Every year, IMI and the 30% Club awards two scholarships for high-potential female leaders to take part in our Professional Diploma programmes. We caught up with five past participants, to hear how the programmes impacted their career journey.
Ahead of reading their stories Elizabeth Sheehan, Country Executive, 30% Club has a few words to share:
“We are celebrating 10 years of partnership with the IMI. Since its launch in 2015, in addition to the IMI 30% Club Network Mentoring Programme, the 30% Club scholarship programme has become one of our longest-running and most impactful initiatives. IMI have supported us by awarding two scholarships per year to deserving recipients. Over the past decade, these scholars have benefitted immensely from this opportunity, gaining fresh perspectives and valuable insights.
At the 30% Club, we are continually inspired by the dedication and commitment of everyone involved in both the IMI 30% Club scholarships and the wider IMI/30% Club Network Mentor community. Through this collaboration, we have witnessed many great leaders emerge and flourish. Thank you to Dervilla, Fiona, Susan, Stephanie and Majella for sharing their experiences. It is through the positive impact of the alumni of the 30% Club initiatives that diversity and inclusion can continue to drive on. “
For more information on the IMI/30% Club Network Mentor Programme click here.
Dervilla McCann, European Discount Manager at Kellanova
My career is rooted in the grocery retail industry, with experience across both the retailer and supplier sides of the commercial spectrum. I’ve held a number of roles with Lidl Ireland and currently serve at Kellanova, the company behind globally recognised brands such as Kellogg’s cereals and Pringles. My current role centres on leading complex commercial negotiations for a multi-million-euro customer contract, spanning nine European markets.
I hold a degree in Business and German from Trinity College Dublin. My degree included a formative year of study at the University of Mannheim in Germany. My passion for continuous learning and leadership development drew me to the Irish Management Institute, where I began with a Professional Diploma in Organisation Development and Transformation in 2021. While gaining rich experience in the workplace, I recognised the importance of complementing practical knowledge with rigorous academic frameworks.
My time at IMI was transformative. Returning to formal education after several years in industry, I embraced the challenge and opportunity to learn from thought leaders and accomplished peers. I was fortunate to receive the 30% Club Scholarship to pursue a second Professional Diploma, this time in Leadership.
IMI stood out for its reputation in executive education and its flexible format, which allowed me to balance my studies alongside my professional responsibilities. The programmes offered a rare blend of evidence-based theory and peer-to-peer insight, which connected real-world dilemmas with tested frameworks. The workshops sparked engaging discussions enriched by diverse perspectives, and the collaborative study groups became enduring professional networks and friendships.
One of my most memorable experiences was the immersive leadership module at Killary Adventure Centre, facilitated by Phillip Matthews—a defining moment that challenged us to apply leadership principles in dynamic, real-time scenarios.
Ultimately, the IMI experience has helped me sharpen my strategic acumen, develop a more reflective approach to leadership, and build a resilient peer network—all of which continue to shape my impact across international markets.
Fiona Murphy-Gerlich, Director, International Accounting at McAfee
I’ve spent almost the past decade leading finance and accounting teams in global, matrixed organizations. Whether in agri-business, tech startups, or large corporations, I translate big-picture strategy into hands-on execution—everything from audits and finance transformations to M&A and divestitures. Today, I lead an international team based all over the world. Over time, I’ve discovered a real passion for leadership development and the psychology behind high-performing teams. In 2021, I was thrilled to receive the IMI/30% Club scholarship for the Professional Diploma in Leadership.
Leading my team through complex projects and doing it all remotely led me to seek fresh frameworks and mentorship to level up. Winning the 30% Club scholarship felt like an invitation to grow: not just in strategic thinking, but in the confidence to drive future finance transformations and was an ideal opportunity to apply classroom learning and strong peer network support to complex real- world examples.
One hands-on exercise on strategic execution still sticks with me. We mapped out a global rollout from start to finish and hunted for hidden risks. That day shifted me from siloed problem-solving to seeing how every function fits together. I also loved the “Becoming a Change Leader” module, it showed me how to win hearts and minds, not just check off tasks.
Dr Philip Matthews, our Programme Director, was unforgettable. With his mix of authenticity, high expectations and his background as a former Ireland rugby captain, he pushed us to find and live our own leadership styles. His challenges still guide me when I’m coaching my team across five time zones.
I didn’t expect to come away feeling so personally transformed. I redefined what it meant to embrace ambiguity, and learned that vulnerability and curiosity are true leadership superpowers.
Since graduation I’ve continued to grow in my career, navigating complex projects with confidence and strengthening my peer network, such an important aspect of continuous professional education.
My favourite memories of the programme aren’t just the lessons, it was the camaraderie. I still grin at late-night strategy huddles, the laughter amid intense case studies and the pride we felt celebrating each other’s breakthroughs. That spirit of courage, connection and continuous learning is what made the experience unforgettable.
Susan Burke, Head of Group Business Development at Musgrave
After studying Finance at UCC, I began my 20-year career at Musgrave through their graduate programme. Right from the start, I was exposed to complex, fast-moving environments across retail, wholesale and foodservice, both in Ireland and in the UK. As Strategy and Planning Controller, I built a foundation in strategic insight before moving into business development. Today, I am the Group Head of Business Development, leading strategic partnerships and acquisitions for the Musgrave Group. They have recently become an official member of the 30% Club, reinforcing the company’s commitment to advancing female participation at senior levels, This is something as a past participant of support makes me very proud to work for Musgrave.
