Armagh woman seeks to strengthen diaspora’s voice with Fellowship Programme
In the busy corporate world of New York, Jane McCooey stands out — not just for her senior role at leading global financial services firm Morgan Stanley, but also for her passionate commitment to Northern Ireland’s future.
An Armagh native now calling New York home, McCooey has embarked on a journey of reimagining leadership through the Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme, bringing her corporate experience to a seven-month programme of collaboration and leadership development.
Selected as one of this year’s 28 Fellows, McCooey is using her position in the global business community to shine a spotlight on Northern Ireland’s challenges. The programme, launched at Stormont’s Parliament Buildings in September, aims to create better leaders for a better tomorrow across Northern Ireland’s civic, business, and political sectors.
“We are the best advocates for ourselves,” says McCooey, who is Executive Director and Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer of Enterprise Technology & Services at Morgan Stanley.
The Fellowship has taken McCooey beyond her day-to-day corporate responsibilities, including a residential at the University of Oxford and an upcoming residential in Dublin. She has also been challenged to look at how to best support the arts and culture sector back home as part of a group task.
The stark contrast between New York’s robust arts scene and that of Northern Ireland’s has only strengthened McCooey’s ambition to act. She sees the global diaspora as a potential catalyst for meaningful change.
“In New York, it’s all about Irish music and Irish theatre and Irish arts, and it’s very vibrant and then you come back here and you hear about the issues that there are — so I feel that the diaspora need to raise awareness and give back to support issues such as these at home,” she explains.
“We’re really excited about the project that we’re doing because we really do think it’s going to make a tangible impact. Working in the private sector, I hope that I can bring perspective in terms of how to increase efficiency to help give artists a viable future.”
McCooey isn’t new to engaging with the diaspora. As the Founder and CEO of Women with Ambition, a professional networking platform for Irish and Irish American women in New York, she has already demonstrated her ability to create connections that transcend geographical boundaries.
The Fellowship Programme represents more than a professional development opportunity. For McCooey, it’s a platform to mobilise the diaspora, raising awareness and creating structures through which the global Irish community can meaningfully support Northern Ireland’s development from both at home and afar.
Her time on the programme will conclude with a graduation ceremony at Hillsborough Castle in March.
Partnered by notable Northern Irish businesses including Allstate Northern Ireland, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks and Ulster Carpets and supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Irish-American Partnership, the Fellowship is more than a programme—it’s a bridge between Northern Ireland’s past and its potential future.
How the corporate world is empowering new leaders in Northern Ireland
Leaders from across Northern Irish society are being shaped with the support of six corporate partners, who are inspiring and challenging them to make a greater impact on Northern Ireland society and contribute to building a brighter tomorrow.
The Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme is supported by Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks and Ulster Carpets. It also receives support from the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs, and the Irish American Partnership.
The current cohort recently passed the midway point of their seven-month programme. The Class of 2025 are the biggest cohort to date, with 28 leaders from business, political and civic sectors. Next week they will be undertaking their second residential in Dublin after a successful time away in Oxford in September. This year Fellows will focus on British-Irish relations, meeting Elin Burns, Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy, and engaging with colleagues from Trinity College Dublin. Fellows will also be hosted by Bank of Ireland in College Green, and spend time with Deputy Secretary General Sonja Hyland from the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs as part of their three day trip.
Leading the Programme’s advisory board is chair Darragh McCarthy, the founder and CEO of FinTrU. Reflecting on the Fellowship at its recent annual reception for alumni and partners, he said:
“We’ve never had greater momentum. This is our largest cohort, with 28 Fellows who are gelling incredibly well and we’re looking forward to the second half of the programme.
“The Fellowship Programme is a breeding ground for optimism. Everyone involved believes in a better Northern Ireland and is eager to contribute to that vision. With almost 100 alumni already, we’re excited about the future.”
Allstate NI Vice President and Managing Director Stephen McKeown said:
“The Fellowship is really encouraging participants to think critically and to collaborate, and those are skills that are going to benefit people in any walk of life, but even more so for these established leaders in their various sectors.”
Gordon Parkes, Executive Director for People & Culture at NIE Networks added:
“The Fellows are being given insight into sectors to help them better collaborate, make society work better and develop the appropriate structures that Northern Ireland needs as an economy to succeed.”
Nick Coburn, Managing Director of Ulster Carpets, said:
“One of our guiding principles is creating a sustainable future for the next generation and we see this programme as being beneficial for Northern Ireland as a whole.”
David Clements, Client Director at Fujitsu NI said:
“I really believe in the aspirations of the Fellowship Programme. It’s about helping further develop the skills of leaders, enable them to motivate people to communicate with other organisations, and working together, I think the leaders of Northern Ireland are going to create a prosperous future for us all.”
Peter Cunningham, CEO of Camlin Group said:
“This programme really lines up with our values and this is all about trying to bring business, communities and politics together, so that we can find a way to work together for a better future.”
The 2024-25 Fellowship Programme will conclude with a graduation ceremony at Hillsborough Castle in March.
ENDS..//
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Centre for Democracy and Peace team
As we gather with loved ones to celebrate this festive season, let us take a moment to reflect on the world we share. We live in a world that can often feel divided, cruel, and unfair.
Yet, kindness, compassion, and empathy are gifts we all can give this Christmas; gifts that are capable of healing divides and rekindling the shared humanity that unites us.
At the Centre for Democracy and Peace we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a better future for all. We believe in the transformative power of small acts of kindness, meaningful collaboration, and a shared dedication to the greater good.
As we look ahead to 2025, let us make peace our greatest wish – a peace that begins within ourselves, radiates into our communities, and reaches every corner of the globe.
Thank you to all of our partners, colleagues, and members for your continued and vital support that make the work of CDP possible.
Merry Christmas, and may 2025 bring healing, harmony, and joy.
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Fellows reflect at midway point of Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Leadership Programme
Reflecting at the midway point of this year’s Centre for Democracy and Peace Fellowship Programme, this year’s Fellows have described an “infectious enthusiasm” for collaboration and innovate thinking as they tackle Northern Ireland’s most pressing political, business, and civic challenges.
The Centre for Democracy and Peace’s 2024/25 Fellows pictured with CDP CEO Eva Grosman at Allstate NI in Belfast.
The current Fellowship is the largest cohort to date—28 leaders representing a diverse range of sectors. These include MLAs and councillors from the world of politics, CEOs and directors from the business world, as well as participants from charities, health, education, and the civil service.
So far, the Fellows have participated in the Oxford residential and sessions such as design thinking , climate and sustainability, and Good Governance and the Nolan Principles of Public Service with Daniel Greenberg CB, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards and Privileges.
Through these bespoke sessions delivered by experts in their fields, the Fellows have been challenged to step outside their comfort zones and embrace the spirit of possibility, tackling critical issues such as climate and energy, policy, and governance. They have also been working on group projects, which they will present at the end of the seven-month programme. These challenges focus on supporting the arts, improving transport accessibility, changing the culture around political campaigns and elections, and campaigning for skills development in rural communities.
The Fellowship now boasts 98 alumni who contribute more effectively to society thanks to the relationships they have built through the programme.
One of the Fellows, Scott Carson, Constituency Office Manager for Education Minister Paul Givan MLA (DUP), shared:
“From the launch right through until today, the enthusiasm has been really infectious. The residential in Oxford was brilliant—it was a great time to meet the new Fellows, learn about each other, and realise that, regardless of our roles, we’re all on the same level. CEOs, private sector professionals, public sector participants, and those involved in politics—it was fascinating to learn from their experiences.”
“The programme’s sessions have challenged me personally, and I know others in the cohort feel the same. We left Oxford with new tools to apply in our respective organisations. Working on group projects has been a new challenge, and we’re really settling into them now. The projects we’re currently working on are all very different but equally interesting. It’ll be fascinating to see how they progress.”
“Sessions with NIE Networks and Camlin Group, and at Allstate NI last month have been intense but rewarding. The combination of theory and practical application has given us new ideas and concepts to approach our work differently. It’s been incredibly busy, but the journey has been thoroughly enjoyable.”
Cahir Hughes, Head of The Electoral Commission Northern Ireland, shared insights into his group’s project:
“Our project focuses on changing the culture around elections and political campaigns. Unfortunately, we’ve seen increasing toxicity in campaigns, with candidates and elected representatives facing horrendous abuse and intimidation.”
“Our group is tackling this issue by bringing together people from diverse sectors to find solutions and present them to government. Tackling these behaviours is a massive task, but I’m optimistic we can make a difference.”
“One unexpected benefit of the Fellowship has been the friendships I’ve developed. Being around other leaders and hearing how they approach challenges has helped grow my confidence in leadership and decision-making.”
Jane McCooey, Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at Morgan Stanley, said:
“The Fellowship Programme has exceeded my already high expectations. The people are amazing, inspiring, and collaborative. I live in New York, so coming back and hearing about the incredible work being done in Northern Ireland makes me feel connected—it’s exactly why I joined.”
