Book IWD Speaker: Mary McGuigan

What happens when the way we see ourselves no longer reflects who we are becoming?

I’m a Belfast-based TEDx Speaker, Image Consultant and founder of Corporate & Creative Image, specialising in professional presence, self-image, colour psychology and the psychology of perception.

With a background in business, finance and hospitality, I bring a different perspective to the relationship between how we see ourselves, how we present ourselves and how we are perceived by others.

My work explores the connection between identity, confidence, communication and professional visibility, particularly for women navigating leadership, career progression, entrepreneurship and personal reinvention.

I’ve delivered talks, workshops and interactive experiences for organisations including Reddit, the Law Society of Northern Ireland’s Women’s Network and Turnstone, combining insights into human behaviour with practical tools that audiences can apply to their professional and personal lives.

My TEDx talk ”How to Wear Your Vulnerabilities”, explores vulnerability, identity and self-acceptance, challenging the idea that we need to conceal the parts of ourselves that make us different.

My Speaking Topics Include:
The Power of Being Seen: Image, Identity & Influence
How self-perception, professional presence and personal identity influence the way women communicate, contribute and navigate opportunities in the workplace. This talk encourages women to recognise their expertise, challenge limiting perceptions and become more intentional about how they show up professionally.

How to Wear Your Vulnerabilities
An exploration of authenticity, vulnerability and self-image, challenging the pressure to conform to external expectations and encouraging women to recognise the strength in their individuality.

Beyond First Impressions: The Psychology of Professional Presence
An interactive exploration of how image, colour psychology, communication and perception influence our interactions, with practical insights into developing a professional presence that feels authentic and intentional.

What Makes My Approach Different?
I combine my experience in business with my expertise in image consultancy and a genuine fascination with human behaviour, identity and psychology.

My presentations go beyond appearance or traditional confidence advice. I encourage audiences to question the beliefs, expectations and assumptions influencing how they see themselves, how they communicate and how they are perceived.

I believe professional presence isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about understanding who you are, recognising the value you bring and learning how to communicate that with greater confidence and intention.

My sessions are engaging, relatable and interactive, creating opportunities for reflection, conversation and practical learning rather than simply delivering information.

I’m available for International Women’s Day events, corporate conferences, women’s professional networks, leadership development programmes, panel discussions, keynote talks and interactive workshops.

Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, I work with organisations throughout Northern Ireland, Ireland, the UK, including London, and internationally.

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