The Board of Directors

Edel Cunningham - Edel is currently employed by Volunteer Now .  She is the Volunteering Support Officer for Armagh and Dungannon. Edel has been involved with FSWC in providing information sessions, looking at local volunteer opportunities  to help create better communities.  Edel also helps Volunteers to gain confidence and employability as well as experiencing the joy of giving back! 

Paula Smyth - Paula works as Head of Business Development (All Ireland) for an Awarding Organisation that specialises in the development and delivery of training courses and qualifications for the land-based sector.  Her academic education includes a MSc in Communication (Strategic Management and Marketing) and a BA(Hons) in English.  Paula is passionate about training and learning; “I am excited to be involved with First Steps Women’s Centre to be able to share some of the experience I have gained, with those who avail of the services offered.  I see every day as a learning day and would encourage others to do the same.  I feel privileged, through my role, to be able to help others on that journey as a Board member."

Wendy Wigton - Wendy is passionate about improving women’s lives through support, education and increasing their self-confidence and social networks. She is a floating support officer with C&MUWA as well as senior support officer on their new project, the Starfish project. She has a BSc Hons in Adult Nursing from QUB and has volunteered as a bereavement support volunteer and supervisor for Cruse Bereavement Care in Moy since 2004.  “I feel delighted to have joined the Board of such a wonderful organisation. Any time I have visited First Steps Women’s Centre, I have always been met with such a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff who are always welcoming and somewhere that women can just be themselves without judgment. I’m looking forward to this new challenge and to seeing what lies ahead for First Steps.”

Siobhan Wallace - With over 20 years experience at the helm of an eclectic mix of Projects, Siobhan is a creative thinker and enjoys finding alternative perspectives and new approaches to ensure the highest quality provision for service users. Siobhan has worked in a variety of fields from diversity training to Family Support to mental health and has developed a number of new projects from scratch. She has worked in both the community and public sector all of her working life.  Currently employed as Programme Manager for Dungannon & Coalisland SureStart Siobhan has enjoyed radically reshaping services to serve the needs of local families with children under 4 and has been inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach in doing so. Siobhan is looking forward to getting more involved in improving opportunities for women in the Mid Ulster area.
Nicola Quinn - Is a Business Development Officer in the education management industry. Skilled in Project Management, Innovation, Financial and Business Planning, Operations Management.  Nicola has a MSC in Communication and is currently working as a part time lecturer at South West College.
Sinead Taylor - has a Bachelor's Degree in Community Development. She is currently working in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust as a Promoting Wellbeing Manager.  Sinead is also a Volunteer Youth Worker with Armagh Consortium.
Marli Wilson - Marli currently works as a Social Worker in the Northern Trust.  She is a woman with many talents and can turn her hand to anything.  Her previous jobs include - Language assistant, Tutor and Translator, She is also enjoying farming!