On March 8th, we celebrate International Women’s Day — a time to recognise the significant contributions female founders are making both in Ireland and globally. It’s an opportunity to highlight how they’re actively challenging bias and prejudice, inspiring the next generation of Irish female entrepreneurs to step forward and advocate for greater representation in the workplace an d reduce the gender pay gap in the process..
In honour of International Women’s Day, we’re spotlighting over 80 Irish female-founded businesses that are empowering women, whether in Ireland or abroad:
ACORNS (Accelerating the Creation Of Rural Nascent Start-ups) is a pioneering initiative designed to empower early-stage female entrepreneurs in rural Ireland. Now celebrating its 10th year, the programme has supported over 500 women in starting and developing sustainable businesses. ACORNS operates on the principle that entrepreneurs learn best from each other, facilitating interactive round table sessions led by successful female business owners from rural areas.
The six-month part-time programme, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine through the Rural Innovation and Development Fund, aims to address skills gaps and overcome barriers to entrepreneurship in rural areas.
Participants have reported significant benefits, including increased sales, exports, and job creation. A recent survey of ACORNS 9 participants revealed a 43% increase in total turnover over the course of the programme. The initiative’s success has earned international recognition, including runner-up in the European Enterprise Promotion Awards 2018 and a feature in the Manifesto for an Innovative Europe.
Some previous Acorns participants include:
– Lauren McLoughlin – CEO of Laurens Patisserie
– Carina Roseingrave – CEO of Burren View Farm
– Olivia Morrissey – CEO of Rostellan Farm
ADHD Connections was founded in 2020 by Claire Twomey, following her own ADHD diagnosis in 2015 and a transformative experience with coaching. After developing Long COVID in March 2020, she transitioned to self-employment, creating a work environment suited to her needs. With a background in social care and personal experience with ADHD, Claire employs a strengths-based, neuro-affirming approach to empower clients to understand themselves better and leverage their strengths.
Claire is Ireland’s first and only 4x Accredited ADHD Coach, an experienced international speaker and facilitator, she delivers tailored programs and support to schools, colleges, workplaces, organizations, and sports clubs.
In early 2025, she founded Ireland’s first ADHD Coaching Collective, a dedicated platform designed to help ADHDers thrive through Certified & Accredited Professional Coaching. The collective offers individuals the flexibility to choose from a diverse range of coaches specializing in different life stages to find the best fit for their needs. Currently, Claire is working toward her Master Coach certification and is developing a specialized training program and community space for ADHDers.
Anne-Marie Beggs is a licensed Davis Facilitator, Amazon best-selling author, and neurodiversity specialist based in Co. Dublin, Ireland. With over 19 years of experience, she has worked with individuals of all ages, empowering them to unlock their full potential through tailored educational programs. As the founder of Mindseye Education, which encompasses The Paragraph challenge and Portmarnock Cooking school she specialises in one-to-one Davis Programmes supporting neurodivergent learners with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and more. Her acclaimed books, including A Bridge Between Two Me’s and Healthy Mind, Healthy Body, reflect her commitment to bridging gaps in education and self-understanding.
In October 2023, she hosted the highly successful Four Pillars of Education conference, bringing together experts from across Europe to explore innovative approaches to learning.
Beyond individual coaching, Anne-Marie is a sought-after speaker and corporate consultant, guiding businesses in embracing neurodiversity and harnessing the strengths of the dyslexic mind. She also runs engaging workshops for children and young adults, incorporating creative methods like cooking and hands-on problem-solving to build confidence and essential skills. Passionate about lifelong learning, she continues to advocate for inclusive education, ensuring that every learner—whether 4 or 84—has the tools they need to thrive.
Aoife Mc Namara is a luxury sustainable Irish fashion brand founded by 28-year-old designer Aoife Mc Namara in 2019. Committed to reimagining sustainable design, the brand operates as a B Corp, prioritising creativity, environmental consciousness, and quality. Adopting a made-to-order model to combat overproduction, most garments are crafted in Ireland using traditional and innovative sustainable materials.
Aoife holds an Honours degree from Limerick School of Art & Design and draws inspiration from nature. The brand has gained a devoted online following and operates a flagship store in Adare, Co. Limerick. Aoife emphasises grassroots collaboration and community empowerment, partnering with local suppliers and artists.
The company has achieved significant growth since its inception, with a 303% turnover increase from 2021 to 2023.
The brand earned B Corp certification in 2022, recognizing its commitment to ethical and environmental standards. They’ve excelled in environment, community, workers, customers, and governance criteria. With a large following on social media too.
Their plans include to expand globally, with pop-up shops across Ireland, the USA, Australia, and Denmark. Additionally, initiatives such as a sustainability podcast, supply chain traceability technology, Rewilding Retreats, and an expedition to Kilimanjaro in collaboration with Earth’s Edge are set to inspire and educate consumers. The brand is at the forefront of ethical fashion, pioneering innovative approaches for sustainability and community engagement.
AwakenHub, a social enterprise established by five friends, is dedicated to empowering women founders in Ireland and globally. Conceived over two years, the idea took shape during the March 2020 lockdown, leading to its formal inception in July 2020. The organisation’s inaugural event attracted nearly 70 women from Ireland, the US, and Europe, fostering connections and feedback crucial for its rapid growth. AwakenHub’s mission extends to reshaping the entrepreneurial landscape for women by providing networking opportunities and access to investors, both locally and internationally. Operating as a social enterprise, AwakenHub reinvests profits to support its women-led social impact goals.
It offers tailored events and resources catering to women entrepreneurs at various stages of their journey.
Additionally, through AwakenClub, a private group, the organisation provides a supportive space for women founders to seek advice and mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and investors. AwakenHub places a strong emphasis on equality, diversity, and inclusion, striving to build a representative and respectful community and workforce.
The Big Life Project, founded by Lindsay Brady, empowers individuals to navigate life’s transitions and shape a future they are proud of. In 2023, Lindsay transitioned from a corporate successful career to become a qualified coach, drawing on her extensive life experiences to support others facing new life chapters. With 15 years building high-performing analytics teams, she’s personally navigated the complexities of building large organisations, growing a thriving career while growing a family of 3, being at both sides of the redundancy table, recovering from burnout, and slowing down to enjoy a career break (guilt free!). These experiences fuel her passion for sharing a powerful message: no matter how messy life gets, you always have a choice.
Through empathetic and exploratory coaching, Lindsay replaces fear with curiosity, guiding clients towards clarity, confidence and empowered action.
The Big Life Project offers 1:1 packages, group and team coaching programs, workshops, and transformative interactive experiences. Life is messy, take control and shape a future you are proud of.
Tara Prendergast: Pioneering a New Era for Creative EntrepreneursThe Biscuit Community is Ireland’s largest creative community, with an audience of 30,000 creatives and growing. Founded and led by Tara Prendergast, this community has become a trusted resource for artists, designers, and crafters seeking guidance, support, and business growth. Alongside this thriving network, The Biscuit Factory—a dedicated business incubator—currently serving 160 clients with projected growth to 500 clients by 2026 – equips them with the tools & connections to build sustainable and successful creative businesses.
With hundreds of workshops facilitated, Tara has also developed programs for Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and lectured at Trinity College Dublin, bringing practical entrepreneurship skills to emerging creatives.
But beyond practical skills, the incubator focuses on mindset, tackling the confidence gap that has historically held creative entrepreneurs back. By fostering a strong and ambitious network, Biscuit is pioneering a new movement—one that sees creatives stepping into their power as business leaders.
The vision is clear: to rebuild the creative sector with a foundation of confidence, collaboration, and long-term success.
Black Women StartUp Bootcamp is a global initiative founded in Ireland, designed to support and empower aspiring Black women tech founders worldwide.
This program aims to bridge the gap in entrepreneurship by providing participants with the resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities needed to turn their innovative ideas into successful tech ventures.
Through a structured capacity-building approach, the initiative fosters a collaborative environment where women can refine their business ideas, gain industry insights, and develop solutions that leverage technology for impactful change.
The first edition of the Black Women StartUp Bootcamp took place in February 2025, bringing together ambitious women from Africa, Europe, and the USA
Chuzeday – Deborah Jordan – Founder of Chuzeday
After 18 years of running a large appointment-based service business, Deborah Jordan, Founder of Chuzeday, made the decision to downsize to a solo business—seeking greater flexibility and a better work-life balance. In doing so, she recognized a critical gap in the market, where solo service business owners lacked the digital tools needed to efficiently manage their businesses while maintaining control over their time and ultimately achieve a better work-life balance.
Determined to change this, she assembled a team to develop Chuzeday, an innovative platform that empowers individuals with “Big Business” digital tools to seamlessly manage appointment-based businesses from anywhere.
Beyond streamlining business operations, Chuzeday expanded to include a Marketplace, enabling customers to effortlessly discover and book local services through the Chuzeday Guest App—keeping money within communities while supporting small businesses.
Deborah’s deep understanding of business processes and customer behaviours led her to prioritize time management, revenue security and organization tools, driven by powerful automation and AI. Her key priority was to develop solutions that are “Simple to Use”; ensuring that solo entrepreneurs can thrive with ease.
One year after Chuzeday’s launch, Deborah’s vision continues to evolve. She is committed to educating both new and established businesses on how to “Work Smart, Grow Local, and Connect Global”. As Chuzeday expands internationally, her mission remains clear: empower solo business owners with the tools and freedom to succeed on their own terms.
The Code Lab, founded by Joan McCann, is a leading coding education provider empowering young children with digital skills for the future. With a Computer Science degree and years of experience in the IT profession, Joan began her STEM educator journey while on a career break with her four young children.
After discovering a lack of local coding courses for kids, she decided to bridge this gap, running courses in schools, local libraries, social enterprise centres, and ad hoc seasonal camps. The Code Lab expanded online in 2021 and has continued to grow, offering plug-and-play courses for children to code along at home and in schools. In April 2024, Joan decided to launch her ‘Schools Coding Programme’ in an All-Girls DEIS school, offering the opportunity for young girls to learn coding and computer science skills in the classroom.
