Voices of Leadership Conference

Donna Traynor

Conference Host

Donna Traynor is one of Ireland’s most respected public figures, with over three decades of experience in broadcasting. After starting her career at RTÉ, she became a household name as the presenter of BBC Northern Ireland’s award-winning “BBC Newsline.” Donna has covered some of the most significant events in Ireland’s history, including George Best’s funeral, the Titanic centenary, and Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit to Ireland. She also gained international recognition with cameo appearances in the hit series "Derry Girls." Donna now provides media performance and public speaking training. As a familiar voice to thousands, Donna will be our guiding voice throughout the conference.

Ellie Simmonds OBE

Paralympic Champion & BAFTA-winning documentary maker

Ellie Simmonds is a five-time Paralympic gold medallist, world record holder, and one of Britain’s most celebrated athletes. She burst onto the scene at just 13, winning double gold in Beijing 2008, and went on to collect ten World and five European titles before London 2012, where she added four more medals, including two golds. In Rio 2016, she defended her 200m medley title in record-breaking style. Britain’s youngest ever Paralympic or Olympic champion, and the youngest recipient of an MBE, Ellie is admired for her determination and positivity, inspiring countless young and disabled people to take up sport.

Jessica N. Grounds

CEO | Corporate Directors Forum

Jessica N. Grounds is an internationally recognized thought leader in leadership and diversity practices. She has founded multiple organizations and initiatives to advance inclusive leadership in the boardroom, c-suite, and political sphere. Jessica currently serves as CEO of Corporate Directors Forum, a San Diego–based membership organization equipping board directors and executives with modern governance practices. She also launched the Corporate Directors Forum Institute, which develops mentorship, diversity, and governance programs for the broader public, and contributes her expertise as a member of Nasdaq’s Center for Board Excellence Insights Council. Earlier in her career, Jessica co-founded Mine The Gap, advising Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and organizations on inclusive workplace strategies. In 2007, she co-founded Running Start, a nonpartisan nonprofit that has trained more than 30,000 young women to pursue elected office, where she continues to serve on the board. A recognized expert on gender dynamics in the workplace, Jessica has co-authored groundbreaking reports with FTI Consulting, including #MeToo At Work and The Enthusiasm Gap, and directed research for the California Partners Project on the impact of SB 826, California’s landmark board diversity law.

Marie Doyle

Partner | Deloitte UK

Marie Doyle is a Partner in the Northern Ireland Public Sector Practice and an Economist by background, specialising in large scale, technology enabled public sector transformation. Throughout her career, Marie has demonstrated courageous leadership by guiding public sector organisations in policing, health, education and social security through bold and complex change. She has shaped and implemented transformed operating models, helping leaders and their teams navigate uncertainty with confidence and vision. A recognised expert in the development of Green Book business cases, Marie ensures that innovation is grounded in strong economic evidence and delivers real value for the public. Beyond her client work, she champions the voice of business and society as a member of the CBI Northern Ireland Regional Council, Chair of the CBI NI Economics Forum and as a Board Director of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce. Marie’s leadership reflects a commitment to collaboration, resilience and the courage to drive meaningful transformation across Northern Ireland and beyond.

Professor Deirdre Heenan

Professor Deirdre Heenan is Professor of Social Policy at Ulster University, a distinguished author, researcher and broadcaster. A columnist for The Irish News and The Sunday Business Post, she has held senior leadership roles at Ulster including Provost of Magee and Coleraine and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Communications. Her recent publications include Devolution in the UK (2024) and The Short Guide to Mental Health (2025). She is Northern Ireland lead for IMPACT, a £15m UK-wide social care project, and chairs the International Foundation for Integrated Care Ireland. She also serves as Northern Ireland Honorary Consul to Austria.

Carol Ann Whitehead

Managing Director | The Zebra Tribe

Carol Ann Whitehead is Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Zebra Partnership, a publishing, events, media and campaigns agency. A Strategic Planner, Event Producer, Presenter and Mentor, she features on the Northern Power Women PowerList and is widely recognised for her ability to lead with courage, creativity and impact. Carol Ann plays key leadership roles as Deputy Chair of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Women’s Committee, Regional Chair, CMI West Midlands and North West Board. Heritage Trustee and Committee Chair at The Portico Library, and Trustee of 50:50 Parliament. She also leads Equality, Diversity and Inclusion engagement for the Rosa Funded Amplifying Muted Voices campaign, championing women of colour in the North of England. Her courageous leadership has been recognised globally. In 2019 she was honoured as a Global Goodwill Ambassador in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. 2020 We Are The City Champion winner and in 2022 she received the Inspiring Women Worldwide accolade from the Women’s International Network in Geneva. She was also listed by Diversein.com as one of the Women Who Change the World during Women’s History Month 2023. Invited by UN Women UK as a delegate to CSW67 and CSW68. Baton Award Winner for Political Figure of the Year 2024 and Inspiring Women Award Constance award winner 2025 Carol Ann continues to advocate for gender equality and empowerment on the world stage.

Cushla Rice

Presenter | Q Radio

Cushla Rice is a radio presenter with over a decade of experience across community, student and commercial broadcasting. She currently hosts weekday evenings and Saturday shows on one of Northern Ireland’s biggest commercial stations, where her programmes have seen steadily rising RAJAR figures. In December 2024, she was selected to present Future Pop on BBC Radio 1 as part of the prestigious Christmas Takeover, joining a new generation of voices shaping the future of radio. From her earliest days in community and student stations, Cushlá has shown courageous leadership by using her platform to connect with audiences, champion new talent and share stories that matter. In a competitive industry, she has built her career through creativity and the confidence to speak authentically, inspiring young people who want to see their own voices reflected in media. Her journey illustrates the power of courageous leadership in action: breaking through barriers, seizing opportunities and showing that influence is not only about holding space, but about making space for others. Cushlá continues to build her career with the belief that radio is not just about music and conversation, but about shaping culture, amplifying diverse voices and leading through connection.

Tina McKenzie MBE

CEO | Staffline Ireland

After graduating from Ulster University, Tina went on to pursue a successful international recruitment career, giving her over 30 years’ experience in the Recruitment and Employment Services sector and a wealth of entrepreneurial experience. After returning to Northern Ireland in 2013, she established Staffline Recruitment as a start-up throughout Ireland; taking the company from a standing start to a dominant market leader with a turnover of £150 million within 5 years. This unprecedented success led to a stream of awards, including: the UTV Fast Business Growth Award in 2015, IOD’s Director of the Year Award in 2017, UTV Business Eye’s Business Personality of the Year Award in 2018, the Belfast Telegraph Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020 and the Women in Business Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year Award in 2022. In 2023, Tina was awarded an MBE for services to the local economy and was also named as the 20th most influential person in UK politics in by Politico. In 2024, Tina was appointed to the Department of Business and Trade Small Business Council. She has previously served as the European Ambassador for Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and is the serving Honorary Consul to Finland in Northern Ireland. Tina currently Chairs the Policy and Advocacy Board of the Federation of Small Businesses, the largest business organisation in the UK. She also recently joined the Ireland Funds Global Board.

Camilla Long

Co-Founder | Bespoke Communications

Camilla Long is an expert in Leadership Communication and Organisational Culture, and co-founder of leading training and professional development company, Bespoke Communications. Camilla's expertise has been recognised with multiple speaker awards, cementing her status as a thought leader in her field. She is a featured speaker at leading conferences and corporate events, helping people to speak authentically for impact and influence.