Written by: Libby on August 14, 2025
InnovateHer is all about creating a world where there is no gender gap, starting with the tech industry. By focusing on school-level education, we inspire teens, showing them what they are capable of. We believe gender equity is a collective responsibility and so we made this part of our initiative. With our InnovateHer Ambassador Network we’ve built a community of people who work within STEM and would like to empower the next generation of girls+ to enter the industry. Ambassadors help InnovateHer to deliver in-person and virtual activities to schools, such as Assemblies, Role Model Talks, and bespoke activities such as career fairs and mock interviews – becoming vital change makers to the next generation of talent.
One standout example of ambassadors in action is Eloise Barnes – an InnovateHer Ambassador whose commitment has gone above and beyond. Her story is a brilliant example of how ambassadors can inspire, connect, and make a real difference through consistent engagement and passion. She joined the Ambassador Network in 2024 and has described her time as an ambassador as “a great experience for me personally and professionally. The team is amazing and are always looking to improve the student experience which I love to see as it shows how invested they are in their mission.”
Eloise works for Kimberly-Clark Corporation on the Supply Chain Graduate Scheme, and with them she has had roles including Copack and Contract Manufacturing Planning for UK and Belgium and Capability and Digital Project Coordinator at Kimberly-Clark’s Northfleet Andrex manufacturing facility, as well as Procurement Manager for External Contract Manufacturing (Professional).
Kimberly-Clark is an InnovateHer partner who has worked with us over multiple years and Eloise became an InnovateHer Ambassador through our partnership. Alongside delivering Inspiring Assemblies and Role Model Talks at Kimberly-Clark’s matched partner schools, she has also gone the extra mile to deliver the same at schools without dedicated partners. InnovateHer prioritises supporting less advantaged schools and so a portion of partner funding goes towards schools that are most in need, even without a direct partner, and ambassadors like Eloise help to impact schools that haven’t had the opportunity to be matched.
Eloise has led a variety of sessions, delivering engaging and relatable content that connects directly with students. She’s brought her real-life experiences from working at Kimberly-Clark into the classroom, making the world of supply chain and manufacturing more accessible and inspiring to girls+ whether they are considering STEM careers or not. From delivering talks on her career journey to running interactive Q&A sessions that encourage curiosity and confidence, Eloise makes her sessions personal, impactful, and memorable.
You can read about how impactful the activity that Eloise has delivered as an Ambassador has been for her here- ”I was once that girl that didn’t know what she wanted to do and if certain careers were open to her so I know how important these talks are to give you that confidence to forge your own path. During my role model talks and assemblies, it’s great to see students take an interest in my journey as well as hopefully inspiring them to think about their own. I find it very rewarding as an ambassador to know they might think differently, be inspired or think more doors are open to them after my talk. Even if they don’t go into these industries, I’d rather that be their choice and not because they don’t think they can.”
Working with both partner and non-partner schools, Eloise has actively supported InnovateHer’s mission to reach underrepresented communities, always championing inclusion and encouraging young people to believe they belong in the tech space.
In June alone, she reached 277 students – a remarkable achievement. Including these sessions, Eloise will have impacted an incredible 1,164 students through her ambassador work so far.
Her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. Northfleet School for Girls rated her assembly 5 out of 5, praising it as “a great success” with “the perfect balance,” and noting that “the students were interested and engaged throughout.” Students from Ulverston Victoria High School described her Role Model Talk as “very informative.” Her work and commitment has made a huge difference to students.
Eloise’s dedication as an InnovateHer Ambassador not only strengthens InnovateHer’s mission but also creates real, measurable impact within schools. By sharing her authentic story and breaking down complex roles into relatable experiences, she helps young people visualise themselves in roles they may never have considered. Her sessions have boosted student engagement and sparked meaningful conversations around tech careers and gender equity.
Eloise believes that “it is so important to break down those barriers. I remember being so nervous before my first manufacturing role going into a male-dominated industry but honestly, it was one of the best opportunities I’ve had so it would break my heart if other girls turned away from those experiences because of a stigma that shouldn’t be there in the first place. This makes me even more motivated to reach those students and help give them more confidence that they can do anything with their lives and careers.”
This consistent and relatable representation is vital in building confidence and ambition in girls+ at a formative stage in their lives. Eloise’s efforts are a reminder that change doesn’t always happen through large-scale events – sometimes, it’s a single talk, a shared story, or a kind word of encouragement that lights the spark.
If you work in the tech industry and have a passion for diversity, we would love to have you join our ambassador network, where you will get exclusive access to our private community of STEM professionals. All ambassador opportunities are posted within this community, and each member will receive full support and guidance from the InnovateHer team should they take on an opportunity to inspire the next generation.
Sign-up is free, and there is no obligation to partake in any activities. To learn more or get involved, as an InnovateHer Ambassador, visit the ambassador page and to our LinkedIn Ambassador network.
From us and the team, a huge thank you for all you’re doing, Eloise <3
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