From the beginning of her journey as a STEM Educator, Joan has been passionate about demystifying the world of coding and computer science for young girls and showing them the value of technology beyond social media. She created a ‘Girls Can Code! Programme’ with dynamic and engaging workshops and online lessons for girls aged 7 to 17. Working in partnership with Creative Spark in Dundalk, one of the projects on the Girls Can Code! Programme was recognised as a Top 3 Finalist in Europe in the 2024 Meet and Code Awards, at the International STEM Conference in Berlin in February 2025. This recognition highlights Joan’s expertise in STEM education and her innovative approach to making coding and computer science more accessible to girls. The Code Lab’s objective for the Girls Can Code Programme is to pave the way for a future where girls lead the charge in innovation and technology.”
Coding Grace was founded in 2012 by Vicky Twomey-Lee, Andrea Magnorsky and Michael Twomey with the initial question, “Where are all the girls in coding clubs?”. This sparked other questions, and they initially ran adult diversity-friendly tech workshops and events in an inclusive safe environment for developers and aspiring developers mentored by diverse instructors from the industry.
With many years experience involved with the Irish Tech Community and in the industry, one of the aims is to connect, share and provide support not only through events, but with collaborations, speaking engagements, curation of information from around Ireland and Northern Ireland on diversity in tech events and other community organisations, and exploring how to engage with the community, especially the underrepresented groups.
From the beginning, Vicky’s enthusiasm stems from opportunities gained from supportive tech communities such as Python Ireland which she ran for over 10 years; she founded PyLadies Dublin as well as being involved in other initiatives including Women Who Code Dublin, Code:First Girls, WITS Ireland and more. She is also a Fellow of Python Software Foundation, EuroPython Society and won the Python Software Foundation’s Community Spirit Awards for her contributions to the Python community in Ireland and abroad.With Andrea and Michael, who both have experience in running community events (e.g. GameCraft – community game-making events) plus over 30 years of tech industry experience between them, we aim to provide a support network for people from all backgrounds and hope our outreach will help bring peers together, learn from one another, and open doors for equal opportunities. Coding Grace is “For the community by the community”.
CogniStream AI delivers customer insights at scale by combining the depth of personal conversations with the reach of surveys.
When was the last time you felt truly heard? At CogniStream AI, real change starts with real conversations.
Their platform uses AI-driven customer research to transform raw opinions into insights, helping businesses develop products that people love.
Every year, companies waste millions on failed products because they rely on guesswork instead of customer feedback. CogniStream AI conducts natural, voice-driven customer interviews, capturing opinions and the emotional expression behind every opinion.
Understanding your customer is the difference between success and failure. CogniStream AI gives companies the edge they need to innovate and grow with confidence.
Behind this vision is Alex Harris, a product and marketing leader who knows firsthand the power of listening. Her career spans seven pivotal transitions, from FMCG marketing to life coaching for women entrepreneurs. Alex combines intuition with action, turning challenges into opportunities and empowering others to find their voice.
Alex believes in AI for good with faster, smarter decisions, where every voice matters. By partnering with NGOs and delivering insights that matter, CogniStream AI amplifies voices, breaks down barriers, and inspires the next generation of female entrepreneurs to step forward with confidence and impact.
A few years ago, I decided to take the career advice I had been dishing out to team members – ‘figure out a way to do more of the stuff that you love, in the precious waking hours that you have’. I qualified as an EMCC Executive & Career Coach and began enabling leaders to sharpen their people skills and deliver better business results. I support managers to develop their communication, emotional intelligence and decision-making skills in order to lead teams more effectively. Coaching provides a confidential space for managers to candidly express concerns, fears or challenges and come to constructive solutions to put in practice. 1:1 or in groups.
I also deliver pragmatic training sessions on people management, that are grounded in psychology, covering topics such as delivering effective feedback, motivating low and high performers, managing hybrid/remote teams, resilience & emotional intelligence and navigating change. In-person and online. I intend to build video, self-serve options in 2025. And I’m a qualified behavioural assessment facilitator of the DiSC method, which enables folks to understand their strengths & weaknesses, in order to communicate more effectively, develop soft skills and improve collaboration.
Co-founded by CEO Rosanne Longmore, CRO Helen Barry and CTO Jamie Travers, Coroflo has developed the world’s first accurate breastfeeding monitor.
When Helen and Jamie had their first child and experienced this very common stress of breastfeeding, they realised the only way to check if the baby was getting enough milk was by weigh-ins in a medical setting. They knew there had to be a better solution.
Coro is a revolutionary silicone shield with an inbuilt flow measurement using patented technology in a market where there is no equivalent product or reliable alternative.
Nipple shields are commonly used throughout the world however with Coro, our new technology; it is the only product that can give accurate, precise and real-time data.
As baby feeds, quantity is measured and the data can be tracked on mum’s phone via the CoroApp.
Along with information around individual feeds, you may also want to know how things are changing and how they compare. You can switch between breasts by clicking Left or Right and it will track volume separately for each. Using our Cloud-based analytics, you can also select the Timeline screen to see feed duration, time, and volume over previous days or weeks and typical feed volume.
As the world’s first breastfeeding monitor, Coro represents a significant advancement in infant care, providing mothers with invaluable support and enhancing the breastfeeding experience for families worldwide.
Founded by Ruth Gallagher in 2021, Creative Sound offers a unique approach to wellbeing and teambuilding. Music is proven to be highly beneficial to our mental health and wellbeing. It stimulates all areas of our brain, can balance emotions, reduce stress, and encourages creativity and imagination!
By combining her knowledge and passion for music, Ruth creates powerful and interactive music workshops for conference organisers and organisations who want an empowering and exciting experience for their attendees. Each Creative Sound workshop is tailor made to suit every level and need, and will have your group laughing & interacting through song, movement and body percussion.
Ruth is passionate about the benefits that music and music making has on the body and mind. When this is experienced by groups at conferences, in organisations, or as part of team building activities, it creates fun and exciting opportunities for teams and individuals to step out of their comfort zone, develop multiple skills, build confidence, establish and strengthen connections, and find one’s voice, all while having fun!
Laugh, sing and move your way to better wellbeing and teamwork!
Founded by Caoimhe de Fréin, a Life Design Coach with a background in engineering, creativity, and coaching, DEFRÉIN helps individuals gain clarity, focus, and the mindset to achieve personal success.
With 20+ years in research and corporate settings, Caoimhe is a seasoned facilitator, leading Life Design and Career Vision Workshops on overcoming limiting beliefs and turning vision boards into action. She also offers one-on-one coaching, equipping clients with practical strategies to flourish.
CEO Louise Dennison said “Seven years ago, I founded The Dennison Training Academy with a clear mission: to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health through education. Understanding that stigma often arises from a lack of knowledge, we focused on equipping individuals with the language and tools needed to support themselves and those around them. Over time, as we worked closely with our clients, our offerings expanded, leading us to become experts in enhancing psychological safety. Today, we are proud to apply this expertise with our newest partners, Ibec, helping to create safer and more inclusive environments for businesses and organisations.
In August 2024, The Dennison Training Academy reached an exciting milestone when we were acquired by EHS International, a leading provider of Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) services in both the Irish and international markets.
This partnership enables us to expand our reach and integrate our expertise into a broader network, strengthening our impact in the field of mental well-being. Beyond my work with The Dennison Training Academy, I am also committed to social causes, serving on the board of Invisible Traffic, a charity dedicated to combating human trafficking. As we look to the future, our mission remains unchanged: to foster understanding, safety, and support for mental health on a global scale.”
Diversein is a one-stop shop for action-orientated diversity and inclusion in the workplace, based in Dublin, Ireland, operating globally. Founded by Furkan Karayel, author of the best-selling book, Inclusive Intelligence: How to be a Role Model for Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace. After working for 10 years as a software engineer in multinational companies in Ireland, Furkan was frustrated not being able to diversity & inclusion in leadership. This frustration led her to start her company, Diversein and in the last 7 years, Diverse has reached out to 30,000 leaders to enhance their inclusive leadership.
Today, Furkan and her team provide keynotes, workshops, one-on-one or group coaching, mentorship on the topics: Inclusive Intelligence, Inclusion Card Game, DEI Ambassadors Workshop, Women in Leadership, Communication at Multilingual Workplaces and more.
Created by Karen O’Reilly Employflex (formally employmum) Employflex is an innovative employment agency offering flexible staffing solutions. It connects employers with skilled professionals seeking part-time, remote, or project-based roles, meeting the evolving needs of both parties. Employflex stands out for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity, fostering a dynamic workforce.
By providing tailored solutions, it enables businesses to thrive in a changing economy while offering individuals greater work-life balance.
Through its forward-thinking approach, Employflex is reshaping the future of work, one flexible placement at a time.
Karen has just completed a Masters in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
The Entrepreneurs Academy is an Irish female-founded organisation with a proud 26-year history of advancing equity in entrepreneurship. Founded by serial entrepreneur Joanne Hession and led by a predominantly female leadership team, we specialise in designing innovative, empowering programmes, many of which accelerate the success of women founders by equipping them with the confidence, skills, knowledge, and networks needed to start, grow, and scale their businesses.
We understand the specific challenges faced by female entrepreneurs and work daily to level the playing field, ensuring equal access to opportunity.
A flagship example of our impact, in partnership with AIB, is the AIB Women in Enterprise Programme, which has supported 750 women in building financial confidence, leadership skills, and business growth strategies. This is just one of many initiatives we have led to help women break barriers and achieve business success faster. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to closing the ambition and achievement gap, championing women in business, and ensuring that every entrepreneur has access to the tools and support needed to thrive.
Equieire’s clothing line is meticulously crafted to cater to the needs of equestrian athletics, blending style, functionality, and comfort. Designed with all riders in mind, the line features a diverse array of products, innovative riding breeches, tights, leggings, technical tops, and accessories. Each piece is engineered with premium materials and cutting-edge technology to enhance performance in the saddle, offering durability and versatility.
The apparel boasts ergonomic cuts, moisture-wicking fabrics, and breathable panels, ensuring optimal comfort and freedom of movement during riding sessions.
Practical features such as EE signature silicone grip seats, core support, and strategic double layering, has proven to enhance the riding experience, whether in the training arena or competition ring.
Equieire prioritises sustainability by utilising eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, including organic cotton blends and recycled polyester.
Equieire prioritises sustainability by utilising eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, including organic cotton blends and recycled polyester.
