Women in Hospitality Connect

Laura Miller

People & Development Associate Director | Galgorm Collection

With over a decade of HR experience spanning hospitality, utilities, and media, Laura is driven by a passion for people development and a firm belief in the principle, ‘hire for attitude, train for skill’. As People & Development Associate Director for Galgorm Collection, she leads both operational and strategic HR functions, while building a high-performing team to support the company’s rapid growth. Laura has played a pivotal role in shaping Galgorm’s award-winning people strategy, under her leadership, the Collection became the first hospitality group on the island of Ireland to achieve Great Place to Work® certification, a milestone that reflects her commitment to creating a workplace where team members realise their full potential

Gemma Payne

Investment Manager | Diageo

Gemma Payne is an Investment Manager at Diageo, focusing on the IOI On Trade. She began her career as a Chartered Accountant at PWC, later transitioning to roles in various banks across Northern Ireland before joining Diageo. Gemma heads up the House of Investment Team and leads a team of Commercial Investment Managers and Analysts, located across the Island of Ireland. Gemma finds great energy in building strong relationships with both customers and colleagues, valuing the insights and opportunities that come from these connections.

Selina Horshi

Managing Director of the Whitehorse Inn

A Derry native, Selina returned home to lead the family business and has been Managing Director of the White Horse Hotel for the past nine years, overseeing its strategic development and growth. Having graduated from Cambridge University, Selina began her career in London, working at The Times and The Economist on the international business development of syndicated editions and digital ventures. She later co-founded The Season Hats with her husband, designer Paul Stafford, a luxury accessories brand that went on to show at London and Paris Fashion Weeks. Selina is deeply committed to regional economic development. She is a Director of Void Gallery, a Non-Executive Director of City of Derry Airport, Company Secretary for The Inner City Trust and serves on the boards of Hospitality Ulster and the Legenderry Food Network. She was President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce in 2024 (whilst pregnant with twins).

Paula McIntyre

Professional Chef

Paula McIntyre trained as a chef at Johnson And Wales Culinary University in the USA and in restaurants in London and Ireland. She contributes to radio programmes on the BBC including the John Toal Show and The Kitchen Cabinet. She has filmed four series of “Paula McIntyre’s Hamely Kitchen” for BBC Northern Ireland. The show is aired across the UK, on SBS food network in Australia and across the Balkan States. In 2023 she collaborated with Basalt Distillery to produce a gin and rum. Her gin won a Great Taste Award star in 2024 and her rum won best dark spirit in Ireland in the Blas na H’Eireann awards 2025. She has written three cookbooks, contributes to various newspapers, is the chair of the Irish Food Writers Guild and Director of Slow Food Northern Ireland . She was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to food and drink in Northern Ireland.