US–NIMentorshipProgram

Creating Opportunities for Northern Ireland’s Youthnews

Supported byThe American Ireland Fund

Northern Ireland Science Park CONNECTDeclan Kelly

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Thank you for your interest in the US–NI Mentorship Program. I established thisprogram with the support of The American Ireland Fund when I served as USEconomic Envoy to Northern Ireland. The program was designed to provide youngpeople from Northern Ireland with the opportunity to work in the United Statesand gain valuable experience in a US corporate environment.

From September 2009 until May 2011, I had the privilege of serving as theUS Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland. In that role, my office worked toincrease economic opportunities between the US and Northern Ireland, and todevelop programs that would have a long-term impact on the region. One ofthe first things I discovered about Northern Ireland was the strength of theregion’s incredible young people. Northern Ireland’s universities produce someof the highest quality graduates anywhere in the world, and these graduatesplay a key role in attracting foreign direct investment to the region.

When I stepped down as Envoy, I was anxious to continue to support and fund the Mentorship Programin a personal capacity. Feedback on the program from both participants and host companies continues to beexceptionally positive and I am pleased to report that many of the world’s leading corporations have signedup for the program again for 2012.

The program selects top graduates from across Northern Ireland and places them in US corporations for aone-year work period. The graduates are individuals who have demonstrated academic promise and haveshown an interest in developing entrepreneurship and management skills.

The goal of the program is for the participants to be able to return to Northern Ireland with the skills andexperience to start businesses and become business leaders in their communities. Having had the opportunityto meet with many of the participants in the first year of the program, I can tell you that they will be wellprepared to return and invest in the future of Northern Ireland.

Message from Declan Kelly

The US–NI Mentorship Program participants meet with Northern Ireland’s First Minister, Rt. Hon Peter Robinson MLA and

Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness MP, MLA, and Kieran McLoughlin, President and CEO, The Worldwide Ireland Funds,

during their recent visit to New York.

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Robert McCannCEO of UBS Wealth Management AmericasChairman, Mentorship Program Steering Committee (US)

‘I became involved with the mentorship program because I believe it willprovide a great opportunity for young people in Northern Ireland to gainvaluable business experience. The companies participating in the programare all world-class organizations, and I have no doubt that the mentorshipprogram will help produce business leaders for Northern Ireland.’

Joanne Stuart OBEDirector Northern Ireland Science ParkChairman, Mentorship Program Steering Committee (NI)

‘The opportunity to spend a year working in the US and interacting with adifferent culture will undoubtedly stand to the participants for the rest of theirfuture careers. I look forward to watching these young achievers continue toenjoy great business success when they return to Northern Ireland.’

Loretta Brennan GlucksmanChairman of The American Ireland Fund

‘The American Ireland Fund is committed to helping Northern Ireland reapthe benefits of a lasting peace. Through our participation in the mentorshipprogram, we are working to provide young people across the region withbusiness experience that will allow them to return to Northern Ireland asleaders that can help further transform the region.’

We gratefully acknowledge support from participating companies:

Allstate Almac

AXA Equitable Bank of America

Coca Cola Cowen Group

Credit Suisse HBO

HSBC Keefe Bruyette & Woods

KPMG Moët Hennessy

New York E-Health Collaborative PwC

Sesame Workshop Targus Info

Teneo UBS

Program Leadership

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PwC has supported the US–NI Mentorship Programsince its inception in June 2010 and thus far hashosted 3 candidates in the Banking and CapitalMarkets practice within their Assurance business. Rob MacGoey is a prominent member of the AIFYoung Leaders and has been actively involved inPwC’s participation in the US–NI Mentorship Program.Rob’s experience to date with the program has beenvery rewarding and has resulted in PwC permanentlyemploying a US–NI Mentorship Program candidate,Emily Gaston, and continuing to commit to theprogram – welcoming two more participants; Conall Burns and Bryan Henderson to PwC this year.

