expertise, public life, and personal authenticity makes her one of the most credible voices available on inclusion, STEM, and leadership today. Her engaging, insightful contributions make her popular with audiences and organisers alike.
Trusted by Environment Agency, Get Coached, BBC
Ayo was fantastic and the session went down really well. Please extend my thanks to her for such a well presented and well-rounded session, not only touching on race but also neurodiversity a topic we have also presented on earlier in the year.
What a wonderful speaker! Very dynamic, informative and entertaining.
The event was hugely successful and Ayo was truly inspirational! Could you please convey our thanks and appreciation to Ayo for a very engaging talk - feedback has been very positive.
