10 inspiring women in Irish business
These 10 role models have innovated and trailblazed in Irish boardrooms, says Andrea Smith
CAROLINE KEELING Age 47, group CEO at Keelings
Caroline joined the family business in 1994, and has risen from the position of technical manager to CEO of Keelings. The fruit producer and food distributor company employs approximately 2,000 people across its five divisions. In 2016, Dubliner Caroline revealed that company revenue for the year was expected to be in excess of €325m, with 65pc of its sales coming from Ireland, and the rest from the UK, Europe and Asia.
BREEGE O’DONOGHUE Age 72, retired director at Penneys/ Primark
Having joined Penneys in 1979, Breege retired in 2016 from the position of group director for new markets and business development. During that time, she achieved great things and drove the company’s expansion from 24 outlets to more than 300 stores in 11 countries. From Clare, Breege continues to represent the company by performing duties as an ambassador.
MARY ANN O’BRIEN Age 56, founder of Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates
Mary Ann founded Lily O’Brien’s in 1992. It now employs 120 full-time staff and 140 seasonally, and 80 per cent of its output is exported worldwide. Mary Ann and her husband, Jonathan Irwin, founded the Jack and Jill Foundation as a direct response to their own experience of losing two baby sons. It looks after families who need help or respite because of their sick child. The Tipperary woman was nominated by Enda Kenny to the 24th Seanad in 2011 and served until 2015.
MARGARET HEFFERNAN Age 70s, CEO of Dunnes Stores
Margaret became CEO of the family business in 1992, and it currently has 155 stores and holds 22.3 per cent of the grocery market share. While her father Ben operated a “pile-em’ high” deep discount for- mula when he founded the business in 1944, Margaret, who famously never gives interviews, has taken the company into a new direction and moved it into the mid-market retail category. Over the years, she has added an impressive roster of Irish design talent to the business, including Carolyn Donnelly, Paul Costelloe, Lennon Courtney and Joanne Hynes.
MARIAN O’GORMAN Age 60s, CEO at The Kilkenny Group
Marian is originally from Blarney in Cork, and her late father, Christy Kelleher, founded Blarney Woollen Mills. She joined the company at 16 and was its CEO for eight years. The company then acquired a Kilkenny store, and Marian ultimately became CEO of The Kilkenny Group. It has grown to a total of 15 stores around the country and employs 280 staff. Many top Irish designers have been mentored by Marian, including Orla Kiely, Chupi and Rebeka Kahn.
NORAH CASEY Age 56, broadcaster, businesswoman and publishing entrepreneur
Norah started her career as a nurse and moved into journalism. She founded Harmonia, which is Ireland’s largest magazine publishing company, printing over four million magazines annually. Having served as a “dragon” on Dragon’s Den, Norah is now a broadcaster, author and businesswoman. She wrote the book Spark! which is about fulfilling your potential in life, and also founded Planet Woman Academy, a new approach to learning designed exclusively for women.
LOUISE PHELAN Age 40s, vice-president at PayPal
Having studied law, economics and credit management, Louise
joined Paypal in 2006. She’s one of 17 children, and grew upon a farm in Laois. In September 2016, Louise was appointed vice-president of western, central and eastern Europe, Ireland, Middle East and Africa. This gives her responsibility for growing revenue and customers for PayPal in more than 100 countries.
MARGUERITE SAYERS Age 40s, managing director of ESB Networks
Marguerite graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from UCC in 1991, and also holds diplomas in project management and accounting and finance. Having joined ESB over 20 years ago, she has held a variety of technical and managerial roles, including generation management and asset management roles. The Kerry native was appointed MD in October 2014, and is responsible for ESB’s 5,500MW generation portfolio in Ireland and the UK.
JANE NÍ DHULCHAOINTIGH Age 38, inventor and CEO of Sugru
While doing an MA in product design, Kilkenny native Jane came up with the concept for Sugru, the mouldable glue that sticks to almost anything and cures into a durable silicone rubber. It was launched in 2009 and has earned dozens of awards and global scientific recognition, including being listed in TIME magazine’s list of best inventions.
CATHRIONA HALLAHAN Age 51, managing director of Microsoft Ireland
Dubliner Cathriona joined Microsoft Ireland in 1986 as an accounts clerk, and was appointed MD in March 2013. Under her watch it has grown considerably, and Cathriona is responsible for 1,200 full-time employees and 700 full-time contractors. She recently announced the creation of a new inside sales centre at the company, where 500 new staff will sell the company’s software and services to customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.