Programme Director / Coordinator for Addiction Treatment and Prevention

 

Psychotherapist and educator. She completed her Master’s degree at the Jagiellonian University in Kraków in the field of pedagogy with a specialisation in social rehabilitation pedagogy. Graduate of the Addiction Therapy Programme at the Institute of Health Psychology of the Polish Psychological Association. For two years, she attended a psychoanalytic psychotherapy course accredited by the Scientific Section of Psychotherapy and the Scientific Section of Family Therapy of the Polish Psychiatric Association.

Originator and co-founder of CKU – Centre for Counselling and Therapy and the Symposium of Polish Women in Ireland. Creator and coordinator of the quarterly magazine project Portraits of Emigration.

Since 2009, together with Barbara Ożga, she has co-created the CKU centre, where, alongside the team, she supports Poles living abroad in regaining mental wellbeing, dignity, and a sense of agency — especially individuals struggling with addiction and social exclusion. Clinical manager of the CKU team.

For the past 15 years, she has been leading her own personal development workshops for women under the series title Between Us Women. Programme Director of the Symposium of Polish Women in Ireland team and Coordinator for Addiction Treatment and Prevention. A friend of the AA Community. Accredited member of Addiction Counsellors of Ireland – ACI.

Organisational Director / Coordinator for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence

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Psychologist and certified addiction prevention instructor. Co-founder and coordinator of CKU – Centre for Counselling and Therapy in Dublin, co-organiser of the Women’s Symposium and the magazine Portraits of Emigration.

She has lived in Ireland for 20 years, gaining insight into the challenges faced by people living abroad. In her daily work, she supports individuals struggling with addiction, those involved in difficult relationships, and people experiencing various life crises, especially related to domestic violence.

As part of cooperation and integration initiatives, she participates in various projects organised by Polish community groups and Irish support organisations, thereby strengthening awareness of multiculturalism in Ireland and the need to create appropriate support systems for people of different nationalities. She is actively involved in the work of self-help community organisations, including SMART Recovery Polska. She also participates in the work of Drugs Task Force groups and advisory groups at the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE).

Privately, she is a wife and mother, passionate about rock music and sea swimming, a regular concertgoer, motorcyclist, and gardener. She enjoys cooking and loves all animals.

Coordinator for Social Communication / Administration / Secretariat

 

Sociologist, project, event, and accessibility coordinator, for many years associated with the public sector, cultural institutions, and social organisations. She has extensive experience in project management, including planning, content creation, brand building, communication, and promotion.

In her work, she successfully combines creativity with analytical skills, problem-solving, and teamwork. She is actively involved in initiatives supporting social development, promoting culture, and strengthening community ties.

At CKU – Centre for Counselling and Therapy in Dublin, she serves as Project and Administration Coordinator, supporting the organisation’s educational and social initiatives.

Within the Symposium team, she acts as Coordinator for Social Communication, Administration, and Secretariat, ensuring effective information flow. She is also a painter and creator of, among others, the exhibition Well-being. Snapshots of Accessibility from Dublin, as well as the author of two books on the local history of Piaseczno.

Privately, she is a happy woman, mother, and wife.
 

Coordinator for Scientific Research in the Area of Integration and Intercultural Adaptation

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Dr Beata Sokołowska currently serves as Director of the Management Board at CKU and Coordinator for Scientific Research in the area of integration and intercultural adaptation. She is a sociologist who researched the acculturation process of Polish teenage immigrants in Ireland. In 2014, she obtained her PhD from Trinity College Dublin.

Driven by a genuine curiosity about people and their personal stories, Beata continuously seeks new perspectives and insights. She is the author of numerous academic articles and publications devoted to this field, contributing valuable observations and expertise.

In her professional career, Beata works as an Education Standards Manager at Quality and Qualifications Ireland, carrying out this important role with a passion for education and high standards.
 

Coordinator for the Education of Women Living Abroad

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Qualified accountant (MIATI) with over seven years of experience in audit and taxation, gained in renowned accounting firms in Ireland. For many years, she has been actively involved in social and charitable work, serving as treasurer in organisations supporting the education and development of the Polish community abroad.

She combines professional expertise with a passion for building bridges between cultures and strengthening the role of women in social life. As a mentor and volunteer, she promotes the activity and empowerment of women living abroad, inspiring them to take on leadership roles.

Privately, she enjoys sailing, hiking, and spending time with her family, which gives her the energy to continue her work and share her experience with others.
 

Coordinator for Sexual Education in Culture

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Aneta Stępień is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Critical Skills at Maynooth University. She holds a Master’s degree in Polish Studies from the University of Warsaw and a PhD in Comparative Literature from the University of Surrey. She also holds a diploma in teaching Polish as a foreign language.

For many years, she taught Polish language and culture at institutions including the University of Warsaw, the University of Glasgow, Trinity College Dublin, and the Polish Humanitarian Action. She is the author of academic and journalistic publications in the fields of literature and culture, as well as gender and sexuality in culture.

A feminist and activist, she has worked and continues to work with refugees, and human rights remain very close to her heart.

