International Women’s Day is a day dedicated to recognising the impact, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere, and here at Direct Medics, we’re proud to share with you some truly inspiring women from within our own company.
To help celebrate this day, we’re shining a spotlight on two remarkable women who are at the core of what we do. Hear from two ambitious and driven team members who work behind the scenes and have been nominated for the Women in Business Awards this year.
In the profiles below, you’ll read their stories and hear in their own words as they reflect on their journeys thus far, challenges they’ve faced, and what it means today to be a woman working in a professional setting.
👉 To read the candidate profiles, please click here: The Women of Direct Medics: Candidate Profiles
Staff Profile 1
Ciara Connolly, Nursing Recruitment Team Lead
Tell us about yourself and how long have you worked with Direct Medics?
My name is Ciara Connolly, and I have been with the company for six years. My journey began when I started my Queens University placement year at Direct Medics. After completing my degree, I was employed as a Recruitment Consultant for 5 plus years and have recently started my new role as Team lead. My career at Direct Medics has been an incredibly rewarding journey. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of building meaningful relationships, growing professionally, and contributing to the success of both our clients and candidates. It’s been fulfilling to see how much impact we can have within the healthcare industry.
What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
The most rewarding aspect of my job is transforming careers. There is immense satisfaction in supporting candidates as they take important steps in their professional journeys. Being able to guide, advise, and ultimately help them secure roles that align with their goals brings genuine gratitude and fulfilment.
As a trusted advisor to clients, it’s equally rewarding to connect with a wide range of healthcare leaders and foster strong, long-term relationships built on trust and understanding.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
International Women’s Day is a moment to reflect on the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It’s a day to celebrate how far we’ve come, while also raising awareness and support for women’s initiatives. For me, it’s about amplifying our voices and recognising the strength and impact of women across every industry, including healthcare and recruitment.
What three words or traits do you associate with being a woman?
Three traits that I would associate with women is Compassion, resilience, capability…..one more for good measure- Strength 😉
What challenges do you think women face in the workplace today?
I feel that some of the challenges that women face today within the workplace falls to Bias and Stereotyping. Women may face being perceived as less competent in male-dominated fields. Double standards (e.g., assertive men seen as confident; assertive women seen as aggressive)
Many women still face real challenges around training and professional development when returning from long term leave, such as maternity, sabbatical, sick leave, bereavement etc. In certain cases, this essential right to clear and concise training as a structured re-entry process is overlooked. Workplaces move quickly, and after a period of leave, refresher training, clear updates on changes including new systems, policies, and additional support from management are of crucial importance. It is unfortunate that in some cases, there is a lack of prioritisation and support in this area when delivering a safe, effective and smooth return to work is not established.
What advice would you give to a woman who’s starting out in her career journey?
1. Build competence first, confidence follows 😊
I would advise to focus on becoming excellent at what you do, don’t be afraid to ask questions, push boundaries and take the challenges as they come. Deliver that drive, enthusiasm and apply yourself as much as you can to the role. No half assed attempt, give it 100%!!!!
Confidence isn’t something you wait to feel, it grows from preparation, practice, and small wins. Remember to always celebrate the wins no matter how minuscule.
2. Don’t shrink yourself
I find that many women are socialised to soften opinions, over-apologise and downplay achievements. You can be kind yet direct, firm yet fair and collaborative yet ambitious.
3. Don’t be afraid to use your voice!!!
I have often felt unheard or undermined at times due to being a woman. It is easy for women to be subjected to stereotypes or categorised as emotional, or lacking courage. Always remember your strengths and do not be afraid to always apply these to your role. Be sure to speak up and use your female voice!
Congratulations on being nominated for the Women in Business Awards 2026! How did you feel when you found out, and what does this recognition represent for you and your career so far?
Where to begin, thank you so much!
When I found out about the nomination, I felt genuinely honoured and, if I’m honest, a little overwhelmed. You work so hard day-to-day that you rarely stop to reflect on how far you’ve come, so to have that work recognised in this way is incredibly affirming.
This nomination represents more than a personal milestone for me. It reflects the resilience, focus, and relentless commitment it has taken to build and grow in my field. Like many women in business, my journey hasn’t been linear, it’s been shaped by challenges, learning curves, and many moments of self-doubt that ultimately fuelled growth. Being recognised at this stage of my career feels like validation that the hard work, the late nights (many at that), and the commitment to doing things with integrity truly matter.
It also represents the Direct Medics community around me, from our candidates and clients to my amazing colleagues who are the greatest support network and the biggest cheerleaders in every success, not forgetting the small wins 😊 I would be truly lost without them along this journey so it goes without saying that we are all women in this business that deserve the recognition. No achievement in business happens in isolation, and I see this nomination as shared recognition for all the lovely ladies at Direct Medics, and of course our male counterparts who have contributed to the journey. Thank you all!
