Women’s History Month is celebrated throughout the month of March, and is a time to honour and recognise the achievements, contributions, and resilience of women in various fields. The theme for this year is “Women in Leadership: Achieving an Equal Future in a COVID-19 World.”
Photo of the back of four women

On March 8, we also observe International Women’s Day, which is a global celebration of women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements. Here we asked colleagues from across the Business School to celebrate remarkable women who have shaped history and continue to inspire us.

Stella Sibbit-Johnston

Stella Sibbit-Johnston

Stella is our Student Recruitment Manager.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

As a proud New Zealander, I really do have to say Jacinda Ardern. I was so excited to see her become PM just before I left to move to the UK in 2017, becoming the world’s youngest female head of state. Jacinda really sought to empower all Kiwis and embed her socially progressive stance in everything she did, including launching a Wellbeing budget, leading a Covid-19 response many other countries envied and swiftly toughening gun laws after an unprecedented attack. I truly find Jacinda one of the world’s best leaders and orators and am excited to see her future impact on the world stage.

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

Balancing the career I love with the children I love! It’s not easy to find the right balance between an exciting and busy full-time career including international travel with raising our two fun-loving and energetic young children; but the support and flexibility of both my spouse and UEBS allows me to do both.

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

The inclusion and empowerment of ALL women, especially those disadvantaged by structural factors; in particular highlighting trans and other LGBTQIA+ women, women of the Global South, displaced and refugee women, and women living with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Be you! Everyone else is already taken.

Inger Seiferheld

Inger Seiferheld

Inger is our Director of Quality and Accreditations.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

Vigdís Finnbogadóttir; she was the fourth president of Iceland from 1980 to 1996 and the first woman in the world to be democratically elected as president. Having served as president of Iceland for 16 years, she is, I believe, the longest-serving elected female head of state in history. Among her core issues were the environment and inclusion. She was re-elected without opposition twice and the once she faced opposition, she won with 92.7% of the vote. It was her own choice not to seek re-election for a fifth term.

She was a founding chair of the Council of Women World Leaders, and she was first chair of the World Commission on the Ethics in Scientific Knowledge and Technology. She was also a member of the Club of Madrid, an independent, non-partisan, non-profit organization created to promote democracy and change in the international community.

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

I don’t see myself as a big achiever but getting through life without upsetting too many people is something that I think I should be proud of; note that I said nothing about disagreeing with people.

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

That women are given a fair and equal opportunity to become involved and to be recognised for their contribution on equal terms.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

I have made stupid mistakes in my life that I definitely would want to warn my younger self against but I don’t want to share those here. But I would want to tell my younger self that it’s OK to be a bit more pushy.

Rosa Ross

Rosa Ross

Rosa is one of our Student Advisors.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

I definitely admire the author Barbara Kingsolver. She’s had a fantastic career already, writing so compellingly and humanely about people whilst interweaving a social, ecological message which is never didactic. And now, when others might be thinking about retiring, she’s better than ever: Demon Copperhead published in late 2022 is an undeniable modern classic. Her social media presence is also warm and delightful. She’s just a legend!

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

I was fastest lady in the 2018 Halifax marathon (there were only 7 of us… but still!)

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

For me it goes beyond securing a wider range of opportunities for all, but also involves a commitment to challenging the systems and ideologies which shape our wants and desires along gendered lines. Otherwise, we’ll keep on fitting into the same old roles, even if in theory anything is possible.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Hunter S Thompson put it well: “Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life. Decide how you want to live and then see what you can do to make a living WITHIN that way of life.”.

Tara Morrison

Tara Morrison

Tara is our Lecturer in Business Education and Deputy Director of UG Programmes.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

Elenor Roosevelt: Wife of Franklin D Roosevelt - an incredibly influential and political figure in her own right. She transformed the role of the First Lady of the United States – holding press conferences, writing newspaper columns, hosting radio shows and speaking at national conventions. She was instrumental in the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, and fought for the rights of African Americans, World War 2 refugees and for the expansion of women’s roles within the workplace. She is often considered one of the most influential people of the 20th Century. For me, she is inspirational in that she ‘got stuff done’. She recognised the importance of her role in effecting positive change and she used it to the best of her abilities.

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

Being a parent. Working together with my partner to help our children to thrive and grow, and become the fantastic adults they are today. In my latter years when I look back on my life – that will be all that matters.

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

I prefer the term diversity as opposed to gender equity. Gender equity means being fair and impartial. However, diversity is about celebrating difference. However, that is not enough on its own. Verna Myers’ quote is brilliant: “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance”. Women should be valued for being different and the incredible role they play in the world.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t sweat the small stuff and be a little more kind to yourself. Women are told they can have it all – and they can – but at a cost – physically and mentally. Good enough is good enough.

Caitlin Hamilton

Caitlin Hamilton

Caitlin is our Communications Manager.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

Christina Lamb, who is a foreign correspondent and journalist. Not only does Christina write beautifully, but she selflessly travels to the most unsettled corners of the world to give a voice to the often voiceless (very often women and children). She gives dignity to those living in extreme hardships and makes sure that their stories are shared far and wide. I always make sure to navigate to her articles, and I’d like her to know that her words are a great advocate for awareness raising and change.

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

I’m so people-orientated, so I get such great joy in working with a team of wonderful and talented individuals. Seeing colleagues flourish, move onwards and upwards, and getting celebrated for what they achieve are things that always make me feel proud.

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

I think, quite simply, that people are treated fairly, equally and without bias.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

I always felt a bit stressed that I wasn’t someone who had a ten-year career plan (especially being surrounded by such focussed friends!), but I always leaned into advice my mother gave me: ‘It’s as important to know what you don’t want to do – that will then lead you to the path that’s right for you!’

Mary Brennan

Mary Brennan

Mary is Chair of Food Marketing and Society.


Which woman inspires you, and why?

This is such a tough question but if I have to choose it would be Mary Robinson - former President of Ireland. Her work, role and willingness to speak truth to power shifted Ireland on its axis. She role modelled what was possible and what it took to lead and inspire. Just thinking about what she did to inspire me and so many of my generation of young Irish women in the 1990s brings tears to my eyes. She is run an extremely close second by the wonderful lady who became president after her - Mary McAlesse. They changed Ireland completely and continue to speak truth to power and inspire women throughout the world.

What is an achievement of your own that you are particularly proud of?

It’s got to be my PhD. It was a tough, long though empowering journey. It allowed me to really stretch myself intellectually and to develop a real passion and expertise for food policy and consumer practices. I had not had an easy undergraduate experience and this represented my true abilities. I will never forget the moment the letter arrived to confirm my PhD and the fantastic party we had at the graduation. I was surrounded by a set of very important women in my life who had supported, cajoled, advised and championed.

What does gender equity and inclusion mean to you?

Freedom of choice and equity of opportunity. It’s not about having it all but having the freedom to choose what you want to do, when you want to do it no matter what age, gender, race and ability.

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Hold on. It’s going to be one hell of a ride. Stay present, positive and curious at all times. Hold onto those that support, champion and challenge you, and embrace failure, difficulties and challenges. They are all opportunities for growth and development.