2025 Agenda

8:00am
Registration, Networking and Exhibition Viewing
9:00am
WELCOME
CEO, Business Post
9:05am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
TV Presenter, Designer, Founder & Social Entrepreneur
9:15am
GOVERNMENT KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Supercharging progress in education
Minister for Education and Youth (invited)

SUPERCHARGING THE DRIVE FOR A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORLD

9:30am
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
Revolting Women: why midlife women are walking out

There’s one group consistently ignored in most companies’ diversity strategies, but which could be your business’s secret weapon. Professional women over 50 are faced with a triple-whammy of discrimination: they are not male, young, or linear in their career paths. As a result, they are leaving corporate life and taking their career into their own hands.

Author and Founding Director, Mindspring Consultancy 
9:45am
KEYNOTE PANEL DISCUSSION:
Leading a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) awareness in business

Despite broad policy efforts to increase female representation, and the acceptance that gender equality is instrumental in driving innovation and enhancing problem-solving skills across an organisation, the gender divide is stark. Tackling gender disparity needs to be a business imperative if we are to drive innovation and investment in Ireland’s tech sector. Organisations must create business frameworks that nurture female talent. Otherwise they will miss out on culture, growth and the ability to thrive. It is particularly concerning, that recent news about President Trump cancelling DEI initiatives in the public sector has sparked critical conversations, especially as some private organisations follow suit.

Senior Vice President Global Enterprise Technology, IDA Ireland
Director of Commercialisation, Enterprise Ireland
Head of Strategy, Research Ireland
Executive Director, People and Sustainability, ESB
10:15am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Never Too Young for STEAM: the missing link in early childhood education
Ireland Regional Chair & Senior Vice President Technology, Fidelity Investments 
10:30am
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Educating young girls and women for  jobs that don’t even exist yet

The panel will outline the educational programmes and initiatives designed to inspire, engage and encourage female participation in STEM subjects, from early childhood through primary, secondary and third level educational system. It will also discuss some innovative partnership-driven approaches where industry is working closely with third level education bodies across the country to create tailored courses that will reflect the skills needed for jobs of the future.

Topics will include:

·       Role of educators in equipping girls and women to take on leadership roles

·       Initiatives at pre-school, primary, second & third level institutions

·       Supporting companies to accelerate digital capacity, transformation and strategic  innovation

·       The need for organisations to look beyond immediate needs to anticipate skills for the next one to three years in order to foster a pipeline of female STEM talent

·       The importance of “human skills” including collaboration, teamwork, and adaptability in fostering a resilient workforce as technological transformation accelerates

President, Technological University Dublin
Associate Director of Global Talent Acquisition, MSD Ireland
Teacher, Loreto College
11:00am
Networking Coffee Break & Exhibition Viewing

Stream 1

SUPERCHARGING THE DRIVE FOR A HEALTHIER AND MORE EQUITABLE WORLD

11:30am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE STREAM CHAIR
Sci-tech journalist, editor and broadcaster
11:35am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
The power of diversity in leading the drive to net zero
Chief Information Officer, ESB
12:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Women in STEM: Paving the way for innovation in healthcare

Women can gain more control over their health by utilising digital technologies. By facilitating easy access to information, support, and healthcare services in a safe and private manner, digital solutions can help women increase their autonomy and decision-making concerning their own health and well-being, as well as that of their children. Whilst technology is helping us make rapid advancements in healthcare, there’s still a low number of women in leadership roles at technology companies. Fewer women in leadership positions make it less likely for women’s healthcare causes to get championed.

This panel will discuss:

·       the transformative potential of technology in healthcare

·       using data and technology to make the world a healthier place

·       enhancing women’s and children’s lives with health tech innovations

·       the challenges facing female entrepreneurs in securing venture capital funding

·       why investment in women’s health technology is critical for the future

CEO, Children’s Health Ireland
Founder and CEO, Chirp
12:30pm
SPOTLIGHT ON…ONES TO WATCH

In this session we turn the spotlight on ones to watch and hear some quick-fire presentations on their experiences.

Navigating a navy career as a woman in STEM

– Aoife Lynch, Able/ Engine Room Articifer, Irish Defence Forces

Inclusion at its best 

Ruth will be talking about Diversity and Inclusion in a personal capacity, and the influence and changes that came about following the willingness of one local company in her community to be open to a diverse hire.

– Ruth D’Alton, Human Resources Director

Advancing women’s healthcare

– Dr. Brooke Tornifoglio, Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin

Able/ Engine Room Articifer, Irish Defence Forces
Assistant Professor, Biomedical Engineering, Trinity College Dublin
Human Resources Director

Stream 2

BREAKING BARRIERS IN FINANCIAL SERVICES

11:30am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE STREAM CHAIR
Chair, Women in Technology & Science (WITS) 
11:45am
INTERNATIONAL KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The parallels between cybersecurity and inclusion are striking. Just as cybersecurity is often only noticed after a breach, inclusion is often only recognised when exclusion happens. This keynote will highlight the challenges leaders face in understanding the depth and impact of exclusion within their organisations. It will introduce actionable initiatives that mobilise, not paralyse, a community of advocates and allies to drive meaningful change.

