Maths4Girls x Macquarie: Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in STEM
On Tuesday 20th May 2025, Maths4Girls and Macquarie Group hosted an inspiring Virtual Assembly aimed at encouraging more girls to explore the power and potential of studying maths beyond GCSE. The event welcomed students aged 11–14 from across the UK and gave them the opportunity to hear directly from three trailblazing women at Macquarie who use maths daily in diverse, high-impact roles.
Why Maths4Girls Matters
Maths4Girls connects students with relatable, real-world role models who show how mathematical skills can lead to exciting, meaningful careers. In a world where the gender gap in STEM persists, initiatives like this are essential. Maths4Girls doesn’t just break down stereotypes—it empowers girls to imagine themselves in industries where women are still underrepresented.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Bex Kimberley
Varsha Balraj
Kimberley McDonald
The Virtual Assembly featured three brilliant women, each offering unique insight into how maths drives their careers and shapes the industries they work in:
Kimberley McDonald – Associate Director
Kimberley spoke about leading global financial projects and how AI is transforming the way they work. She encouraged students to stay confident, curious, and to embrace diverse interests—like drama and maths—as part of creating a unique career path.
Bex shared her journey from aspiring pop star to a leader in financial crime risk projects, where she protects systems across the world. She highlighted how mathematical reasoning underpins her work and enables her to respond to fast-evolving threats.
Varsha Balraj – Data Analyst
Varsha described her transition from studying engineering and biology to working in tech. From cancer research to financial data, she applies her analytical mindset to uncover trends and deliver insights that drive decision-making across global markets.
Together, these women showcased the breadth of careers that use maths every day—from safeguarding systems to analysing markets and driving innovation.
What Students Learned
The session gave students insight into how maths is applied in a wide range of careers—from financial crime risk and artificial intelligence to global data analysis. Each speaker shared how mathematical thinking plays a central role in their day-to-day work.
Bex Kimberley explained how her perspective on maths changed when she started using it in practical settings:
“As soon as I started applying it to a real-world scenario, I found it really interesting—and I was much better at it than I ever was in a school setting.”
Kimberley McDonald encouraged students to see maths not just as an academic subject, but as a long-term advantage.
“Keep pursuing it to the highest level of you can – because it truly is a superpower on your CV and opens a lot of doors.”
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By hearing directly from professionals working across tech, finance, and data, students were shown the relevance of maths beyond the classroom and introduced to examples of women succeeding in fields where female representation is still growing.
Join the Movement
This event highlighted the power of representation, relevance, and real-world connection. Maths4Girls continues to offer free sessions that connect young people with role models across finance, tech, healthcare, engineering, and more.
