Danske Bank renews Foundation Partnership with SistersIN to support future female leaders
The partnership will continue mentoring, workplace learning and industry engagement and entrepreneurship events while introducing a new financial education initiative.
SistersIN has announced that Danske Bank will continue as a Foundation Partner for 2026/27, extending a relationship that has been in place since SistersIN was established five years ago.
The partnership helps 16-18 year old girls across Northern Ireland through mentoring, leadership development and workplace learning opportunities.
To date, the partnership has supported more than 250 mentoring matches between female leaders across Danske Bank and the young women participating in the programme. More than 1,000 girls have also attended annual Inspiring Entrepreneurs events hosted by the bank, giving mentees the opportunity to hear first-hand from business owners and entrepreneurs about their careers, challenges and successes.
Danske Bank also hosts an annual Day with your Mentor for its mentees, giving them the opportunity to meet professionals from across the organisation and discover the breadth of roles, skills and opportunities available. The girls also get to connect with other participants on the day and develop their networking skills.
During the coming year, Danske Bank and SistersIN will pilot a new initiative training participants to deliver financial education sessions to their peers in school. The peer-led approach will empower young women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions and take greater control of their financial futures, while developing the mentees’ leadership and presentation skills.
Gillian McKeown, Director of Operations and Growth at SistersIN, said:
“Danske Bank’s continued support means so much to SistersIN. From the very beginning, they have believed in our vision and brought that commitment to life in so many practical and meaningful ways. Another 65 mentors have signed up for this year, reflecting the willingness of colleagues to give their time, share their experience and, in many cases, return year after year. These mentoring relationships are at the very heart of SistersIN.
“However, what makes this partnership stand out is the depth of engagement. Danske Bank doesn’t simply support our programme; its people actively help shape the experiences that make it so valuable. The industry days and Inspiring Entrepreneurs events have opened doors for girls, helping them broaden their ambitions and explore future career possibilities. And as we look ahead, we’re particularly excited about the potential of peer-led financial education, giving girls the knowledge and confidence to share their learning with others and extend that impact throughout their school communities.”
Clark Barnes, Co-Chair of Danske Bank’s Gender Diversity Network, said:
“Over the past five years we’ve seen first-hand the difference SistersIN is making for young women across Northern Ireland. We’ve been proud to play our part alongside the SistersIN team, schools, and many other organisations that share a commitment to helping young women build confidence, develop leadership skills and broaden their aspirations for the future.”
Claire McKeown, Co-Chair of Danske Bank’s Gender Diversity Network, added:
“We’ve seen young women grow in confidence and gain new perspectives on the opportunities available to them. Our colleagues gain a great deal from the experience too, whether through mentoring, sharing their career journeys, while learning from the ambition, energy and potential of the young people they support.”
“The new financial education initiative is an exciting next step. By equipping participants to share their learning with their peers, we can extend that impact even further and help more young people develop the confidence and knowledge to make informed financial decisions.”
Since launching five years ago, SistersIN has supported hundreds of young women across Northern Ireland, connecting them with mentors, experiences and opportunities that help them build confidence, develop leadership skills and realise their potential.
ENDS
Notes to editors
SistersIN is a leadership development programme for girls aged 16–18 across Northern Ireland. The programme combines leadership skills training, one-to-one mentoring from women in business and society, and opportunities for mentees to put their leadership skills into action. Its mission is to enable, empower and develop young women to become the leaders of tomorrow.
For further information, please contact SistersIN at info@sisters-in.org or visit www.sisters-in.org.
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