“I’m passionate about the diaspora’s role in giving back to Northern Ireland. Learning about what people here are doing inspires me to explore nonprofit work and think about how I can contribute. My group’s challenge on supporting the arts scene is especially exciting—we want to make a tangible impact by raising awareness and support for Northern Ireland’s artists.”
Reflecting on the programme’s progress, Darragh McCarthy, Chair of the Fellowship Programme’s Advisory Board and CEO of FinTrU, said:
“We’ve never had greater momentum. This is our largest cohort, with 28 Fellows who are gelling incredibly well. The Fellowship Programme is a breeding ground for optimism. Everyone involved believes in a better Northern Ireland and is eager to contribute to that vision.”
“We’re looking forward to the second half of the programme, including a Dublin residential and the graduation in Hillsborough in March. With almost 100 alumni already, the momentum is strong, and we’re excited about the future.”
The Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme is supported by Northern Irish businesses, including Allstate NI, Camlin Group, FinTrU, Fujitsu NI, NIE Networks, and Ulster Carpets. It also receives backing from the Irish Department for Foreign Affairs and the Irish American Partnership.
Laurence Simms, Joint Secretary to the British-Irish Intergovernmental Secretariat, commented:
“The Fellowship Programme is well-designed to bring together professionals at pivotal career stages, fostering connections and fresh perspectives whilst challenging them through its activities.”
“We’ve supported reconciliation work for 40 years, and this programme feels modern, forward-looking, and focused on today’s challenges. It addresses systemic gaps and inertia, building a sustainable basis for an inclusive future in Northern Ireland and beyond.”
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Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, Daniel Greenberg CB, visits Northern Ireland to guide Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellows on Principles of Public Life
Daniel Greenberg, the UK’s Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards has visited Northern Ireland to participate in the Centre for Democracy and Peace’s Fellowship Programme, delivering an insightful session to the 2024/25 cohort.
As the official responsible for upholding MPs’ conduct and propriety since January 2023, Greenberg’s engagement focused on fostering ethical leadership and exploring the critical role of trust in both public and private sectors.
The Fellowship Programme, now in its fourth year, brings together 28 leaders from the political, civic, and business communities in Northern Ireland for a seven-month journey. The programme aims to equip participants with the skills and perspectives needed to drive Northern Ireland’s growth and stability by encouraging innovative leadership, collaborative decision-making, and a commitment to public service principles.
In his session, Greenberg guided Fellows through the application of the Nolan Principles of Public Life—selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership—and how they shape decision-making processes. Building on a previous session, he also helped participants explore how these values can drive meaningful policy creation and help bridge public and private sector goals.
Daniel Greenberg CB, Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards, said:
“Public trust is facing challenges worldwide, and this erosion impacts the ability of leaders across sectors to operate effectively. The Fellowship Programme addresses this issue by fostering a culture where respect and integrity underpin leadership, creating a foundation for trust to grow between the public and its leaders. This focus on respect as a cornerstone for trust is what makes this programme so valuable.”
Leadership and Climate
In 2022, the Northern Ireland Assembly passed its first Climate Change Act, which set a target for a 100% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet this and other climate-related goals, leaders across a wide range of sectors—including business, government, agriculture, transportation, finance, and tourism—must work together to find sustainable, innovative, and fair solutions.
by Nicole Fintel
Last month, the Centre for Democracy and Peace hosted a conference that explored the intersection of climate change and democracy. Professor John Sweeney of Maynooth University explained that climate degradation, loss of land due to rising sea levels, and resource scarcity can lead to civil unrest and the destabilization of democracy. Additionally, climate change can lead to international conflict by increasing tensions between countries that produce the majority of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions (primarily in the Global North) and countries that suffer most from the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions (primarily in the Global South).
Likewise, Professor John Barry—a Co-Director of the Centre for Sustainability, Equality, and Climate Action at Queen’s University Belfast—emphasized that democracy in times of climate change requires a “just transition” to clean energy and sustainable practices. To achieve this “just transition,” according to Professor Barry, climate leaders need to:
Leaders must also address the societal disparities that are exacerbated by the climate crisis. The United Nations reports that women and children are 14 times more likely to die in natural disasters than men, and approximately 80% of individuals displaced by climate change are women and girls. Similarly, countries, communities, and individuals with limited access to wealth, healthcare, education, and infrastructure tend to be disproportionately harmed by the impacts of climate change.
With effective climate leadership, the transition to net zero will be viewed not only as a means to secure a habitable and healthy planet for future generations, but as an opportunity to build a more just, prosperous, and inclusive economy and society.
Nicole Fintel is a Pforzheimer Public Service Fellow, Harvard College, and Programme Co-Ordinator for CDP.
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