My name is Caitlin Gall and I have recently joined Aneurin Bevan University Health Board as part of the NHS General Graduate Management Trainee scheme.

I was born and raised in Cardiff, moving to Swansea in 2017 to undertake my undergraduate degree in International Relations and American Studies with a Year Abroad. In August 2019, I moved to Louisiana as part of my undergrad degree, studying for the year in Louisiana State University (LSU). This was one of the best years of my life and I am still very grateful for the opportunity to have studied in America although unfortunately, my time away was cut short following the breakout of the COVID Pandemic.

I graduated from Swansea University in the summer of 2021, and in the September, I started my Masters Degree at Cardiff University in International Relations. I thoroughly enjoyed my Masters and graduated in September 2022.

Throughout my studies I worked in General Practice, as a Receptionist/Care Navigator and Prescribing Clerk and after my graduation I began working as a Primary Care Support Officer in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board before successfully applying for this role.

I am really excited to start work in ABUHB and I am particularly looking forward to creating a lifelong career path within the NHS, meeting a wide range of people and making connections that I hope will last my entire career.

Outside of working and studying, I enjoy socialising with friends and spend a lot of time with my family, exploring Wales with our two gorgeous dogs, Ted and Mac. I also enjoy watching sports (especially rugby), and I love live music of any kind (but especially if it’s Taylor Swift). I am a very friendly person and one of things I am most looking forward to about this opportunity is meeting and making friends as I know that these kinds of relationships could last a lifetime.

I’m Caitlin, and I’m based at Public Health Wales, which plays a vital role in safeguarding and improving the health and well-being of the people of Wales, focusing on a wide range of public health issues from disease prevention to health promotion. Further to studying History and American Studies at Swansea University, I gained invaluable experience working as a Research Assistant under two research projects with the University. These roles have allowed me to contribute to three academic papers, one of which has now been published! I have developed a passion for evidence-based solutions and their important contribution to improving and innovating services.

Beyond work, I am a foodie who loves experimenting with new recipes and a dedicated Welsh rugby fan! I also enjoy travelling to new countries, with my most recent trip being to Pisa, Italy. With a commitment to reducing health inequalities, I aim to contribute to Public Health Wales’ efforts to create a healthier and more equitable future for all by being the compassionate leader needed to achieve this vision. I look forward to the skills and experience I will gain in the General Management Graduate Programme and growing together as we work towards a healthier Wales.

I’m Declan and I am a General Management Graduate Trainee based with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Being born and raised in the Pontypridd area, I am excited about the prospect of making a difference within the RCT community and to learn from and assist those within the healthcare profession in making a difference to the lives of our service users.

Having previous experience at Health Education and Improvement Wales as a People Team intern, I am excited to have the opportunity to implement the relevant skills and knowledge that I have acquired throughout my previous two internships, whilst also relaying back to the knowledge and leadership theories that I have studied in my Human Resource Management undergraduate degree at USW. As a result, my personal aspirations from the two-year programme revolve around learning as much as possible from the placement opportunities provided, in addition to hearing about what motivates individual staff members as well as fellow graduates in gaining further perspective that I hope to utilise as an aspiring compassionate leader within the NHS.

My name is Ellie and I am based in Cardiff & Vale University Health Board. I graduated with a BA in Business from USW, in 2020. My journey with Cardiff & Vale Health Board began in 2020 when the Covid Pandemic started, in which my role was a Nurse’s Administrative Assistant, where I helped set up the vaccination centres as a team effort. My previous role as a Screening Pathway Administrator in Bowel Screening Wales, Public Health Wales, along with my role within the vaccination centre has ignited a passion to continuously improve service delivery.

I also volunteer with Samaritans, which I feel incredibly proud to be part of such an amazing organisation. I feel exceptionally privileged, and I am excited to transfer my skills and experience to work alongside incredible leaders in NHS Wales, whilst developing my compassionate leadership skills and enhancing my knowledge, whilst completing a Masters degree in Applied Health Leadership.

