The finalists in this category are:

Marie Marin

Marie Marin is CEO of Employers for Childcare. Marie is described as a natural social entrepreneur. By carefully planning a steady and realistic growth and by monitoring achievements against set targets, she secured the income to totally replace the organisation’s European funding when it finally expired in May 2008. She is a recent Unltd level 2 award winner recognized for her ability to bring long term security to Employers for childcare and for her leadership qualities. Despite the recession and without any government grants, Employers for childcare under Marie’s leadership, has doubled its workforce in the last 12 months.

Douglas King and Geraldine Kerr

Douglas King and Geraldine Kerr jointly served as acting chief executives for Action Cancer. They have jointly brought Action Cancer through a difficult two years during which they have been responsible for the CEO’s role in addition to their usual responsibilities as Head of Fundraising and Communications and Head of Professional Services. This has coincided with the recession causing increased challenges for fundraising. Despite these challenges, Action Cancer has actually generated funds greater than budget expectations and maintained and grown its service provision to people in NI affected by cancer. Their leadership has shown a positive, ‘anything is possible’ attitude with flair in producing innovative ideas for generating funds and developing mutually beneficial partnerships.

David Boyd

David Boyd is Director of The Beat Initiative in Belfast. As founder Director of the organisation, he has always focused on long term sustainability. Starting from a base of zero in 1993, initial funding was allocated to building facilities, infrastructure, reputation and bank reserves. David passionately believes in the value of creativity and that participation in life through carnival opens opportunities in education, job creation, self esteem, skills training and cross community and cross border communication. David founded and has driven The Beat to be one of Belfast City’s flagship arts companies and NI’s carnival arts company.

The winner is David Boyd

Donna Traynor; David Boyd, Belfast Carnival;
Michael Gould, Department of Employment and Training