Chimmy Ngoma Class of 2012

Chimmy was always destined for success! She received the Margaret Adams Award for Outstanding GCSE Results and became Head Girl of Croydon High School in 2011. Her team won the Best Marketing Campaign at the GDST Young Leaders’ Convention 2011. She left Croydon High and went on to gain a Master of Science in Natural Sciences at Lancaster University.

Chimmy started at Calastone in 2018 as an Analyst and is now their Sales Enablement Associate, ensuring their sales team has the information, tools, and content they need to close deals more efficiently. Calastone is the largest global funds network, connecting the world’s leading financial organisations. FinTech is the future of finance, and working at Calastone allows Chimmy to be at the forefront of this, providing modern and future-proof technology to major financial institutions across the globe.

Chimmy champions Diversity and Inclusion at Calastone and helped to lead and establish the Corporate Social Responsibility programme from inception. In the past few years, she has set up awareness months, brought necessary conversations to the table, raised donations for relevant charities and organised initiatives to give employees across the organisation a voice to speak or a space to listen and be inspired. Chimmy won a Calastone Value Champion Award in 2023 for her efforts.

Her passion for this area has engaged senior leadership and colleagues throughout the company to support CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiatives and consider these topics at multiple levels. Her ability to discuss these sensitive topics with empathy has allowed people to engage more confidently with different perspectives and cultures, improving their understanding and, thus, compassion.

This work has led to her being invited to speak publicly on these issues and consult privately on other businesses as well as being invited to join the advisory board of Women In Asset Servicing, recently presenting as the keynote speaker and judge at the Find Your Voice 2023 event and as a panellist with Connie Lindsey, CSR Lead at Northern Trust but more notably, the co-chair of the Obama Foundation Inclusion Council. Driving inclusion for everyone in business is a passion for Chimmy, and she is grateful to have the platform to create these conversations.

Chimmy also volunteers as Head of Community and Fund-Raising for the Free Books Campaign, an initiative set up to get books by authors of colour to those that cannot afford them, as featured in Huffpost, The Guardian and BBC.

Last year Chimmy was named in the INvolve Women Future Leaders Role Model List 2022. INvolve is a consultancy and global network, driving diversity and inclusion in business. Through delivering advisory solutions, awareness workshops, and talent development programmes, INvolve drives cultural change and creates inclusive workplaces where all individuals can succeed.

Chimmy was also named part of the Women in Fintech Powerlist 2022, which celebrates some amazing women making an impact across the FinTech and Financial Services space. Chimmy said, “To be recognised for the work I’ve put into our CSR work over the last few years, specifically EDI and Mental Health, at Calastone is really rewarding. It’s been a journey with lots of learning curves, but I’m so proud of everything the CSR team has accomplished so far, and I look forward to seeing what we can do in the future! The Powerlist shines a spotlight on the great work of so many fantastic women, and it was a wonderful surprise to find I had been included in the ‘Technology Professionals’ category.”

FinTech states that these female Technology Professionals are striving to contribute to the heart of the Tech part of FinTech. From designing or implementing complex software packages to making an innovative contribution to their firm’s systems or processes, they take technology to the next level.

Chimmy told us,

“A highlight at Croydon High had to be the Fashion Show – although dancing wasn’t my thing, it was the one opportunity my dramatic flair came in handy as a compere. Being very musical, I did love having so many opportunities to perform and play music at school. I also appreciated the space created as a woman to pursue STEM subjects. Being in an environment where I didn’t have to worry about studying “boys’ subjects” prepared me to undertake a challenging science degree and go on to tutor young people in these subjects. Being at Croydon High also allowed me to form friendships with some pretty sensational women – I’m so proud when I see what people from my year (and other years) are achieving!

“Croydon High really instilled a level of confidence in myself that I can go anywhere and do anything. They helped cultivate a broad view of the world and allowed me to grow as a person. Without Croydon High, I probably wouldn’t be working in tech today – an industry where women are often underrepresented – and advocating for initiatives that improve diversity. I started my first initiatives at Croydon High, and that really taught me how I can create my own spaces wherever I go.”

We asked Chimmy what she enjoys in her spare time,

“I like to do or be around creativity, whether that is playing music or listening to live music, going to the theatre, writing, and I’ve even picked up painting recently. It’s important to me to balance out creative pursuits with my day-to-day. Education has always been valued in my family so to give back, I volunteer tutoring young people in science up to A Level and provide flute/recorder lessons to young girls. My involvement in D&I initiatives like the Free Books Campaign, an incredible initiative to get books by authors of colour to people that don’t have access to books, and Women In Asset Servicing, of which I am on the board, also keeps me busy!”

What would Chimmy say to her 15-year-old self?

“I’d say definitely do not try and dye your own hair red. It doesn’t work, you won’t look like Rihanna and the bathroom will look like a crime scene. I’d also say don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re still learning so many lessons you won’t even realise them yet, but being open with others and seeking help when you need it is crucial. My experience has taught me that communicating with the people around you is essential – almost everything can be solved with an open and honest conversation.”

Finally, we asked Chimmy about her aspirations for the future.

“To enact change. To make a difference in people’s lives. Ultimately, I want to tread a path that makes it easier for people from all different backgrounds to pursue their dreams. And of course, I hope to have fun while doing it – because what’s the point of life if you’re not enjoying it?”

Mrs Karen Roe
Alumnae Relations Manager