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As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we honour women in various fields, including higher education. HECA (The Higher Education and Colleges Association) is fortunate to have a remarkable woman guiding our work—our Executive Director, Patricia O'Sullivan. Patricia is truly a powerhouse of energy, creativity, and innovation. She goes beyond managing day-to-day operations; she is a trailblazer who is determined, resilient and committed. With a career that spans various sectors, Patricia has a unique ability to think outside the box and create innovative solutions. She has been a driving force in the success of HECA and the advancement of our goals.
As current Chair of HECA, I’ve had the honour of being a founding member of IICP College. I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach, research and write throughout my career. These opportunities have been made available to me through the leadership, commitment and the powerful impact of mentorship and advocacy. This reminds me that breaking barriers is a shared responsibility. The advancement of women in higher education is not solely the work of women—it’s strengthened when both women and men collaborate as allies, mentors, and advocates. Over the years, many men in our sector have played a crucial role in supporting, mentoring, and championing me and other women in education, whether by fostering inclusive workplaces, advocating for equal opportunities, or actively challenging biases and systemic barriers.
This emphasises the importance of both women and men standing together to pave the way for future generations of women scholars and leaders.