I’m Emily and I’m currently on the Graduate Management Trainee programme placed within the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. Prior to starting the programme, I was studying for my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Sciences and my masters in Global Public Health and Policy at the University of Bath.

Outside of work I enjoy being outdoors and spending time with my friends and family. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first few weeks of the programme and cannot wait to get started with my placements! I feel very fortunate to begin my career in the NHS, working alongside many talented individuals while pursuing my Health Leadership masters degree.

I'm Ethan and I’ll be based at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board for the duration of the graduate programme. Originally from Cardiff, I moved to London for university where I obtained a BA in History with French from UCL with a year spent at the Sorbonne in Paris, the skills from which I'm looking forward to putting to use in the Applied Healthcare Leadership MSc.

I'm also hoping to apply the skills and knowledge obtained through the MSc programme whilst on my placements, the first of which will be Operations, followed by Specialist Services and finally Clinical Diagnostics + Therapeutics. Outside of work and academia I’m a keen tennis player, drummer, and an avid reader. I’m really looking forward to making the most of the opportunities and experiences that the next two years will bring!

My name is Heather Porch and as part of the NHS Wales General Management Programme I have been placed in Digital Health and Care Wales. In 2019, I graduated from the University of South Wales with a BSc in Psychology with Counselling. I then completed an MSc in Human Resource Management at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

The COVID-19 pandemic began as I was completing my masters, which led me to start my NHS journey in 2020 in Velindre Cancer Centre. I started in VCC as a porter on the bank and then worked on the switchboard. I graduated from my masters degree in 2021 and gained my first permanent NHS role in HEIW as an administrative officer in the Quality and Governance team. I then moved to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board where I worked in the People Directorate. Here I gained experience implementing widening access projects, and gained operational HR skills dealing with employee relations.

My previous work experiences have exposed me to the good, the bad and the ugly. Yet through it all it has been clear that compassionate leadership is integral for positive employee experience and patient outcomes.

I am so excited to be part of the graduate programme as I have a strong aspiration to be a strategic, courageous, and compassionate leader within the NHS Wales workforce. I am looking forward to the challenge of studying towards a masters whilst working and having the opportunity to apply the theory to the everyday world of the NHS.

And most importantly, I am grateful to have been placed in Digital Health and Care Wales and cannot wait to get into the digital transformation space!

My name is Keisha Megji and throughout my time on the Graduate programme I will be based in Cardiff and Vale University Health Board. I graduated from Cardiff University in 2021 with a BA in History and was both a Student Mentor and Student Representative during my time at University. I have previously worked in a group of independent optometry practices in Aneurin Bevan UHB and Cwm Taf Morgannwg UHB for a number of years, and have also spent over 2 years in Optometry Wales, the professional umbrella organisation for the primary care eye health profession in Wales.

I am really excited to start my placements in CAVUHB and gain a valuable insight into Secondary Care and NHS Wales as a whole. My main goal is to take every opportunity and challenge that comes my way to expand my skills while also studying to achieve my MSc in Applied Health Leadership.

My name is Khadija Uddin, and I have been placed with NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership. I have achieved a First Class in Journalism, Communications & Politics and have recently completed an MSc in International Management, at Cardiff University. My first placement will be in Planning, Performance and Informatics , where I will work on the Integrated Medium-Term Plans. I am very excited to work with different divisions in NWSSP, as I am eager to immerse myself in the area of healthcare analytics and performance improvement. I look forward to harnessing the power of data-driven insights to contribute to the efficiency of services.

I previously have experience in the NHS, having worked in HEIW. I was part of the first and second cohort of interns. I contributed towards projects such as the National Endoscopy Programme in the Nursing Directorate and also worked within research governance in the Quality Unit. I am excited about achieving a Masters in Applied Health Leadership, and my aspirations are now centred around becoming a skilled healthcare leader who can contribute positively to NWSSP's mission, through enhancing my leadership and problem-solving skills. As I enjoy collaborating with people to make a difference, I am thrilled to work and learn alongside various professionals and absorb as much as I can from them!

