Marianne Doyle, 30% Club Scholar & MBA student

Marianne Doyle, 30% Club Scholar & MBA student

The 30% Club was established to address the under-representation of women pursuing postgraduate management education, by offering scholarships aimed at women.  The movement aims to reach a 30% female gender balance on Irish boards and executive management level by 2020.  DCU is committed to addressing this imbalance by offering one talented female candidate the opportunity to further their career by studying a postgraduate programme of their choice at DCU Business School.

Marianne Doyle, Marketing and Communications Specialist and Non-Executive Director of the Irish Baroque Orchestra, was selected by DCU Business School as our 2019 recipient of the 30% Club Scholarship.  Here she tells us what this has meant to her and her career:

“I was delighted to have been selected as the 2019 30% Club Scholarship recipient to undertake a postgraduate programme at DCU Business School, in my case to undertake an MBA.  The 30% Club has a goal to achieve better gender balance at all levels in leading Irish businesses.

One hundred and one years ago, an act was passed to allow women enter the professions, yet females are not equally represented at the senior levels in business.  In 2019, only one in nine CEOs in Ireland were women and, overall, only 19% of directors of Irish listed companies were female.  Business Schools are by nature petri dishes for patriarchy and privilege, and I’m proud to be a part of DCU Business School’s support of inclusion, equity, and diversity.

I am benefiting already from my MBA.  The range of subjects prepare leaders to understand the entire ecosystem of organisations, and to think critically using multifaceted lenses to grow and improve professionally and personally.  The blend of qualitative and quantitative, academic and applied projects mean that every candidate is using their strengths and skills, all the while improving on professional limitations.

As many of the projects are undertaken in groups, we are developing skills working with people from diverse professional backgrounds and gaining a new network. The class is supportive- in these unusual days of learning at home we meet virtually to attend online lectures, discuss our assignments, and simply to check in with each other.  The lecturers are approachable, yet challenge us to shape new ways of looking at problems.  Gaining this qualification will no doubt enable me to become a better leader, and use the skills and knowledge from my DCU MBA to steer organisations through what are bound to be uncharted times ahead.”

Are you an ambitious female executive looking to advance your leadership and management career?  Apply now with your CV and a cover letter outlining why you should be considered for the scholarship to businessscholarships@dcu.ie

For more information see business.dcu.ie/30-club/