Laura brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to her role and her most recent experience comes from running her own consultancy and training business. This gave valuable insights on partnering with both Public and Private sector organisations to guide and support them on the EDI journey. Laura holds a BA (Hons) degree in Hotel management from Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) and started her EDI career as Business Development Director at Canada’s Women’s Executive Network (WXN). A notable achievement in this role was organising and running their “Top Powerful Women in Business Awards” for two years. Laura then ran two programmes of ‘Mentor Leadership’ through UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and went on to head the D&I Management function at Aer Lingus. As an openly-proud Gay Woman, Laura has worked alongside LGBTQ+ organisations for over 10 years to de-stigmatise issues around sexual orientation and has delivered numerous workshops to young people in schools, as well as working alongside several community projects and not-for-profit organisations. She is also passionate about EDI work to address physical and mental disabilities as she grew up with an amazing brother who had many complicated disabilities, so progress in this area holds a special place in her heart.
The many strings in Laura’s bow includes a Radio Production Diploma. The recent pandemic saw her completing a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)-approved Diploma in the Design, Delivery & Assessment of Training and another in Data Protection. Laura’s role will see her working closely with the teams that have started their journey in Investors in Diversity as well as the organisations starting out and trying to negotiate their paths to more equal and harmonious workplaces where everyone can thrive.
CAROLINE BOCQUEL, CEO, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM),
Caroline is Chief Executive of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency and has extensive managerial and change leadership experience, with an emp