FOUR sisters from Co Derry yesterday launched a female mentorship initiative in memory of their late father who died 10 years ago from early onset dementia.
To coincide with International Women's Day, the Patsy Duffy Mentorship Programme was unveiled by the sisters who are all entrepreneurs with a combined 75 years' experience in their respective fields.
It will provide expert advice and guidance in a range of specialist areas including business strategy, finance, building a personal brand, confidence, communication, finance, organisation and leadership.
During the programme, which is free to apply, participants will receive one hour of 1-2-1 mentorship per week for 16 weeks.
The programme was launched in memory of Mr Duffy (57), who died in March 2012, having lost his ability to walk and talk in the three years following his diagnosis.
His daughters, who are from Magherafelt, said they want to use their business experience to help others "be the champions and challengers in their corners like our dad was for us".
The sisters are Tanya McGeehan, of MCG Investments, who is one of Northern Ireland’s leading female property entrepreneurs, while Aisling Bremner, of Aisling Bremner Marketing, has worked in senior marketing roles including Dale Farm, Magners and Heinz.
Lisa Duffy is a trained actor, teacher, communications coach and founder of local children’s drama company, Bright Young Things, while Roisin Deery has extensive experience in management consultancy - recently working within the operations division of the Expo 2020 Dubai.
Ms McGeehan said: "Daddy always raised us to believe our aspirations were valid and worth striving for.
"Our parents were always a positive force in our lives with the vision to see that ambition and risk were something to be championed.
"Not everyone has someone with this mindset supporting them, which is why we are launching The Patsy Duffy Mentorship Programme in our late father’s memory.
"My sisters and I want to use our years of business experience to offer advice and guidance to women who have aspirations in their professional life but who have barriers to opportunity.
"We want to help make a difference and be the champions and challengers in their corners like our dad was for us."
Ms Bremner added: "The programme is open to all females who have a professional aspiration, but have a barrier stopping them from realising it - this could be social responsibilities, health and wellbeing, confidence or economic.
"For example, ambitious employees that are stuck in a rut, entrepreneurs at the start of their journeys and lacking confidence, graduates who need guidance or stay at home mums who need the encouragement to return to work.
"What’s more, it has been well documented that Covid-19 has disproportionately affected women and we therefore hope that the Patsy Duffy Mentorship Programme will play a role in helping women reach their full potential and become the best that they can."
For information, please visit www.patsyduffymentorship.com
