On the shortlist: Siobhan Moran

Siobhan Moran has won the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution as Co-Chair of WIBF’s Belfast – Northern Ireland branch and as Head of Development for the flagship Personal Excellence Programme (PEP). Since joining as a volunteer in 2022, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, commitment, and passion for advancing women in financial services.

As lead for PEP, Siobhan has curated a high-impact professional development programme, sourcing thought leaders and industry experts to deliver up to 44 virtual events annually. She has also played a pivotal role in strengthening WIBF’s regional presence in Northern Ireland, fostering community, collaboration, and opportunities for members at every career stage.

Most recently, Siobhan has stepped into a leadership role supporting the 27th WIBF Awards for Achievement, helping to bring the flagship celebration to Belfast. Recognised for her positivity, collaborative approach, and dedication to inclusion, she is an inspiring role model whose volunteering has left a lasting impact on WIBF and its members.

How does it feel to have won this year’s WIBF Award, and what does this recognition mean to you personally and professionally?

Winning this award feels really special. I volunteer because I truly care about building connections, supporting women across financial services, and helping create moments that make our community feel seen and valued, so to be recognised for something that brings me so much joy is both humbling and energising.

On a personal level, it’s a lovely reminder that small contributions can make a meaningful impact, especially when you’re surrounded by a team of equally passionate and dedicated women. Professionally, it reinforces for me how important it is to show up, collaborate, and nurture spaces where others can thrive.

I genuinely love the support I have from the WIBF team, and I’m so delighted and grateful to have such an encouraging group around me. This recognition means a great deal, and it makes me even more motivated to keep contributing in any way I can.

What was it like both planning and attending the awards ceremony, and were there any moments from the evening that particularly stood out for you?

Planning the ceremony was a whirlwind, especially in the final week but a very special shout out to the team at Deloitte for being so helpful and accommodating. There’s something incredibly rewarding about seeing all the coordination and behind the scenes effort come together on the night. Even with the terrible weather, we still had such a fantastic turnout, which really showed the commitment and enthusiasm within the WIBF community.

Attending the event itself was so much fun, there was a real buzz in the room. Walking into a room full of people all wearing green created this instant sense of unity and celebration, and the amount of laughter throughout the evening made it feel genuinely warm and uplifting. I especially loved the panel discussions, they were insightful, engaging, and a real highlight of the night as well as the excitement of the live stream from London!

I was thrilled that the WIBF Awards came to Northern Ireland, and it was especially exciting that we had the live stream from London. It was such a special opportunity for us locally to celebrate the incredible success and talent we have here, and to bring people together for what was truly memorable evening of recognition and inspiration.

What excited me most was creating a space we could shine a spotlight on achievements, share stories, and celebrate role models who are making a difference.

For me, this was more than just one evening, it’s about showing that Northern Ireland is an important part of WIBF’s story, and that we have so much to contribute to the wider conversation about talent, leadership, and inclusion.

One moment that really stood out was seeing the absolute shock on Sharon Coyle from SEA’s face when she won the Special NI Award. It was such a heart-warming and memorable reaction, and it perfectly captured the spirit of the evening.

You’ve also recently stepped into a leadership role supporting the Awards for Achievement. What excites you most about contributing to WIBF’s flagship event?

I’m absolutely thrilled that the WIBF Awards are coming to Northern Ireland, and even more so that we’ll be hosting live from Belfast. It’s such a special opportunity for us locally to celebrate the incredible success and talent we have here, and to bring people together for what promises to be a truly memorable evening of recognition and inspiration.

What excites me most is creating a space we can shine a spotlight on achievements, share stories, and celebrate role models who are making a difference. We’ve got an exciting panel of speakers lined up, and I can’t wait to release the details very soon, it’s going to be a fantastic event!

For me, this is about more than just one evening, it’s about showing that Northern Ireland is an important part of WIBF’s story, and that we have so much to contribute to the wider conversation about talent, leadership, and inclusion.

“For me, volunteering with WIBF has never been about recognition, but about the people, the purpose, and the impact we can create together.”

As Head of Development for the Personal Excellence Programme, you’ve curated a huge number of events a year with thought leaders and industry experts. What has been the most rewarding part of shaping such a high-impact programme?

The Personal Excellence Programme has been such a rewarding experience, every session has brought new insights and the chance to learn from brilliant speakers across leadership, resilience, purpose, and innovation.

What I’ve loved most is seeing how popular the events have become and the energy they create. People leave inspired and often come back for the next one, which shows the difference these conversations can make. I’ve had the chance to meet and learn from an incredible range of speakers and what has been particularly special is seeing how sponsors and organisations have taken what they’ve heard in these sessions and embedded it back into their own workplaces. It shows that these aren’t just “nice conversations”, they’re catalysts for real change.

The highlight for me is always the energy during the webinars. People are engaged, asking questions, and walking away inspired. That moment when someone says, “This has given me exactly the push I needed”, that’s when you know you’ve made an impact.

Alongside your PEP role, you also co-chair WIBF’s NI branch. How have you seen the community in Northern Ireland grow, and why is a regional presence so important for WIBF?

Co-chairing the Northern Ireland network has been a brilliant experience. It’s given me the opportunity to connect with people locally, while also being part of WIBF’s wider mission across the UK. A strong regional presence matters because it ensures WIBF reflects the breadth of talent and diversity across the country, not just London.

The most rewarding part has been the sense of community we’re building in Northern Ireland. Local companies and speakers have been so generous in hosting and supporting our events, which has helped us welcome a wide range of members, from finance and professional services to solicitors and beyond. It’s been especially encouraging to see our work attracting young talent into financial services, creating opportunities for the next generation to get involved.

It has also been lovely to see familiar faces returning time and time again, alongside new ones joining us, and there’s a real sense of support growing locally. That feeling of connection, people coming together, learning from one another, and building relationships, has been one of the most rewarding parts for me.

At the same time, I know this is just the start, there’s so much more we can do to keep growing our impact in Northern Ireland. But the enthusiasm and support we’ve seen so far makes me very optimistic for what’s ahead!

“The highlight for me is always the energy during the webinars — that moment when someone says, ‘This has given me exactly the push I needed.’”

Volunteering with WIBF clearly requires significant dedication. How has the experience shaped your own career journey and perspective as a leader in financial services?

Volunteering with WIBF has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. It has given me the chance to step outside my day-to-day role and develop a much broader perspective on leadership, inclusion, and what it takes to create real impact across industries.

Balancing a professional career alongside volunteering has also made me much stricter on time management and prioritisation. I’ve learned to focus on what really matters, to delegate effectively, and to trust others to deliver, skills that have strengthened my leadership in every area of my work.

Most importantly, the experience has shown me the power of collaboration and community. Working with inspiring people from across different sectors has reinforced my belief that real leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself but about creating space for others to grow and succeed.

“Real leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself but about creating space for others to grow and succeed.”

Finally, what would you say to someone thinking about volunteering with WIBF but unsure whether they have the time or skills to contribute?

I’d say: just go for it. None of us ever feel like we have the time, and very few of us feel like we have the “right” skills at the start. When I first started volunteering with WIBF five years ago, I never imagined how much I would learn or how much confidence I would gain along with way.

Through volunteering I’ve developed so many new skills, from organising events and building partnerships to leading teams and speaking in front of large audiences. More than that, I’ve grown in confidence, pushed myself outside my comfort zone, and discovered I’m capable of far more than I thought.

The best part is that volunteering doesn’t have to mean giving up huge amounts of time, it’s about the quality of what you contribute. Even small roles can make a big difference. And the awards are huge, the people you need, the things you learn, and the impact you get to be part of. So, if you’re hesitating, I’d say take that first step. You’ll surprise yourself, just like I did.