SistersIN and NFU Mutual Charitable Trust partner to empower future female leaders across rural communities

Pictured L-R: Lauren Finlay (NFU Mutual) and Gillian McKeown (SistersIN)

SistersIN is proud to announce its partnership with the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust and NFU Mutual, marking a shared commitment to empowering young women and strengthening leadership pathways across communities throughout Northern Ireland.

This is more than a funding relationship; it is a strategic collaboration focused on creating meaningful opportunities for young women, particularly those in rural and underrepresented areas, to build confidence, develop leadership skills and explore future pathways.

Supported by a donation from the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, the partnership will see the organisations work closely across mentoring, events, education and community engagement to deliver lasting impact.

At the heart of the collaboration is a shared belief in the importance of investing early in young people, equipping them not only with ambition but also with the practical skills and support networks needed to succeed.

As part of this partnership, NFU Mutual employees will play an active role in programme delivery, with opportunities for female employees across both regional and local agency levels to become mentors, speakers and role models within the programme.

The partnership will also create opportunities for students to engage with financial education, including the potential for tailored workshops on topics such as budgeting, financial resilience and planning for future careers, helping young women build confidence not only as leaders but also in managing their own financial futures.

In addition, NFU Mutual will support key programme moments throughout the year, including participation in events such as the SistersIN Celebration, as well as engagement with schools and local communities.

Director of Operations and Growth at SistersIN, Gillian McKeown, said:

“This partnership with NFU Mutual reflects a shared commitment to supporting young women in every part of Northern Ireland, including those in rural communities where access to opportunity can sometimes be more limited.

By working together, we can go beyond programme delivery to create meaningful connections that help young women see what is possible and build the confidence to pursue it. As SistersIN continues to grow, partnerships that combine funding with active engagement play a vital role in ensuring these opportunities remain accessible, relevant and impactful, helping to shape a more confident and diverse pipeline of future female leaders across Northern Ireland.”

Regional Manager at NFU Mutual, Lauren Finlay, commented:

“At NFU Mutual, we are proud to support initiatives like SistersIN that are making a real difference in communities across the region. It is particularly important to create opportunities for young women in rural areas, ensuring they have access to the skills, confidence and support networks needed to succeed in their future careers, and we’re delighted that we are able to help to do this.

As well as investing financially through the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust, NFU Mutual is using this partnership to encourage our people to get involved as mentors, speakers and role models, helping to inspire the next generation of female leaders.”

This partnership marks another important step in SistersIN’s continued growth and sustainability, strengthening the programme’s ability to connect young women across Northern Ireland with mentors, experiences and opportunities that build confidence, ambition and leadership capacity.

SistersIN is a leadership development programme designed to enable, empower and develop female pupils to become the leaders of tomorrow. This September, the programme will expand into 70 schools across Northern Ireland, reaching over 800 girls and continuing its mission to help young women discover their full potential, strengthen their leadership capability and confidence, and open new possibilities for their future journeys.

To explore opportunities to support SistersIN, please contact our Director of Operations & Growth, Gillian McKeown, at gmckeown@sisters-in.org for more information on how to get involved.