Ageing Powerfully

- Redefining midlife and empowered living 

”Alana brought such an inspiring energy to a highly informative talk, where she brought perspective and potency to highlight the context of women's lives today. She was entertaining as well as impassioned. She not only helped bring into focus how important it is for women to take radical responsibility for managing their emotional wellbeing, but provided some tangible tools to do that.” 

Sinead McNamara, Founder, The National Menopause Summit

This is not a talk about ageing gracefully. It’s a powerful reframe of midlife - and why so many women arrive here exhausted, overwhelmed and questioning themselves, despite doing everything right.

I place women’s experiences in social and cultural context (hint: it’s not you), and introduce practical tools to help women protect their energy, regain clarity and move forward with confidence.

At the heart of this session is a vital shift - from caring endlessly for others to learning how to mentally, emotionally and practically self-support.

Best suited for:
National Menopause Month • Midlife & leadership programmes • Women’s networks • Wellbeing initiatives

Why Self-Limiting Beliefs Can Hold Women Back

-The invisible filters shaping confidence, voice & leadership

“Covering themes like perimenopause, caring responsibilities, and navigating life’s turning points, Alana’s talk truly resonated with our workforce - particularly with the many women balancing work and busy personal lives. Her empowering approach left us feeling seen, inspired, and better equipped to face challenges with courage, clarity and confidence. It was a powerful reminder that thriving is possible, even during life's busiest or most uncertain moments. I would highly recommend Alana to anyone looking to support, uplift and empower women. A brilliant session!”

Jacqui Duncan, OD Advisor, Care Inspectorate, Scotland

Many of the beliefs holding women back don’t feel limiting - they feel responsible, polite or professional.

This session explores the invisible filters women have been socialised to see the world through, and how these shape confidence, boundaries, ambition and leadership presence.

With warmth and clarity, I help audiences recognise these patterns and build self-trust, authority and voice - without becoming someone they’re not.

Best suited for:
Leadership development • International Women’s Day • Women’s networks • Manager and team training

Surviving the Sandwich Years

- Caring at both ends without losing yourself in the middle

”“That was so good! One of the better presenters I have heard in a long time! I took away so many great ideas. It was so great to have the reinforcement that ‘if life feels hard, it probably is hard!’ Alana was lovely and inspiring to listen to. It’s great to hear we don’t always have to be Super Women and perfect!”

Colette Ryan, Executive Director, Enterprise Initiatives and Operational Performance, Alkermes 

More of your people are caring at both ends of the family than you think. Children later, parents living longer: the two collide in midlife, right when careers should be peaking, and the load lands mostly on women.

Drawing on my own sandwich years, my bestselling memoir The Sandwich Years and my recent conversation with David McWilliams on EY’s On The Money, I name the hidden costs of the care squeeze (time, energy, careers and pensions) and share practical tools for capacity, boundaries and the hard family conversations.

At the heart of this session is a vital shift: from carrying it all to caring without carrying it all, so your people stay well, stay in work and keep their relationships intact.

Best suited for:
Carers’ and wellbeing initiatives • Women’s and parents’ networks • HR, inclusion and retention programmes • Midlife and menopause events • Lunch ’n’ learns

The Overwhelm Breakthrough Session

- From constant survival mode to continuous self-support

“Thank you. I feel you came at a time when I needed you & your guidance the most. Your workshop was incredibly insightful and resonated so much. I had so many Aha moments with you and it made me feel so seen and understood. Your observations and advice on some particular issues were so eye opening. I never realised… no wonder I’m exhausted! Your advice on boundaries especially was amazing. You hear so much about them but not how to put them in place, so your advice was super helpful. Thank you does not seem enough, but thank you,“

Sheila

This is not another self-care talk.

Women were trained to care externally - to notice, manage and carry everything around them. In this session, I show them how to self-support instead.

Using my unique Quadrant of Chaos framework, I unpack the real causes of overwhelm - practical overload, cognitive load, emotional labour and ingrained expectations - and provide a proactive, ongoing process for reducing pressure and restoring clarity.

Participants leave feeling lighter, clearer and more in control.

Best suited for:
Wellbeing weeks • International Women's Day events • Staff away days • Booster breaks • Conferences • Resilience and mental wellbeing programmes

From Career break to leadership 

- returning with confidence 

” Participants said it was the best presentation they have heard this year! They also loved Alana’s positive and can-do attitude, and walked away from the session feeling their attendance was very worthwhile and with much food for thought.”

Sarah Bealin, Executive Officer, Learning and Career Development Unit, Department Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Careers aren’t linear because lives aren’t linear. This energising talk helps women recognise the strengths developed during time away, challenge the beliefs undermining their confidence and return to work ready to own their experience, value and leadership potential.

Best suited for:
International Women’s Day events • D&I initiatives • Retention and wellbeing strategies • Mixed-gender teams

The Business of Your Story

- Why business women’s stories matter - and how to use yours with power

”Alana was a fantastic speaker and the content was excellent. We learned something new, it was interactive, and fun. She illustrated ways of telling your story - by using her personal experiences and other stories and it felt informative and emotional. The feedback was incredibly positive and we loved Alana’s style, energy, openness, honesty and humour.”

Pauline Logan, Co-ordinator City of Dublin LEO Women in Business Network. 

In a noisy world, visibility isn’t about shouting louder - it’s about being felt.

For women in business, storytelling is a powerful tool for credibility, connection and confidence. This talk helps women stop editing themselves, step out of comparison, and use their lived experience as a strategic strength.

Best suited for:
International Women’s Day • Women in business events • Entrepreneur networks • Leadership forums

Niche topics  

Based on my own experiences, and core topics I have researched and coach on, I also give talks and workshops on a number of more niche subjects.