Most importantly, this motivates me. It’s a reminder that impact matters. It inspires me to continue pushing boundaries, support other women, and build something that creates lasting value.
I’m incredibly grateful.
Staff Profile 2
Anne-Marie Norton, Co-Founder & Chair
Tell us about yourself and how long have you worked with Direct Medics?
I’m Anne-Marie Norton, Co-Founder and Chair of Direct Medics. I established the company with Paul Mulvenna in 2000. Over the years, both the organisation and my role within it have evolved.
As Chair, my role is to shape and guide our long-term direction with clarity and purpose, ensuring our strategy remains anchored to our values, and fostering a culture that prioritises wellbeing and development. I also represent the organisation externally, building trusted relationships within the wider community.
At its heart, our work is about people. My responsibility is to ensure we never lose sight of that. It means caring for both minds and hearts, creating an environment where individuals feel supported and valued, and ensuring that the impact of what we do extends positively into the communities we serve. For me, leadership is about stewardship. It means holding the bigger picture while enabling others to do their best work and keep growing.
What’s the most rewarding part of what you do?
The most rewarding part of what I do is encouraging people to believe in themselves and to achieve things they once thought were beyond them.
There is something deeply powerful about watching someone move from self-doubt to confidence. Often, the capability was already there. It simply needed someone to recognise it.
I firmly believe that words create worlds. The language we use with others, and the language people use about themselves, shapes what feels possible. When we give belief, honest recognition, and encouragement, we help expand what someone thinks they can do. Seeing that shift happen is what gives my work meaning.
What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
For me, International Women’s Day is both a celebration and a responsibility.
It’s a chance to recognise the contribution, resilience and leadership of women in every field. It also reminds me that equality doesn’t just happen. It requires intention and consistent action.
This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” really resonates with me. When we give support, fair opportunities and recognition, we build momentum. I have seen first-hand how encouragement can shift someone’s belief in themselves. When women are given belief and opportunity, confidence multiplies.
I also believe culture is shaped by conversation. The way we speak about women in leadership, ambition and success influences what feels possible. If we want gender equality to move forward, we must be deliberate not only in what we do, but in the language we use every day.
What three words or traits do you associate with being a woman?
Hope. Appreciation of Beauty and Excellence. Kindness.
I can only speak from my own experience. I know what it means to be me, and I happen to be a woman. These are the qualities that have shaped my journey.
Hope reflects positive expectations for the future and the belief that growth and improvement are always possible. Appreciation of beauty and excellence is about noticing and valuing the good in each other and in the world around us, whether in nature, creativity, effort, or achievement. Kindness is choosing generosity, care, and consideration in how I treat others.
What challenges do you think women face in the workplace today?
While significant progress has been made, many women still navigate unspoken expectations about how they should lead, communicate, or present themselves. Balancing professional ambition with personal responsibilities can also carry disproportionate pressure.
Self-doubt remains a real challenge. Even highly capable women can question whether they are ready for the next level of responsibility or opportunity. Creating environments where women feel encouraged, supported, and fairly recognised requires consistent, intentional effort. Equality is built through everyday leadership behaviours and decisions, not assumptions.
What advice would you give to a woman who’s starting out in her career journey?
Give yourself permission to grow. You do not need to have everything figured out at the beginning. Confidence is built through experience, not perfection. Seek guidance, ask questions, and be open to learning from both success and setback. Find a mentor, someone who will challenge you, support you, and help you see your potential more clearly.
Build your network, relationships matter. Opportunities often come through connection as much as capability. Be curious, be generous with your time, and stay engaged with people who inspire you.
Be kind to yourself, the language you use internally matters. Speak to yourself with fairness and perspective, particularly on those days where doubt feels louder than confidence.
And most importantly, trust that you belong. You are often more ready than you realise.
Congratulations on being nominated for the Women in Business Awards 2026! How did you feel when you found out, and what does this recognition represent for you and your career so far?
If I’m honest, I wasn’t entirely comfortable at first. Being nominated pushed me outside my comfort zone. Over the weeks, I have come to see it as necessary growth.
It has connected me with inspiring women across Northern Ireland, women who are building, leading, and supporting one another. That sense of shared ambition and mutual encouragement has been one of the most valuable parts of the experience.
I do not see the nomination as an individual milestone. It reflects the collective effort, resilience, and commitment of the people I have worked alongside over many years. Meaningful progress is rarely achieved alone. It is built through collaboration, shared belief, and the willingness to keep growing.