INNOVATEHER – SUPPORTING FEMALE STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16 November 2020

The InnovateHer programme, an exciting venture which aims to give women the skills and confidence to lead in their future careers, run by Enterprise SU launched last month. Sponsored by leading global law firm Baker McKenzie, who have a major global services firm located in the city, this 12 week programme supports female students with entrepreneurial ideas who want to improve their business skills.

25 female participants are involved in InnovateHer this year, with representatives from a range of degree pathways. The programme includes a range of workshops, networking, a site visit and a final business pitching competition. The initiative aims to give female students at Queen's vital business skills in marketing, finance, design thinking and more, giving them the confidence to lead the way in their future career.

On November 18, QUBSU will host an ‘Inspire me’ session for female students at Queen’s, who will hear from local leaders and alumni. Queen’s alumnus Suzanne Wylie and Tina McKenzie, a member of our Chief Executives’ Club are also speaking at the event. The launch event was held online this year, where we heard from Helena Woodward, Director of HR at Baker McKenzie, who shared her career experience and advice for participants. Clare Gallagher, Head of Membership with Women in Business also contributed, with a focus on the value of networking and specific business events and forums for women.

Global law firm, Baker McKenzie, sponsors the programme. Maeve Gorman, HR Business Partner at Baker McKenzie in Belfast, said of the programme: “We are delighted to sponsor InnovateHer again this year, and we are looking forward to an interesting programme and opportunities to engage with students. Baker McKenzie are very committed to supporting the next generation of female leaders, in fact we have led the way globally for decades. Twenty years ago, we elected Christine Lagarde as the first female Chair of any global law firm and recently, we became the first global law firm to set 40:40:20 gender targets. We hope that the InnovateHer programme will give us further opportunity to encourage women to develop skills that will assist them in whatever career path they choose."

Christine Lagarde is a French lawyer and politician, and the current Head of the European Central Bank (since 2019).

On the November 18, QUNSU will open the ‘Inspire me’ session to all female students at Queen’s, hearing from a range of female entrepreneurs and leaders. To find out more and attend, please visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inspire-me-tickets-127733840355. If you are interested in applying for InnovateHer in coming years, visit the InnovateHer hub on the QUBSU website.

For further information contact Ciaran Higgins, Enterprise, Development & Support Officer at QUBSU.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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