Dr. Sinead O’Flanagan is an accomplished academic and leader with a strong focus on sustainability, governance and strategic management. Currently serving as Nominee of the Minister for Higher Education to the Governing Authority of University of Limerick, Dr. O’Flanagan brings a wealth of experience in both academia and the corporate sector.
She has previously served as an Independent Council member on Ireland’s National Economic & Social Council (NESC), where she Chaired the NESC Working Group on Just Transition to Low Carbon & Digital Future. Dr. O’Flanagan also served as a former Board member of Ireland’s Higher Education Authority (HEA), where she was Chair of HEA's Finance committee, and previously Chaired HEA’s Finance & Governance committee.
As a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management, Dr. O’Flanagan’s focus was on leading sustainable businesses. Her research at the Sloan School examines the challenges of leading amid uncertainty and disruption.
Prior to her academic career, she has held senior leadership and advisory roles in global corporations such as Nortel, Intel and IHS Energy. She leads endeavours that focus on sustainable, low-carbon future, using evidence-based approaches in her work in education, policy development and strategic business development.
Dr. O’Flanagan holds a PhD in strategy and management, with a focus on leadership, from the Norwegian School of Economics (NHH). She conducted her doctoral research field work, as a fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership. She holds an MS in management of technology from the MIT Sloan School of Management, and a BSc (hons.) in applied physics from the National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway.