Speakers

As we reflect on the remarkable journey of two-time Olympic Gold Medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, we celebrate not just her extraordinary achievements but also her enduring impact as a role model and inspiration worldwide. 

Dame Kelly's story began when she joined the British Army at just 17, where she served for nearly a decade as a qualified HGV driver and Physical Training Instructor. Her dedication and service were recognised in 1998 when she was awarded an MBE by the now King Charles, honouring her contributions to the armed forces.

Her illustrious athletic career spanned 12 years, during which she claimed multiple medals at the Commonwealth, European, World, and Olympic levels. The pinnacle of her career came in 2004 at the Athens Olympic Games, where she made history as the first British woman ever to win two gold medals in a single Olympics, triumphing in the 800m and 1500m events. In recognition of her monumental achievements in sport, she was honoured with a Damehood by the late Queen Elizabeth in 2005.

In 2008, Dame Kelly founded the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, a groundbreaking initiative that pairs world-class athletes with disadvantaged youth, empowering them to realize their potential. Her philanthropic efforts have garnered numerous accolades, including the Beacon Award for Philanthropy in 2017 and the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s Arthur Bell Trophy in 2023.

From 2018 to 2024, Dame Kelly held the prestigious role of Honorary Colonel of the Royal Armoured Corps Training Regiment, making history as the first individual to be attached to a regular regiment in this capacity—an appointment that required the approval of the late Queen Elizabeth.

Dame Kelly's influence extends beyond athletics. In 2024, she received an Honorary Fellowship from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, adding to a remarkable collection of 13 honorary degrees she has received since retiring. Her powerful documentary, "Kelly Holmes: Being Me," aired in June 2022, showcasing her journey toward authenticity and her commitment to advocating for diversity and inclusion.

As a global inspirational and motivational speaker for over 20 years, a TV presenter, and a trained Mental Health First Aider, Dame Kelly continues to be a voice for change. She embodies resilience, determination, and the spirit of empowerment, serving as a true trailblazer for countless causes.

Dame Kelly Holmes—a beacon of strength, a champion of change, and a relentless advocate for those striving for greatness.

It’s not often that you find an athlete, engineer, musician, and a former Miss America all in one. Grace Stanke breaks misconceptions surrounding nuclear energy through social media, public engagements, and educational workshops. During her year as Miss America 2023, Grace was named the “New Face of Nuclear Energy” by the Wall Street Journal and was on the Forbes 30 under 30 list for Energy. While completing approximately 270,000 miles of travel, she finished her undergraduate degree in Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since passing on the title of Miss America, Grace continues to advocate for peaceful purposes of the science of the atom. She was recognized by CNET as part of the four women powering America’s Clean Energy Transition. By encouraging worldwide change for clean, zero-carbon emission energy sources, Stanke emphasizes the benefits of nuclear power and seeks to dispel the myths around nuclear energy while inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and mathematicians. In March 2024, Grace began work as a Nuclear Fuels Engineer & Clean Energy Advocate at Constellation. Outside of the nuclear industry, Grace is an avid waterskier, classical violinist, and a travel enthusiast.

“I’m not looking to change the entire world on my own - all I need to do is make the one connection that will start a chain reaction.”

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi assumed office as the Agency’s 6th DG on 3/12/19. In 9/23, IAEA's 67th General Conference approved by acclamation his re-appointment to serve a second four-year term of office.

Mr Grossi is a diplomat with almost 40 years of experience in non-proliferation and disarmament. In 2013, he was appointed Ambassador of Argentina to Austria and Argentine Representative to the IAEA and other VBOs.

Before assuming office as IAEA’s DG, he was president-designate of the 2020 Review Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, and from 2014-2016 served as president of the Nuclear Suppliers Group. In 2015, he presided over the Diplomatic Conference of the Convention of Nuclear Safety, securing unanimous approval for the Vienna Declaration on Nuclear Safety, a milestone in international efforts following the 2011 Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear accident.

From 2010-2013, he served as IAEA Assistant DG for Policy and Chief of Cabinet, having previously held senior positions in the Argentinian Foreign Service, incl as Political Affairs DG from 2007-2009.

Mr Grossi was Chief of Cabinet at OPCW in The Hague from 2002 to 2007. Prior, he served in the Argentinian Foreign Ministry, incl as Head of Embassy in Belgium and Luxemburg from 1998-2002, and as Argentine Representative to NATO from 1998-2001. He joined Argentinian Foreign Ministry in 1985.

Mr Grossi is an Int'l Gender Champion, promoting gender balance in nuclear.

He holds a PhD in International Relations, international History and Politics from University of Geneva, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, from which he also received his Master’s degree. He began his academic journey at the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina and at the Diplomatic Academy of Argentina.

He has received several awards including Brazil’s Order of Naval Merit; National Medal on the occasion of 30th Anniversary of Independence of Kazakhstan; Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold with Sash for Services to the Republic of Austria, the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic and Gran Cruz de la Orden de San Carlos of Colombia.

His honorary degrees and academic distinctions include the Pontifical Catholic University of Argentina’s International Chair for Sustainable Development, Common Good and Peace; an honorary doctorate in law from the University of Buenos Aires; an honorary degree in Nuclear Engineering from Polytechnic University of Milan; and an honorary doctorate in Global Studies from Busan University of Foreign Studies.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero on 9 July 2024.

Education

Lord Hunt studied at Leeds University.

Political career

Lord Hunt was Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and joint Minister of State for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs between 2008 and 2010.

He previously served as a minister in the Department of Health and as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions.

He held several posts while in opposition, including:

• Shadow Spokesperson (Health and Social Care), 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Cabinet Office), 2017 to 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Education), 2017 to 2018
• Shadow Spokesperson (Health), 2012 to 2017
• Shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords, 2010 to 2017
• Shadow Spokesperson (Home Affairs), 2010 to 2012

He was raised to the peerage as Baron Hunt of Kings Heath in 1997.

Career outside politics

Lord Hunt was a Member of the General Medical Council from 2008 to 2024 and President of the Royal Society for Public Health from 2010 and 2018.

He was the first chief executive of the NHS Confederation from 1996 to 1997 and director of the National Association of Health Authorities and Trusts (NAHAT) from its formation in 1990.

In 1993 he was awarded an OBE for services to the NHS.

Minister of State (Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The minister is responsible for:

• nuclear
• individual planning decisions
• all departmental business in the House of Lords