Being Family-Friendly Without Hurting the Bottom Line

Join the Institute of Directors for “Being Family-Friendly Without Hurting the Bottom Line”—a practical, evidence-based session designed to help SMEs support working families while growing sustainably.

Our first keynote, Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, explores what “family-friendly” really means today, far beyond maternity leave. She will outline low-cost or no-cost policies that strengthen retention, reduce recruitment spend, and deliver clear commercial benefits for employers of all sizes.

Our second keynote, from Mentorhood co-founders Alice Vincenti and Denise Heavey, examines the critical—but often overlooked—return-to-work period. They unpack the confidence dip many parents experience, the identity shift that employers rarely see, and the role managers play in making or breaking retention. Mentorhood will share practical frameworks to support parents' wellbeing, rebuild professional identity, and create genuinely family-friendly cultures.

The event concludes with a panel of industry leaders discussing real-world applications, challenges, and solutions for Jersey businesses.

Whether you're an SME owner, HR professional, or leader building a more inclusive and high-performing organisation, this session offers clear, actionable steps to support families and strengthen your workforce.

Agenda

11:30 - Registration and Networking

12:00 - Welcome by Lynn Cleary, Chair of the IoD Jersey People, Leadership & Strategy Sub-Committee

12:00 - Welcome by Sponsor

12:00 - Keynote Speech – Jane van Zyl (Working Families)

12:50 - Keynote Speech – Alice Vincenti / Denise Heavey (Mentorhood)

13:10 - Panel Discussion - Karolina Pilcher – Senior Strategic Projects Manager at Jersey Finance, Jonathan Mynes – Investment Director Canaccord, Selina Zenonos – Senior People Partner, Performance & Inclusion at Jersey Electricity, Daniel Reid – Walkers ??, Jane van Zyl – CEO Working Families

13:30 - Audience Q&A and Open Discussion

13:50 - Closing Remarks & Call to Action

14:00 - Event Close

Jane van Zyl Bio

Jane van Zyl, CEO of Working Families, joined Working Families as CEO in September 2018. She has held senior leadership positions at several UK charities, including Samaritans and Sands. She believes in the value of a fulfilling, balanced working life and its transformative power to create social connections, build self-esteem, and impact the wider community. She is a passionate advocate of equity of opportunity for all. She spent her childhood in the UK (Norfolk) and South Africa (Cape Town & Johannesburg) and is a University of Cape Town graduate (Industrial Sociology and Industrial Psychology).

Alice Vincenti Bio

Alice Vincenti, Co-Founder of MentorHood, specialises in supporting working parents, while also enabling organisations to retain their parent employees.

She is a qualified HCPC registered Paediatric and Perinatal Occupational Therapist, with extensive experience in assessment and intervention across a wide range of needs. In addition to her Masters of Science degree, Alice has further specialised in this field through additional study in Foundations of Neuroscience, enhancing her evidence-based approach to therapeutic support for parents. With over a decade of experience in healthcare, Alice brings a deep understanding of the vital connection between parental wellbeing and child development.

Denise Heavey Bio

Denise Heavey, Co-Founder of Mentorhood holds a degree in Hospitality, Leisure and Tourism and is currently furthering her studies in Mediation. She is a recruitment specialist who has opened and successfully run multiple businesses on the island, managing small to medium-sized enterprises and gaining first-hand experience of the realities faced by both employers and working parents. As a business leader and parent, Denise understands the pressures of running an organisation while balancing family life. She is a strong advocate for family wellbeing and mental health,

This event qualifies for 2 CDP points. If you would like a certificate, please email our Executive Officer, Zoë Wauton at officer.jersey@iod.net to request one.

Lunch

Bread and butter

Roast Supreme of Chicken, dauphinoise potatoes, roasted carrots, courgettes and madeira JUS (GF)

Tea/coffee & petit fours

Vegan Option

Bread and butter

Mushroom Risotto, Wild Mushrooms and Chestnuts and Crispy Sage

Tea/coffee & petit fours

Please advise Zoë Wauton (officer.jersey@iod.com) by Monday, 12th January 2026 LATEST if you require the vegan option or if you have any special dietary requirements.

Ticket price includes a 1-course lunch with house wine and coffee/petit fours.