Inspirational alumni shine at awards
6 October 2023
Two alumni from the School of Geography and Planning have been named a winner at the second 30Ish Alumni Awards.
Aleena Khan (BSc 2020, MSc 2023) and Andrea San Gil León (MSc 2016) were among the winners at a special ceremony hosted by Cardiff University’s new President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner and featuring emcee Matt Barbet (BA 1997, PgDip 1999) at the University’s innovative sbarc | spark building on 5 October.
Eschewing the format of traditional ’30 Under 30’ lists, the awards are designed to recognise the change-makers, innovators, and rule-breakers among the Cardiff University alumni community under or over 30, who feel 30(ish).
The two School of Geography and Planning graduates were recognised in the Environmental Activist category.
Aleena Khan is the youngest commissioner on the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW). Aleena is co-lead of the NICW Renewable Energy project and chair of the Project Advisory Group, the Chartered Institute of Transportation & Highways [Wales] - Equality Diversity & Inclusion lead. She is currently a Graduate Transport Planner at Atkins, where she is co-lead of the Atkins ‘UK & Europe Transportation Early Careers Forum’ and member of the ‘UK & Europe Graduate Leaders Forum’.
Andrea San Gil León is an international expert and thought leader in sustainability, cities, and transport. Andrea’s accolades include being named one of Costa Rica’s 40 Top Leaders Under 40 by ‘El Financiero’ Newspaper, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, one of LATAM's important female figures in transport by the Inter-American Development Bank, and one of the Remarkable Feminist Voices in Transportation in 2023 by the Transforming Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI).
Aleena Khan was also awarded the Environmental Activist special recognition award, presented by The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Bablin Molik (BSc 2001, PhD 2008, PGCE 2014).
XX (BA/BSc year) was named 2023 People’s Choice winner, following a live vote.
23 Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences alumni featured among the glittering list of winners, highlighting the diversity of career paths pursued by Cardiff humanities graduates.
Congratulations to all the inspirational alumni recognised in this year’s 30Ish Alumni Awards list.