A unique opportunity to connect with like-minded women and learn from a remarkable business leader.

Are you an aspiring leader working or studying in the Tees Valley? Join us for A Seat At The Table: Dinner Debate in association with Unity World. This is a unique opportunity to connect with like-minded women and learn from a remarkable business leader.

A Seat At The Table exists to help more women step into leadership across the Tees Valley by making space, opening doors and creating real opportunities to lead. These events are designed to educate, inspire and connect women who want to take action and create change where it matters most.

Your Host

We’re delighted to welcome Shonette Bason, entrepreneur, author and international speaker, and founder of 'Spread the Happiness', which supports teachers through engaging and accessible continuing professional development (CPD).

Shonette is also the creator of the much loved Dough Disco, a pioneering approach combining music, movement and playdough to help young children develop the fine motor skills they need for writing. Her passion for making learning fun and accessible has reached classrooms around the world.

Alongside her education work, Shonette is committed to supporting vulnerable children and families through her charitable work, reflecting a desire to make a difference that extends far beyond the classroom.

Beginning her career as a primary school teacher in the North East, Shonette followed her passion for making a difference to children’s lives by building an education business that has reached classrooms around the world. Alongside her work in education, Shonette has built a reputation as an engaging speaker, championing happiness, confidence, resilience and the importance of human connection. Her journey has taken her from the classroom to international stages, developing new ideas, building a business and creating opportunities to make a difference on a much wider scale.

But behind the achievements is a more personal story of ambition, motherhood, taking risks and finding the courage to pursue new possibilities. Shonette has spoken openly about rediscovering her own dreams after years of putting family first, and more recently about navigating change, letting go of familiar roles and embracing the challenge of starting again.

Through an open and honest conversation about the experiences that have shaped her, Shonette will share her perspective on what it really means to build a career, lead with authenticity and have the confidence to keep evolving.

How do I know it’s for me?

If you’re a woman or girl (aged 16+) working or studying in the Tees Valley with aspirations to lead in the business world, this Dinner Debate is for you.

With only 10 places available, it’s an exciting opportunity to join a focused group of ambitious women for meaningful conversation, fresh insight and real connection.

Please note

Price: includes a one-course dinner - pre-order required (menu on order page).

Dietary Requirements: please make sure you let us know when booking if you have any allergies or dietary requirements.

Accessibility: if you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know on your order form.

Cancellation policy: tickets are non-refundable.

Event Partner

We're grateful to Unity World for supporting this Dinner Debate.

An award winning technology business operating from its Head Office in Middlesbrough and its own purpose-built, ISO27001-certified data centre. Unity provides managed IT support, high-speed communications, secure cloud hosting, network infrastructure, IT Hardware and digitalisation services supporting business-critical hardware, software and technology solutions to help organisations across the region and the UK remain connected, protected, productive and future-ready.

Description supplied by the event organiser.