I’m Kornelia and I am based in Velindre NHS Trust, which provides specialist cancer services for South Wales, as well as the Welsh Blood Service which provides services across all of Wales. I’m half Polish, half Irish and in my spare time I love to make craft projects, spend time with friends and family, and travel and get to know different cultures. I studied Liberal Arts with Social Anthropology and Media at the University of Warwick and completed a year abroad in Chile and The Netherlands.

After 4 years of studying, I wanted to start working and went into administration posts in Cardiff and Vale UHB both in clinical and research settings. I was there for just over 1.5 years and really enjoyed knowing I am helping others access healthcare but felt it was time for another challenge. Luckily, I found the NHS Wales General Management Graduate Programme. Through this programme I hope to make meaningful connections and learn how to become a compassionate leader and manager that helps provide the best care for others, including but not limited to staff, clinicians, and patients.

My name is Oliver. I’m 21 and from Shropshire. I started in the NHS as a ward volunteer, before moving on to work part-time in a community pharmacy and then for the COVID-19 vaccination programme whilst studying. Having just completed a degree in drug development and business management at University College London, I was seeking an opportunity that could maintain the balance of working within healthcare and management. I felt this programme did just that and found the principles of Compassionate Leadership really resonated with me.

For the next two years, I’ll be based in Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, starting in the Strategy and Planning team. By the end of the programme, I hope to know which exact area of management I want to go into, ready with the skill set and experience to be an effective, compassionate leader in the NHS.

I’m Olivia Jones, one of the Management Graduate Trainees based at the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. I recently graduated from Durham University with a degree in Business and Management. Personal experiences inspired me to apply for the programme allowing me to be part of such a fantastic, caring organisation and I relish the opportunity to make a difference in future managerial roles within the service.

I am extremely excited to be a part of this cohort, enhancing my knowledge and skills of compassionate leadership, and gaining valuable insights of working amongst several different teams within the health board. I am looking forward to applying the theory learned in the master’s programme to practice within my placements. Over the next two years, I aspire to learn as much as possible about the services and delivery of care across the organisation and take advantage of every opportunity available in the hope of fulfilling my potential and developing my skills to obtain a leadership position, helping to shape the future of NHS Wales.

My name is Rhiannon and I am a Management Graduate Trainee based in Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board. Originally from Cardiff, I graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in Physics in 2022. I have previously worked for Cardiff and Vale in the Finance Department and am excited to make the move to Cwm Taf to gain invaluable experience within a different Health Board and to broaden my view of NHS Wales. Over the next two years, I am excited continue my career in the NHS, learn from my colleagues and cohort, gain management experience, and broaden my understanding of what it takes to be a compassionate leader!

My name is Steph. I am based in Swansea Bay University Health Board. My first placement is with Theatres and Anaesthetics where I hope to gain operational and project management experience. I graduated from University of Wales Trinity St. David in 2015 with a BA Hons in Education Studies.

I have previously spent 4 years working in Mental Health/Learning Disabilities, in a residential home for young people with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. I have since worked for the last 5 years in Telecommunications where I gained a wealth of experience in sales management, coaching and recruitment. I also have a little boy who is 2 years old.

I have a keen interest in compassionate leadership and hope to explore this further as part of the graduate management scheme with a view of becoming a compassionate leader within the NHS.

I’m Tomos! I studied Law at undergraduate at the University of Salford, before completing my postgraduate degree in Law again at the University of Birmingham. Prior to joining the graduate programme I worked in local government as a Transport Networks Officer, working with school transport.

I will be based in North Wales with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and I am looking forward to developing my skills as a compassionate leader and to make a positive difference to the NHS!