First 'Women in Leadership' Business Breakfast a success

Women in Leadership were the focus of the Foundation of Light’s latest Business Breakfast which kicked off the second day of this week’s Sunderland Business Festival.

Hosted at the Beacon of Light, the Business Breakfasts allow like-minded local organisations to meet with the Foundation’s extensive partner network.

Louise Kennedy – Managing Director of Oculus HR – hosted a ‘Women in Leadership’ panel discussion which featured Foundation of Light CEO, Lesley Spuhler, Sunderland AFC Women Assistant Manager, Steph Libbey, Gentoo Group Executive Director of People, Susan Fulton, and MMC Research Founder and CEO, Natasha McDonough.

Following the discussion, guests networked over breakfast and were given a chance to see some of the Foundation of Light’s work in action in a showcase of the women’s football programmes on the Beacon’s rooftop pitch.

“We had a great attendance for what has been the first women’s leadership breakfast,” said Foundation of Light CEO Lesley Spuhler.

“I was delighted to be alongside a great panel as part of Sunderland Business Week. There’s so many great things happening in Sunderland at the minute, you can’t help but want to celebrate it, and it’s great to be a part of it.”

Natasha McDonough, who sits on the board at the Beacon of Light alongside her role as CEO of MMC Research, echoed Lesley’s delight, saying: “It was really enjoyable, a nice opportunity to share what I believe are good leadership styles.

“For me, sitting on the board, it’s really lovely to have this at the Beacon of Light, showcase all the different rooms and the lovely street level we’ve got here.

“Hopefully we get some more conferences here too.”