The role of educational institutions from early childhood right through to third level is paramount in encouraging girls’ development of STEM-related skills. Promoting engagement in technology from a young age allows girls’ interests to develop free of societal bias and will encourage them to take an active interest in subjects that will lay the foundation for them to study STEM disciplines at higher levels. It will also outline how working with the educational sector, industry associations and not-for-profit organisations is not only good for women, but good for business.

Women can gain more control over their health by utilising digital technologies. By facilitating easy access to information, support, and health-care 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. 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. The future of women’s health relies not only on technological advancements but also on well-designed, inclusive, and patient-centred care.

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 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

In this session we turn the spotlight on two women blazing a trail in STEM and hear some quick-fire presentations on their experiences

Developing a system for detecting moving objects, such as cars, for use by visually impaired people

Maura Moore-McCune, Student, The King’s Hospital School, and Developer, VIPMOD, Visually Impaired Person’s Moving Object Detector

Keeping Ireland connected – powering the networks you rely on

Nadine Clarke, Telecoms & Data Apprentice, Telecommunications and Data Network Engineering (TDNE)

This panel will explore the emerging trends shaping the future of technology and examine how we can unlock the tech of tomorrow in a way that is inclusive, equitable, and transformative for women. From AI-driven change to new digital ecosystems, our speakers will discuss the shifts redefining work, society, and innovation. We will look at how gender and socio-economic factors affect digital access and participation, and what must be done to ensure no one is left behind in Ireland’s evolving tech landscape. The conversation will also highlight how leadership, mentorship, and sponsorship play a pivotal role in empowering women to thrive in this new era of technological transformation. Together, our panellists will outline what it will take to pave the way for meaningful, sustainable innovation in women’s lives today and into the future.

STEMazing Futures: Igniting passion and promoting participation in STEM for young girls

– Jeevantika Lingalwar

From Research Excellence to Impact, Sensors for Sustainable Agriculture

– Dr Han Shao

Cadet to Engineer: My journey in the Irish Defence Forces

– Lieutenant Eva Finn

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

Advancing women’s healthcare

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

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

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.

Just as traditional masculinity in Ireland began to reimagine itself, social media algorithms identified a vulnerability to exploit and the manosphere moved from the margins of the online world into the feeds of all our boys and young men – and subsequently into all our lives. This powerful online presence of influencers, forums, porn providing platforms and algorithm-driven content packages rigid, controlling and violent masculinity as truth. It offers certainty and simple answers in a time of widespread need for vulnerability, belonging and identity. It implicitly normalises while explicitly celebrating misogyny, emotional suppression, aggression and dominance. The manosphere goes mainstream, it risks becoming the world we all live in. It’s time we reclaim reality, not just for our men and boys, but for all of us.

Women in tech are at the cutting edge of digital transformation that is fundamentally reshaping big industries such as life sciences, health, cloud communications, energy, environment, finance, biopharmaceuticals, cyber security and manufacturing. This panel will explore the latest innovations available for organisations to leverage and the key steps to ensure transformation has maximum impact once implemented.It will also discuss how digital and technology leaders can focus strategy to ensure that they add maximum value to the top and bottom line. 

How can organisations drive value through technology, AI and data?

What technologiesare driving businesses and what data is providing the best insights and outcomes? 

Driving gender equity in leadership is not just a women’s issue, it requires the active participation of men who use their influence to challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and create inclusive workplaces. This session spotlights male and female leaders in the public and private sectors who are stepping up as allies and advocates for change. They will share practical insights on what good allyship looks like, from mentoring and sponsoring female talent, to fostering inclusive cultures, and embedding gender equality into policies and organisational strategies. The conversation will highlight how male champions can move beyond words to measurable action that drives lasting impact.

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. This panel will discuss the integration of AI and emerging technologies with focus on cybersecurity, hyper-personalisation and other future-forward approaches. It will also discuss building our workforce for jobs of the future and the impact of AI on careers and employability in Ireland.

