MC – Ruth Scott, Radio Broadcaster
Keynote Speaker
Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft Ireland:
Anne joined Microsoft Ireland as General Manager in October 2021, taking responsibility for the sales, marketing, and services business across the island of Ireland - with a particular focus on delivering business transformation with Microsoft’s customers and partners within the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Microsoft, Anne was Enterprise Director at Vodafone UK, with responsibility for sales, brand, product and solution design, services, and government relations, across multiple lines of business. Before assuming her UK responsibilities, Anne ran Vodafone Ireland’s Enterprise Business in Ireland for four years. Previously, Anne worked at IBM for 16 years across a number of senior positions, including Vice President of Sales and Services for the Nordic Region, Sales and Services Director for IBM Ireland, Head of Channel, and Head of Infrastructure & Technology Services.
Anne holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Studies, specialising in Accounting and Finance, and a Graduate Diploma in Computing, both from the University of Limerick.
Anne is passionate about partnering with Irish organisations to work together towards an innovative and progressive digital world.
Panel Speakers
Emma Finn, Founder, Bee’s on the Roof
Emma has been a beekeeper for more than 10 years after swapping the corporate world for a life working outdoors. What started out as a hobby for her has now become a full-time job and one she is hugely passionate about. Currently studying for her Bee Masters, she enjoys attending lectures and talks around the country and learning from international speakers in her community. Emma has been the Education Officer for Fingal Beekeepers Association since 2016. In that time, she has visited schools with a demonstration hive and has spoken to over 10,000 children who are absolutely fascinated with all things bee-related. Just like her! She is a strong promoter for the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and has a very strong commitment to Dublin City. She is currently working on programmes for living walls and getting urban areas, micro-parks, bus stops and even lamp-posts filled with plants to provide more food for bees. She previously worked for an international bank for 10 years based in London and Dublin, working for a large US firm. Emma ran her own busy coffee shop in Dublin for 10 years where she learnt a lot about people, customer service, survived the last crash and running a small business. She is Honorary Secretary for the Fingal North Dublin Beekeepers Association and co-ordinator of the Beginners Beekeeping class.
Emma has taken the opportunity to extend her qualifications and has completed a Business and Entrepreneurship post graduate programme in TCD. She has a Level 6 diploma in Community Development. In 2019, she set up her own business called “Bees on the Roof “in 2019 which provides a corporate beekeeping service in urban areas, helping to support biodiversity and the environment.“My motto for my business is that I want to turn Dublin from grey to green and that’s why I set up Bees on the Roof. I’m so passionate about bee-keeping and encouraging biodiversity and I’m very fortunate that I’ve been able to turn my hobby into a career,” said Emma.“I love sharing that passion with other people, particularly young children
Yinka Martin, Founder and CEO, HairWeavon Wigs & Hair
Yinka Martin set up HairWeavon in 2011. An online store specializing in wigs and hair pieces for women and men experiencing hair loss, i.e Alopecia, cancer patients, etc.
Through their in-store and eCommerce offering, HairWeavon now serves customers in 42 different countries with a key focus of supporting its niche community.
Dobrawa Brach, Managing Director , Arran Street East
Dobrawa Brach is Manging Director of Arran Street East: a luxury, handmade homewares brand, based in Dublin. Prior to this role Dobrawa was senior project manager in MCO Projects Ltd, a project management company specialising in healthcare and environmental project management. In 2015 she worked as Gallery and Exhibitions Manager for Irish Design 2015, a year-long initiative aimed at promoting design. Originally from Poland, in Ireland since 2005. Since the start of pandemic Dobrawa has been juggling work, homeschooling, and her new passion – weaving.
Sponsor Speakers:
Imelda Rey, Managing Director, Irish Times Training
Imelda joined the team in Irish Times Training in 2017 as Head of Marketing, before being appointed Managing Director in 2019. Prior to joining Irish Times Training, Imelda spent nearly 20 years working mainly across the Tourism Sector in senior roles in JWT and Fáilte Ireland. Imelda is a firm believer in continued learning and education and has seen first-hand the impact continued learning has not only on career development, but also on staff effectiveness, engagement and retention. A native of Mullingar, Imelda now has close ties to North county Dublin and can be seen enjoying the Howth Cliff Walk at the weekends.
Sandra Quinn, Partner, Barden
Partner at Barden, and expert in Executive Search and Senior Appointments
A big 4 trained chartered accountant with many years of executive recruitment experience, Sandra leads our executive search recruitment practice in Ireland supporting senior appointments across industry, financial services and professional services. With a deep understanding of executive level recruitment, Sandra specialises in CFO, Finance Director and other senior leadership positions mainly on a retained basis. Sandra and her team are where CEOs and Boards in Ireland go for advice, before they start hiring for their leadership team.
Partnership with the Local Enterprise Office
Mary McSweeney will say a few words on the LEO, below is some info on LEO. Mary McSweeney is Senior Executive Officer/Deputy Head of Economic Development and Enterprise Dublin City.