Since 2022, Dr Stępień has served as President of the Irish Association for Russian, Central and East European Studies (IARCEES), and since 2024 she has co-organised the Dublin literary festival O’Czytani. Her passion is writing, including creative writing.
 

Coordinator for Business Development and Entrepreneurship of Women Living Abroad

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Mentor, visionary, and development leader. Life & Business Coach with more than ten years of experience supporting people in their personal and professional growth. Her mission is to help ambitious individuals achieve authentic success, financial freedom, and their dream lifestyle — always in alignment with their inner values and personal needs.

CEO of the advertising agency Digital Lotus Media, where she successfully creates effective marketing strategies for brands seeking dynamic growth and meaningful connections with conscious clients.

Author of two inspiring books that have become guideposts for many people striving for a more fulfilled life: Fully Me. In 39 Days to a Fulfilled Life and Fully Business. In 33 Days to Fulfilment in Life and Business.

Initiator and founder of the Ladies’ Nights Club community, where she created a space bringing together remarkable women who value mutual support, inspiration, and authentic relationships.

Her work is grounded in strong therapeutic and educational foundations. She is a certified Gestalt counsellor and therapist. She completed comprehensive training and obtained her diploma from the prestigious Gestalt Counselling School in Kraków (in cooperation with the Associazione Italiana di Counselling), which enables her to support people in freeing themselves from internal blocks and limiting beliefs.

As an Access Bars facilitator, she helps clients step into their full personal power — the key to fulfilment in both personal life and business.

Her interdisciplinary education includes:
Postgraduate Studies in Entrepreneurship Development (2017–2018), Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin;
Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) (1996–2000), Jagiellonian University, Kraków.
 

Coordinator for Media and Events

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Kasia Mikołajczyk – a qualified teacher with more than 20 years of experience in educational, pastoral, and organisational work. She combines her passion for education with social and cultural activities supporting the Polish community in Ireland.

Author and co-creator of radio programmes on Radio Cenzura and editor of Nasza Gazeta, actively involved in projects supporting women and integrating the Polish community. Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Portraits of Emigration.

Promoter of a healthy lifestyle through aromatherapy, TCM nutrition, and reflexology. Recipient of an award statuette for her commitment and mission of supporting the Polish community abroad.
 

Coordinator for Literature, Art and Culture

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Holistic therapist leading individual sessions and personal development groups within the Magic Circle. For several years, she has been living and creating in Ireland, where she accompanies people through processes of personal growth, change, and deepening connection with themselves.

She creates a mindful and supportive space in which everyone can recognise their potential, find the courage for their own creativity, and experience life more fully in harmony with themselves and their values.

Author and host of the radio programme In the Magic Circle on Radio Cenzura, dedicated to personal development, creativity, and conscious living. Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the magazine Portraits of Emigration.

During the Women’s Symposium, she will lead a panel devoted to Vedic Art, to which she has invited participants of her workshops. Together, they will share personal experiences of working with this method and its impact on creativity, personal growth, and everyday life.
 

Coordinator for Education and Polish-Language Schooling in Ireland

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Founder and Director of the Altogether Polish School. Co-founder and Vice-President of the umbrella organisation bringing together Polish community schools in Ireland – the Polish Educational Society.

From 2013 to 2018, she lectured in mathematics at the Staropolska Academy of Applied Sciences, Dublin branch. In 2014 and 2016, she established additional branches of the Altogether Polish School in Newbridge and Donaghmede.

She delivers numerous educational projects for children, young people, and teachers. Actively involved in the Polish community, she supports both local and international initiatives. She writes project proposals and secures funding for their implementation.

She organises educational trips for children to Poland as part of the Polish Family project, including student exchanges with partner Polish schools in Germany and the Netherlands, as well as sightseeing trips for outstanding students, such as visits to Warsaw.

She coordinated and participated in the three-year Erasmus+ project Polish School Abroad. A Competent Teacher and a Creative Student as the Key to Success. Together with the teaching staff of the Altogether Polish School and five other Polish community schools from Lithuania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, the UK, and Poland, she exchanged experiences and supported the professional development of teachers.

She organises and leads numerous conferences and training sessions for teachers, including methodological conferences featuring distinguished speakers and lecturers. She is committed to integrating the Polish community and maintaining strong relationships with local Irish organisations and representatives. She works closely with the Consular Section and the Polish Embassy in Dublin.

Special achievements and distinctions for her work on behalf of the Polish community:
– Awarded the Silver Cross of Merit in 2017
– Recipient of a distinction in the nationwide Super Director competition in 2019
– Awarded the Medal of the National Education Commission in 2023 for outstanding contributions to education and upbringing
– Awarded the Gold Cross of Merit in 2023
 

Coordinator for Visual Arts, Mixed Media, and Graphic Design

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Karolina Di Duca is a trained mixed media artist and graphic designer dedicated to exploring the limitless possibilities of artistic expression. As a member of the Design & Craft County Council and a visual artist collaborating with the Arts Council, she also receives support from the Institute of Designers Ireland through the Design Ireland Association.

