Thousands of nominations have been submitted globally to date for The Häagen-Dazs Rose Project to recognise #WomenWhoDontHoldBack and celebrate their commendable achievements and societal contributions.
From a shortlist of 50 inspirational and talented women from 17 different countries, our inspirational all-female global judging panel has selected five winners for the Class of 2024, who will be awarded an equal share of our $100,000 USD bursary to continue their trailblazing endeavours.
Meet The Class of 2024
Philomena Nwajagu
Nigeria
Founder of the Shoe My Feet initiative, Philomena is dedicated to empowering underserved children in Nigeria through shoe distribution and shoemaking workshops. With a focus on education, self-sufficiency, and entrepreneurship, the project has impacted over 2,000 families to date. Philomena aims to expand the initiative, providing even more children with shoes, training young entrepreneurs, and promoting economic empowerment, helping to break the cycle of poverty and build brighter futures.
Faith Ida
UK
Faith is the co-founder of MigrAide, an AI-driven platform designed to simplify the U.S. visa application process for high-skilled immigrants. Inspired by her own experiences as an immigrant, she is committed to empowering individuals and reducing the barriers to success. She also founded TTPNetwork, which supports underrepresented groups in tech. With a passion for breaking barriers, Faith is dedicated to fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment for immigrants and aspiring tech professionals.
Lorna Phillip
UK
Lorna is a UK-based doula and founder of Black Mamas Birth Village, an organisation dedicated to providing support, education, and a safe community for Black and mixed-heritage mothers. With over 13 years of experience in maternal care, Lorna addresses the disparities in Black maternal health, offering a space for culturally sensitive guidance. Her work has impacted nearly 400 families, fostering a sisterhood that empowers Black mothers through pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.
Dr. Nirja Joshi
UK
Nirja is a doctor in the NHS and co-founder of The WorkWell Doctors, dedicated to improving workplace wellbeing, especially in healthcare. Nirja has spearheaded hundreds of sessions to transform workplace culture in healthcare settings and beyond by increasing awareness of mental health and burnout, while enhancing physical health and overall employee satisfaction. Nirja combines this with her passion for dance and work as a doctor to foster connection, resilience, and well-being in diverse communities.
Judit Giró Benet
Spain
Judit is the CEO of a medtech startup pioneering The Blue Box, an AI-powered, non-invasive device for early breast cancer detection through urine samples. Inspired by her mother’s battle with breast cancer, she aims to provide a more sensitive, accessible screening tool. The Blue Box addresses mammography's limitations, which misses 1 in 3 cancers, and has already shown 88% sensitivity in pilot tests with Spanish hospitals. With international medical support and plans to expand access, Judit is committed to making breast cancer screening affordable and widely available.
