THE CEO of an Abbey in North Yorkshire has spoken of her experiences leading the charitable trust, which represents and supports the all-male community of monks living on-site.
This year on International Women’s Day Ampleforth Abbey’s Jenny Share has shared her experiences.
Before coming to Ampleforth Abbey, near Helmsley, Jenny’s long career in university administration set her up as a ‘fixer’ - at her happiest with a complicated problem to solve.
She progressed through the ranks quickly, before arriving at the Abbey as director of governance in 2018 and being made CEO in 2022.
Now, her job involves shaping the work of the charitable trust, which runs the day-to-day operations of the Abbey, and building the team tasked with ensuring a sustainable future for its resident community of Benedictine monks.
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She enjoys a close working relationship with the Abbot, Robert Igo OSB, and said she was welcomed from the moment she joined as the first woman in the post.
“I never felt I was considered a stranger or an outsider even though the new environment was very different for me and sometimes a little bewildering,” said Jenny.
“You might think in this position, I’d be a woman in a man’s world more than anywhere else but I’m still very much made feel part of the community, though I’m not a member of it.”
When asked if she feels equity for women is embraced at Ampleforth Abbey, Jenny explained that outside the monastery, which is by definition all male, the Abbey employs a mix of staff with a good gender split and a wide age and skills profile.
“The members of the monastic community here appreciate each person for the skills they bring to help this place thrive and I’ve never even felt that my gender has been part of the equation for them,” she added.
“Above all, the Benedictine values that we seek to uphold here at the Abbey lead to a great sense of teamwork and community which supports and includes everyone.”
Abbot Robert Igo OSB said “Working with Jenny is a pleasure and I have the utmost admiration for her skills and leadership.
“Her work towards ensuring a sustainable future for the monastic community is deeply valued. It is a great blessing that strong, dedicated women of all ages work at the Abbey alongside us in our journey in faith.”
When asked what message she would most like to send to other women this International Women’s Day, Jenny said: “If you want to progress, choose your place of work carefully.
“Aim to go somewhere that is a good fit (you for it and it for you), work hard, try to be selfless - and you will flourish.”
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