Ayo Sokale has turned her passion into an impressive career and platform to instigate change as a distinguished civil engineer. From navigating a male-dominated profession to bringing representation and diversity to politics, Ayo’s career has seen her make a long-lasting impact across multiple industries. Currently, Ayo is the Founder & CEO of Tessellated Future Technology Ltd, having forged a reputation as a high-profile expert on sustainability, the environment and technology. In addition, Ayo is now sought after as a speaker and presenter, hired to discuss her extensive and influential professional experience, alongside her personal challenges with race and gender bias. Ayo is a truly exceptional speaker, whose nomination for The Telegraph’s Top 50 Women in Engineering Under 35 underscores her impressive list of credentials as a talented civil engineer, sustainability and diversity advocate.
With a Master’s Degree in Civil and Coastal Engineering, training from the Institute of Civil Engineering and CITB Site Management Safety Training, Ayo has become an authority on sustainable and safe engineering design. During her training Ayo was selected as one of Professor Lord Robert Mair’s Future Leaders and was an ICE Eco Warrior, further proving to be a standout in her field. Utilising her prowess as a civil engineer, Ayo has formerly worked as a BIM Lead and is now a Project Team Manager for the Environment Agency, along with commitments to being a Supervising Civil Engineer for the Institution of Civil Engineers. Equally passionate about actioning progressive change, Ayo has been a Labour Councillor and the Deputy Mayor of Reading Borough Council. In such roles, Ayo contributed to discussions surrounding planning applications, social care and education, all areas in which she feels compelled to support.
With countless distinguished titles to her name, Ayo has been highly commended for her career commitments. Most recently, in 2023, she was honoured as a finalist of the Women's Engineering Society's Top 50 Women in Engineering selection, a testament to her influence as a pioneering woman in STEM. In addition, Ayo has also shared her time as the Director and Producer of STEM Content for Metis Communication Ltd, further emphasising Ayo's commitment to increasing understanding of the importance of STEM fields. Aside from her commitments to environmental action and sustainability, Ayo is also a passionate advocate for a variety of topical subjects, from diversity and inclusion to gender equality, racial discrimination and neurodiversity. Sharing her personal experiences of Autism and neurodiversity, Ayo educates her audiences on what it means to navigate life with neurological differences and how they can better support people who have to navigate such differences.
A charismatic, knowledgeable and engaging speaker, Ayo Sokale is hired to discuss all manner of important topics, from environmental activism and racial diversity to women in STEM and neurodiversity. As a talented executive coach, Ayo helps successful professionals to better themselves, helping them to align their values and goals whilst maintaining wellbeing. Inspiring people to utilise their unique strengths to achieve personal goals, Ayo is also highly popular as a speaker to raise awareness of neurodiversity, creating safe and open spaces for neurodiverse professionals to thrive. If you are looking for a speaker who can share their perspective on a broad variety of topics, from environmental protection and flooding to neurodiversity, gender equality and racial inclusion, don't hesitate to hire Ayo Sokale for your next corporate conference or event.
Recently, Ayo Sokale's commitment to advocacy for equity, diversity and inclusion was honoured with recognition as one of the Top 17 Speakers for National Inclusion Week Events.
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Reviews
Ayo Sokale received a 4 star rating across 15 events in 2023
Agent Recommendation
"Ayo Sokale is an outstanding sustainability keynote speaker, blending her award-winning civil engineering expertise with impactful activism in diversity and politics. With accolades like The Telegraph's Top 50 Women in Engineering Under 35, and her role as a trailblazing ICE Eco Warrior, Ayo brings invaluable insights to every speaking engagement. Her experiences of overcoming gender and racial bias, along with her proactive political involvement, make her talks not only informative but also inspiring. Ayo's dynamic presence and authoritative knowledge on sustainable engineering are sure to enlighten and motivate any audience - Champions Speakers throughly enjoy working with Ayo."
How to hire Ayo Sokale
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Ayo Sokale for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
** We do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, birthday messages or any other non-commercial contact with the speakers or acts. Each speaker on the website may not have necessarily worked with Champions in the past but are known to perform such engagements within the industry.
Ayo Sokale's official speaking topics are listed below:
- Sustainability - The sustainability triad, the environment, society and the economy & the UNSDG's Goal role in outlining the breadth of the challenge.
- Women In Tech/Construction and STEM - Today, the fight has drifted to the fight for equal representation of women in tech, construction, and wider STEM. Ayo talks about the value of this. Values such as women in the room where the built environment and the technology that impact all our lives are designed and implemented
- Diversity - What does diversity truly mean? & how to value the difference
- Neurodiversity - What is neurodiversity?
- Social Commentary - So, you are different and a little disruptive? & how to think?
