Speaker’s Biographies
Dr Janet Gray MBE
Janet is a 4x World disabled Water Ski champion and although her background is in sport and motivational coaching she also recently served five years as a local Councillor with Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council. During the term she completed a vast array of governement training courses and gained much experience along the way. She has served as an Independent Member on the NI Policing Board and is currently a Non-Executive Director of the Northern Health and Social Trust. In 2018 she completed a Next Generation Leadership Programme for women in politics at Queen’s University Belfast. She wrote her autobiography, Blind Ambition, which she launched in 2019 and very much enjoyed giving motivational and inspirational speeches to audiences both at home and abroad. Her story is one of overcoming adversity.
Gillie O’Rourke SIGBI President Elect
Gillie is currently SIGBI President Elect, a Director of Soroptimist International and Chair of the SI Foundation, having previously been Chair of UK Programme Action Committee as well as a member of Federation Programme Action Team. A retired professional Facilities Manager with over 30 years experience in both the private and public sectors. Experience covers Facilities Management, financial management, environmental management, health and safety, in addition to staff management and development.
She is very experienced in the voluntary sector having been Chair of 3 SSAFA branches, ran a Parkinson’s UK group, chair of CPRE Cheshire, as well as extensive experience with the RNA, WRENS, and War Widows. Passionate about improving the lot of women and girls through education and empowerment.
She has Dandie Dinmont terriers, a vulnerable breed and belongs to the DDTC as well as Southern DDTC and the Caledonian DDTC. Canada is her second home.
Detective Sergeant Ellie May
Ellie is an officer with PSNI working in the Public Protection Branch specifically Domestic Abuse and Adult.
She has been a police officer since May 2006. As a Constable she performed frontline duties in Newry and Mourne area before embarking on a role as a Detective in 2017 within the Rape Crime Unit based in Belfast before gaining promotion and remaining within the Public Protection Branch and having duties in Domestic Abuse and Adult Safeguarding.
Haileigh Ashton Lamont
Haileigh is a victim and survivor of childhood sexual abuse by her stepfather who has fought for justice in NI and knows first-hand the courage and resilience it takes to navigate such a painful journey. She bravely waived her anonymity to speak about her experience as a survivor of abuse to give others who are suffering a realistic idea of what to expect if they too seek justice.
Haileigh has recently launched a new Advocacy Organisation, Renegade Advocacy, aiming to raise awareness & support those impacted by Child Sexual Abuse & challenge the justice system.
She has shared her experiences publicly to raise awareness:
Reclaim the night – Belfast Telegraph 2022
EVAWG Strategy Launch – BBC 2024
Fight for Justice – Belfast Telegraph 2024
Tahnee McCorry
Tahnee McCorry, CEO and founder or White Ribbon NI, works to end violence against women and girls in Northern Ireland.
Her groundbreaking “Listen, Learn, Lead” framework has been embraced by organisations across NI, including the PSNI, Hospitality Ulster, Ulster GAA, Northern Ireland Football league and the Prison Service.
White Ribbon NI is a proud co-design partner for the first ever violence against women and girls strategy in Northern Ireland.
Tahnee’s passion lies in engaging men and boys as crucial allies, promoting honest dialogue, education, and fierce empathy for lasting change.
Her pioneering work within the prison system has garnered media attention while also yielding promising outcomes among men in custody, including those with a history of abusive behaviour.
Through her impactful Listen, Learn, Lead framework and dynamic facilitation style, she has received acclaim from professionals working with individuals who have caused harm.
Tahnee’s commitment to continuous program evaluation and enhancement reflects her dedication to advancing the fight against violence against women and girls.
Her exemplary results have also led to invitations to share her expertise in Cork prison, further expanding her influence in this critical area. With experience earned in working with an incredibly diverse audience and a proven track record in engaging delivery and positive evaluation, Tahnee is a recognised leader in the prevention of violence against women and girls.
Marcella Leonard MBE
Marcella is Director of Leonard Consultancy a Safeguarding and Risk Specialist Organisation for statutory, sports, arts, education and voluntary sectors.
As an independent Social Work Consultant she has specialised in the fields of child protection, public protection, risk assessment and risk management of sexual and domestic violent offenders, psychosexual therapist and therapist with survivors of sexual trauma. She delivers bespoke training in these areas and for example developing the normal sexual development knowledge of those working in criminal justice with sex offenders to assist in effective risk assessments. She provides consultation and supervision to social work, police, probation, psychology and other health care professionals in these fields.
She is the co-author with Prof Simon Hackett of the AIM3 Model of Assessment for Adolescents who have committed Harmful Sexual Behaviour and co-author with Gareth McGibbon (McGibbon Consultnacy and Safeguarding Services) of the CASP-R assessment framework for assessing a partner/parents ability to supervise and protect children where sexual and violent risk present.
Sheila Smyth
Sheila is a Musician and Social Entrepreneur. She is the founder of The Right Key CIC which uses music for health, healing and recovery in the world of addiction, mental health and prisons.
Sheila, along with her group of staff and volunteers, established a Recovery Centre in Loughbrickland, Co. Down. This facility is a Recovery Centre.
Sheila’s passion is to see the recovery of individuals, communities and nations.
Sheila has two grown up children, Rebekah and Nathan. They both work in the world of music composition, performance and teaching.