Ministers become SistersIN mentors

Date published: 23 October 2025

The Ministers met with mentees Clodagh Conroy, from St Pius X College, and Sophie Murray, from Strathearn School, as the 2025 leadership and mentorship programme gets underway.

The students will have a number of one-to-one sessions with the Ministers and will also take part in a job shadow day with them.

First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “SistersIN is all about helping young women to believe in themselves, to chase their dreams, and become future leaders, and I am so pleased to be taking part this year as a mentor.

“It was great to meet my mentee, Clodagh, for the first time, and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned, and to learn from her too. I’m really excited to see where this year takes us.”

Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly said: “I am hugely honoured to be a mentor as part of this year’s SistersIN programme.

“We want our young women to be empowered and to reach their full potential and this programme gives them the skills and confidence they need to become the young leaders of the future.

“I’m really looking forward to working with Sophie, providing guidance and encouragement, learning from her and being part of her SistersIN journey.”

Clodagh Conroy said: “The First Minister came to our school and spoke so highly of SistersIN, it really inspired me to sign up and now I’m so privileged that’s who my mentor will be.  I think I'll learn a lot from her about women empowerment and how girls today can be leaders.”

Sophie Murray said: “SistersIN is such a great opportunity, it’s so exciting to learn first-hand from inspirational, powerful women.  I’m looking forward to the opportunity of being mentored by the deputy First Minister and to make the most of what the programme has to offer.”