A few years ago, I reached a point where I wanted to move from operational delivery to strategic leadership. I was curious about how change and transformation could be embedded across the organisation, beyond just HR. That curiosity led me to IMI’s Professional Diploma in Organisation Development and Transformation, supported by a scholarship from the 30% Club.
Since then, I’ve completed the Strategy and Innovation Diploma and the Advanced Strategic Performance Programme, earning a Master’s in Business. Each step deepened both my capabilities and confidence.
There were many standout moments across the programmes: from the 16PF assessment during the APP programme, to practical workshops led by experts like Edwin O’Hora and Professor Thomas Lawton. These experiences brought structure to complexity and helped me see myself as a strategic leader.
The IMI programmes gave me the tools to think like a consultant, lead with emotional intelligence, and deliver results. I’ve applied those lessons directly in my role whether it’s executing acquisitions, building strategic frameworks, or leading teams. I have a strong professional toolkit to pull from.
Receiving the APP Student of the Year Award, voted by peers, was a humbling moment that reminded me how far I’d come. I’ve even been invited back to speak to UCC undergraduates. That full-circle experience has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of my IMI journey. None of my learning would have been possible without the 30% club scholarship. It gave me the motivation and confidence to move forward and embrace my career with a new purpose.
Stephanie Nolan, Head of Fundraising & Communications at ARC Cancer Support Centres
I’ve pretty much dedicated my career to the non-profit sector, apart from a 4-year stint as a Sales Manager. I did really well there but my heart was not in it and I was drawn back to the non-profit world. It took a while for my career to get off the ground as I became critically ill when I graduated from Management Science & Information Systems Studies at Trinity College (better known as MSISS). It took many years to gain equilibrium health wise and during that time I dabbled in sales, volunteer management and considered careers such as accountancy and even acupuncture, before realizing I had a natural ability for sales/fundraising and I entered this space.
I was prompted to attend the IMI through the 30% Club. Many leaders are male and I welcomed the ethos of the 30% Club. My sister had been involved in it, during its early years in Ireland so I was not new to the concept.
I was in a leadership position when the opportunity arose to apply for the scholarship at the IMI. I did not really have formal training in leading and managing a team so this presented an amazing opportunity. I had a serious case of imposter syndrome (yes that over-used term!) but the truth is it was real to me. I had lost faith in my brain through my ill-health and putting myself forward for the scholarship took me out of my comfort zone.
I hoped to gain clarity on leadership, fresh thinking, and the chance to connect with others who shared similar ambitions. Most of all, I wanted to restore my belief in myself.
There were many standout moments, from the leadership retreat in Connemara to the day-to-day classroom discussions. Phillip Matthews, our Course Director, was outstanding. His thought-provoking style stayed with me long after the programme ended.
Doing the assignments was unexpectedly powerful. I realised I could keep pace with others in the room. Phillip once told me I had a clear, effective writing style, and I realized I had the potential to take my leadership journey further.
I’ve since been promoted to the senior leadership team at Dublin Simon Community and now serve as Head of Fundraising and Communications at ARC Cancer Support Centres. If you’re ever looking for a charity to support, please do reach out to me at [email protected].
Majella McCafferty, Farm Advocacy Manager, National Dairy Council
Applying for the IMI/30% Club Scholarship was more than a milestone, it was a calling. Driven by over 1,000 Chairs and CEOs across 20+ countries, the 30% Club stands for leadership that mirrors society, anchored in the belief that diverse organizations significantly outperform those that aren’t. Its courageous and business-led mission to increase gender diversity in leadership roles, from CEO to CFO and Chair, resonated deeply with my values, and I was proud to answer that call.
Completing the IMI Professional Diploma in Organisational Behaviour & Change fundamentally shifted my leadership approach. I gained powerful frameworks to motivate teams, lead change, and influence outcomes within our organisation. Inspired by this, I pursued an IMI Master in Business Practice at UCC, where I studied key topics such as Advanced Strategic Performance, Financial Markets, International Business and People Management, Coaching, Strategic Communications, and Marketing & PR. Each course equipped me with actionable knowledge, empowering me to apply theory with confidence across organisational contexts.
Throughout my studies, I was privileged to learn from and be supported by exceptional leaders at the IMI and UCC including Stephen Blewitt, General Manager of Dairy at Aurivo; Zoe Kavanagh, former NDC CEO; Mark Keller, Interim NDC CEO; and Emma Walls, current NDC CEO. Their mentorship, alongside the encouragement of their boards and chairs, inspired me to grow as a leader and advocate.
One lesson that has stayed with me came from an IMI Associate: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” This powerful reminder emphasized that meaningful change requires embedding initiatives into the very culture of an organisation. Lessons on negotiation psychology, the importance of self-reflection in leadership, and peer insights further transformed my approach, enhancing my ability to lead with empathy and impact.
Guided by IMI frameworks, I have reshaped how I manage stakeholder relationships and public outreach. My advocacy now integrates these insights in working with our stakeholders, influencing government policy as part of Nuffield International, and connecting with consumers. As a Nuffield Ireland Scholar, I have applied this knowledge globally, exploring trade, production, government programmes and policy, leadership practices that drive sustainable agricultural business worldwide.
A standout memory was applying IMI’s change management frameworks and coaching principles collaboratively with hundreds of suppliers, sparking genuine progress across the Irish dairy sector. I also treasure the diversity of perspectives shared by my peers, which underscored that while strategy may be universal, its application must adapt to cultural and sector nuances.
