Inspiring future female leaders in education

“Networking is not about just connecting people. It’s about connecting people with people, people with ideas, and people with opportunities”
— Michele Jennae
BECOME A MEMBER

The education profession has a significant female majority,

but this is seldom reflected in leadership positions.

Together, we will support ambition and progression for future female leaders across all education sectors.

Opportunities to Connect

WILL Network provides a range of opportunities for connection, both online and in-person across all sectors (early childhood, primary, post-primary, higher education). Sharing leadership stories and experiences is a powerful tool for human connection and growth.

They can inspire, build empathy, and enable learning. Building strong relationships through networking can also open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and invaluable support for career progression and a leadership journey.

  • A monthly e-newsletter, contributed to by WILL members, with relevant leadership finds (new resources or information), leadership book/podcast reviews and a spotlight on a members’ career and leadership journeys. Details of all upcoming WILL events are included to enable members to register for an event that interests them. We encourage WILL members to dip in and out of the network events, according to the time they have, and what inspires them for motivation for career progression and support.

  • A large in-person national event that takes place three times a year on a Saturday morning (10am-12.30pm) in a central location in Ireland. Each event is attended by up to 150 members. Guest speakers (from both in and outside education) are invited to share their leadership experience and advice for aspiring female leaders. Attendees are actively encouraged to network; seek advice for their own career progression and/or share initiatives in education they are involved in. Conversations focus on a leadership theme, which have previously included creativity, authenticity, resilience and presence, not perfection. We aim to create a space where members can share their passion for education, feel a sense of empowerment, all with some fun and laughter. Tickets for WILL Brunch sell out very quickly. They are released via Eventbrite in WILL Clicks and on Linked In.

  • A live online podcast style conversation with female leader guest speakers from a range of sectors, education, politics, business, etc. Previous topics have included role models, motivation, sustainable leadership and women’s health. WILL Chats is held once a month via Zoom. Members can register for free on link sent via WILL Clicks. Recordings are sent to WILL members only.

  • The network’s newly formed research panel, consists of WILL members who had conducted research or have an interest in the area of female educational leadership and/or career progression. The aim for this panel is to conduct research on educational leadership and gender in Ireland to build awareness and to inform the development of future supports within the network.

Explore Membership

Who we are

Dr Kathryn Corbett (Co-Founder)

Advocate for Mentoring and Lifelong Learning to support Leadership and Career Progression.

  • Kathryn is currently principal of Bishop Galvin NS, a large senior primary school in Templeogue, Dublin. Previous to this, she was seconded to the National Induction Programme for Teachers (NIPT) as a Regional Development Officer and also worked as a Professional Learning Officer with the Teaching Council. She was a member of the Board of Directors with IPPN (Irish Primary Principal Network). Kathryn completed her M.Ed. with Maynooth University, and in 2020 was awarded a PhD from UL, with her research on teachers’ portfolios for professional learning.  She also has a Diploma in Counselling Skills and a Diploma in Women in Leadership.

Rachel O’ Connor (Co-Founder)

Passionate about the Power and Impact of Educational Leadership and Networking.

  • Rachel is the Deputy Director of NAPD - National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals. She is currently seconded from her position as Principal of Ramsgrange Community School in Co. Wexford. She is currently a PhD candidate of Educational Leadership with the University of Limerick. Rachel is an Associate for the OIDE leadership team delivering on the Misneach programme and Mentoring.

What people are saying

  • "WILL embodies the kind of leadership I believe in generous, authentic, and rooted in shared purpose. The connections and encouragement I’ve received have strengthened both my voice and my vision."

    —Angela Cummins, M.Ed, St.Ultan’s Primary School

  • "The WILL Network is somewhere I feel authentically connected to purpose and people. It offers me green shoots of ideas and relationships that nurture me both personally and professionally."

    —Michelle Stowe, Founder & Director, Connect RP Ltd.

  • "WILL Network is invaluable to me on so many level - it is inspiring, motivating and empowering! Working for myself is wonderful, but can sometimes feel isolating, so being connected to a tribe of like-minded, ambitious, highly-motivated women in education is just incredible. I'm really grateful to be part of it!"

    —Fiona Forman, Speaker, Facilitator, Author of Weaving Wellbeing

  • "I found WILL to be a vibrant, warm, engaging and uplifting network comprising women from diverse backgrounds in education coming together to lift each other up in an encouraging and inspiring way! Attending this network always fills my cup, restores my soul and affirms me to keep moving forward. Ar scáth a chéile a mhairimíd."

    —Dr. Deirdre McGillicuddy, Associate Professor in Education in UCD School of Education

  • "Since its inception in 2022, I am proud to be part of this vibrant growing network that empowers women in education to lead with confidence and purpose in the spirit of true altruism and abundance."

    —Dr. Ciara O’ Donnell, Education Consultant, Researcher, Professional Speaker

  • "What makes this network so special is the balanced space it creates where serious and thoughtful conversations about leadership and learning sit comfortably alongside laughter, encouragement, and the reassuring sense that we have such remarkable individuals in our corner. So many women in Irish education are standing taller because of WILL."

    —Dr. Ciara O’ Donnell, Education Consultant, Researcher, Professional Speaker

  • "It has been a true privilege to witness the Women in Learning and Leadership Network grow from its very first event into the powerful, supportive community it is today- a space where authentic connection inspires real, lasting change. The energy, ambition, and heart in that room is unlike anything else, and the best is definitely yet to come!"

    —Niamh Fortune, Associate Dean, Maynooth University

WILL’s Impact in Numbers

2462

Members

10

WILL Brunches

+28

WILL Workshops

+20

WILL Clicks

+25

WILL Chats

1,000s

conversations & connections

Unlimited

Impact

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Contact Us

If you would like to share your leadership experience at a WILL event, or you are interested in providing sponsorship support for a WILL brunch, contact us using the form across.