IMI is proud to be a long-standing partner of the 30% Club, committed to promoting gender balance in leadership. As part of our partnership, we offer two fully-funded scholarships for our Autumn 2024 Diploma programmes to high-potential female executives.  

We are pleased to announce that this year’s scholarships have been awarded to Lorraine Toner, Head of National Community Fundraising at Focus Ireland, and Siobhan O’Sullivan, Commandant at the Defence Forces. 

“We are delighted to welcome two extremely talented women to the scholarship class of 2024 and we wish them both every success. We are particularly grateful for the continued support from the IMI, who have generously provided scholarships since the outset of our programme, and demonstrate a strong commitment to gender balance in leadership in Ireland,” says Gillian Harford, Country Executive at the 30% Club Ireland. 

The 30% Club launched in Ireland in January 2015. As part of its activities, it has developed a cross-company, cross-sector mentoring programme that complements existing schemes in the Irish market and within individual organisations. Facilitated and managed by the IMI, the scheme offers mid-career women mentoring focused on their professional and personal development. 

To celebrate this partnership and our combined commitment to addressing gender imbalance and helping more women reach influential positions, the 30% Club and IMI have offered two fully-funded scholarships, each valued at over €11,000, to deserving high-potential female executives to avail of a Professional Diploma. 

Lorraine Toner expressed her excitement, saying, “I’m delighted to have been chosen for this scholarship opportunity and being part of the Leadership Diploma in October with IMI. I’m looking forward to developing my leadership skills through interactions with the course participants and facilitators over the six months of the programme. I’m particularly interested in developing skills around becoming a more impactful and self-aware leader.” 

Siobhan O’Sullivan shared her enthusiasm as well: “I am thrilled to be a recipient of one of the 30% Club Ireland scholarships under the Executive Education Programme to undertake the Professional Diploma in Leadership at the IMI. I know that this will be a fantastic opportunity to further my personal and professional development. Above all, I’m looking forward to gaining further practical skills and insights into leadership that I can put into practice in my career.” 

IMI remains committed to supporting the 30% Club and its mission to foster gender diversity in leadership roles across Ireland.