WMB Ambassadors – Influencing Change for Good
8th March 2024
In the run into International Women’s Day, society – business and community – puts a concerted focus on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) and on the vital roles that women occupy as decision-makers, changemakers and caretakers.
For WMB, International Women’s Day is the day on which we announce our first cohort of WMB Diversity Ambassadors for 2024 – Role models who work cross-industry and can influence change for good.
These collaborators can ignite the spark for the next generation of innovators. Maeve Dorman, SVP at PayPal and WMB Ambassador states: “As leaders, it’s not enough to merely embrace diversity; we must actively champion it. At PayPal, we believe that fostering a culture of inclusion isn’t just a responsibility – it’s an opportunity to unlock the full potential of every individual and drive collective success.”
Geraldine Casey, MD Retail Banking at AIB and WMB Ambassador knows the importance of ED&I and through her leadership keeps the focus on: “Fostering a culture of inclusion through gender balance, opportunities for disadvantaged youth and empowering people with disabilities is our focus at AlB. It benefits our people, business, and our customers.”
International Women’s Day is a time of recognition and re-evaluation as we reflect on what we are doing well to further ED&I and deliberate on what we can do better. Rhonda Doyle, Senior Director Field Services Ops UK&I, at Schneider Electric and WMB Diversity Ambassador tells us to: “Be courageous, practice taking risks, we improve and grow by doing the things we fear. Better to act with best intentions and receive feedback than to stand still.”
Our ambassadors have a unique yet shared ability to identify raw talent and nurture it. Just Eat Managing Director and WMB Ambassador, Amanda Roche-Kelly acknowledges that: “For me, elevating women in business isn’t just about equality; it’s about unlocking the untapped potential for women everywhere that fuels new ideas, growth, innovation, and prosperity for all.”
As leaders, our Diversity Ambassadors have the power to influence others and Gráinne Bryan, Senior MD at FTI Consulting wants “to see women empowered to bet on their own success through investments in professional development and self-care. By taking the time we need to grow as individuals, we become more productive, dynamic and inspired.”
This focus on self-awareness is echoed when Alison Winger, GM of Novonesis Ireland and WMB Ambassador suggests that we: “Dream fearlessly, embrace opportunities that ignite your passion, and stay true to who you are. Diversity of thinking, experiences and backgrounds is essential for shaping the best future possible and we should all be a part of it.”
Over the coming weeks and months, our Diversity Ambassadors will be sharing their opinions on topics that matter. They will also be joined by like-minded individuals as WMB continues to put the spotlight on role models. In the meantime, congratulate our six Ambassadors 2024 for paving the way as fantastic champions for positive change. You can find out more here>>