Over 150 women across the Channel Islands have recently participated in EY’s leadership events to build confidence and resilience in the workplace.
The events were led by Sheryl Findlay, an accredited life, business and career coach who shared her personal story of transforming her life after going through profound grief and a cancer diagnosis.
She explained to attendees how she was able to find renewed purpose through these experiences, with the support of professionals to prioritise mental and physical wellbeing.
The interactive sessions focused on cultivating confidence, developing an authentic personal brand and building long-term resilience.
Attendees were given practical tools to help them realise their goals and encouraged to share reflections on their own strengths and challenges, an activity designed to prevent them from being held back by self limiting beliefs.
Margo Blondel, EY’s Channel Islands Marketing and Business Development Director and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion champion, said: “We were delighted to bring EY Alumni, Sheryl, over to the Channel Islands to share valuable strategies with female and future leaders across the islands.
“Creating supportive spaces and time for women to build their network and equipping them with the tools they need to reach their full potential and support others achieve theirs is important to us as a firm.”
In the sessions, Sheryl highlighted the importance of cultivating confidence, explaining: “Often, confidence is seen as something you either have or you don’t, but that’s not true. Confidence can be developed, and with the right support and belief, it can transform how you show up both in and out of work.
“To build confidence, we must let go of the pursuit of perfection and instead strive for excellence.
“When we realise the value we bring and trust in our abilities, our confidence grows, and our contribution will increase in all the spaces we put ourselves in.”
Margo concluded: “After hearing Sheryl’s inspiring insights, it was important to us that the momentum continues long after these events.
“The phrase that Sheryl used that resonated with me was that we must build a life by design, not by default. We need to be bold, intentional and deliberate about how we show up.
“This is just the beginning. EY will continue to create opportunities, connections and programmes that champion women and help accelerate progress towards greater gender parity across our islands.”
To join future EY Women Leadership events, contact Margo Blondel at mblondel@uk.ey.com.
