Facebook Host Launch Of Lean In Ireland

The launch of the first all-Ireland Lean In Chapter, part of the international organisation set up to empower women to achieve their ambitions through peer support, will be hosted in Facebook’s International headquarters this evening (Tuesday, March 28).

Almost 100 attendees from a broad spectrum of Irish business, including Accenture, Chambers Ireland, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and Ulster Bank will come together at the inaugural event.

Launched by Facebook COO, Sheryl Sandberg, LeanIn.org was given life after the 2013 release of her successful book Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead. The LeanIn.org network now boasts more than 30,000 circles in 150 countries, including Ireland.

Each Lean In chapter is made up of a number of “circles” or small peer groups – between 8-12 people – that meet regularly to learn from each other and grow together.

Whether it’s a monthly meeting at someone’s home, a brown-bag lunch series at work, or a virtual meet up of people from around the world / country, research has shown that meeting regularly has made a positive impact in 85% of those who participate.

Representing the Lean In Ireland Chapter at the launch were speakers including:

· Dervilla O’Brien – Managing Director, Healthbridge Technology Ltd
· Majella Mungovan – EMEA Financial Operations Director Ireland & International HQ, Facebook
· Sinead McCluskey – Director of Commercial Innovation, PEI Ireland
· Nuala Murphy – CEO & Founder, Moment Health
· Walter Hafner – Director Global Market Operations, Community Operations, Facebook
· Maeve McMahon – Director of Customer Experience and Products, Ulster Bank
· Breda McCague – Payments Transformation Manager, RBS London

Speaking at the launch, Facebook’s Majella Mungovan said: ‘It is very fitting that the first all-Ireland Lean In Chapter is launched in our Facebook office in Dublin and we are delighted to host the inaugural event. Facebook’s distinctive cultural ethos resonates strongly with the goals of Lean In: empowering women; personal and professional development; and challenging people to change the way they think, to make life more inclusive.”

Regional Leader for LeanIn.org and founder of the Lean In Belfast and Ireland chapters, Nuala Murphy, said, “Having witnessed the appetite for a Lean In Chapter in Northern Ireland, with Lean In Belfast now at nearly 1,000 members, it seemed only right to extend the network right across the island, growing our networks and opportunities.

“I am delighted to be working with my colleagues at Lean In Ireland to continue to spread the message of the power of peer support, and the importance of coming together to connect, learn and share, because together we are better.”

The purpose of LeanIn.org is to support women in three key ways:

· Public awareness initiatives that change the way we think about gender;
· Education materials that help women build new skills and provide everyone with research-based recommendations for advancing gender equality at home and at work; and
· And through the LeanIn circles.

You can start or find a local circle here.

#LeanInIreland