Speaker Profiles

Sonia O'Sullivan, Olympic Medalist, Trainer, Broadcaster and Author

Sonia O'Sullivan, Olympic Medalist, Trainer, Broadcaster and Author

Sonia was born in Cobh, County Cork, where she spent many years running around the hills of Cobh before embarking on an Athletics Scholarship to Villanova University. Sonia followed a trail of Irish athletes to Villanova where she graduated in 1992 with a degree in Accountancy ahead of her first Olympic Games in Barcelona.  

John Bowman, Broadcaster and Historian

John Bowman, Broadcaster and Historian

John Bowman is a broadcaster and historian. His latest book is Window and Mirror: RTE Television, 1961-2011 [The Collins Press]. He has presented current affairs, historical and election-results programmes on RTE radio and television since the 1960s including Today Tonight in the 1980s and Questions and Answers from 1988 to 2009. His PhD, De Valera and the Ulster Question: 1917-1973, was published by Oxford University Press and won the Ewart-Biggs Prize for its contribution to North-South understanding.

Jenny Daisley, Chief Executive, The Springboard Consultancy Ltd

Jenny Daisley, Chief Executive, The Springboard Consultancy Ltd

Jenny Daisley is one of the most experienced and skilful women's development consultants in the UK, with a lifetime of experience in the field.

Kathleen O'Toole

Kathleen O'Toole

Kathleen M. O'Toole recently completed a six-year term as Chief Inspector of the Garda Síochána Inspectorate, an oversight body responsible for bringing reform, best practice and accountability to the Irish national police service.

Nicola Byrne - Entrepreneur and Business Speaker

Nicola Byrne - Entrepreneur and Business Speaker

Nicola is one of Ireland's best known female entrepreneurs and has won the public's respect through her candid and down to earth approach to business and government issues. She has become increasingly popular on the corporate speaking circuit where she is invited to share her experiences in setting up a successful business in a competitive market.

Dr. Ita Richardson

Dr. Ita Richardson

Senior Lecturer, Department of Computer Science and Information Systems, Principal Investigator, Lero - the Irish Software Engineering Research Centre

Paul McNeive

Paul McNeive

 "Paul McNeive is a Motivational Speaker and is author of "Small Steps" a bestselling book on business and motivation.

He has over 30 years experience in business and was Managing Director of Savills in Ireland.

Paul is on the board of The National Rehabilitation Hospital and writes a weekly opinion column on property and business
in The Irish Independent."

Professor Teresa Rees, CBE AcSS FLSW

Professor Teresa Rees, CBE AcSS FLSW

Teresa Rees is the newly appointed Director for Wales of the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education (www.lfhe.ac.uk ). She is also a Professor in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University (now part time), where she was Pro Vice Chancellor from 2004-10. Her research focuses on equalities, knowledge economies and women and science and is designed to inform evidence-based policy. She has advised European Union Member States as well as international companies on how to promote gender equality in organisations and their cultures.