- Coaching - Mapping your career & the power of telling a better story
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"I want to express my thanks for your support in arranging Ayo to speak for us yesterday. 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" - Ruthline, Director of Scientific Services, Chameleon
“The most inspirational Civil Engineer I’ve met and I’m sure the pupils felt the same!” - Piggotts School
"Thank you so much for coming to our certificate presentation evening. It was an absolute pleasure to meet you and your words to our departing students hit exactly the right note in terms of inspiration and motivation." - Langtree School
"Thank you so much for coming in to speak to my year group. I have had so much positive feedback from students and teachers alike. You are so inspiring and a fantastic role model." - Highdown School
"Ayo was an excellent speaker for DVERSTY's Intentional Engineering series, we were humbled to have her. She represented her experiences as a Chartered Civil Engineer and Councillor extremely well. Delivering her presentation so eloquently, Ayo gave our guests an insight into the DNA of Civil Engineering. We'd like to thank Ayo for encouraging everybody to use their 'voice' to challenge injustices seen in their environment" - Joanna, Co-Founder & Development Director, DVERSTY
"Very interesting- such a positive force of nature... people often say that change happens because people 'stand on the shoulders of giants'. Today, I think we've all just met a giant!" - NHS Network Members
"Ayo, I just wanted to say thank you very much for the talk today. Your energy and passion was incredible and you brought some very valuable insights and practical tips, for which we are very grateful. I truly don’t know where you find the time to do it all, but the talk and what you are achieving was a real inspiration both for me personally and I know for the 120+ people listening in" - Paul, CEO, XPS
"It was a fantastic session, Ayo is so passionate and inspirational, creating some thought-provoking conversations and actions for our colleagues." - UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Feedback from Virtual Events:
"Thank you so much for your support in getting our speaker session booked and organised. 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 presented earlier this year." - Monty, Clear Bank
"You were TREMENDOUS! We have had so many people saying how inspired they were by you and what you said. Also how much they appreciated you sharing your personal experience and wisdom. The feedback has been overwhelming and all positive. We had 350 people on the call at different points, which is a great turnout for Arup. Thank you very, very much for taking the time to participate in the panel discussion. I am thrilled to have met you virtually. You made a hugely important and valuable contribution to making the event a success. We really appreciate it. Thanks on behalf of everyone at Arup who attended" - Andrea, Director Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, Arup
"They were amazing. It was a really uplifting and motivational session and we were so happy they were able to join us. Please pass on our thanks to them both- hopefully they enjoyed it as much as we all did. Thank you for all your help in organising" - Alex, Arup
"Please can you pass on my thanks to Ayo. She led a fantastic session and had 100 people super engaged the entire time. Excellent content, excellent presentation and facilitation too" - Oju, People Operations Manager, Beacon
"Ayo's presentation was definitely another success. Our audience totally loved her. Very inspiring and memorable. Thank you so much for such notable speakers" - Tolu, Facilities Manager Lead, NHS
"Please forward my thank you to Ayo, on behalf of the Catalent Swindon and CWN team. She did an incredible job this morning (even in the face of Zoom sound difficulties) and we’ve all left the call with her positive energy ready to #choosetochallenge!" - Halene, Technical Proposal Lead, Catalent Pharma Solutions
"Ayo did an incredible job this morning and we've all left the call with her positive energy ready to #choosethechallenge!" - Catalent & the City Women Network
"It was great – really engaging and I’m sure I can speak for our colleagues when I say we learnt a lot! Thanks for your help in arranging the talk today." - Emily, Welsh Water
"I just wanted to say thank you so much for speaking to our learners today – it was a very inspiring and interesting talk!" - Chanida, The Manufacturing Technology Centre Ltd
"Ayo’s session was very well received and we had some really positive feedback from the session." - John, Raytheon
- 2023 - Finalist of the Top 50 Women in Engineering: Safety & Security from the Women's Engineering Society
- 2023 - Producer of STEM Content for Metis Communication Ltd
- 2023 - Founder & CEO of Tessellated Future Technology Ltd
- 2022 - Project Team Manager for the Environment Agency
- 2021 - Member of the Association for Project Management
- 2021 - Director & Executive Coach for Metis Communication Ltd
- 2021 - Project Manager for the Environment Agency
- 2021 - ICE Communication Committee Member & Supervising Delegated Civil Engineer for the Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2021 - Deputy Mayor of Reading Borough Council
- 2020 - Television Presenter for the BBC
- 2019 - Chartered Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2019 - Councillor Labour & Cooperative for Reading Borough Council
- 2019 - Project Manager & BIM Lead for the Environment Agency
- 2019 - Full Committee Member of the ICE Thames Valley Branch & ICE Policy & External Affairs Committee Member for the Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2019 - Co-Founder of Plastic Free Caversham
- 2018 - Seconded Graduate Civil Engineer for Jacobs
- 2018 - Professional Tutor for KIP Mcgrath
- 2017 - Named on The Independent’s Top 50 Women in Engineering Under 35
- 2017 - Nominated for the Top 50 Women in Engineering from the Women's Engineering Society
- 2017 - Selected as One of Professor Lord Robert Mair’s Future Leaders
- 2017 - Site Supervisor for West Berkshire Council
- 2016 - Graduate Civil Engineer for the Environment Agency
- 2016 - Student Ambassador of City Internships
- 2015 - Logistics Officer & Mentor of NCS
- 2015 - PALS Tutor & President of the Civil Engineering Society at Plymouth University
- 2014 - International Relations Secretary, Health & Safety Advisor at Plymouth University
- 2014 - Regional Director of the Miss Earth Organisation
- 2014 - Course Supervisor of Marine Technology for The Smallpeice Trust
- 2013 - Winner of the Miss Plymouth Galaxy & Miss Sussex titles
- 2012 - Student Engineer for Denne, Leadbitter Group
- Eco Warrior for the Institute of Civil Engineering