Demonstrating the success the program hashad amongst its host companies, Rob has statedthat the caliber of the candidates on the programhas been exceptional and PwC’s New York teamshave been greatly enriched by the addition of US–NI Mentorship Program participants. Throughtheir participation, host companies have beenexposed to highly educated individuals with thepassion and drive to embark on an internationalposition to further both their career and ambitionin representing Northern Ireland as an attractivelocation for business development.

Emily Gaston who commenced work at PwC inDecember 2010, is testament to the benefits the

US–NI Mentorship Program can create for hostcompanies. From the outset, Emily has embracedher challenging role by gaining a strong knowledgeof capital markets. Emily has proved popular withboth her clients and peers by impressing them withher high standards of work, dedication and aboveall her positive attitude. Emily is currently sitting herCPA (Certified Public Accountant) exams in whichshe hopes to complete by the end of 2012.

Emily’s success is an example of what strongplayers within the US–NI Mentorship Program canhelp achieve. Rob proved to be an invaluable sourceof advice and support, not only to Emily but also tothe other participants of the US–NI MentorshipProgram. Rob’s commitment to The American IrelandFund and other philanthropic activities has created apositive role model for the participants. In followingthis role, Emily has found herself acting as a mentorto the second round of candidates, a role in which shehopes to continue in the coming years.

PwC hosted the US–NI Mentorship Programgraduation in November 2012 and will beparticipating in the program for 2013 and 2014.The US–NI Mentorship Program is exceptionallygrateful to the ongoing support from PwC and forRob’s personal commitment to the program.

The full circle of mentoring – PwC plays a pivotal role

Emily Gaston addressing the attendees at the 2011US–NI Mentorship Program graduation event,hosted by PwC, November 2012.

Rob MacGoey, PwC – US–NI Mentorship Program mentor.

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Coca–Cola has hosted two participantsfrom the US-NI Mentorship Program at itscorporate headquarters in Atlanta over thepast two years. Coca-Cola has provided theUS-NI Mentorship Program candidates withthe opportunity to work across functionsand teams which have enriched theirskillset and fostered their capabilities. ChrisAisenbrey, Director of Talent Managementat Coca-Cola has remarked at how capablethe participants are in adapting to their newlife in Atlanta and how easily theyintegrated into the Coca-Cola culture; ‘theattitudes and willingness of the participantsto embrace this opportunity and generatethe maximum value from their year hastruly impressed the team at Coca-Cola.’

Coca-Cola has demonstrated a sincerelevel of commitment to developing andnurturing the talent of US–NI MentorshipProgram participants and has provided globalopportunities to those who complete their year stintwith the company in Atlanta. As a result of her workwith Coca-Cola, US–NI Mentorship Programparticipant, Emma Bleakley was offered theopportunity to continue her training with CCEAG(Coca-Cola Erfrischungsgetränke) in Berlin.

Emma now works as a Supply Chain DevelopmentCoordinator having spent a year as a trainee in this

department in Atlanta. Emma has stated that her yearwith Coca-Cola exposed her to business functionswhich she had never considered before; ‘I wasfortunate to be part of a team which had up to twentyyears of expertise in the supply chain industry andthey immediately sparked my interest into theimportance of this function as one of the key driversof growth in any organization. As a result I havegained a special insight into areas of developmentand challenges which I never would have been awareof before my time with Coca-Cola.’

The opportunity with Coca-Cola Germany hasenabled Emma to build upon the skills she acquiredin Atlanta and undoubtedly this new Europeanexperience will prepare her to come back to NorthernIreland at a later stage in her career to grow theeconomy and contribute the vast breath ofknowledge she has gained to fellow business leaders.

Coca-Cola is currently hosting two morecandidates at their Atlanta headquarters this year and is committing to the program for 2013 and 2014.The US–NI Mentorship Program Team is exceptionallygrateful to Irial Finan and all the team at Coca-Cola fortheir continued support of this important initiative.

Coca-Cola creates global opportunities forUS–NI Mentorship Program participants

Emma Bleakley pictured with Chris Aisenbrey, Director, Talent Management,The Coca-Cola Company and Doug Thomas, Capital Manager, BottlingInvestments, The Coca-Cola Company at the US–NI Mentorship Programgraduation event in New York, 2011.