Equieire’s sport clothing line exemplifies the brand’s dedication to innovation, quality, and sustainability, providing riders with apparel that not only meets their performance needs but also reflects their passion for equestrian sports.
By integrating leadership development with fertility awareness and support, Fembition empowers women to lead fulfilling lives and make informed decisions in both their careers and family planning.
Anita Whyte Moran is the visionary founder of The FEMCAST, a dynamic podcast and platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices, driving social change, and advocating for gender equality. Passionate about tackling gender-based violence, workplace safety, and the urgent need for systemic reform, Anita uses The FEMCAST as a catalyst for meaningful conversations that challenge societal norms and inspire action.
With a deep commitment to highlighting critical issues affecting women, Anita delves into complex topics with leading experts on her podcast, offering thought-provoking discussions that bridge research, lived experiences, and policy. Her groundbreaking Bullied Brain series, for example, explores the neuroscience behind abuse – examining the lasting effects of bullying in schools, workplaces, and domestic environments through an evidence-based lens. By unpacking how trauma rewires the brain, she sheds light on the long-term impact of psychological harm and the urgent need for reform in how institutions handle abuse.
Feed Me Mother is an Irish clothing brand specialising in nursing and breastfeeding attire. Their collection prioritises comfort, functionality, and style, offering a diverse range of tops, tailored for discreet nursing access. Their unique design looks like regular clothing but has a hidden layer for discreet breastfeeding. This hidden layer enables mothers to breastfeed conveniently whether at home or on the go. Recognizing the importance of quality, their garments are made from soft, breathable and sustainable fabrics to ensure comfort for both mother and baby during feeding. Additionally, the designs accommodate changes in body shape common during pregnancy and postpartum, ensuring a flattering fit at every stage.
Beyond practicality, Feed Me Mother pays attention to style, offering fashionable designs to suit various tastes.
By providing functional yet stylish options, Feed Me Mother aims to empower breastfeeding mothers, supporting them on their breastfeeding journey while allowing them to maintain their personal sense of style and confidence.
In the heart of the athleisure world, FinalBend, founded by Emma Coffey, stands as an affordable, eco solution. Established in 2018 during Emma’s secondary school years, FinalBend was born out of a passion for athletics and a desire to maintain a connection to the sport following an injury. Emma Coffey, has steered FinalBend to impressive heights, with accolades such as the Enterprise Ireland Student Entrepreneur of the Year 2023, E-commerce and Retail Startup of the Year 2021, and a finalist in the Cork Company of the Year Awards 2022.
.A graduate from University College Cork and a Quercus Scholar, Emma’s journey is decorated with prestigious awards, including the ISEF 2023 Award, the CUBs Leaders of Tomorrow Award 2022, and recognition in Ireland’s 30 under 30 List in 2022.
FinalBend’s journey, highlighted by features in major publications and media including The Late Late Show, showcases its evolution into a leading athleisure brand that prioritises affordability, sustainability, and quality.FinalBend products are made from recycled materials, from leggings to shorts, hoodies to sport bras every item has a uniquely sustainable origin.
Formula Female is an initiative dedicated to empowering women in motorsports, particularly within Formula racing. It aims to break gender barriers and promote gender equality in this traditionally male-dominated field. The mission of Formula Female includes advocating for increased participation of women in all aspects of motorsports, from driving to engineering and management roles. This initiative provides support, resources, and opportunities for women passionate about racing, aiming to create a more inclusive environment in the motorsports industry.
Formula Female organises events, workshops, and mentorship programs tailored to support women aspiring to careers or hobbies in Formula racing.
Additionally, it collaborates with racing teams, sponsors, and governing bodies to promote gender diversity and equality within the sport.
An example of this is their flagship programme Sim 4 STEM. It is present in Ireland and the US and launched last year ahead of the Indy 500 in Dallara Indycar factory with over 200 high school girls.
Students step into the various roles found within a Motorsport team through hands on activities simulating these roles, giving the girls the opportunity to experience it and become inspired to achieve it.
The company serves as a platform to celebrate and empower women in motorsports, fostering a community where female racers can excel and inspire future generations.
Fortify Institute, founded by award-winning cybersecurity expert Jan Carroll, is a trailblazing force in cyber education, dedicated to closing the cybersecurity skills gap and empowering professionals to build resilience in an increasingly digital world. Through innovative training programmes, industry-leading certifications, and a commitment to diversity, Fortify Institute has helped thousands of individuals, especially women, gain the skills and confidence needed to thrive in cybersecurity.
At the heart of this mission is Jan Carroll, a passionate entrepreneur, educator, and advocate for women in cybersecurity.
As a founder, lecturer, and mentor, Jan has not only shaped the careers of over 1,000 students but also actively supports women-led businesses through investment and mentorship. Her dedication to fostering inclusivity and resilience in the cyber landscape has earned her the Inspirational Women in Cyber 2024 award. Fortify Institute and Jan Carroll stand as shining examples of how vision, expertise, and determination can drive meaningful change paving the way for a more secure and inclusive digital future.
Fox Co was founded by Fiona Fox to support working parents and help managers create more inclusive workplaces. As a proud mum of two, qualified coach and a strategic HR leader, Fiona identified an opportunity to create a much better experience for new and expectant parents in the workplace. That’s what inspired her to launch Fox Co—bridging the gap through parental coaching, manager education, and employee experience consulting, so both parents and businesses can thrive.
While 1:1 coaching with returners provides valuable support, real change happens when managers understand how to create a more inclusive environment. Fox Co helps organisations go beyond policies to make a real difference—through group coaching, manager workshops, and strategic consulting, Fiona is passionate about reshaping workplace culture so parents feel supported, not just when they return, but throughout their careers. www.foxco.ie.
Gina London is a globally recognized leadership expert and the CEO of Language of Leadership, Ltd., headquartered in Dublin. As a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies including Salesforce, PwC, Oracle, Google, and KPMG, Gina partners with C-level executives to amplify their influence and drive results through strategic, high-impact communication.
An Emmy-winning former CNN anchor and correspondent, she is also a published author, a sought-after keynote speaker, and a prominent media analyst featured on BBC, and CNN.
Gina’s insights extend beyond the boardroom as the author of “The Communicator,” a widely-read weekly business leadership column in Ireland’s largest newspaper, The Sunday Independent. Her proven methodologies and distinctive style empower leaders around the world to inspire trust, foster engagement, and lead with confidence.
Going for Growth is an initiative dedicated to encouraging female entrepreneurs to be ambitious and then supports them to realise their growth ambitions. Through roundtable sessions, participants share insights, receive feedback, and gain tailored advice on overcoming business challenges. The round tables are facilitated by Lead Entrepreneurs, all of whom have successfully grown business. The Lead Entrepreneurs all volunteer their time to the initiative. By equipping women with tools, knowledge, and connections, Going for Growth empowers them to scale their ventures successfully www.goingforgrowth.com
Going for Growth is sponsored by Enterprise Ireland and KPMG. The initiative is the winner of a European Enterprise Promotion Award and has been highlighted as Best Practice by the OECD.
Through access to valuable resources and support, participants are assisted to navigate obstacles and seize opportunities for business growth. Going for Growth plays a pivotal role in creating an environment where female entrepreneurs thrive, contributing to a more diverse and inclusive business landscape.
Now in its 17th cycle, Going for Growth has had over 1,000 participants involved.
Some previous Going For Growth participants include
Caroline Reidy – CEO of HR Suite
Derval O’Rourke – Founder of Derval.ie
Sandra Healy – CEO on Inclusio
Empowering Brazilian Women in Ireland and Beyond
Grupo Mulheres do Brasil, founded in 2013 by Luiza Helena Trajano, has expanded its reach to Ireland, establishing a vibrant chapter dedicated to empowering Brazilian women living in the country. The Irish branch, part of the global movement, focuses on fostering entrepreneurship, education, social inclusion, sustainability and community support. Since its inception in 2020, the Ireland Chapter has played a crucial role in supporting Brazilian immigrant women, promoting personal and professional development while positively impacting both Brazilian and Irish communities.
The group offers a range of initiatives tailored to the needs of Brazilian women in Ireland. Key programmes include Sprout Up, an entrepreneurship programme providing mentorship and business workshops, and Sprint You, aimed at accelerating careers in the Irish corporate market.
Their sustainability project, Too Good to Keep, has made significant impact through clothing exchanges and donations, reaching thousands of individuals and supporting victims of domestic violence. Through these efforts and partnerships with local organisations, Grupo Mulheres do Brasil – Ireland is fostering leadership, amplifying voices, and creating a more inclusive society for Brazilian women in Ireland.
At the moment, 1 in 2 girls will have dropped out of sport by the age of 20, this despite research suggesting that 94% of women in executive managerial positions have a background in sport. Her Sport was founded with a vision for equal opportunity in sport, regardless of gender, so girls and women can achieve their full potential.
Through daily digital coverage, Her Sport has built a community of over 220,000 people where visibility and role modelling of women and girls in sport is normalised to inspire participation, attendance and growth.
Her Sport also delivers education across Ireland in schools, sports clubs and businesses with the goal of retaining more girls and women in sport.
These workshops are tailored for key stakeholders including teenage girls, boys, parents, teachers and coaches to provide them with tools to identify and overcome barriers and challenges.
Her Sport has recently annouced plans for their expansion into the UK market.
According to this article in echolive.ie In 2020, Dr. Helen O’Neill, an lecturer in reproductive and molecular genetics at University College London and expert in reproductive science, co-founded Hertility Health with her identical twin sister Deirdre, and ovarian biologist Dr. Natalie Getreu. Their motivation stemmed from O’Neill’s realisation of the lack of accessible reproductive health information despite her expertise.
Hertility aims to revolutionise female healthcare from menstruation to menopause by conducting research, clinical trials, and offering at-home fertility testing, telemedicine consultations, and treatment referrals.
Their mission includes democratising fertility services, keeping them affordable and accessible.
Hertility underscores the importance of proactive wellness and challenges societal misconceptions about women’s reproductive health. The company is committed to empowering women with accurate information and aims to shift norms in the healthcare industry. While currently based in London, the sisters will soon expand their business to Ireland and were finalists in the most recent EY Ireland entrepreneur of the year. With financial support from venture funding and crowdfunding, Hertility is positioned for global leadership in women’s health.
