TEN Northern Ireland female business experts will host a series of mentoring sessions this week to mark Women’s Entrepreneurship Day.
Hosted by the The Centre for Peace and Democracy and Ulster Bank at the Lyric Theatre in Belfast on Thursday November 19, the Business Breakfast is part of a series of global events.
Running across 144 countries worldwide Women’s Entrepreneurship Day celebrates the unwavering positivity women bring to the global economy, as well as empowering and supporting future generations.
Northern Ireland Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and CEO of The Centre for Peace & Democracy Eva Grosman said: “The breakfast event this Thursday will bring together influential business leaders, entrepreneurs, change-makers and social innovators to empower over 120 women in business and inspire the next generation across Northern Ireland
Speakers at the event include media consultant Sarah Travers, Junior Ministers Emma Pengelly MLA and Jennifer McCann MLA, Shauna Burns from the Commercial Banking section at Ulster Bank and a special keynote address from a high profiled legal expert.
Shauna Burns, Head of Mid Ulster & Fermanagh Business Centre at Ulster Bank, said: “Ulster Bank is committed to supporting female entrepreneurship and this event has provided a welcome showcase for some best-in-class local businesses.
“I’d encourage anyone who has an idea to talk to us about how we can help turn their ambition into a reality. We have the people and the products in place to support women-led businesses across Northern Ireland and help to foster a culture of entrepreneurship – as we’ll see in the Women-Led Business Category at our upcoming Business Achievers Awards.”
Mentors who will be taking various sessions throughout the morning include Cathy Martin (PR and Fashion), Ellvena Graham (Banker), Jackie Henry (Accountant), Maeve Monaghan (Social Entrepreneur), Maria O’Loane (Lawyer), Nisha Tandon (Arts and Culture), Sarah Travers (Media), Suzanne Wylie (Public Sector), Sue McAllister (Prison Service) and Tina McKenzie (Business).
Find out more about Women’s Entrepreneurship Day on Thursday November 19 by logging on to www.womenseday.org, follow on Twitter @WomensEDay or join the conversation using the hashtag #WomenWOW
Who Are The Mentors?
Sarah Travers is a freelance journalist with twenty years experience in radio, TV and print. She is also the Co-Founder of Bespoke Communications which provides training for companies in sales pitching, presentation skills and preparation for media interviews.
Jackie Henry is Senior Partner for Deloitte in Northern Ireland she is responsible for the ambitious growth strategy for Deloitte in NI.
Maeve Monaghan is Chief Executive of NOW Group, a social enterprise that supports people with barriers to employment and learning into the workforce across NI.
Cathy Martin is director of Belfast FASHIONWEEK and she also runs CMPR, a busy events and media relations company as well as CMPR Models and CMPR Talent.
Ellvena Graham is Chairman of ESB, Chairman of Economic Advisory Group & Independent Non Executive Director.
Tina McKenzie is Managing Director of PeoplePlus NI, Diamond Recruitment Group and Staffline Ireland. She is the Director for REC for NI and a member of the Forum for Human Rights.
Nisha Tandon is Director of a multi-award winning ArtsEkta, social enterprise that works to enhance appreciation of ethnic arts in Northern Ireland and proud organiser of Belfast Mela.
Suzanne Wylie is Chief Executive of Belfast City Council.
Sue McAllister is Director General of the Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS)
Maria O’Loan is a Partner at Tughans. She specialises in planning and environmental law, public law and energy and regulatory matters.