Emma Bleakley pictured at her new offices in Berlin, Germany.

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In November 2011, the first group of young peoplefrom Northern Ireland graduated from theirplacements with US companies to return toNorthern Ireland.

The success of the program has been confirmedby the number of companies who have indicated

they will participate in 2012. Follow up support byThe Ireland Funds for the graduates will includecareer advice, an opportunity to connect with The Ireland Funds Young Leaders network and,where possible, interviews for placements withleading companies in Northern Ireland.

Events and Accolades

US–NI Mentorship Program candidates celebrate the completion of their year work placements.

2011 US–NI Mentorship Program graduation – participants complete first year

2012 US–NI Mentorship Program participants attend‘welcome luncheon’ and AIF St Patrick’s day party

The participants of the 2012 US–NI Mentorship program werewelcomed at a luncheon hostedby Declan Kelly and CaitrionaFottrell in March. The luncheoncoincided with the AIF YoungLeaders St Patrick’s day celebrationwhich the participants had theopportunity to attend later thatevening and connect with theirAIF Young Leader buddies.

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Each year, qualified candidates will be selected to work with a mentor at aUS-based firm and gain valuable experience in a corporate environment.

The US–NI Mentorship Program will enable each candidate to:

l Gain valuable experience in a corporate environment.l Benefit from consistent mentoring and interaction with AIF Young Leaders.l Develop a range of essential business, management and leadership skills.l Develop a strong network of contacts and business links within the United States.l Develop an understanding of the international dimension to business.l Experience a different culture.l Have the opportunity to contribute to Northern Ireland’s future prosperity.

The US–NI Mentorship Program Steering Committee is currently in the process of securingplacements for the next year of the program.

Participating companies are able to:l Benefit from international members interacting with their teams.l Access highly skilled and talented young professionals from Northern Ireland.l Establish new links with Europe/Northern Ireland.

Benefit from the academic knowledge of University of Ulster, Queen’s University Belfast andother Northern Ireland institutions.

The US–NI Mentorship Program

US–NI Mentorship Program Alumni make nationalheadlines, Belfast Telegraph, May 2012.

US–NI Mentorship Program Alumni attend Institute of DirectorsAnnual Dinner at City Hall in Belfast, February 2012.

US–NI Mentorship Program Alumni in the news

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Testimonials

Participants

‘This program has given me so much more confidence in my own ability than I ever had before.The opportunity to work with such skilled and enthusiastic colleagues has been enormouslyvaluable, and this attitude towards work is one I will carry with me throughout my career’.David Bell (US–NI Mentorship Program participant – AXA)

‘The mentorship program has provided me with a tremendous opportunity. I intend to take full advantageof my time in the US to learn as much as I can and to develop a new network of business contacts’.Gemma Rafferty (US–NI Mentorship Program participant – Credit Suisse)

‘In this job I have been exposed to the highest level of professional standards. The work ethic ofmy colleagues has really struck me. As a graduate in my first full time job since leavinguniversity I can’t think of a better organization to begin my career’.Andrew McMaster (US–NI Mentorship Program participant – UBS)

Companies

‘The caliber of students we have access to is exceptional and the support of the program inmatching the right candidates with the right firms is very valuable. A tribute to that success isthat we are doubling our participation in the program this year’.Robert McGoey (PwC)

‘It has been truly rewarding to have had the opportunity to host and interact with such a fantasticambassador for Northern Ireland. This experience has significantly added to the internationaldynamic that we have in our company’.Barbara Evanchick (UBS)

‘One of the US–NI Mentorship Program participants – Gemma, joined our team earlier this year.We have honestly been so impressed with the skills, attitude and dedication exhibited. It has been apleasure getting to know and work with such a driven and entrepreneurial individual’.Michael Brewster (Credit Suisse)

To learn more about the US–NI Mentorship Program, or to sign up to host an intern, please visitour website at www.usnimentorship.org or email us at info@usnimentorship.org

US–NI Mentorship Program

Supported by The American Ireland Fund · Northern Ireland Science Park CONNECT · Declan Kelly

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