HidraMed Solutions is a medical technology company specialising in wound care management, particularly for conditions like hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Suzanne Moloney, founder and CEO began developing solutions for HS, borne from her own challenges in managing the chronic wound forming condition. On realising the extent of the problem facing HS patients in managing their wounds, HidraMed Solutions was founded.
Their flagship products, HidraWear, offers discreet and comfortable management of HS-related wounds. HidraWear garments and multilayered absorbent pads offer an adjustable fit to effectively manage wound exudate while allowing mobility.
Clinically proven to reduce pain and improve the quality of life for individuals with HS, HidraWear is the first of its kind, and is transforming the wound care regime for patients globally.
Medical adhesives pose substantial challenges when managing chronic wounds, causing skin stripping, blistering, skin tears, maceration and increasing risk or infection. HidraWear removes these problems, with its adhesive free solutions.
With multiple awards for innovation in wound care – including the Journal of Wound Care Award, Irish Times Innovation Award in Life Sciences and The Advanced Wound Care Summit’s Innovation Showcase, HidraMed Solutions has gained industry and clinical recognition for these novel products and is set to become a market leader. HidraWear has been deemed “life changing” by many patients using the products, and the product range as being adopted rapidly among clinicians specialising in hidradenitis suppurativa and other difficult to dress wounds.
April Kerr is a registered nurse and midwife who spent 15 years in the aesthetics industry, growing her own successful Aesthetic Clinic.
In 2022 she teamed up with Aisling Powell (owner of Empower Studios and beauty editor for Beaut.ie) to create House Of Bosses.
House Of Bosses offers mentorship to entrepreneurs who are struggling with growing and marketing their business.
Their year long mentorship program offers a unique step by step, hand holding experience with personalised insight and guidance to it’s members no matter what stage of their business journey.
They also offer social media management for the busy business owner who is trying to do it all.
House Of Bosses offers mentorship to entrepreneurs who are struggling with growing and marketing their business.
Their year long mentorship program offers a unique step by step, hand holding experience with personalised insight and guidance to it’s members no matter what stage of their business journey.
They also offer social media management for the busy business owner who is trying to do it all.
April and Aisling are both mothers and successful entrepreneurs and both diagnosed with ADHD in their late 30’s. Realising their gift for starting and growing successful businesses, they decided to create a supportive environment for business owners to learn how to work less and earn more.
“What we have learned since starting our business is that the service you are skilled in is only 20% of the business, the other 80% is learning how to sell that service, otherwise you just have an expensive hobby!”- Aisling Powell, Partner, House Of Bosses
IdentifyHer is a digital health company empowering women going through perimenopause using wearable enabled AI to provide first-of-its-kind objective data on menopausal symptoms and actionable insights for early detection of perimenopause, guiding personalised symptom management. This solution will not only help improve the quality of life for women as they go through perimenopause, but it will also help reduce the future risk of disease ultimately enabling women to live healthy, for longer.
According to the CEO Heidi Davis interviewed on the New Frontiers Program “There are 440 million women going through the menopausal transition worldwide and 330 million of these women will experience symptoms that are negatively affecting their lives at work and at home.
We know that about 60% of women that suffer from their symptoms will seek medical help, but only 30% of these women will get a diagnosis and treatment plan, leaving 70% of the women wanting help to suffer. The simple reason women do not get a diagnosis and treatment plan easily is that there are no clear diagnostic tests to establish perimenopause. Clinicians rely on self-reported symptoms on the frequency and severity of symptoms to establish perimenopause and prescribe treatment. We are developing a first-of-its-kind wearable biosensor and digital platform that can passively quantify & profile the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms, providing women and clinicians with the necessary information to diagnose & personalise symptom management.”
On March 8, 2024, International Women’s Day and her late mother’s birthday, Karyn Kennedy launched Inclusion by Design (IBD) by fusing her deep knowledge of the disability sector with insights from her mother’s tourism career. Together with co-founders Pam Miley and Maryann Mesbur, they have built IBD as a transformative platform to tackle hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, and societal barriers head-on. IBD is not just a call for social change—it’s a strategic business imperative.
For companies aiming to lead in innovation and market expansion, IBD offers a blueprint for sustainable growth through inclusion. The platform delivers actionable guides, robust templates, and specialized training programs that empower organizations to integrate accessibility into every facet of their operations.
By embracing inclusive practices, businesses unlock long-term benefits: enhanced employee satisfaction, a broader customer base, and a stronger competitive edge. Despite common obstacles—resistance to change, financial hesitations, and limited awareness of marginalized experiences—IBD demonstrates that targeted investment in diversity and inclusion drives tangible business outcomes. With its women-led leadership and commitment to empathy, IBD challenges companies to transform challenges into opportunities and to cultivate environments where every individual thrives. Join the movement. Empower your organization with IBD’s proven strategies and position your brand at the forefront of a more equitable, profitable future.
Founded by mother-daughter duo Paulette and Louise Egan, I-SPY is a clothing brand driven by their shared passion for fitness and yoga. Paulette, a yoga therapist and founder of SportsYoga.ie, recognised a need for high-quality attire during her tenure, inspiring the launch of I-SPY’s premium range.
Their in-house designed clothing is stylish, comfortable, and flattering, catering to both lifestyle and yoga needs. Paulette aims to instil trust in the brand, ensuring women look and feel their best. Meanwhile, Louise identified a gap in women’s sports clothing during her secondary school years, leading to her dedication to I-SPY after graduating from the University of Limerick.
Together, they prioritise quality, guiding their brand’s identity and actions.
Their commitment to excellence extends from clothing to customer service, as they believe everyone deserves to feel confident and stylish, whether at the gym, on a run, or in a yoga class. They refuse to compromise on quality, ensuring every aspect of their brand reflects excellence.
Gillian Keating and Caroline O’Driscoll are the co-founders of I Wish, which is an initiative that was founded with the goal of inspiring young women to pursue careers in STEM fields. The event offers interactive exhibits, workshops, and presentations led by STEM professionals to showcase career opportunities and provide valuable insights.
The 10th Annual I Wish STEM Showcase attracted over 3,000 students, aiming to empower girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
The event, held in Ireland, showcased various opportunities and careers in STEM fields to inspire young female students. Key speakers included entrepreneurs, engineers, and scientists who shared their experiences and insights, encouraging girls to pursue their interests in STEM subjects. Workshops and interactive sessions allowed participants to engage with cutting-edge technologies and gain hands-on experience. The event emphasised the importance of diversity and inclusion in the STEM workforce, highlighting the contributions of women in these fields. Attendees had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and explore potential career paths, fostering their passion for STEM and empowering them to pursue opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields. Overall, the event served as a platform for promoting gender equality and encouraging young women to pursue their aspirations in STEM disciplines, ultimately aiming to close the gender gap in these industries.
Julie Blakeney founded Jailbird Communications five years ago after spending twelve years in fast-paced, global agencies. including Ogilvy, Thinkhouse and HAVAS. Here, she worked on communications for iconic brands and organisations, including Guinness, Hendrick’s Gin, Deloitte, Bank of Ireland, Innocent Juice, and Spotify.
Since its formation, Jailbird Communications has grown rapidly. It now employs six permanent staff and turned over half a million euros in 2024. Jailbird Communications offers PR, Social strategy and management, Digital, and Influencer programming for Irish and global organisations.
The agency’s client list includes HelloFresh, Corona, Bulmers, Budweiser, Insomnia Coffee, Pukka Tea, IMMA, Fleadh Cheoil Na hÉireann and Other Voices Music.
Julie, a massive fan and supporter of all things Irish culture-related, sits on the board of the Dublin Fringe Festival, where she consults on communications and sponsorship.
At JVM Consultancy, we believe leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about impact. As two sisters, Victoria and Natalie, with over 20 years of combined experience in senior leadership, learning, and development, we’ve seen firsthand how the right training can transform careers, teams, and entire organisations.
Our core values—Courage, Curiosity, and Connection—drive everything we do, from empowering businesses to prevent bad leadership at its root to equipping individual contributors with the skills to lead before stepping into management.
We are passionate about solving the upstream problem, ensuring leadership excellence starts early. With backgrounds in the tech industry, where strong female voices are often underrepresented, we are committed to creating spaces where leaders—regardless of gender—can step into their full potential. Our tagline says it best: “Plug into the power of people. Get connected to unlock potential and achieve success.”
This International Women’s Day, we’re not just talking about leadership—we’re practicing what we preach. Leaders Who Brunch, our event in Cork, is more than a networking opportunity; it’s a movement built on the power of collaboration over competition. A play on Ladies Who Lunch, this gathering is designed to connect, inspire, and elevate women who are ready to lead with confidence and authenticity. Just as we support volunteers across the country in making a difference through community-based projects, we know that leadership—whether in business or in the community—thrives when people come together. By championing each other, sharing knowledge, and lifting as we climb, we are shaping a future where leadership isn’t just redefined—it’s revolutionised.
KELLA Leadership is Ireland’s premier always-on platform for executive women leaders, creating a genuine community where senior women support, connect, inspire, and educate one another. With a thriving network of over 400 members nationwide, KELLA delivers world-class executive education programs, facilitated peer-to-peer learning experiences, and strategic business resources specifically designed for women at the highest levels of leadership.
Founded by accomplished entrepreneurs Caroline Dunlea, Hannah Wrixon, and Gina London, KELLA addresses the distinct challenges faced by senior women executives across industries, fostering both personal leadership development and broader organizational change.
In March 2025, KELLA is launching the KELLA Directory, a groundbreaking free initiative designed to shine a light on female-led businesses across Ireland. This comprehensive resource will address a critical visibility gap in the marketplace, as research shows that while 64% of Irish consumers want to support women-led businesses, 82% cannot name more than three in their local area. The KELLA Directory will serve as a centralised platform connecting consumers and businesses with women entrepreneurs contributing over €13 billion annually to the Irish economy, transforming conversations about gender equality into tangible economic opportunities for women business leaders nationwide.
Konree Innovation, founded by CEO Dr. Margaret Rae aims to solve the problem of lice parasites in fish aquaculture. In 2020, the UN Food & Agriculture Organization valued fish aquaculture at $146 billion USD. There are 40 commercial fish species that are affected by parasitic lice.