Topics will include:

• fostering a more inclusive and equitable financial landscape
• regulating AI while boosting innovation, ethical standards and trust in technology
• using data to provide a deeper understanding of customer behaviour, market trends and risk management
• how AI is revolutionising careers and employability in Ireland
• digital tools and pathways to help students to become self-agents of their own career journey

Leveraging social media and AI  to amplify your impact

– Destiny Ayo Vaughan

Shaping Tomorrow’s Digital Landscape through Transformational Leadership

– Michelle McDaid

inclusio – Building Sustainable Cultures that Work 

– Sandra Healy

In our panel session we heard from our panellists on what good allyship looks like, but the fact is that a recent study shows that only a third of men in the workplace regard themselves as active allies. In this spotlight session we highlight the key barriers that men face in becoming allies and explore how they can overcome them to drive change. Robert will share examples from his experience in coaching male leaders in their efforts to step up as better allies to women in the workplace.

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

AI Leadership: Bridging continents, enabling net zero

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

The Death of Diversity & Inclusion. Is it all over?

Cutting through the noise

– Ciara Garvan, Founder, WorkJuggle.com

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

– Hannah McMenamin, 2nd Lieutenant, Irish Defence Forces

Introduction by Jane O’Hanlon, Former Head of Education, Poetry Ireland

Quarantine by Eavan Boland

Luke Power, Student, Ramsgrange Community School, Wexford

Building academic and industrial partnerships that advance the use of space to address global scientific and societal challenges.

Emerging research underscores the business and development case for applying a gender lens to climate-related investments. It also highlights the critical role women play in climate leadership. A recent report  from the European Investment Fund shows that women-led firms have higher environmental, social, and governance scores than other companies, and that businesses with greater representation of women in leadership positions have better track records of adopting environmentally friendly practices. As energy experts, entrepreneurs and researchers, women with applied scientific interest can find tremendous opportunities for professional growth in the energy sector. Rooted in their communities, women can also play a vital role as leaders and consumers in building confidence in the use of clean energy technologies.

My journey through university with a severe sight impairment

– Emma Quigley

From student to engineer: navigating the path in renewable energy

The importance of grad development, rotations, mentoring, engineering academy and other programmes for young engineers

– Rachael O’Boyle

Navigating a navy career as a woman in STEM

– Kara Foley

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.

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

‘Mushrooms’ Sylvia Plath

‘Mushrooms’ (1959) by Sylvia Plath is about the struggle for women’s rights. It uses mushrooms as a symbol for women and their determination.

Ciara Higgins, Loreto High School Beaufort With an introduction by Dr Jane O’Hanlon, Former Head of Education, Poetry Ireland

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

“Peace and Plenty” is a powerful micro-workshop that gives audiences an immediate sense of calm, clarity, and emotional reset in the middle of a busy summit day. Blending science-backed wellbeing tools with a guided experience, it leaves participants grounded, energised, and ready to engage with the rest of the event with renewed focus.

This session explores the wellbeing and lived experience of women working in STEM, focusing on mental health, work-life integration, and personal safety in an increasingly digital world. The panel will examine how digital health, lifestyle choices, and organisational supports can improve balance, resilience, and long-term career sustainability. By bringing together experts from academia, finance, technology, healthcare, and industry, the discussion will offer practical insights into how women can thrive both professionally and personally while navigating the pressures and possibilities of modern STEM careers.

Who is in charge in STEM fields? Who is shaping the culture at your company? What companies have balanced senior leadership, and what companies still have a long way to go? 

Data has never been more important, but many people are not using it to its full potential. 

In this session, Jennifer will explore how gender pay gap data can inform your career decisions and your financial health – everything from your day-to-day spending to your pension and financial security in retirement. You’ll leave understanding what gender pay gap reports can reveal not just about the pay gap, but about what’s causing it, and why you should always be checking this information before you send off that CV.