IWD - Beyond Your Path - HER+Data MCR Meetup - March 2026

HER+Data MCR is a community working to connect, inspire, support and empower the NW UK’s Women in Data. Our goal is to bring together women and non-binary people who work in data or who would like to work in data - to support one another, share experiences and talk data - big or small! Whether you’re a student just embarking on a career or a seasoned data professional, this group is for you. We want to connect and inspire amazing data women with diverse expertise and passion for data and tech.

In celebration of International Women’s Day (IWD), our March 2026 event theme is: Beyond Your Path.

The event is very generously hosted by Spektrix who are providing the venue, food and drinks. The event will take place at their offices at 196 Deansgate, Manchester M3 3ND (Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LiMwVZS7a6LYDNUY6). Please let us know of any accessibility and dietary requirements/allergies as soon as possible.

Agenda
(All times in GMT)
18:00 - 18:30 Networking with food and drinks
18:30 - 18:40 Welcome and announcements
18:40 Lightning talks and Q&A
20:30 Close

Speakers
1. Grace O'Halloran
Bio: I am the Group Data Engineering Lead at the Co-op, with a passion for data platform infrastructure, networking and security, and a focus on Azure Databricks Lakehouse implementations. I come from a consulting background, and have 9 years experience working in Cloud Data Engineering. I am also a Microsoft Data Platform MVP, Co-lead of Leeds Data Platform and Cloud User Group, and I co-founded DevUp, a social mobility initiative for removing barriers to technology.
Talk: An overview of my career journey to date; how I ended up as the head of a data engineering function and the challenges I faced along the way.
2. Magdalena Rabczewska
Bio: Magdalena is a Senior Power BI Developer at Peel Ports Group. Specialising in data visualisation and making complex information clear and accessible. Working to bridge the gap between technical and business needs, ensuring data is easily understood by a wide range of audiences. She helps organisations move from data to understanding by combining technical expertise with clear communication and user-focused design.
Talk: Mind the Gap: Making Technical Concepts Click with Any Audience
Drawing from her experience working closely with senior leadership as well as technical teams, Magdalena will share practical strategies and discuss anchoring complex ideas in ways that make them accessible and relevant.

Whether you're speaking to C-suite executives or technical SMEs, this talk will help you bridge the gap and make sure your technical concepts truly click.
3. Minzhi Zhang, PhD
Bio: Minzhi is a Product, CX, and Growth Strategist with over 10 years of experience using user insight and funnel data to drive product innovation and market growth. She previously built and led a Research and Insights function in SaaS, and has also worked with clients across e-commerce, FMCG, and luxury. Currently on maternity leave, Minzhi is preparing her next move, helping global clients unlock growth through product strategy, market expansion, and customer experience optimisation.

Talk brief: We talk about data, metrics, user-centred design, and iteration every day in tech. But what happens when those principles are tested in your own life? In this talk, I’ll share how product thinking helped me navigate personal and professional turbulence, and how motherhood reshaped my perspective on inclusive design, empathy in AI systems, and embracing a nonlinear career path.

By registering for this event, you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct.
Follow us on LinkedIn for updates!

Our Meetup page is very generously sponsored by Kraken!