Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ambition Magazine

FEATURE

The SistersIN team: Hannah Fitzsimmons, Gillian McKeown, Ella Rourke and Ellie McKibbin.

Looking ahead, my ambition is that SistersIN becomes a recognised pathway for young women in Northern Ireland – a rite of passage that helps them step into their potential. I want us to pilot new settings, opening the door to even more girls, while also encouraging more companies to get involved. The benefits are clear – not only for the girls, but for employees who serve as mentors and for organisations that gain stronger, more engaged teams. Balancing ambition with home life is also important to me. As a mum to two young boys, I want to be present for them, while also showing them the value of having goals and working towards them. Just as SistersIN inspires girls to see themselves as leaders, I hope I can inspire my own children to aspire, achieve, and believe in what’s possible. I have always wanted to lead from within, not manage from outside. That is what SistersIN represents to me – being part of a movement that is built with others, for others, and about others. It makes me feel empowered, and it makes me want to empower others in return. So when I think about “My Ambition”, it is simple: to ensure that every girl in Northern Ireland – and beyond – has the chance to see herself as a leader, to know that her voice matters, and to have the confidence and skills to shape her own future. That is what drives me, and that is why I am so proud to lead SistersIN into its next chapter.

My Ambition is to...

W hen I think about ambition, for me it has never been about titles or positions – it has been about creating opportunity, impact, and meaningful change. That is exactly what drives my work with SistersIN, and why I am so excited about what lies ahead in the year to come. SistersIN is a charity dedicated to empowering young women aged 16–18 to become the leaders of tomorrow. We work with schools across Northern Ireland, connecting pupils with inspiring female mentors from businesses and organisations. Together, they explore leadership, career pathways, and self confidence, building the transferable skills and networks that will help them thrive in their future lives and careers. In the year ahead, SistersIN will work with over 60 schools and more than 800 girls – supported by hundreds of mentors. Since our launch in 2022, the programme has grown rapidly, and that momentum reflects the appetite for opportunity and the commitment from leaders across Northern Ireland to invest in the next generation. My ambition for SistersIN is threefold. First, to deliver excellence for the girls currently on the programme – ensuring

they leave with not only skills and confidence, but also a belief in themselves as leaders. Second, to build the long-term sustainability of SistersIN, so that it can continue to grow and support young women for years to come. And third, to grow a strong team with positive values and the eagerness to learn, develop, and aim for the same goal: creating the best possible experience for the girls we serve. That ambition is rooted in my own career journey. For me, leadership is about working alongside people, understanding their strengths, and helping them to achieve more than they thought possible. That approach has shaped every role I’ve held, from my early days in maternity cover posts to a role of passion and determination in Action Cancer, to leading the Young Farmers’ Clubs of Ulster, and now in my role at SistersIN. Already, more than 1,200 young women have taken part in SistersIN. We see their confidence grow, their horizons expand, and their sense of leadership flourish. Mentors tell us they learn just as much as the girls – it’s a two-way exchange of energy and insight. Schools tell us the impact goes beyond individual pupils, creating ripples across whole communities.

Gillian McKeown, Director of Operations and Growth, SistersIN

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