Our Alum community
Since its inception in 1995, WIP's alum Community has grown to include over 950 individuals. In more recent years, our alum community has been further enhanced with the addition of the WIP Academy and AMBIT alums.
Bringing powerful new voices and vigor to the debates, challenges, and issues facing a post-conflict society, WIP Alums have gone on to make their mark in many fields, including politics, business, the arts, the community sector, media, and science.
They include Leo Varadkar (WIP 2000), the youngest Taoiseach in Ireland’s history; Claire Sugden (WIP 2010), who was appointed at the age of 29 as Northern Ireland’s Minister for Justice; and other rising stars, including artist Adrian Margey (WIP 2005); Tara McEvoy, Heaney Fellow at Queen’s University Belfast (WIP 2014); and tech entrepreneur Aidan Corbett (WIP 2005).
Alum events
Throughout the year, WIP and its Alum community host many events, from reunions and dinners to celebrations such as our annual Celtic Chefs event and those around key political milestones, such as the 25th anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.
The involvement, support, and enthusiasm of the WIP Alum community is highly appreciated. We encourage you to keep the WIP flame burning bright and attend WIP events where possible, or, why not organize your own? From guest lectures to lunchtime learning events, or a good old-fashioned class reunion, we’re delighted to support and help promote your Alum events where we can. Please forward details of any events to office@wiprogram.org
Stay Involved
We encourage our Alums to stay involved with the Washington Ireland Program. Whether that’s by attending WIP events or connecting with the incoming classes of young leaders, we look forward to seeing you soon.Contact us
Complete the form here to keep in touch.Pay it Forward
As an alum of the Washington Ireland Program, you are part of an exceptional community of Leaders who are committed to building a peaceful and prosperous future for Northern Ireland and Ireland.
WIP Alums often speak of the positive and transformative impact the WIP experience has had on their lives. To enable that to happen, many people generously invested in your WIP journey.
Today, we would like to invite you to consider paying it forward, enabling another student to benefit from the WIP experience.
“I didn’t even think twice about donating my first pay check to WIP. I realised I was so lucky to have had people invest in me so that I could have the incredible and life-changing experience I did. I just knew I wanted to make sure someone else could also have that opportunity. There’s no doubting the impact WIP students have had on life in Northern Ireland and Ireland. We have to ensure we do what we can to allow that to continue. Now more than ever.”
Removing barriers
There are many barriers to overcome around making progress in Northern Ireland and Ireland.
We firmly believe that financial barriers for our emerging leaders shouldn’t be among those.
Your invaluable support will ensure we can continue to overcome any financial issues that may prevent some students from applying for our Programs.
Some of the ways you can contribute include:
Flight sponsorship ($1,000)
By donating $1,000 you will cover the costs of flights for a student and ensure they get to begin their Washington Ireland Program journey.Leadership retreat sponsorship ($5,000)
A $5,000 donation enables us to cover the costs of a leadership retreat for a student, offering them the opportunity to forge meaningful connections, bolster their skills, and gain invaluable leadership insights.Comprehensive program sponsorship: ($16,000)
Sponsoring a WIP student experience enables us to cover all the costs for one student on our Emerging Leaders Program. Your support will open doors for a student to fully immerse themselves in the life-changing opportunity WIP offers.
Your support, whatever the amount, is greatly valued, as every contribution enables us to continue to inspire and develop our future leaders.
Donate
You can pay it forward by generously making a donation using the button below. Your commitment to investing in the next generation of leaders is deeply appreciated. Thank you for considering giving back to a Program that has played such a pivotal role in shaping the future in Northern Ireland and Ireland.Get in touch
If you have any questions about our Alum network or would like more information, please contact office@wiprogram.org