Diversity buddies

Lesley is a Senior Manager with 18+ years’ experience with Allstate Northern Ireland and 30+ years’ experience in Technology. Lesley’s role in Business Engagement encompasses responsibility for Engagement Strategy across ANI, with a focus on reinforcing the business purpose and leveraging our people and skills to have positive impacts in Allstate NI and in the wider community in Northern Ireland. 

David has been a HR practitioner for over 25 years, with a professional interest in equality, diversity and inclusion. Most of his career has seen him working in complex and high-profile public service organizations, including Inland Revenue, Police Ombudsman’s office, Northern Ireland Tourist Board, and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. David recently also joined the Boardroom Apprentice 2020.

Caroline is an experienced HR Director with over 25  years’ experience within the fields of Financial Services, FMCG, Travel and Retail sectors. Currently at Danske Bank UK she leads the People Strategy as part of the Banks Executive Committee with Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging a significant element of their Strategy. Caroline sits on Diversity Mark NI Board of Directors.

Donna is Consumer Finance Product Manager at Danske Bank & former Chair of the Rainbow Committee. Having worked for the bank for almost 20 years and being part of the LGBT+ community, she took an active role in helping launch their Rainbow Network. Collaborating with, and speaking at Working With Pride, FuSIoN (Financial Service Inclusion Network) and Stonewall Diversity Champion events, Donna strives to share personal experiences to educate on LGBT+ issues. Donna was crowned Individual Diversity Champion in Legal Islands recent D&I awards.

Nicola is Head of Transaction Banking, Danske Bank. She is an energetic and experienced leader with extensive experience in driving change and creating value in FMCG & financial services sectors, locally and internationally. An award winning diversity champion, former Chair of the Danske Gender Diversity Network and now active member, People Board member, community volunteer, mentor. She believes strongly in the concept of inspirational leadership based on integrity, inclusivity & diversity, combined with clear strategic management.

Conor is the Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Queen’s University Belfast, who are recognised as one of the leading institutions in the UK for their work on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Conor is a qualified employment lawyer and HR professional with 15 years’ experience of working in both the private and public sector, in England, ROI & NI. He has experience of designing, developing and successfully implementing complex and impactful evidence-led EDI strategies and action plans for a wide range of large employers & has worked in various sectors including policing, justice, health and now education. He has also experience of designing internal and external communication strategies and overseeing complex change management projects for employers. Conor is a frequent panelist and guest speaker at a wide range of CIPD and CPD events in NI, where the focus is on a wide range of EDI topics.

Maria is the Human Resources Director at Gilbert-Ash, dedicating her thirty-year career to the company. Maria has used her wealth of knowledge and experience to help the construction firm grow in a positive direction, with projects in over 43 countries across the globe. Passionate about gender diversity, Maria believes it is essential for businesses to foster innovation, creativity, and empathy in the workplace – Maria has overseen the increase of females in the Gilbert-Ash workforce to 21%, rising above the industry average of 11%. Maria has been the driver behind Gilbert-Ash’ support for LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall and sponsorship of Womenstec, which provides training for women in non-traditional skills. Her work on this, and many other initiatives, led to the firm winning the ‘Best Gender Initiative’ at the 2020 Northern Ireland Equality & Diversity Awards as well as attaining recognition for ongoing commitment to gender and race diversity. Maria is also a CITB NI board member and has been at the core of several wider industry initiatives and improvements throughout the years.