Downing Alumnus/a of the Year 2024

Back for its second year, our Alumnus/Alumna of the Year 2024 awards recognises the outstanding achievements of our alumni community and the variety of ways in which you are making an impact in your professional and personal lives.

Yet again, we had a great response, with many high calibre entries received. Our judging panel had a tough task picking our winners. You can read more about our shortlisted candidates here.

We are delighted to congratulate Dr Lucy Lord MBE (1981) and Amelia Miller (2016) who have been selected as this year’s winners.

Dr Lucy Lord MBE (1981, Medicine)

Dr Lucy Lord MBE is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist and the founding Partner of Central Health Medical Group in Hong Kong where she has lived since 1989. 

Lucy set up the Patient Care Foundation (PCF), a charitable foundation, which works to provide vulnerable, stigmatised or deprived groups and communities within Hong Kong with better access to medical care. She founded and is Co-Chair of Mind HK and was also instrumental in the founding of the City Mental Health Alliance in Hong Kong.  

During the 34 years she has worked in Hong Kong, Lucy has championed the importance of maternal mental health and the significant contribution this makes to the wellbeing of families. Topics Lucy successfully campaigned on have included the need for hospitals to carry essential supplies of rhesus - negative blood, access to fertility care for the LGBT community and more compassionate care for women who suffered stillbirths. 

Lucy received an MBE in the 2023 New Years Honours List for services to health in Hong Kong.

Commentating on her award Lucy said: “Cambridge and Downing have been responsible for my main sources of happiness over the last 40 years. They have given me a meaningful relationship as I met my husband Ashley here, my career in medicine and provided me with confidence to challenge and make changes in my chosen profession."

"I am sure many other Downing alumnae over the last 40 years have been similarly fortunate.”

Amelia Miller (2016, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences)

Amelia is the co-founder of ivee.jobs, an innovative job platform dedicated to providing free resources and support for women returning to work following career breaks. 

Through her work, Amelia is debunking myths related to the gender pay gap and is tirelessly working to develop answers to the Motherhood Penalty problem. 

Inspired by her own experiences, Amelia is committed to restoring women’s confidence following career breaks. As part of this commitment, Amelia is on a mission to highlight that such breaks, in and of themselves, can make women better employees, leaders and team players.

In the words of her nominator: “What sets Amelia apart is not just her innovative approach to solving a complex problem but her genuine passion for the cause. Her commitment shines through in ivee’s mission to ensure women can return to work without compromise. Amelia’s efforts provide not only pathways back to employment but also inspire confidence and hope among women facing similar challenges.”

"I am deeply honored to receive the Downing Young Alumnus/a of the Year award in recognition of my work at ivee. At ivee, we're on a mission to eliminate the Motherhood Penalty, which accounts for 80% of the UK’s gender pay gap, by empowering women to return to the workforce after career breaks. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our efforts recognised by the College," said Amelia. 

"My time at Downing from 2016 to 2019 was truly special, and I’m grateful for the supportive staff, especially Dr Amy Milton, who inspired me to pursue my passions. This award reaffirms the importance of our work and inspires us to continue driving meaningful change for women everywhere".