Her work has gained international recognition — she was a finalist in the Luxembourg Art Awards (2021) and the Canada Art Awards (2022).

Her artistic journey began over a decade ago in Ireland and has become a path of continuous innovation and pursuit of excellence in art. She graduated from the State Secondary School of Fine Arts in Poland in 2002, specialising in visual arts, which became the foundation of her multidisciplinary creative approach.

In her didART studio, she pushes beyond the boundaries of traditional art, combining unconventional materials, rich textures, and vibrant colours to create unique and thought-provoking works. Her art challenges conventional artistic norms by blending design with artistic exploration, resulting in distinctive and inspiring creations.

For her, art is an ongoing experiment — a journey of constant self-discovery and exploration of possibilities. Her dedication to creativity has led to numerous recognitions, which continue to motivate her to push artistic boundaries and inspire others through her work.
 

Coordinator for Young Generation Women / Polish Community Leader and Ambassador

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She is a young artist and coordinator for young generation women as part of the 2nd Women’s Symposium. She studied ceramics and glass at the National College of Art and Design in Dublin, where she discovered that the creative process can become a form of healing and identity building.

For some time, she worked in nursing homes in Ireland as an art therapist, leading ceramics and art workshops for senior citizens. This experience showed her the important role art plays at every stage of life as a space for self-expression, strengthening self-esteem, and building human connections.

She is fascinated by how our relationship with creativity changes throughout different stages of life and how art can help us better understand ourselves and others. She is also interested in language as a tool for building bridges between people and generations.

Currently, she focuses on discovering her own voice between silence and expression, while exploring the idea of bilingualism as a path to authenticity. She believes that art, language, and sensitivity are universal bridges connecting different worlds, creating space for growth, healing, and self-discovery.
 

Coordinator for Wellness and Supporting the Personal and Professional Development of Women

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International entrepreneur, mentor, and speaker supporting women, leaders, and organisations in conscious development, building inner balance, and emotional resilience. Expert in wellbeing, mindfulness, and conscious leadership.

Creator of the Inner Synergy™ method, which combines practical tools with a holistic approach to personal development. Repeatedly awarded for her impact as a coach and mentor.

She leads programmes, workshops, and development retreats across Europe. She collaborates with Edu Smart Training Centre Ltd, engaging in initiatives related to ESG, CSR, and conscious business practices.
 

Coordinator for Return Migration

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Psychologist, educator, specialist in psychotherapy for children and adolescents, and psychoanalytic psychotherapist for individuals and groups currently in certification training. She has been working professionally since 2007, exploring the deep processes that form the foundation of unconscious functioning in individuals, children, adolescents, adults, and groups.

Author of the mental health and bonding prevention programme for infants See Me, I See You!, she coordinates the work of the Mental Health Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Community Mental Health Centre – Level 2 Reference Centre at Healthcare Centre No. 2 in Rzeszów.

She is also a co-creator of the Women Together return adaptation group in Rzeszów.
 

Coordinator for Fundraising and Financial Support within the Symposium

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Anna comes from Nowe Miasto Lubawskie. Twenty years ago, she arrived in Ireland with a suitcase full of dreams — here she found a home, love, and new passions.

Professionally, she works as an accountant in an Irish company, managing payments and cash flow. After work, she relaxes by walking with her German Shepherd, Shadow, reading books, or indulging in her passion for knitting.

Together with her husband, she shares a love of travel — their dream is to own a camper van. She is actively involved in community work: she has co-organised charity fundraisers and volunteers with the ALONE foundation, supporting older people.

Anna is passionate about supporting women in development and collaboration. She co-organises the Symposium of Polish Women in Ireland and the Portraits of Emigration project, believing that it will connect Polish women around the world.
 

Coordinator for Sport and Sporting Events

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Creative and highly motivated leader with experience in managing a support centre for homeless families and working within multicultural environments.

She is currently studying psychology, counselling, and mental health, and is also a qualified fitness instructor. She actively participates in sports — she is a marathon runner, practises Krav Maga, and holds a purple belt in kickboxing (Ireland).

She is also an honorary platelet blood donor and was awarded the Gold Drop of Blood distinction by the Health Service Executive (HSE) Ireland in 2025.
 

Coordinator for the Promotion of Holistic Health and Personal Development of Women

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Graduate of the Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology. Twenty-three years ago, she emigrated to Ireland, where, after 19 years of working in the corporate world, she decided to listen to the inner wisdom of her body and heart, dedicating herself to holistic work with others.

She works with the body, breath, energy, emotions, sexuality, and touch, using, among others, the Janzu bodywork-in-water technique, various breathing techniques (activating, balancing, and relaxing), massages (Return to the Womb, Yoni Reclamation Therapy, fascial massage, Hawaiian Lomi Lomi), herbal sitz baths, shadow work, as well as women’s circles and workshops.

Her diverse passions — nature, music, singing, cooking, travel, and creating music for breathwork sessions — allow her to experience new adventures while celebrating Life.