MEET THE TEAM
Sarah mckiernan
Head of Training & Development
Sarah is the founder of Building It Better NI, a venture dedicated to fostering positive change within communities. While she drives the vision and strategy of her business, her foremost role is as a mother to her daughter. Sarah strives to create a world in which her daughter can thrive, free from limitations, with the independence to pursue her aspirations. Through her work, Sarah embodies the belief that with determination and support, anything is achievable.
Sarah possesses an extensive pool of knowledge, from years of experience teaching construction and DIY. Her commitment to education and practical application in the field equips her with a unique perspective, enabling her to effectively convey complex concepts to her students. Through her teaching, Sarah has fostered an engaging learning environment that encourages skill development and promotes a thorough understanding of construction principles.
She is dedicated to empowering local communities and fostering the potential of women in male-dominated sectors. Her commitment to promoting gender equality and championing female representation drives her efforts to inspire and support women in realising their capabilities within these challenging environments.
Charlotte Simms
Social Media and Marketing Manager
Charlotte is the Social Media and Marketing Manager at Building It Better N.I. With a degree in photography, she brings a creative and visual storytelling approach to the brand’s message. Passionate about travel and independence, Charlotte thrives on discovering new cultures and experiences, which she often draws inspiration from in her work. She’s deeply committed to helping others—particularly women—break barriers and gain the confidence to tackle skills traditionally dominated by men. Her role blends her expertise in media with her drive to create opportunities for others to learn, grow, and succeed.
Leah Stone
Brand & Content Manager
Leah has spent much of her life traveling the world, which has shaped her passion for helping others.
In her role, she focuses on media management and design, helping to build and strengthen the brand’s growth. Creativity and problem-solving drive her work, and she loves finding new ways to make an impact.
Outside of work, she enjoys a quiet life, spending as much time as possible outdoors with her dog. She has a deep appreciation for nature—whether it’s hiking, long scenic walks, or simply breathing in fresh air. Exploring new trails and taking in beautiful landscapes is something she never gets tired of.
She’s also passionate about hands-on skills and is always eager to learn something new. Already trained in both timbersaw operation and forklift handling, Leah hopes to broaden her expertise even further in the future—carpentry is next on her list! She loves the idea of creating something tangible with her own hands and can’t wait to see where this journey takes her.
When she’s not out exploring or learning new skills, you’ll likely find her in the kitchen. Cooking is one of her favourite ways to unwind, and she loves experimenting with new flavours and recipes, always looking for the next delicious creation.
Ellen Ritchie
Resident Mechanic
Ellen has loved cars and trucks from a very young age and has always loved working on anything with an engine. She has many of her own car projects at home she is currently building. All with the help from her father of course!
Ellen has achieved an apprenticeship within Translink and is now working in HVAC and Mechanics. She is the only female qualified mechanic in Translink at the minute, and she is currently helping more women within her depot to get through their apprenticeships.
Ellen has always loved meeting other women also interested in Mechanics and even those with a love for vehicles to share her interest. She is always willing to help them learn new skills and gain more experience about the trade.
Whether you are on your own wanting to build a new skill or maybe thinking of a change in career. All are are welcome to come learn the basics of car maintenance. Ellen will certainly help in any way to build your confidence in car Mechanics! Don't be afraid to ask Ellen plenty of questions!
Sarahs little helper
The Real Boss
Meet Our Youngest (and Most Chaotic) Team Member
At just one year old, she is already making her mark in the Building It Better NI Office—mostly by leaving a trail of toys, books, and snack crumbs in her wake.
When she’s not busy perfecting her babbling skills (a language only she truly understands), she’s hard at work causing absolute havoc in the crèche pen, flipping through books like a tiny executive reviewing important documents.
Her daily routine includes taste-testing anything within arm’s reach, offering unsolicited (but enthusiastic) “advice” during meetings, and making sure no one forgets she’s in charge with her expertly timed giggles and dramatic expressions.
Despite her mischievous ways, she brings endless joy to the team—because let's be honest, no one else can get away with throwing their lunch on the floor and still be considered adorable. She’s already showing signs of being a future boss, and we’re all just here to keep up with her demands (which mostly involve snacks and cuddles).