Highland Business Women discuss their highlights of 2023
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Well, here we are rapidly approaching the end of another year! It’s been a very busy year for us so this month we decided we’d have a catch up with some of our Board Directors to see what being part of HBW has meant to them and what some of their highlights from this past year have been. For me it has been an absolute whirlwind to be the President of Highland Business Women this year. I am very privileged to be at the helm of this organisation and very grateful to work alongside a board of other dedicated and passionate women who want to enable other women in business throughout the Highlands with fantastic networking and support opportunities.
My highlight has got to be our Awards back in August. To see so many incredible & inspirational women being rewarded and recognised really brought it home to me why we do what we do, and I can’t wait to connect more with current members and meet lots of new faces next year.
Kayleigh Fraser - Charity Ambassador
Throughout 2023 there have been many networking opportunities for HBW members, I particularly enjoyed the mouth-watering BBQ at Clava Mains and the Workshop at Cafe Artysans. Both gatherings provided members with an opportunity to network in a relaxed environment making it easier for members to engage in authentic conversations and discover common interests whilst eating and having fun!
Calman Trust was our Charity of the Year for 2023. Working with Jo and the team at Calman has been enlightening, the work they do for young adults in the Highlands is unique and extremely valuable within our Highland communities. To everyone who has donated in any way, Thank You!
Natalie Bruce - Social Media & Communications
What a year we’ve had over at HBW this year. I have loved being involved in all things BTS (‘behind the scenes’ – a new one I learned this year). My highlight of the year this year has to be our Awards ceremony. It was a fantastic event and we on the Board worked extremely hard to make it a success, so it was great to see it all come together. For 2024, I am excited to find out who our next Charity of the Year is going to be. Each Charity we work closely with has the opportunity to bring something different to our group so I’m looking forward to seeing what 2024 will bring!
Vicki Miller - Treasurer
When I joined HBW back in 2021, I was at a crossroads in my career as I didn’t know what I wanted to do or which direction I wanted to go in. HBW introduced me to lots of amazing ladies I would never have had the opportunity to otherwise meet, all successfully moving forward in their careers and with their businesses.
HBW gave me the confidence to realise that if all these ladies could do this then I could too. I continue to be inspired and encouraged by the ladies I meet, and I hope that I can pay forward to others what all those ladies did and still do for me.
Muirne Buchanan - Secretary
One of the highlights of my HBW year was participating in Matt Wallace’s Clarity walk, along with a group of other HBW members. We set off along Dores Beach and meandered through the woodlands. It was a hot summer’s day, so we were glad of some cool shade. It was a lovely, relaxed couple of hours, giving us time and space to chat and learn more about each other’s work. Finishing off with the most incredible spread of cakes and treats, we all agreed it had been a welcome break from our busy lives.
Karen Simpson – Joint Events Coordinator
I joined HBW in 2019 while I was in the process of leaving my career in teaching and building my business into a full-time job. It can be difficult managing a business on your own but being part of the HBW group and having others to call on for advice and support has made a big difference. The group is really friendly and welcoming. I have loved attending different events over the years and have made lots of great business connections! I recently joined the board as joint events coordinator, and I am looking forward to giving something back to a group that has given me so much.
Aleksandra Czech-Seklecka - IT Leader
Being a board member for the first time in my life gave me valuable insights into its inner workings. Meeting incredible women during this journey was a highlight. I enjoyed helping other women in their business journeys and creating a supportive community. It was great that I could use my tech skills to support Highland Business Women and that our board is a team where everyone plays a unique role, and we complement each other perfectly. This year has been fulfilling, and I am proud of our collaborative efforts and the positive impact we have made.
On behalf of the board and myself we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay warm, eat loads, and have fun and we will see you in 2024!
