Trailblazer Sapphire Proctor

Global Member Engagement Manager, 100 Women in Finance.

Sapphire Proctor is the Global Member Engagement Manager at 100 Women in Finance, a powerful established global community that equips our members with the knowledge, network and visibility required to reach their career potential.

In her role, she leads the coordination and delivery of engagement strategies for corporate-sponsored members worldwide, working in the Global Corporate Sponsorship team to create meaningful partnerships and impact for both firms and individuals.

In addition, Sapphire serves as Global Program Manager for the LaunchMe Mentorship Program, one of the organisation’s flagship initiatives, bringing the power of mentorship to over 1,000 participants globally. Through this work, she is committed to fostering connection, supporting career progression, and championing the advancement of women across the finance industry.

Sapphire began her career in corporate finance, working as an M&A Analyst advising Irish clients across buy-side and sell-side transactions, as well as debt and equity fundraising, collaborating with international deal teams.

She holds a Joint Honours degree in Business and Economics from Ireland’s leading university,  Trinity College Dublin, where she specialised in Social Impact and Social Innovation and achieved the historically highest grade for her dissertation in this field. Her longstanding commitment to social impact has shaped her career path and continues to underpin her work today. She has been an active member and volunteer within women in finance organisations, reflecting her dedication to supporting the progression of women in the industry.

How did you get involved with WIBF?

I was first introduced to Women in Banking and Finance at a 100 Women in Finance event, where I had the opportunity to meet Rachel Mann. That moment really highlighted the strength of connection across organisations in this space.

There is a powerful overlap between organisations like 100 Women in Finance and Women in Banking and Finance. While each has its own identity, we are united by a shared mission. I’ve always valued this sense of a wider, interconnected community, where collaboration amplifies impact.

Since then, I’ve greatly enjoyed attending Women in Banking and Finance events, particularly when I’m traveling to London. These experiences have been both inspiring and insightful, and I’ve learned a great deal from the organisation’s volunteers and leaders, including Rachel and Shannon, whose work continues to drive meaningful progress in the industry.

It’s also been wonderful to see that connection come full circle, regularly crossing paths at each other’s events, including the 100 Women in Finance London Gala, reinforcing the strong sense of partnership across our communities.

What action have you taken in your career to help you find opportunities to develop and continue your growth?

In my corporate finance role, I was the only woman in the firm. That experience made it very clear to me how important it was to actively seek out spaces that would support my growth, perspective, and confidence.

As a result, I was very intentional about becoming involved with women in finance networks. I made it a priority to take time out of a demanding work schedule to attend events, connect with other women in the industry, and learn from their experiences while also sharing mine.

These networks became a crucial source of support and development early in my career. Rather than feeling isolated, I felt plugged into a global community of women who were invested in each other’s success. In many ways, these spaces became a training ground for my professional and personal growth.

Over time, my intentionality in attending these events meant that I was no longer stepping out of my comfort zone to go to them – in many ways, they became my comfort zone. When I had a tough day at work, I would actively look for an event I could attend, knowing I would leave with a refreshed perspective, having learned something new and met someone new.

Do you have any helpful tools, methods or resources you can recommend to our members, such as books or podcasts for example?

We all know the podcasts, newsletters, and market briefings that are worth reading and listening to. But do we actually take the time to talk about them, challenge them, and form opinions together?

For me, there’s real value in sharing and discussing information, which can sometimes be a bit of a lost habit in busy working lives. It’s one thing to consume content on your own, but it’s another to sit with colleagues or friends and actually debate what’s going on in markets, the economy, or broader trends. Those conversations really help you think more critically and see things from different angles.

I’ve found that building those kinds of informal spaces has been really useful—just regularly catching up with people to talk through what we’re all reading or hearing. It’s that final step of discussion that often turns information into something more useful and helps you form a clearer point of view.

While working as an M&A analyst I started a coffee group with a small group of other ladies working in corporate finance (somewhat ironically called Strong Women, Strong Coffee) which still meets today. Sometimes we’ll discuss deals happening in the Irish market, and other times it’s weddings, holidays, and everything in between. But that mix is exactly what makes it such a valuable space: it’s a place to step back, connect, and think out loud with others.

What advice would you give to yourself at the outset of your career?

Everything is what you make it.