ICC Belfast has partnered with SistersIN, a leadership and career development programme connecting schools with businesses who can help to empower female leaders of the future.
ICC Belfast was one of the first organisations to join the programme and has been providing mentorship to female secondary school students from across Northern Ireland.
The organisation is led by chief executive Julia Corkey, and it has already achieved a 50:50 male female gender balance at executive level, with senior management roles throughout the business also now approaching a 50:50 gender split.
SistersIN celebration
Approximately 10 girls from various secondary schools across Northern Ireland have been selected to run a large-scale SistersIN celebration event at ICC Belfast on 24 March. Over 30 of Northern Ireland’s companies across the digital, pharmaceutical and financial service industries will exhibit at the event.
The schoolgirls have been preparing for the event since 2022 under the guidance of Corkey and director of sales and marketing, Oonagh O’Reilly.
Eimear Hone, a PCMA 20 in their Twenties Class of 2023 alum and Laurel Gray, who holds a place on the International Association of Convention Centres Future Shapers programme, have also volunteered their time to the programme and continue to share their insights into various aspects of event sales and management.
Corkey said: “Our team has relished the opportunity to work alongside tomorrow’s future female leaders to plan the inaugural SistersIN celebration event. I’m certain that the hands on experience the pupils have gained from shadowing our team will be really beneficial.
“Equally, the unique perspectives that the SistersIN cohort have brought to the planning process have been a fantastic learning exercise for our team. The pupils now have an in-depth knowledge of what it takes to deliver a world-class business event as well as the important role ICC Belfast plays in Belfast and Northern Ireland’s overall economic development.”
One of the girls selected to for the 24 March event is Caoimhe Roe, a 17-year-old student at Assumption Grammar, Ballynahinch, Co. Down. She has been receiving one to one mentorship from the team at ICC Belfast.
Roe commented: “I’ve been really enjoying my scheduled visits to ICC Belfast where I’ve had the chance to learn from the team. They’re all really inspiring and it’s exciting to think ahead to the future and see myself becoming as passionate and successful as they are. I’m really glad my school signed up to the programme because it’s helped me explore various career options, and have confidence in my abilities and skills.”
