Paralympic champion and BAFTA-winning documentary maker Ellie Simmonds will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Voices of Leadership Conference in Belfast.

Now in its ninth year, this landmark conference will take place in Mandela Hall on 18th November when an audience of over 400 women, including senior leaders, founders and public sector influencers, will come together to discuss the 2025 theme of ‘Courageous Leadership’.

An advocate for inclusion in sports, Simmonds tops an impressive line-up of speakers including Marie Doyle (Deloitte UK) Jessica N. Grounds (Corporate Directors Forum), Carol Ann Whitehead (The Zebra Tribe), Professor Deirdre Heenan, Staffline CEO Tina McKenzie MBE and Q Radio presenter Cushla Rice.

Commenting at the launch, Lorraine Acheson, Women in Business Managing Director and Group Deputy CEO said, “As leaders, we know that courage often means stepping into the unknown, making bold decisions, and challenging expectations. It is fantastic to have Ellie as one of our Voices of Leadership to explore how courage has shaped her journey within the worlds of sport and broadcasting. Attendees can look forward to real-world leadership lessons and how these can be applied in business to help drive forward innovation and resilience within a world defined by change.”

Rooted in the heart of Northern Ireland’s thriving business ecosystem, the one-day conference will be hosted by Donna Traynor and provide an international stage for purpose-driven leadership conversations that resonate far beyond the room.

“At its core, the conference stands tall as a showcase of new narratives in leadership; narratives that are inclusive, authentic and future-focused. It plays a vital role in elevating the voices of women and underrepresented leaders, creating space for diverse perspectives that shape how we lead in a changing world”, added Lorraine.

Delivered in partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, the 2025 event welcomes the return of NIE Networks as title sponsor, with Belfast City Council also supporting the event.

Paula Leathem, Head of Human Resources at NIE Networks, added: “We are once again delighted to sponsor the Voices of Leadership Conference which is a key event in our calendars. Courage in leadership is something most females have had to be very mindful about and particularly in areas, such as STEM, where females are still under-represented. We must continue to empower and inspire all our female leaders to have the courage to use their voice to the fullest and I look forward to hearing from the wealth of experience that will this year take to the stage.”