About Us
Empowering women and girls
in northern ireland
Glow NI is a registered charity that currently operates in Belfast and focuses on empowering women and girls.
Established in 2011, Glow was developed from a common desire of women in the local community to address issues facing their peers such as low self-esteem & confidence, mental health problems, isolation and a general lack of purpose.
As an inter-generational, cross community organisation, Glow challenges the status quo in order to break the vicious cycle of these issues by equipping women and young girls with tools and techniques to build their confidence, self-esteem, resilience and life skills. This will help them set positive, realistic steps in achieving their goal, enabling them to live happy fulfilled lives.
Glow believes that all women and girls have purpose and so our unique programmes create a positive atmosphere and allow the opportunity for women and girls to discover their true selves. This has a knock on effect as participants can positively impact on their family and community, especially in setting young female family members up with confidence and life skills to have a successful future.
Mission Statement
To support women and girls to feel heard, valued and empowered.
Meet the team behind glow
Treasa
Glow Chief Executive Officer
Treasa Rice was appointed as CEO of Glow in October 2023.
Prior to joining Glow, Treasa worked with several charities across Northern Ireland including Brain Injury Matters (NI), where she was Engagement Manager for 11 years; Action Cancer as Health Promotion Manager/Officer and Ligoniel Improvement Association, where she spent time at the start of her career as a Youth Health Worker. Treasa is currently a Committee Member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising Northern Ireland.
Treasa is a graduate from Ulster University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health and a Masters of Science in Health Promotion. Treasa has completed ILM Level 5 and Level 7 in Leadership and Management.
treasa.rice@glowni.com
Juliette
Events and Marketing Officer
Juliette joined the Glow team in 2023 as the Events and Marketing Officer.
Since graduating from Ulster University with a BSc (Hons) Degree in Business with Marketing, Juliette has gained a wealth of experience in marketing, communications and events throughout her previous roles in Northern Ireland.
Prior to starting in Glow, Juliette was living and working in Sydney, Australia where she worked for Georges River Council as a Communications Officer.
“I am looking forward to working for Glow and being part of a charity that is doing such amazing work for women and young girls in Northern Ireland.”
juliette.barr@glowni.com
Niamh
Project Coordinator
Niamh joined the Glow team in 2023 as the Project Coordinator.
Prior to joining Glow, Niamh worked in mental health and addiction services for 8 years with a national charity, Turning Point, and the NHS, East London Foundation Trust.
Niamh’s most significant role was Women’s Lead for Turning Point Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea working with women in the community.
Niamh has partnered with Women’s Aid, SASH, GALOP, Grenfell Foundation, and many more.
“I am so happy to be working for Glow and the women in the community. I know we all have so much to offer, and I am excited to see what we can achieve together.”
niamh.nolan@glowni.com
Sophie
Youth Worker
Sophie Corner joined the Glow NI Team in 2024 as a Youth Worker.
Sophie has a Level 3 Certificate in Youth Support Worker & Level 4 Certificate in Community Youth Work from Ulster University. She is currently in final year of her BSc Community Youth Work degree at Ulster University.
Sophie has worked as a classroom assistant and worked in alternative education beforehand as well as travelling to Thailand to volunteer in a school. Sophie is currently working in a busy youth centre in North Belfast alongside of Glow.
“I have been able to use my skills learnt from here to assess the needs of young people, and what the latest dilemmas can be, it helps me implement good youth work practice into Glow through group work sessions.”
sophie.corner@glowni.com
Abbie
Youth Work Assistant
Abbie McQuiston joined the Glow NI Team in 2025 as a Youth Work Assistant.
Abbie has a Level 1 & 2 youth work practice and leadership through uniting communities’ certificates and will be completing Level 4 HNC alongside her work at Glow, which will hopefully lead her to completing a mental health nursing degree in the future.
Abbie started Volunteering in youthwork in 2019 within many youth centres across Belfast, this is where her passion for youthwork started and where I learnt a lot of my skills that I now bring to Glow. Within her role at Glow, Abbie helps Sophie with delivering our youth programmes and provides support to the young people.
abbie.mcquiston@glowni.com
Our Board
Renée O'Cleary
Chair
Renée has been a member of Glow’s Board for over 3 years and was recently appointed Chair. She works in the public service bringing 25+ years’ experience in leadership & management, staff development and policy & strategy development.
Renée brings her experience in these areas, and her work as an Executive Coach and mentor, to sustain and grow the vital work that GLOW provides to women and girls in its local community and beyond.
Oonagh Desire
Vice Chair
Oonagh is a consultant, interim executive and mentor and she has extensive senior management experience in the arts, culture and voluntary sectors. Oonagh works Ireland-wide with organisations and teams looking to move forward and grow their impact through strategy development, capacity building, change management, stakeholder relations and fundraising.
Catherine Devine
Board Member
Catherine joined the Glow board in 2024 as she is passionate about empowering females in the business environment and the local community.
Catherine is a qualified Chartered Accountant, who brings a wealth experience in both a compliance and advisory capacity. Her experience covers business growth planning and forecasting, financial fundraising, and financial reporting compliance, along with a substantial network in the business community.
Angela Smith
Board Member
Angela has worked in educational settings for more than 20 years. She has worked as a special needs classroom assistant, teacher, youth worker, youth coordinator, tutor and RSE facilitator.
Angela currently works for Disability Action as an Academies Specialist supporting people with disabilities, health conditions, mental health issues or are neurodiverse into work.
Caila Cunningham
Board Member
Caila is passionate about supporting women and girls to build confidence, empowering them to become the best version of themselves, and believe in their future. Her volunteering experience has seen her travel to Denmark, Spain and Poland as-well as within NI, supporting women and children.
Caila is currently working as a Recruitment Consultant, with two years of her experience being directly within the NI Charity sector. She brings a wealth of knowledge around the landscape trends and building partnerships.
Michelle Laverty
Board Member
Michelle joined the Glow Board in 2025 as she is passionate about a society that informs, supports and empowers girls and women in their advocacy to co-exist with confidence and purpose.
Michelle has over 30 years of experience in the private, educational and non-profit sectors. Her experience includes fundraising, leadership & management, and specialist domestic and sexual abuse services.
Emer Hughes
Board Member
Emer joined the Glow NI Board in 2025. She has over 30 years of experience in the Education sector, teaching and leading in Primary Schools. Emer currently works with university students providing Wellbeing services.
Emer’s special interest is in wellbeing and resilience, and in empowering young people to achieve their potential.
Board Member
Caila is passionate about supporting women and girls to build confidence, empowering them to become the best version of themselves, and believe in their future. Her volunteering experience has seen her travel to Denmark, Spain and Poland as-well as within NI, supporting women and children.
Caila is currently working as a Recruitment Consultant, with two years of her experience being directly within the NI Charity sector. She brings a wealth of knowledge around the landscape trends and building partnerships.
Board Member
Michelle joined the Glow Board in 2025 as she is passionate about a society that informs, supports and empowers girls and women in their advocacy to co-exist with confidence and purpose.
Michelle has over 30 years of experience in the private, educational and non-profit sectors. Her experience includes fundraising, leadership & management, and specialist domestic and sexual abuse services.
Join our Board
If you are interested in joining our Board, please email treasa.rice@glowni.com
OUR PROGRAMMES WILL..
Increase confidence and self-esteem
Assist the discovery of purpose and identity
Help you learn and nurture practical and essential life skills
Provide guidance in living a lifestyle of positive mental health
Encourage and build positive and lasting friendships
view our additional training programmes
currently funded by:
