Dr Elaine O’Neill is a leadership and transformation specialist, and has spent over a decade nurturing future leaders and supporting local entrepreneurs to build businesses that will help Northern Ireland prosper. Having worked with organisations such as Visit Belfast, the Health and Social Care Board, Down District Council, Queen’s University and Politics Plus at Stormont, Elaine has managed strategic economic development initiatives and she has devised numerous bespoke executive training programmes to encourage capacity-building across the education, business and political arena. In her former role as Head of Programmes at Politics Plus, Elaine has been used to welcoming and sending delegations on exchange programmes to and from Northern Ireland and the USA. Having represented Northern Ireland in previous trips including to Macedonia, it was quite fitting that this autumn Elaine was nominated to represent Northern Ireland on the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The programme has a rich history of participation by world leaders including Prime Minister Theresa May and London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Joining 25 other participants from across 23 European countries, Elaine travelled across the country over a three-week period – starting in Washington DC, calling in Minnesota and Arizona, and finishing in San Francisco, where she had the chance to explore the Silicon Valley phenomenon. The professional exchange leadership programme focused on how the US fosters innovation, creativity and supports entrepreneurship, as well as the links between academia and commercialisation – another area close to Elaine’s heart; this was the subject of her PhD. In addition, getting to explore programmes specifically assisting young entrepreneurs, women and minorities was a real eye-opener.

“I’m motivated to bring about the change I would like to see, specifically equality of opportunity and a rich diversity” Elaine said. “It’s important that we model the behaviours that we expect from others. I want my daughter to grow up in a more prosperous Northern Ireland, where she experiences freedom of opportunity regardless of her gender or background. I want to see a more equal and diverse Northern Ireland. I want my daughter and all young people to experience abundance of opportunity, and not the perception we all recognise of limiting opportunities if we stay here.”

Jetting off, Elaine was keen to soak up every learning experience – examples of best practice, networks and connections and learn how the US have created a culture supporting entrepreneurs and leaders. “Northern Ireland is small and we’re not so good at promoting and celebrating our successes… the relationships established and nurtured through these professional exchange programmes such as IVLP are priceless,” she said. “To quote Warren Buffet, ‘The best investment you can make is in yourself.’ I felt this was very much a personal journey, one that I hope will be evidenced to support growth in Northern Ireland in the near future.”

When asked for her thoughts on the state of Northern Ireland’s business community and where it’s heading, Elaine said “I believe that Northern Ireland has an unparalleled resilience and tenacity which is invaluable as a region emerging from conflict and this has been instrumental to its present position with its ever-growing entrepreneurial culture.” Northern Ireland, she said, has a wealth of innovators and exceptional leaders, across industry, public sector and in the political arena.

“To take any economy to the next level, it’s imperative that we provide platforms and vehicles designed to nurture and support the range of leadership and entrepreneurial skills needed to continue to proposer and compete in an ever-changing world, not only in the business environment but also in the public sector.” An innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, she continued, is fundamental to addressing the challenges that lie ahead for Northern Ireland’s economy.

“We must support the development of our current and future leaders, which exist across all sectors, and it is necessary to help transform government agencies, address increasing demands and pressures on public services and local businesses, in order to manage risk and change more effectively, and to improve services which impact the people of Northern Ireland. To quote Warren Buffet again: ‘Risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing.’ Hence the importance of ensuring that we provide people with the necessary knowledge, skills and networks so that they know what they are doing – and reduce the risk.”

And looking to the future, Elaine is optimistic: “Despite the uncertain landscape that lies ahead, I believe that our tenacious leaders will also find emerging opportunities, and Northern Ireland will continue to weather the difficult times and exploit those opportunities.” The importance of building and strengthening relationships between us and the US, is vitally important. In particular the benefit to Northern Ireland through the work of the “unsung heroes” of the US Consulate cannot be over stated. They have tirelessly worked behind the scenes to help build a better future for Northern Ireland, recognising the exceptional potential and continuing to promote Northern Ireland’s economic presence on the world platform.

Also published on Medium.