In salmon aquaculture, it’s a wickedly difficult problem and in an industry worth Euro 21 billion it has a significant annual cost of between Euro 6-7 billion, roughly split between the cost of sea lice treatments and salmon mortalities due to sea lice stresses and side-effects of the treatments given.
Michael Flynn joined Margaret in the company as CTO and cofounder. Mike previously cofounded Cathx Ocean and was CTO of this world leading subsea imaging and measurement company.
Later two R&D Biologists joined the team to bring it to 4, and this year it will grow to 8 as the the technology matures and proves itself. Konree’s tech is compatible with both organic and conventional open-net pen salmon aquaculture and is non-fish contact. Feeding a planet of 10 billion people by 2050 needs more sustainable, highly nutritious low carbon footprint proteins like salmon.
Michelle McDaid is the founder of The Leading Place, a purpose-driven startup helping organisations reimagine leadership and build cultures where both people and performance thrive. With over two decades of experience in technology leadership, most recently as Senior Director of Engineering at Workhuman, Michelle brings deep expertise in leading globally distributed teams, scaling organisations, and navigating complex change.
She combines real-world leadership experience with evidence-based insights from her recently completed MSc in Work & Organisational Behaviour at DCU, where her research focused on how tech leaders build and maintain trust in remote and hybrid environments. This work informs her distinctive perspective on the future of work, sustainable leadership, and designing flexibility that works for both people and organisations. Michelle is a qualified coach and is passionate about unlocking people’s capabilities. She is an associate member of CIPD.
Through The Leading Place, Michelle supports organisations with leadership development, communication, strategy, and culture change. Her approach is grounded in trust, psychological safety, positive psychology, and authentic connection. She is particularly passionate about inclusive and sustainable leadership, with a long-standing focus on gender equity and women in technology. Through her senior roles, Michelle has championed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) and led initiatives that delivered tangible, measurable impact. She has mentored on the STEM Passport for Inclusion programme with NUI Maynooth and the TU Dublin Saer Mentorship Programme, and completed the 2023 30% Club Ireland and Deloitte Board Ready programme.
Michelle has been recognised as a finalist in the Everywoman in Tech Awards and the Diversity in Tech Awards, was listed in Diversein’s 133 Women Who Change the World, and included in the CTO Craft 100, recognising technology leaders shaping the future of the industry. Her thought leadership has been featured by CTO Craft, Silicon Republic, The Business Post, and The Irish Examiner, and she is a frequent speaker at conferences, podcasts, and panel discussions. You can check out Michelle’s podcast interviews here.
Let’s Match Mums makes it easy to donate children’s goods by connecting refugee mothers in need with local families who have items to pass on. Built on the long-standing tradition of hand-me-downs, Let’s Match Mums strengthens community bonds while ensuring that essential goods find a second life.
Since its launch, the initiative has matched over 20,000 mothers across Ireland, facilitating the recirculation of an estimated €10 million+ worth of children’s items.
More than just a matching platform, Let’s Match Mums has fostered lifelong friendships, broken down barriers to integration, and built a support network cherished by parents.
Recognised for its impact, Let’s Match Mums has been nominated for the Family Edit Awards as a top support service for parents in Ireland. It has been featured in major media outlets, including Nationwide, Ireland AM, The Sunday Times, Women’s Way, and more. With thousands of glowing reviews from its user base, Let’s Match Mums is proving that small, meaningful connections can drive real change in communities.
Little AngelRose was born out of my passion for boho interiors, toys, and natural materials. I designed a collection of sustainable rattan dolls furniture and nursery décor including children’s rattan furniture like our best seller The Night Wonder bedside locker. We aim to bring a sense of calm and space. The beautiful golden, tanned hue that is both versatile and warm, fitting in with any home decor.
Lovingly designed with longevity and children in mind, to inspire and encourage their imagination with the joys of play. Heirloom pieces to be cherished for generations to come.
Ethically handcrafted by our skilful artisans while being conscious of the environment.
Our rattan range is inspired by vintage rattan furniture but with a modern approach. Every little detail has been thought of with children in mind. All kinds of children. To make children with extra needs feel that they belong and help abled children to see beyond disability. To educate through play, to develop compassion and understanding that people have different challenges. Those differences are to be celebrated. I designed our toys based on how they play, our range of inclusive toys include two types of walking frames and wheelchairs for your little ones most treasured dolls.
Little AngelRose rattan collection is a reflection of the deep change that has happened in the recent years. A change in ecological awareness and a change in family life and our relationships with our homes. I believe that surrounding yourself with calming, natural, beautiful objects can have an enormous beneficial effect on your mental health.
Some of our best sellers like our rattan Wheelchair, the Sienna Dollhouse, the Bear rattan Highchair, our wicker animal wall heads together with some of the dolls with Down Syndrome were seen in the latest Late Late Toy Shows 2022 and 2023.
Regina Mangan is a trailblazer in the Irish property industry, with nearly three decades of experience and a reputation for innovation and excellence. As the founder and Managing Director of Liberty Blue Estate Agents, she has transformed the business from its beginnings as Waterford’s first property letting company in 1997 into Ireland’s highest-rated estate agency on Google.
Regina’s leadership is marked by a commitment to customer service, continuous improvement, and sustainability.
Her team has embraced cutting-edge technology and creative marketing to deliver exceptional results for clients, earning numerous awards along the way. Notably, Liberty Blue’s sustainability initiatives include sourcing second-hand furniture for rental properties and incorporating the Irish language into marketing materials, reflecting Regina’s dedication to environmental impact and cultural heritage.
Beyond her business achievements, Regina is a passionate mentor and advocate for women in business. She actively supports female entrepreneurs through mentoring programmes and her Amazon best-selling book, How to Build a Smarter Faster Better Estate Agency, which has inspired professionals to adopt innovative practices. With only 19% of estate agencies in Ireland being female-owned, Regina aims to encourage more women to lead in the industry. A sought-after speaker on property and leadership, she continues to inspire others while contributing to her community in Waterford and beyond.
Petrina O’Halloran, who is originally from Co Galway, set up her ecommerce business, Mama’s Boobie Box (www.mamasboobiebox), which is based at her home in Tulla, Co Clare, in March 2021.
An accountant by profession, Petrina was working as a financial controller for Not On The High Street in London, and then remotely in Ireland from August 2020, when she began to research creating her business.
Mama’s Boobie Box specialises in breastfeeding products and gift boxes for breastfeeding mums.
Petrina was inspired to create the company after receiving inadequate breastfeeding advice from a young midwife after giving birth to her first child. She resolved to create a gift that would help new mothers to breastfeed should they wish to do so with all the practical essentials a new mum would need for breastfeeding. She resolved to create a gift that would help new mothers to breastfeed should they wish to do so with all the practical essentials a new mum would need for breastfeeding.
The company has recently been featured in Sunday Life Magazine and Irish Examiner
With a bit of research, they realised that although there are many companies catering for the clothing needs of babies and children, there was a distinctive lack of Irish maternity clothing companies which cater for expectant mothers clothing needs, during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Hence the reason behind Maternity to Baby. The aspiration is to bring you a collection of unique styles of clothing for pregnancy, breastfeeding and for your new baby, with the emphasis being on quality and comfort”
The vision of The Menopause Hub is to change women’s lives personally and professionally by smashing the taboo surrounding menopause and by improving their peri/menopause experience. The Menopause Hub is a dedicated platform providing a range of services aimed at two key audiences, namely, individuals navigating peri/menopause and employers who want to make their workplaces menopause friendly.
For individuals, The Menopause Hub offers evidence-based treatment for women experiencing peri/menopause through a team of menopause specialists, including doctors, psychologists, dietitians and nutritionists and women’s health physiotherapists. This platform enables women to see their menopause specialist online via telehealth video or in-person. Also offered is a range of comprehensive educational resources covering symptoms, treatments, and management strategies through articles, videos, webinars, and more.
They will launch a new Menopause Hub App, aimed to help women identify, track and manage their symptoms, Furthermore, March 2024 sees the launch a new Menopause Hub App, where women can identify and track their symptoms, and access a digital adjunct to their care pathway, which will aid individuals in better understanding and managing menopause, ultimately enhancing their quality of life during this significant stage of life.
For employers, The Menopause Hub offers CPD accredited awareness and education training for all colleagues, managers & supervisors, senior leaders, HR and Menopause Champions (peer-to-peer support) combined with development of bespoke menopause policies. This training is delivered live and via e-learning modules. 2023 saw the launch of the Menopause Workplace Excellence Awards in Partnership with Great Place to Work which continues in 2024 and beyond. This will be followed by the Menopause Workplace Accreditation programme or employers which launches in March 2024. The Menopause Hub works with pioneering organisations such as Lidl Ireland, An Post, Bank of Ireland, Kellanova, Pernod Ricard, Indeed, Accenture, The Irish Civil Service, UCD and many more.
The Menopause Hub also advocates for change at a national and international level for improvement in education, support, services, policy change and legislation in the area of menopause.
As a girl, she faced various traumas before her life even began. Going from that to discover the meaning of inner strength, resilience and endurance, before she properly understood their definitions.
As a girl she had every reason to give up, and more times than not she truly wanted to. She knew deep down that there was no option but to continue moving forward, and never give up.
Tracey is a Three Time Bestselling Author, Public Speaker, Tedx Speaker, Empowerment Life Coach, Lecturer and Disabled Advocate, Tracey is now giving a Voice to the Voiceless.
Her passion has always been the service of others, assisting all to feel more connected with themselves and the world around them.She assists others in gaining that much needed self confidence, self motivation, and self empowerment. The combination of these three characteristics will greatly assist all towards living the life that they truly deserve
The MenoPal is revolutionising the future of menopause with technology, giving women the tools to protect their health. Perimenopause can start as early as 35, bringing symptoms like anxiety, brain fog, and joint pain. But menopause isn’t just discomfort, 1 in 2 women will develop osteoporosis, and it drives a 50% rise in cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in women. Yet millions feel dismissed, struggling to get the right medical guidance.
The MenoPal changes that. Using AI-powered technology, it tracks symptoms, detects patterns, and provides personalised insights, helping women take action before it’s too late.Victoria Finlay knows this firsthand.
An entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience scaling businesses, she founded The MenoPal after facing a system that left her without answers.
Now, she’s ensuring no woman has to go through menopause uninformed or unsupported. More than just a tracker, The MenoPal is an AI-driven health companion guiding women through every stage, from perimenopause to post menopause. With 1 in 10 women leaving their jobs due to symptoms, it’s time for businesses to act. The MenoPal empowers women to safeguard their health, their careers, and their future.
Mentor Her is a worldwide platform connecting female Mentees with Mentors in entrepreneurship, corporate/careers and self-development. The mission of Mentor Her is to close the gender gap in employment and self-employment by supporting women through connection. Mentees can choose to connect with a volunteer Mentor on their six-week program, join a once-off, three month or six month mentorship program or join one of their upcoming themed mentorship programs.
Mentor Her provides invaluable resources to both Mentees and Mentors, helping Mentors get the training they need to be an impactful Mentor, offering weekly or monthly material to structure the conversation and access to a supportive community of women online.
Organisations can also get involved with Mentor Her by sponsoring women from lower economic backgrounds on their program, and benefiting from 15% off all programs for their own employees or working with Mentor Her to bring new and better mentorship opportunities internally into their organisation. Since 2021, Mentor Her has had over 3,000 women involved in their programs which has resulted in hundreds of businesses launched and careers accelerated. Founded by Katie Doyle, Women in the Workplace and Mentorship advocate, the company is setting up for bigger and better opportunities for women in 2024.
Lorna Lyons is a former teacher turned digital entrepreneur, dedicated to empowering women—many of whom are midlife mothers—to build passion-led businesses that provide both financial freedom and the flexibility to be present for their growing families. With a First-Class Master’s in Positive Psychology, Lorna successfully transitioned from her lifelong teaching career to create a thriving online coaching and mentoring business. Now, she helps other heart-led women do the same—supporting them in launching and growing businesses that align with their values while giving them the tools to market themselves with confidence.
As the founder of Ireland’s only expert-led, positive psychology-based learning community for women in business, Lorna combines teaching, psychology, and business strategy to support both early-stage and established entrepreneurs.
Her community, The MumBOSS Network, has helped hundreds of women transform their lives over the past two and a half years—spanning industries like healthcare, coaching, holistic therapies, consultancy, mindfulness, wellness, art, and creativity. Beyond launching businesses, Lorna specializes in helping women scale their impact and income by creating successful digital offer suites—including recurring revenue memberships, evergreen courses, online communities, workshops, events, and more. Through her work, she fosters a space where women can confidently build their online presence, grow sustainable businesses, and connect with like-minded peers taking bold action toward their dreams.
Neofertility specialises in providing cutting-edge solutions and technologies tailored to enhance fertility and reproductive health. Their comprehensive offerings include a wide array of products and services designed to optimise fertility outcomes.
These encompass innovative fertility monitoring devices, diagnostic tests, and various treatment options like advanced fertility tracking apps, ovulation prediction kits, sperm analysis kits, and hormone testing kits.
Moreover, Neofertility extends beyond mere product provision, offering a holistic approach to fertility support. They furnish educational resources, counselling, and support services to individuals and couples grappling with fertility challenges. This entails access to fertility specialists, reproductive endocrinologists, and other healthcare professionals for personalised guidance and treatment recommendations.
Overall, Neofertility plays a pivotal role in the realm of reproductive health by delivering state-of-the-art solutions and unwavering support to those striving to conceive and establish families. Through their comprehensive suite of products, services, and resources, Neofertility empowers individuals to proactively manage their fertility journey and realise their aspirations of parenthood.
I’m a multi-award-winning empowerment specialist, TEDx speaker, and President of Network Ireland Louth, dedicated to helping women break free from limiting beliefs, build confidence, and reclaim their power.Through my signature program Soulworks, I guide women to rewrite their stories, set strong boundaries, and create a life of authenticity. My SoulSteps community, online courses, live workshops, and corporate leadership training ensure real, lasting transformation—personally and professionally.
My work extends beyond Ireland. I’ve worked with street children in Brazil and Kenya, witnessing resilience in its rawest form. In 2024, I took my Warrior Women Tour to New York, empowering women on an international stage.
As President of Network Ireland Louth, I champion female entrepreneurship, mentoring women to thrive in business and beyond.
I believe true empowerment requires action. My mission is to help women stop people-pleasing, break destructive cycles, and take control of their future. Whether through corporate training, personal development, or gender equality advocacy, my goal is simple: to help women rise—no matter their starting point.
According to this New Frontiers article “Nua Fertility is revolutionising reproductive health by utilising the microbiome to improve fertility outcomes. Their approach integrates personal experiences, scientific research, and innovative products and digital solutions to optimise the microbiome for successful conception. The timing for Nua Fertility couldn’t be better as the microbiome’s role in reproductive health is increasingly recognized and studied.
This awareness has led individuals and couples to seek holistic approaches beyond traditional methods, driving the demand for microbiome-focused fertility solutions.
As pioneers in this field, Nua Fertility is leading the transformative shift by providing individuals and couples with novel possibilities for achieving parenthood.
Their startup is capitalising on the growing interest and advancements in microbiome research to offer scientifically-backed products and personalised support. By leveraging the microbiome’s power, they empower individuals to take control of their fertility health and explore untapped potential for conception. Positioned at the forefront of an expanding field, Nua Fertility’s innovative approach addresses the evolving needs of those navigating the journey to parenthood.
Katie Mugan, a public health nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, founded Nursing Mama in 2019 to address the lack of comprehensive antenatal breastfeeding education.
Recognising that many parents faced similar challenges upon returning home from hospital, Katie aimed to provide better education on breastfeeding essentials, including getting started, establishing milk supply, and setting realistic expectations.
Initially offering local classes, Nursing Mama quickly expanded to reach parents across Ireland and internationally through online platforms. The company now provides a range of services, including in-person consultations in Kildare and Dublin, as well as online consultations worldwide. Their offerings have grown to include Newborn Care classes and popular Weaning from Breastfeeding courses. Nursing Mama’s comprehensive approach supports parents throughout their feeding journey, whether they choose exclusive breastfeeding, bottle feeding, or a combination. The company also offers tailored workshops, talks, and an online shop that consolidates all their products and services in one convenient location.
Jennifer Keane is the founder and creator of PayGap.ie, an award-winning central portal aggregating Irish gender pay gap reports from companies, addressing the lack of an official government database. A NUI Maynooth and Open University graduate, she has many years in technology as a product manager and former software engineer at firms like WP Engine.
Driven by personal experiences of gender discrimination in male-dominated tech environments, Keane champions equality, diversity in STEM, and initiatives to retain girls in STEM subjects. Frustrated by delayed official reporting post-2021 legislation, she launched PayGap.ie in 2022, transcribing company data into searchable tables with graphs tracking changes over time.
The site hosted 575 reports by early 2025 (many first-time filers) and nearly 1,100 by year-end, earning the 2025 Analytics Institute Social Impact Award. Jen has appeared on RTE, Newstalk, and Phoenix FM, and featured in Business Post and Examiner. She welcomes government portals but maintains PayGap.ie as a historical archive, advocating standardised data for transparency
Dr. Norah Patten, an Irish aeronautical engineer and STEM advocate from Ballina, County Mayo, is set to make history as Ireland’s first astronaut. Selected to participate in a research mission aboard Virgin Galactic’s commercial spacecraft Delta, scheduled for 2026, Dr. Patten will conduct microgravity research alongside two other researchers. Her journey to space began at age 11 when she visited NASA, inspiring her to pursue a career in aeronautics.
She holds a PhD in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Limerick and has participated in various space-related programs, including Project PoSSUM and the International Space University
Throughout her career, Dr. Patten has made significant contributions to space exploration and STEM education. She has worked with companies like Boeing and Bell Labs Alcatel Lucent, and is currently the Commercial Manager at Réaltra Space Systems Engineering in Dublin. As a faculty member at the International Space University and a bioastronautics researcher with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS), she has been involved in cutting-edge research on suborbital spaceflight. Dr. Patten is also an accomplished author and science communicator, having written a children’s book titled “Shooting for the Stars” and created Planet Zebunar, a STEM product for children that combines offline and online technologies.
Co-founded by Tracy Gunn and Michelle O’Keeffe, Platform55 is a multi-award-winning HR platform helping organisations attract and retain top talent by building equitable and sustainable workplaces.
With new legislation and reporting requirements around equality, sustainability, and pay transparency, HR teams are under growing pressure.
Platform55 provides practical, impactful solutions that enhance employee well-being, champion gender equality, and address the ‘S’ of ESG, keeping businesses compliant while driving real, lasting change.
Now almost four years old, Platform55 is a first-to-market solution that supports over 40,000 employees globally, helping organisations navigate major life events while fostering cultures where people, and businesses, thrive.
The Pregnancy and Baby Fair at the RDS in Dublin, Ireland, caters to expecting and new parents, as well as families with young children. Featuring a diverse array of exhibitors, the fair showcases products, services, and information related to pregnancy, childbirth, and early childhood development. Attendees can explore booths offering maternity clothing, baby gear, nursery furniture, breastfeeding accessories, skincare products, and toys.
The event also includes interactive activities, demonstrations, workshops, and seminars covering topics like prenatal health, newborn care, and child safety.
The fair provides an invaluable opportunity for attendees to gather information, shop for essentials, discover new products, and connect with experts and other parents in a supportive environment tailored to the needs of growing families.
Professional womens groups or assocations
All these organisations are driven by the common goal of advancing women’s participation and representation across various sectors of Irish society.
Established in 1973, boasts a membership of over 190 organisations and is dedicated to achieving true gender equality where no woman is left behind. They embody these values in their work, striving to create an Ireland where women have equal opportunities and representation.
A non-partisan organisation, aims to balance gender participation in politics by inspiring and empowering women to succeed in political life through tailored training programs and cross-party networking.
Advocates for gender balance in the audiovisual industry by promoting equal employment opportunities, eliminating bias in hiring, and supporting women’s professional development while highlighting their achievements.
Endeavours to increase female representation in radio by providing mentor-based training programs and creating a database of broadcast-competent women, encouraging them to contribute their expertise to the media landscape.
