On Thursday 18th February, the DCU Educational Trust, welcomed over 100 female business leaders and students to the Helix to explore the credentials that allow successful individuals to achieve their goals and make an impact, under the theme of “The U Factor”.   The event was hosted by DCU Alumna and MD of Kennedy PR, Caroline Kennedy, with inspirational talks provided by Veronica Canning, Founder of the SHOES Programme, Gervaise Slowey, Managing Director of Ogilvy & Mather, Mary Ann O’Brien, Managing Director of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates and Liavan Mallin, Entrepreneur and Trustee of the DCU Educational Trust.   

The speakers guided guests on ways to identify key personal strengths and how best to design your own individual strategic plan.  Guests heard how an individual’s brand can play a positive role in business.    The talks concluded with a general Q & A session, before Caroline introduced members of the DCU Style Society to present a small fashion show, showcasing some tasters of what to wear to Dress for Success. All clothes showcased were provided courtesy of Ruby Couture, who sell ladies designer label fashions at high street prices.  Ruby Couture also provided a fabulous designer label handbag for a raffle, proceeds from which went to the DCU Annual Fund, which supports Access Scholarships at DCU.

The evening finished with a wine reception allowing guests the opportunity to expand their business network, exchanging advice and connections with others who share their passion for success in a relaxed and engaging atmosphere.

ABOUT;
WIN@DCU is a bi-annual speaker series, part of the DCU strategic theme “Business and Innovation”. This speaker series highlights the achievements of innovative women in business, science, communications and the humanities and invites leading women from these professions to DCU to share their thoughts on contemporary themes.  The aim of the series is to empower our undergraduate students by giving them the opportunity to meet with these successful women as positive role models and to offer a learning and networking opportunity to our alumni and friends.  Topics to date in the series have included: Redesigning your Marketing Plan for Survival in the New Economy; From an Acorn to a Tree – How to Grow that Small Business Idea and a wide range of topical matters under the themes of Enterprise / Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Since its initiation, the WIN@DCU programme has proven to be a tremendous success in connecting women in business and in particular affording undergraduate students the opportunity to meet and gain invaluable advice from some of Ireland’s leading professional women.

The cross-faculty WIN@DCU is sponsored by the DCU Educational Trust. For more information on how you may become involved or attend future events, please contact Orla Holmes, Director of Operations, DCU Educational Trust on (01) 700 8162 or email orla.holmes@dcu.ie