Women re-entering the Workforce to be Mentored by A&L Goodbody

Women looking to re-enter the workforce after being out of work for a period of time are being mentored by employees at A&L Goodbody, as part of a partnership between the firm and Dress for Success Dublin. Dress for Success is a charity that focuses on promoting the economic independence of women by providing career development tools and a support network.

Pictured from L to R: A&L Goodbody partner Marie O’Brien, Rayna Arnoldi, Marie Carroll and Designer, tech entrepreneur and founder of Dress for Success Dublin, Sonya Lennon

The participants in the Dress for Success ‘Steps to Success’ mentoring programme met their A&L Goodbody mentors for the first time this week. The A&L Goodbody mentors will provide ongoing advice and support to the Steps to Success programme participants over the coming 12 months, drawing on what they’ve learned from their own careers. 

One of the participants is South African native Rayna Arnoldi, who now lives in Glasnevin, Dublin who will be mentored by A&L Goodbody partner Marie O’Brien. Ms. Arnoldi is currently participating on a community employment scheme following a period of unemployment in recent years.

Commenting today, as the programme participants met their mentors for the first time, A&L Goodbody Partner Marie O’Brien said: “Over the course of my own career, I have benefitted hugely from advice and support from many people including female colleagues. Women who have been out of the workforce for a period of time can face various challenges when they decide to return to work. Mentoring can play an important role in helping them to address their concerns, build up their confidence and set future goals.”

Designer, tech entrepreneur and founder of Dress for Success Dublin, Sonya Lennon, said: “We developed the Steps to Success programme to give women who are at a somewhat vulnerable stage extra supports to develop their careers. Some of the participants are quite new to living in Ireland; others have moved sectors after various temporary roles, or are returning to work after being unemployed. It is exciting to see the programme participants paired with their mentors from A&L Goodbody this week. I know the women on both sides of this partnership will benefit hugely from this experience.”

Other mentoring participants include: Marie Carroll from Dublin 1, who will be mentored by Máire Conneely, a Senior Associate at A&L Goodbody; Polish woman Beata Pawluk, who lives in north inner-city Dublin, and will be mentored by Clodagh Collier, Trainee and Intern Programme Manager at the law firm; Laura Satmar from Romania and living in Ballyfermot, who will be mentored by IT Director Susan Kemp; Aishling Clancy from Tallaght, who will be mentored by Knowledge Systems Manager Celine Kelly and Enrica Novaro, who is originally from Italy and now lives in Finglas. She will be mentored by Mary Murphy, Head of Talent at A&L Goodbody. 

A&L Goodbody’s corporate social responsibility programme has a particular emphasis on supporting educational and employment initiatives. The firm has committed to a partnership with Dress for Success Dublin for the next three years, providing financial support to the charity in addition to mentoring.

Date Published: 18 October 2016