About

The US-NI Mentorship Program is a planned one-year work placement program for residents of Northern Ireland to work in a company in the United States.

Program Leadership

Therese O’Higgins is the Executive Director of the US-NI Mentorship Program. She is also a Founding Partner and Executive Director of the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. Formerly, she was a Senior Vice President with Teneo based in New York. Ms. O’Higgins is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, Galway where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce (Honors). She also studied at University College Dublin, where she completed ann M.B.S. in the area of Management and Organizational Studies.

Gerard McGuigan is the Director of the US-NI Mentorship Program holding a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) in Common & Civil Law with French from Queen’s University, Belfast. He is a former participant on the US-NI program working at Teneo’s global headquarters in New York. Gerard is an Associate at Teneo working across the firm’s various operating divisions – his primary focus areas are CEO Positioning, Corporate Communications, Reputation Management, Media Relations and CSR. He has recently relocated to Teneo’s Toronto Office.

Caroline McTague is a Vice President within Teneo’s strategy practice, based in Toronto. She helped to establish the firm’s presence in Canada, joining Teneo from Kinross Gold in 2016. Caroline undertook the role of Program Manager of the US-NI Mentorship Program in 2019 and has extensive experience in people development and recruitment. She also helps manage the Program’s digital assets. Caroline graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of International Development Studies. She grew up in Long Beach, California.

Conor Bell is the Program Coordinator of the US-NI Mentorship Program. He is a former participant on the US-NI program working at Teneo’s global headquarters in New York. Conor is a Consultant with Teneo’s Investor Relations team, primarily working on financial communications, financial analysis, quarterly earnings, shareholder targeting, activism defense and peer benchmarking. He has recently relocated to Teneo’s Toronto Office.

Supporting Partner

The Ireland Funds is a global philanthropic network established in 1976 to promote and support peace, culture, education and community development throughout the island of Ireland, and Irish-related causes around the world.