Sarah Watchorn and Sarah McGuire co-founded The Reading Academy in 2015 to address the lack of effective resources for teaching children with dyslexia and struggling readers. They developed a specialised programme using the Orton-Gillingham approach, offering both tuition for students and training courses for teachers.
More than 450 students have benefitted from The Reading Academy programme, which focuses on building foundational reading skills, boosting students’ confidence and their self-esteem.
With 50+ years combined teaching, the Sarahs have also trained more than 50 teachers in their ‘Teach How to Read’ programme.
To further expand their impact, the duo created MyWordPal, an AI-powered literacy platform designed to help children with dyslexia learn to read more accurately and fluently.
Designed to improve accessibility, this tool allows independent practice tailored to each child’s needs, bridging gaps in literacy education globally. Their mission remains focused on empowering children with dyslexia by providing the tools and confidence needed to succeed in reading.
Sarah Gillespie turned her passion for fitness into a nationwide movement with RINKA Kids Fitness. Since 2016, RINKA has grown into one of Ireland’s leading children’s fitness providers, reaching thousands of children across the country each week. It is transforming how children engage with exercise by emphasising fun and non-competitive activity, aiming to combat the low levels of childhood participation in exercise.
In a world where organised sports can be highly competitive, RINKA offers a refreshing alternative – a place where fitness and fun go hand in hand, without pressure or expectation.
The goal is to reach all children, not just those who already love sports, and to help them meet their physical activity needs in a positive way.
Under Sarah’s leadership, RINKA’s growth has also created opportunities for passionate individuals looking for meaningful careers in children’s fitness. Instructors and franchisees across Ireland now run RINKA classes in their communities, using the training and proven model Sarah has developed. Many of these franchisees are women who have turned their passion into rewarding careers, with RINKA providing a flexible business model that supports entrepreneurship and work-life balance. From the beginning, Sarah was determined that RINKA’s success would uplift others, ensuring that those who join the company are not just employees, but empowered business owners making a difference in their own communities.
Through RINKA, Sarah has built a network of dedicated individuals who serve as mentors, role models, and community leaders, inspiring the next generation to embrace the movement. While RINKA is first and foremost about improving children’s health, it is also helping to shape a future where more people—especially women—can build thriving careers in the fitness industry. This dual mission makes RINKA a force for both health and empowerment, amplifying its positive impact far beyond the children it serves.
Rise Up, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is a platform dedicated to empowering women through advocacy, education, and community-building initiatives. The company organises events, workshops, and conferences to raise awareness about women in leadership and provide resources to support emerging leaders on their career journey.
CEO of Rise Up Susan O’Dwyer was interviewed by ThinkBusiness.ie last year where she laid out the necessity for women leaders and how they are developing more female leaders. You can view that here
Rise Up facilitates monthly roundtable sessions for professionals to engage in peer-to-peer learning, networking, and discussions on pressing industry issues.
This format not only fosters meaningful connections but also provides an avenue for sharing insights and addressing challenges collectively.
Rise Up also has a popular business podcast which focuses on shining a light on female leaders and entrepreneurs and offers an additional avenue for learning and inspiration. By spotlighting their journeys and lessons learned, the podcast serves as a valuable resource for aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs, as well as those seeking to gain insights into various industries and leadership styles. Link to join our community – https://joinriseup.com/membership/individual-membership/
Samantha Kelly, formily known as the “TweetGoddess,” on Twitter is an Irish entrepreneur and leading expert in executive personal branding and social media strategy. Founder of SamanthaKellyMedia since 2016, she specialises in elevating professionals’ LinkedIn presence through content strategy, profile optimisation, and audience growth, particularly in B2B sales. Her career began with Funky Goddess, a startup promoting menstrual cups – which she bootstrapped using Twitter to drive sales, media appearances, and global reach without a marketing budget. Samantha then transitioned into consulting, helping brands build authentic connections, boost engagement, and secure opportunities like speaking gigs and journalist features.
A prolific speaker and community builder, she founded the Women’s Inspire Network to empower time-poor female entrepreneurs via webinars, conferences, and a supportive Facebook group. Samantha has spoken at events worldwide, including Social Media Marketing World in San Diego and INUSA in New Orleans, sharing insights on leveraging Twitter for visibility, event trending, and relationship-building. Her strategies emphasise genuine interactions, high-quality content, and adaptability in digital marketing.
Most recently Samantha was invovled with Social Media Fest a full day conference designed to education the audience about changes in social media. She also runs her own female empowerment programme for female business owners to find promote their voice more on social media
Sculpted by Aimee is a cosmetics brand founded by Irish makeup artist and beauty influencer, Aimee Connolly. Their product range aims to enhance natural beauty and empower individuals through makeup. Offering high-quality, cruelty-free cosmetics like foundations, concealers, highlighters, blushes, eyeshadows, lip products, and brushes, the brand emphasises versatility to cater to various makeup looks, from subtle to glamorous.
A standout product is the “Sculpt & Highlight” palette, featuring contouring, highlighting, and bronzing shades for facial definition.
The brand also provides makeup tutorials and tips via its website and social media platforms, aiding customers in effective product usage
Sculpted by Aimee has garnered a loyal customer base both locally and internationally, renowned for its commitment to quality, inclusivity, and fostering confidence and beauty in individuals of all backgrounds.
According to this article on her.ie “Dr. Helena McMahon, with expertise in molecular medicine and biotechnology, discusses the extraordinary potential of seaweed in Seabody’s beauty range. Contrary to common belief, it’s not just the vitamins and minerals in seaweed that make it powerful; Dr. Helena emphasises the significance of its other 99% brimming with extraordinary molecules. Seabody’s innovation lies in their clean processing technology, which unleashes these molecules, concentrating them into potent products for skincare and overall wellness.
Their commitment to data-driven efficacy and sustainability sets them apart, with investments in research to validate bioactives at the cellular level and zero-waste processing methods.
Seabody sources seaweed from the pristine waters of the Atlantic Ocean, utilising its unique properties for skin regeneration and protection.
Also, their eco-friendly approach and toxin-free products align with conscious consumer values. The brand offers a core range of skincare formulated for all skin types, targeting hydration, skin matrix, and antioxidant benefits. Seabody has gained recognition, winning awards and expanding internationally, while maintaining its ethos of innovation, luxury, and sustainability.
Their awards include John Bell & Croydon UK 225 anniversary prize – with in store UK launch, Guaranteed Irish Best Beauty Brand 2023, Irish Made Best Beauty Brand 2023, Image Business Women of the Year – runner up Start up of the Year and Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark 2023
Founded in 2018, Shauna Moran Coaching is a leadership development and workplace well-being consultancy committed to empowering women in leadership to expand their impact—without burning out. Extensive research into workplace well-being revealed that women in leadership were experiencing the highest rates of burnout, often pulled between operational demands and strategic priorities.
With a background in psychology and a deep expertise in leadership development, the company was built to bridge this gap—providing women with the tools, strategies, and support to lead effectively while sustaining their well-being.
At the heart of this mission is the Impact Amplification Program, the company’s signature leadership development experience. Designed for organizations looking to attract, retain, and empower their top female talent, this program blends high-impact coaching, train-the-trainer methodology, strategic leadership development, and a supportive community. Leaders gain the skills and confidence to move beyond operational overwhelm, step fully into their strategic roles, and drive meaningful change. To date, Shauna’s programs have supported over 1,000 women through ERG groups, corporate training, and 1:1 coaching—helping organizations create sustainable pathways for female leadership, high-performance teams, and long-term business success.
The She Speaks Agency is Ireland’s first female speaker agency founded by Fiona Buckley – an award winning International KeyNote Speaker herself. The agency is set up to level the playing field for female speakers ensuring equal access to events. Many of our speakers talk about diversity and inclusion and it is important that this topic stays on the radar for event organisers. The agency has created a safe community of collaboration, support and opportunity for female speakers. Fiona has built a stellar brand and reputation over her career and her natural skillset now finds her starting this agency so she can act as this intermediary between speakers and organisations. Fiona is a strong advocate for women in business across Ireland and has worked in the female empowerment space for 10+ years.
Fiona has built a stellar brand and reputation over her career and her natural skillset now finds her starting this agency so she can act as this intermediary between speakers and organisations. Fiona is a strong advocate for women in business across Ireland and has worked in the female empowerment space for 10+ years.
The Shona Project CLG, launched in 2016, has a mission to educate, empower, and inspire today’s Irish girls to become tomorrow’s strong, confident and curious young women. Our long-term vision is for an Ireland where girls – and the women they will become – are happier, more fulfilled and play an active role in all sectors of the economy and society.
There are nearly 250,000 teenage girls in Ireland: these girls face a unique set of challenges, as culture demands that they pursue the appearance of perfection, and not strength, resilience, or uniqueness.
Teenage girls may be influenced negatively by a range of external factors, including an unsupportive home environment, an education system that does not effectively meet their needs, and a lack of access to role models.
This can lead to immediate problems, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, self-harm, high-risk behaviours, and poor relationships. But even more significantly, unless these issues are addressed, they will continue into adulthood, which may lead to women’s potential never being fully realised.
In order to ensure that all Irish girls have the skills, tools, and self-esteem they need to achieve their potential, The Shona Project has adopted a multi-pronged approach which includes:
- School workshops and Shona camps
- Online community
- Ambassador programmes
- National mentorship programme
- Events & projects
Women and girls from underrepresented communities face significant barriers to STEM education and careers. The STEM Passport for Inclusion is changing that. By tackling systemic inequalities in STEM access, the programme empowers young women with a university-accredited Level 6 STEM qualification, one-on-one mentorship from industry leaders, and a direct pathway to higher education and STEM careers.
Since 2021, over 5,000 students across Ireland have earned this qualification, gaining university credits, career-building experiences, and – most importantly – the confidence to see themselves in STEM.
With support from Research Ireland, the Department of Education, Microsoft Ireland, Maynooth University, and our partner universities Atlantic Technological University and Munster Technological University, this initiative is reshaping the future of STEM by breaking down financial, social, and educational barriers and ensuring that every student, regardless of background, has the chance to thrive.
