Bernie McEvilly: Redefining Leadership Through Authenticity and Resilience

Bernie McEvilly is a Bronze Tier #IAmRemarkable facilitator and a Senior Compliance Leader in financial services. Approachable and authentic, she is deeply committed to making difficult conversations more human and helping people recognise their true value.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I’m a Senior Compliance Leader in financial services, an #IAmRemarkable facilitator, and someone who cares deeply about helping people feel able to speak up, be themselves, and recognise the value they bring. I’ve spent my career working in environments that have historically been very male-dominated, while also navigating my own personal journey as a gay woman.
I came out in my mid-thirties, which shaped my understanding of identity, confidence, and the energy people can spend trying to “fit” around the expectations of others. That experience has influenced the kind of leader and facilitator I try to be today - approachable, authentic, and focused on creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued.

What does Pride mean to you, and why is it important?

Pride is about visibility, belonging, and the freedom to be yourself without fear or apology. For many people, being open about who they are still isn’t simple. Even now, there can be moments where people pause before mentioning a partner, correcting an assumption, or sharing part of themselves.

Pride is also about reflection and gratitude. The position many of us are in today only exists because of the people who came before us, people who challenged discrimination, took personal risks, or spoke up when it wasn’t safe or accepted. We’re standing on the shoulders of giants! For me, Pride is ultimately about creating environments where people don’t have to spend energy editing themselves to feel accepted or respected.

What has been your favourite moment from an #IAmRemarkable workshop?
One thing that has stayed with me was sharing something personal with the group. I talked about a recent loss and how, at that point in time, my "I am remarkable, because" wasn’t big recognition, it was simply getting up, showing up, and keeping going on days when part of me wanted to be anywhere but at work.

What was powerful was the response from people in the room. The honesty and vulnerability seemed to help others open up too. You never really know what’s going on in someone’s life. That openness in the room created space for people to speak honestly, reflect on their own experiences, and recognise just how remarkable they already are.

What role do you think #IAmRemarkable can play in helping to support LGBTQIA+ people?

It helps LGBTQIA+ people feel more confident, visible, and empowered, especially in workplaces where people may still feel pressure to withhold parts of themselves to "fit in."

The workshops help people challenge the idea that they should stay small, quiet, or invisible. That matters because confidence and visibility aren’t experienced equally by everyone. It helps people recognise and own their achievements, use their voice more confidently, and realise that authenticity and professionalism aren’t opposites. I’m also really proud to be running a special #IAmRemarkable session during June for our ProudTogether network!

What do you think employers can do better to create spaces for LGBTQIA+ people to bring their full selves to work?
I think the biggest thing is creating cultures where inclusion is visible in everyday behaviour, not just during awareness months. People notice whether leaders are approachable, whether challenges are welcomed, whether assumptions are corrected respectfully, and whether people feel psychologically safe. Policies matter, but culture is what people experience day to day.

What advice would you give to people who want to be better allies?
Listen with curiosity rather than assumption. You don’t need to have all the answers or say everything perfectly. Most people want to feel respected, supported, and safe to be themselves.

Good allyship is often found in small, consistent actions:

• Challenging inappropriate comments
• Using inclusive language
• Making space for different voices
• Not leaving LGBTQIA+ colleagues to carry inclusion alone

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is make it clear, through your behaviour, that someone doesn’t need to hide parts of themselves around you.

And finally, the all important question: what makes you remarkable?

I think what makes me remarkable is my resilience and authenticity. I’ve developed through experiences that haven’t always felt easy at the time. Coming out in my mid-thirties meant unpicking years of assumptions, expectations, and self-consciousness about whether I could fully be myself. It taught me a lot about courage, visibility, and the importance of psychological safety.

One moment that really stayed with me was when a colleague commented: “I love your consistent openness, it’s one of the leadership qualities I value the most.” That genuinely meant a lot to me because it reinforced something important: authenticity permits others to be authentic, too. Being visible and open helps other people feel safer to do the same.