Tell us a bit about your background – when did you do the WIP Emerging Leaders Program and what you are doing now?
I participated in the Washington Ireland Program in 2024, where I lived in Washington, DC with host families and interned in the U.S. House of Representatives. WIP was a defining experience for me. Being immersed in the heart of American policymaking gave me a deeper understanding of leadership, diplomacy, and the responsibility that comes with public service. It challenged me to think beyond my immediate environment and to consider how systems, not just individuals, shape outcomes. Living with host families and engaging with a diverse cohort also broadened my worldview. The conversations, debates, and exposure to different perspectives strengthened my confidence in articulating my own values and sharpened my interest in the intersection between policy and healthcare. I am now continuing my medical studies at Queen’s University Belfast. As I progress through clinical training, I remain particularly interested in how policy influences access to care, health equity, and global health systems. WIP continues to shape how I approach medicine — not only as a clinical discipline, but as a platform for advocacy, leadership, and meaningful societal impact.
What was your stand-out memory of your Washington Ireland Program experience?
My stand-out memory from WIP was working in the office of Congresswoman Val Hoyle and seeing firsthand how policy translates into real-world impact. One particular moment that stands out was attending a policy discussion where constituent concerns were being directly addressed. Watching Congresswoman Hoyle engage so thoughtfully, balancing political realities with genuine advocacy made leadership feel both human and deeply consequential. Walking through the Capitol each day was surreal, but what left the strongest impression on me was observing the responsibility that comes with representing others. Seeing how staff briefings, research, and careful deliberation shape legislative decisions gave me a new appreciation for the unseen work behind public service. It shifted my understanding of power from something distant and abstract to something rooted in accountability and service. Equally transformative were the late-night conversations with my cohort about identity, leadership, and the future of Ireland and the U.S. Being surrounded by ambitious, thoughtful peers pushed me to reflect on the kind of leader I want to become. That combination of witnessing policymaking in action with Congresswoman Hoyle and engaging in meaningful dialogue with my cohort continues to influence how I approach medicine today. It strengthened my belief that whether in politics or healthcare, leadership is ultimately about advocacy, integrity, and using your position to create tangible impact.
What impact did WIP have on your leadership journey?
The Washington Ireland Program had a defining impact on my leadership journey because it pushed me to examine not just what I want to achieve, but why I want to lead in the first place. Coming from a background in medicine, I had always understood leadership in terms of responsibility and competence. WIP challenged me to think bigger, about influence, systems, and have the courage to step into rooms where decisions shape communities. Observing leadership within Congress and even internally within the Washington Ireland Program team made a deep impression on me. I saw that strong leadership is often quiet and deliberate. It is built on preparation, emotional intelligence, and the ability to hold firm to your values while navigating complexity. That example encouraged me to trust my own voice more, particularly in spaces where I might previously have hesitated. The cohort experience was equally transformative. Being surrounded by ambitious, thoughtful peers forced me to articulate what I stand for and the impact I hope to have. It made me more comfortable engaging in difficult conversations and more confident expressing my perspective. Since completing WIP, I have become more intentional about stepping into leadership roles, whether in academic, charitable, or clinical settings. I think more consciously about representation, about creating opportunity for others, and about the responsibility that comes with influence. WIP did not simply refine my leadership skills. It strengthened my conviction that leadership, for me, must always be grounded in service, advocacy, and meaningful impact.
How do you use the skills and experience that you gained on WIP in your life today?
I use the skills and experience from the Washington Ireland Program most clearly in the leadership roles I have taken on since completing it. I am currently the Fashion Show Director of Students Working Overseas Trust (SWOT), a charitable organisation that raises funds to support medical students undertaking electives in countries within the global south. In this role, I lead the planning and delivery of our largest annual fundraising event, coordinating my colleagues across the committee and year, liaising with sponsors, managing logistics, and ensuring the event delivers both financially and in terms of impact. It requires strategic planning, delegation, problem solving, and the ability to unite a large team around a shared purpose. I also serve as Co President of the Association of Medical Students Ireland, a unified network representing students across all eight medical schools of Ireland. AMSI works across advocacy, medical education, global health, research, public health campaigns, and international clinical exchanges. As Ireland’s National Member Organisation to the International Federation of Medical Students Associations, we are part of a global federation of over 1.3 million medical students in more than 120 countries. In my role, I collaborate with student leaders nationally, contribute to policy and education discussions, and create opportunities for students to engage locally and internationally. The position requires diplomacy, clarity of vision, and the confidence to represent diverse student voices at both national and global levels. The Washington Ireland Program strengthened my ability to lead in high responsibility environments and tackle complex challenges with focus and clarity. I draw directly on that experience when coordinating my colleagues, negotiating with sponsors and stakeholders, and advocating for medical students across Ireland. It gave me the confidence to make decisions under pressure, hold myself accountable, and lead with integrity and purpose. Through both roles, I continue to apply the lessons of WIP in tangible ways, translating perspective into action and aligning leadership with meaningful impact.