Executive Director, Women in Cyber Security (WiCyS)
12:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
How artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise the financial services market

Financial institutions, from global conglomerates to local credit unions, are increasingly harnessing the power of automated data-driven processes and artificial intelligence (AI) to create groundbreaking products and services that redefine customer experiences and reshape their industry. Algorithms are allowing firms to extract meaningful insights from vast datasets, providing a deeper understanding of customer behaviour, market trends and risk management. This panel will discuss the seismic shift in the financial services sector, propelled by data-driven processes and the integration of AI and emerging technologies with focus on cybersecurity, hyper-personalisation and other future-forward approaches like composable banking. It will also discuss how the future of AI depends on who builds It, whose voices we include and whose perspectives we amplify. Inclusion and diversity in AI aren’t just ideals; they’re critical for creating a fair and innovative future.

Ambassador, Women in AI Ireland
Head of Enterprise IT Services, PTSB
AI & CloudNative solutions lead, HCLTech
Chief Digital and Architecture Officer, Bank of Ireland (invited)
12:30pm
SPOTLIGHT ON… WOMEN LEADERS AND ROLE MODELS

In this session we turn the spotlight on women leaders and role models in their organisations and hear some quick-fire presentations on their experiences

 School leaver to pilot: my journey in the Irish Air Corps

– Hannah McMenamin

AI Leadership: Bridging continents, enabling net zero

– Sadaf Zaheer, Senior Data Scientist, Enterprise Services, ESB

2nd Lieutenant, Irish Defence Forces
Senior Data Scientist, Enterprise Services, ESB

Stream 3

PUTTING THE STEAM INTO STEM

11:30am
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE STREAM CHAIR
TV Presenter, Designer, Founder & Social Entrepreneur
11:35am
KEYNOTE ADDRESS:
The role of art is to make the revolution irresistible
Independent Senator, Seanad Eireann
12:00pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Putting the STEAM into STEM

STEAM education is about applying creative thinking to STEM projects, igniting students’ imagination and creativity through the arts. It is also about exploring where art naturally fits into the STEM subjects. Studying art subjects enhances a student’s flexibility, adaptability, productivity, responsibility, and innovation. Our expert panel will discuss what the arts have to offer science, technology, engineering and maths and how by changing STEM to STEAM, we can unlock a world of creativity to approach some of the world’s most pressing problems in unique ways.

Vice President UX Design, Fidelity Investments
Former Head of Education, Poetry Ireland
Lecturer, Department of Design and Visual Arts Thought Lab, IADT
Director, Creative Ireland
12:30pm
SPOTLIGHT ON… FENDERS, FASHION & FINE ARTS

In this session we turn the spotlight on creative heads in STEAM who demonstrate where art naturally fits into STEM subjects and we hear some quick-fire presentations on their work

POETRY ALOUD

Celebrating the art of poetry recitation


Hear one of the finalists of the 2024 Poetry Aloud Competition which challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory.

12:35pm
PRESENTATION FROM A MALE ALLY
Crossroads – the intersection between art and technology

We meet some Junk Kouture post-primary students from across the country producing incredible fashion designs in the spirit of sustainability.

Musician & Co-Founder, Always Press Record
12:45pm
JUNK KOUTURE SHOWCASE
Celebrating creativity, sustainability and innovation

Watch as the next generation of forward-thinking designers ignite their creativity and innovation for a more sustainable future.

Events & Production Coordinator, Junk Kouture
1:00pm
Networking Lunch Break & Exhibition Viewing

MAIN STAGE

2:00pm
OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR
TV Presenter, Designer, Founder & Social Entrepreneur
2:05pm
EMPOWERMENT IN MOTION

Get ready to move, empower, and ignite your inner strength in this dynamic, high-energy movement experience

Somatic Therapist and Movement Facilitator
2:15pm
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
#ShePowersProgress: Leading the way in Tech
EVP & Head – Cloud Native CoE & CloudSMART Solutions, HCLTech
2:30pm
PANEL DISCUSSION:
Pathways to parity – supercharging the drive for a more diverse and inclusive world

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not about giving anyone an unfair advantage—it’s about intentionally including those often overlooked. It’s not a checkbox or trend; it’s a principle that unlocks the power of diverse perspectives and builds environments where everyone can thrive.

This panel will explore how to supercharge female leadership in business and society to make it more attractive for women to join, and stay in the workforce. It will also discuss how to inspire women with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic and religious groups as well as those from less well-off socio-economic backgrounds to reach leadership roles in organisations. Expert speakers will focus on the pathways and tangible actions that organisations can deploy today, to have a measurable and positive impact on the number of women in senior leadership positions tomorrow. 

DEI is essential. Not just for those being included, but for all of us. Inclusion elevates everyone.

Co-Chairperson, Proud to Work for Ireland Network, Department of Justice
CEO, AkiDwA - Migrant Women's Network In Ireland

SUPERCHARGING THE DRIVE FOR A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORLD

3:00pm
LOCKNOTE ADDRESS
Omid: Leading with Hope and Resilience

On a journey to become the first Afghan woman to climb Mount Everest, Freshta’s expedition is about far more than reaching the summit of the world’s highest peak—it’s a deeply personal mission. Having left her home, family, and friends behind, this climb symbolizes the resilience and strength of those facing extraordinary challenges. For so many in Afghanistan navigating hardship, Freshta aims to demonstrate that even in the darkest moments, hope and determination can lead us to remarkable heights.

Mountaineer & Women’s Rights Advocate and Founder & Leader, The Unstoppable Project
3:15pm
CLOSING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR – SUMMIT ENDS

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