The impact speaks for itself: Before joining, only 28% of students knew a woman in STEM – afterwards, that number jumped to 92%. The programme not only boosts STEM awareness, confidence, and career aspirations, but also drives real change in industry perceptions of diversity and inclusion. Mentors report a shift in how they see gender representation in STEM, reinforcing the broader impact of inclusive education. With a national rollout in progress and a growing network of 1,100 mentors from 180 companies, STEM Passport for Inclusion is proving that talent is everywhere and opportunity should be too.
Tara Elzingre (née Maher) isn’t just another digital trainer—she’s a powerhouse when it comes to helping business owners and working parents navigate the world with confidence.
As the founder of Parene, she saw a gap in the support available for working parents juggling careers and family life—so she built a solution. Launched in 2021, Parene has grown into a thriving expert-led membership platform with 15+ incredible women sharing their knowledge across health, finance, parenting, career, business, and beyond with Parene members in Ireland, the UK & Europe. The village didn’t disappear; it just needed to go hybrid.
But Tara didn’t stop there. In 2024, she launched her consultancy, taking her passion for digital tools & AI to the small business world. She’s on a mission to make AI and digital tools simple, strategic, and seriously effective for business owners across the UK & Ireland. Forget the tech jargon and fluff—her online and in-person training on ChatGPT, Canva, CapCut, and more breaks it all down in a way that’s easy to follow and impossible not to implement.
TechFoundHer is a women-in-tech organisation dedicated to empowering women to innovate with technology and succeed as tech entrepreneurs. It’s resetting enterprise support and reimagining what innovation acceleration can look like through a women centric lens. Through events, workshops, and training, it builds tech literacy, confidence, and competence enabling participants to develop, define, and lead their own tech products.
TechFoundHer is purpose led and network- driven, rooted in vibrant ‘women in tech’ communities, and led by Máirín Murray, a tech innovator herself and advocate for women tech founders. It has a proven track record of delivering impactful bootcamps, road shows, workshops and entrepreneurship programmes in collaboration with multiple partners across the island.
Techstars Startup Weekend Women Dublin, part of the global Techstars initiative, is a Dublin-based event dedicated to empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs. Over a weekend, participants from various backgrounds such as aspiring entrepreneurs, developers, designers, and business professionals come together to pitch ideas, form teams, and develop innovative startups.
Throughout the event, attendees engage in networking, collaboration, and mentorship sessions with experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts.
They work diligently to refine their ideas into viable business models, create prototypes, and prepare pitches for evaluation by a panel of judges.
The primary objective of Techstars Startup Weekend Women Dublin is to cultivate a supportive and inclusive environment where women can gain practical skills, boost confidence, and access resources necessary for launching successful startups. Additionally, the event aims to mitigate the gender gap in entrepreneurship by providing a platform for women to showcase their talents and ideas.
2025 Techstars Startup Weekend women Dublin organisers are:
Caitlin, Miren-Maialen, Deirdre, Israel, Sharon, Poorvi.
Tools for Better Ltd. (TfB) offers solutions for better business such as Strategy Development, Operational Excellence, Program Management, Change, Culture and DEI&B to organisations in various industries. Our team has a combined 65 years experience across a multitude of industries, with particular emphasis on regulation, compliance and responsible gaming.
As the Founder and CEO of Tools for Better, Sarah Healy brings over two decades of experience in leadership, strategy, and operations across a range of industries, including Gambling, Technology, Consulting and Tourism.
Although the sectors are diverse, the drive is the same. To create a positive impact and foster more equitable workplaces and organisations for everyone.
Wayfinder Careers, co-founded by Jean O’Donnell and Olivia Sheehan, aims to democratise executive coaching by making it accessible to professionals at all career stages. Their mission is to leverage elite coaching as a catalyst for company-wide growth, delivering clear ROI guidance based on the latest research and industry benchmarks.
The company’s vision extends beyond traditional coaching models, creating a professional ecosystem where every employee has a coach, unlocking potential across all levels and converting engagement into measurable business growth.
What sets Wayfinder apart is their holistic methodology that combines personalised coaching with an always-accessible mobile platform. Their approach recognises that peak performance is driven by self-awareness, directional clarity, and healthy habits. Through weekly themes, interactive activities, and guided reflection, users develop crucial leadership capabilities that translate directly to workplace success. The programme offers a hybrid approach, including in-person events to foster cohort engagement and accountability, culminating in an actionable career strategy for participants’ next career chapter.
Wellness Warrior Limited isn’t just a menopause consultancy—it’s a movement. Led by Catherine O’Keeffe, Ireland’s leading Menopause Workplace Consultant, best-selling author, and creator of the Menopause Success Summit, the company is on a mission to end the menopause taboo and transform workplace culture.
Menopause isn’t just a personal experience—it’s a workplace issue. Catherine has worked with over 350 organisations across Ireland and internationally, guiding companies like Microsoft, Workday International, StateStreet, and the Irish Civil Service in creating inclusive menopause strategies. Through expert training, policy development, and leadership education, Wellness Warrior helps businesses move beyond awareness to real, lasting change.
Catherine’s work empowers women with the knowledge and confidence to take control of their health, careers, and well-being. As a national and international advocate, she pushes for better education, workplace support, and policy changes. She’s also the host of Menopause Uprising, Ireland’s only menopause-dedicated podcast, and author of the best-selling book All You Need to Know About Menopause.
At Wellness Warrior, education isn’t just information—it’s transformation. Menopause should no longer be a silent struggle. The future is informed, empowered, and stigma-free—and Wellness Warrior is making it happen.
White and Green, founded by the Winckworth family in 2014, is an Irish company known for its sustainable luxury bedding and homeware. They prioritise organic, ethically sourced, and eco-friendly products, specialising in bedding like sheets, duvet covers, pillowcases, and throws, all made from the highest quality sustainable cotton.
The company’s ethos centres on creating high-quality goods while upholding environmental and social responsibility.
They emphasise sustainable packaging and ethical manufacturing, aiming to minimise their environmental impact.
White and Green’s commitment to sustainability has earned them international recognition and awards, highlighting their dedication to excellence in product quality and social responsibility.
Their products offer consumers the chance to enjoy luxurious comfort while supporting ethical practices and contributing positively to environmental and social well-being. White and Green is a top choice for conscientious consumers seeking both quality and sustainability in their purchases.
WorkEqual began in 2011 as the Irish wing of global initiative Dress for Success when it was started in Ireland by designer and presenter Sonya Lennon. Ten years later the charity rebranded as WorkEqual and became an independent Irish organisation.
CEO Su Duff explains WorkEqual’s vision as ‘empowering progress towards an Ireland where everyone’s skills and potential are recognized, and by a society that champions workplace equality and fair remuneration’.
WorkEqual is working towards this goal in two ways:
– Firstly, together with corporate partners and volunteers, as WorkEqual delivers services completely free of charge to women hoping to enter or re-enter the workforce and move towards economic independence. These services include mentoring, styling, and coaching for interview, as well as career consultancy.
– The second way is through advocacy work on closing the gender pay gap that currently exists in Ireland. WorkEqual continually strives to advance more equitable workplaces through meaningful engagement with government, business, and civil society leaders.
While WorkEqual research found 74% of Ireland’s men and women want closure of the gender pay gap as a priority of business and government, gender pay reporting is often seen as merely a compliance issue. I reality, ‘closing the gap’ presents an opportunity to build practical tools for Ireland to move towards a more equal society. All genders have an active prole in creating the solution –this is allyship in action.
Anybody struggling to succeed can get in touch to use Work Equal services and every effort is made to meet each client where they are in their personal journey.
Founded in 2016 by Ciara Garvan, WorkJuggle is an Irish company that operates as a digital platform connecting skilled professionals seeking flexible work arrangements with companies in need of part-time or project-based roles. Catering to individuals prioritising work-life balance or with caregiving responsibilities, the platform offers job opportunities across various industries like IT, finance, marketing, and administration. Job seekers can create profiles detailing their skills, experience, and availability, while companies can post listings and search for suitable candidates.
The company also provides training in Design Thinking, Managing a Hybrid Workforce, Unconscious Bias Training, Storytelling in Business, Inclusive Leadership, Mentoring in Business, Professional Presence,and Female Leadership. In addition to giving advice on creating and designing CV and LinkedIn pages.
WorkJuggle promotes an agile and inclusive workforce by championing flexible work arrangements, empowering professionals to pursue rewarding careers according to their terms.
I’ve always been a storyteller at heart – whether through journalism, content creation or helping businesses and authors bring their stories to life. After years of working in media, writing and brand storytelling, I decided it was time to take things up a notch and launched StoryLane PR—a bespoke PR agency with a simple mission: to amplify voices, craft compelling narratives and get my clients noticed. I’ve spent my career connecting with people, uncovering their unique stories and turning them into engaging content that resonates. Whether it’s a book launch, a media campaign or brand storytelling, I thrive on bringing ideas to life and making sure they get seen by the right audience.
For me, PR isn’t just about getting coverage – it’s about telling a story that reverberates with people who read or listen to it. I love working with people who have something meaningful to share, a journey worth telling, and a backstory that makes readers stop and take notice. There’s nothing better than seeing a client’s story land in the perfect publication, spark conversations and open doors to new opportunities. At StoryLane PR, I bring my creativity, media know-how and love of human-interest storytelling to every project, making sure my clients’ voices are not just heard, but truly remembered.
The 30% Club is a global campaign supported by board Chairs and CEOs, committed to achieving better gender balance at leadership levels throughout their organisation, for better business outcomes. Operating in Ireland since 2015 our membership is 300+ medium to large organisations from all sectors of industry, representing almost 700,000 employees across the full breadth of Irish Business. The commitment to join is always through the Chair or CEO or the most senior business lead in Ireland. Our “ask” of Chair/CEO supporters is a belief in the value of better gender balance at senior levels and the view that senior business leaders should drive the change.
We divide our work across three pillars – activating senior leaders in driving their diversity ambitions, raising national awareness, and enabling future women leaders.
Our work focuses on representing business views; supporting oganisations with practical collaborative initiatives; and providing supporting mechanisms for employees to grow the talent pipeline. The daily workings of the group are managed by a volunteer panel representing a cross section of supporter organisations. For a sense of some of our deliverables last year click here
There is no requirement for companies supporting the 30% Club to already have 30% women on their board or cSuite but we would hope that it would be a genuine ambition.