Empowering women
to return to work
with confidence, purpose and motivation.
The Challenge
Why Supporting Returners Matters for Leadership Pipeline
Organizations want more women in leadership, but they're losing them at the critical return-to-work transition. 17% of women leave employment completely in the five years following childbirth, compared to just 4% of men. This leadership pipeline leak directly impacts gender diversity at senior levels – and devastates individual careers.Women lose not just earning potential (facing a 2-4% wage penalty per year out of work), but their professional identity, confidence, and leadership aspirations.We created Ireland's only returner program combining Executive Coaching & Image Consulting to change this. While other approaches address just one aspect of the challenge, we tackle both the internal confidence crisis AND the external professional presence needed for leadership impact.
92%
Find it challenging to return to work
Those who struggle to return successfully are three times more likely to accept lower-paid or lower-responsibility roles, effectively removing them from the leadership pipeline while crushing personal career ambitions.
89%
Feel their career break negatively impacted confidence
The very confidence needed to pursue senior roles and leadership opportunities. Without targeted support, talented women settle for roles beneath their potential.
82%
Return from maternity leave
However, only 57% remain after 12 months – representing a massive loss of potential female leaders from your organization and personal career momentum for the individual.
Our solution
Structured Return to Work Programmes
We combine strategic career coaching with personal brand transformation to deliver one powerful outcome: professionals returning to work not just ready—but confident.Companies implementing structured return-to-work programmes report:
- up to 30% reduction in staff turnover
- up to 20% improvement in employee engagement.
Group Seminars
Practical sessions for returners and leadership teams to cultivate empathy, support, and workplace readiness.
Workshops
Interactive workshops with expert speakers, networking opportunities, and actionable career strategies.
1:1 Executive Coaching
Individual coaching sessions designed to restore confidence, clarify professional drivers, and develop a concrete action plan for achieving career goals.
1:1 Image Consulting
Tailored image consultations to redefine professional style, align appearance with career goals, and project confidence and credibility.
Key business benefits
Replacing an employee can cost one-half to two times their annual salary. Our program typically costs less than 10% of replacement costsPartner with us to deliver measurable impact: employees feel valued and re-engaged, driving higher performance and organizational alignment.
Boost Employee Engagement
Employees feel valued, supported, and re-engaged, driving higher performance and organisational alignment.
Improve Talent Retention
Strengthen leadership pipelines, ensure women stay and grow in leadership positions.
Streamlined Process
Free up managerial time, increase productivity, and create a structured pathway for success.
Why work with us?
With 30+ years of combined experience in global leadership, high-performance coaching, marketing strategy, and image consulting, we don't just prepare people to return—we position them to succeed..Our executive coaching rebuilds confidence, our image consulting restores professional presence, and our combined approach develops the senior leaders your organisation needs.
Business & Executive Coaching
Catherine Durkin
Founder of careercoaching.ie, Catherine brings strategic leadership, career growth, and high-performance coaching expertise to RTW. With 12 years at Facebook (Meta) leading sales and product marketing teams across EMEA, she has worked with global brands like Burberry, Nike, Rolex, and Estée Lauder.Catherine empowers returners to rebuild confidence, strengthen leadership skills, and navigate career transitions with clarity and purpose.
Image & Personal Branding
Laura Jordan
Founder of StyleSavvy®, Ireland’s only full-service Style & Image Consultancy, Laura has worked with over 500 personal clients and staff from some of Ireland’s largest organisations. She is a leading expert in professional presence, personal branding, and return-to-work styling.Laura equips returners with the tools to re-enter the workplace with assurance, a strong personal brand, and a polished professional presence.
ready to support your returners?
Join us in creating lasting change for women returning to work.Contact us to discuss how we can partner with your organization to develop confident, leadership-ready returners.
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