The Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon is a great way to get together to celebrate and show support for our female friends and colleagues as well as raising vital funds for charity.
Lorraine Egan is the Chief Executive Officer at Horizons. Here are some thoughts from Lorraine who is taking part in this year’s Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon.
Empower
What motivates you?
‘What motivates me is my unwavering desire to uplift and support others. Since childhood, I’ve found fulfillment in helping people – whether it was assisting other children with homework, offering guidance, or helping friends overcome challenges and adversity. I have always advocated for those who couldn’t speak up for themselves, driven by a deep sense of justice and compassion. Doing the right thing has always been, and continues to be, my guiding principle, even when it’s not the most popular choice, because I believe it truly matters. In the world we now live in it is more important than ever that we have leaders who lead with compassion, integrity, authenticity and love. I am so grateful to have transformed my passion into a career where I have the privilege to make a positive impact on people, our communities, and society as a whole.’
Include
‘This is the 45th anniversary of the Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon and the theme of the event, ‘Let’s do it together’ aligns with the ethos of the organisation.
We work in partnership with people with disabilities, their families and local communities, to support people to reach their goals and participate in life to the fullest.
This event is very accessible and people that we support can take part alongside staff and with everybody else. Inclusion in sports and in the community in general is so important for people with disabilities for physical and mental wellbeing.’
Inspire
Who is an inspirational woman to you, why?
‘One of the most inspirational women to me is Mary Robinson, who made history as the first female President of Ireland. As a young girl growing up in rural Mayo it was a pivotal moment to see a woman from Mayo shatter the glass ceiling by reaching the highest office in Ireland. The message that gave me – that women could achieve a status previously held only by men, and lead with integrity while championing human rights, had a profound impact on how I viewed what was achievable for me and other Irish women.
Watching her journey over the past 35 years has continued to inspire me. Her courage, vision, and dedication to advancing peace and human rights make her a role model whose impact continues to resonate.’
What are you passionate about?
‘I am deeply passionate about promoting human rights, justice, and peace. I am especially passionate about making a positive difference for people with disabilities. Over the past 25 years, I have been fortunate to work in the disability sector across State, semi-State, and not-for-profit organisations, always striving to help create a more inclusive and fair Ireland for people with disabilities and autism. I believe true progress takes courage and advocacy, and I am proud to have spent my career fighting for a fairer Ireland where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and live with dignity.’
A valuable piece of advice that you received?
‘Always believe in the power of community – it can change the world. We are sometimes led to believe that we can’t make a difference, that we are not powerful enough. The power of people coming together should never be underestimated. When we come together with a shared vision of making our world a better place, we can create meaningful and lasting changes in our world. I truly believe we can change the world one step at a time.’
Career highlight
‘Undoubtedly, my most significant career highlight to date has been serving as Chief Executive of Horizons. Being honest, I did not actively seek out or aspire to becoming a CEO prior to this. Sometimes the most meaningful things in life come from embracing unexpected opportunities and trusting that the right life path may differ from the one we originally envisioned. Upon reflection, I realise my journey was guiding me towards this role – leading an organisation deeply embedded in its communities and passionately committed to supporting the people of Cork city and county for nearly 70 years. This experience has been both humbling and rewarding, allowing me to contribute to a legacy of service and make a positive impact on the lives of others. I very much look forward to continuing to contribute positively to Horizons and ensure that the organisation continues to grow and develop to meet the needs of people across Cork city and county.’
What music genre or specific song keeps you motivated in the gym or on a run?
‘I love music, it is something which can change our mood or the atmosphere in a very unique way. At home I favour mellow music, but when I am exercising, I opt for uplifting music to keep me moving! Some of my favourites include strong female voices – everything from Aretha Franklin’s ‘Sisters Are Doing for Themselves’ to Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Stronger’ and Pink’s version of ‘A Million Dreams’.’
Music is always inspiring. This year to get us motivated for the 6km mini marathon, we are creating a Horizons playlist 2026 which will be available on Spotify. We asked people taking part in aid of Horizons to let us know their favourite song to exercise to and we have put together a great list.
Register for #Team Horizons in 3 easy steps!
- Register for the Echo Women’s Mini-Marathon here.
- Join Team Horizons here to receive your free t-shirt.
- Raise vital funds for Horizons online here, or get in touch if you require a sponsorship card. Contact duanej@horizonscork.ie