CMI Northern Ireland

Laura Dowie CMgr MCMI

Laura Dowie is Events Coordinator for Ireland at The Open University having taken up the position in January 2018. She creates, plans and manages a number of high profile events and works collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Laura is also founder and director of Little Women NI, an initiative designed to improve a range of life assuring skills in young girls. Laura has gained professional qualifications in applied languages, management, marketing and communications.

Rachael Fergie

Rachael Fergie has completed an undergraduate degree in Business Management at Ulster University, obtaining first-class honours and awarded top Business Management Student.  She then went on to work for Randox Laboratories before embarking on her PhD journey in 2017, which she is currently completing at Ulster University. This multi-disciplinary research focuses on developing leaders of small businesses, utilising a Design Thinking approach.

Rachael has a key interest to increase owner-entrepreneurs capacity for growth, achieving positive economic impact.   She is a Doctoral College representative at Ulster University.

Rachael has begun to write academic paper’s relating to leadership development and has teaching experience at an undergraduate level. She is secretary and committee member of a local charity which has a key education outcome and has been within this role for 3 years.

Emma Finney CMgr FCMI

Emma Finney, Innovation Manager at South Eastern Regional College, and graduate with over 15 years management experience. Recently completed her CMI Chartered Manager accreditation.  Emma is a professional, highly motivated, and organised individual who gains great satisfaction in ensuring success in her many responsibilities.

Emma has experience in both private and public sector in the areas of retail and education.   She is a fellow of CMI and Belfast Hub Lead on the Devolved Board of CMI and has just completed her CMI Level 7 in Strategic Management Practice.

Emma is also a wife and mum to two children with one very spoilt fur baby!  In her spare time Emma enjoys walking and swimming, both in a pool and open water.

Olivia Hamill

Olivia is a passionate and innovative Educator who seeks to inspire her students to change the business narrative. Drawing on previous experience as a Marketing Manager she believes in building and working in collaborative teams.  Olivia believes in developing ‘soft skills’ to enable people to cope with the demands of the workplace and become better Managers.

Gemma Jordan CMgr MCMI

Gemma Jordan is Senior Relationship Manager in Commercial Banking in Ulster Bank. She has over 10 years experience in Banking working in a variety of roles including Corporate Banking and as a Sector Specialist – developing lending strategies, thought leadership and marketing initiatives to identify and attract Healthcare and Manufacturing businesses to the Bank.

Gemma achieved a first-class honour from Queens University. She is a Chartered Accountant and is currently studying to become a Chartered Manager.

As a commercial relationship manager based in Belfast, Gemma supports over 100 businesses, providing them with the financial solutions they need to exceed their growth trajectory.

Patricia O'Lynn CMgr MCMI

Patricia O’Lynn is a skilled researcher, political activist, education consultant and experienced chair.

Patricia has a demonstrated history of leadership across various sectors and is currently undertaking Doctoral research at Queen’s University, Belfast where she also achieved a masters in social science, a degree in law and a diploma in strategic level leadership and management.

Patricia was a candidate in the most recent Westminster and Assembly elections and is a former employee of Senator John McCain.

Nick Read

Nick has over 25 years’ experience working within the education sector in marketing, academic, business development, and teaching roles.  He has worked on a number of consultancy and research projects both with private, social and governmental organisations.

Nick currently works at Ulster University in a business development role he holds a number academic and professional qualifications from Teesside University, Ulster University and the CIM.