Network Ireland Cork_Online Lounge: Recent Episodes
Network Ireland Cork_Online Lounge
Welcome to Network Cork’s podcast series where we’ll hear from a diverse group of women, including both entrepreneurs and employees, SME owners and professionals and leaders in indigenous and multinational organisations, non profits, the arts and public sectors. We have a strong voice and are interested in promoting diversity and equality, entrepreneurship and leadership development.
Orla McAndrew is delighted to meet Dr Caroline Griffin for this episode. From plastic-free products to period literacy, and fast-fashion to food waste, Orla and Caroline's discussion shares a journey of sustainability and judgement-free tips for a fulfilled and responsible life.
Orla McAndrew is an award winning zero waste wedding and event caterer. She is a TV chef, recipe contributor, podcaster, speaker, writer, and mother of three young girls. Orla celebrates the very best of seasonal Irish produce in all that she does and works tirelessly to promote the efforts of Irish food producers.
She is the first person to offer couples the opportunity to celebrate their nuptials by using rescued surplus foods and saves upwards of 225kg of perfectly good food from going to waste for an average wedding, without compromising on taste or quality.
IG: orla_mcandrew_food
Caroline Griffin is founder of Ode to Earth, an online store for sustainable living. Her mission is to empower people to make simple swaps for a better future! She lives in Killarney, Co.Kerry with her husband Dan and 3 children and has been reducing the amount of plastic her family uses over the past 6 years.
Caroline is proud to support over 40 Irish businesses who offer gorgeous products made with integrity and sustainability in mind. At Ode to Earth, you will find everything from shampoo bars and bamboo toothbrushes to laundry eggs and green cleaning solutions. You will also find a wonderful range of sustainable gifts.
For former teacher Caroline, education is a huge part of Ode to Earth. So whether you’re looking for an eco-friendly product or simply interested to learn more about sustainable living, Ode to Earth has something for everyone! Caroline spent many years teaching in Cork and has a real soft spot for the rebel county!
To shop for plastic free products, check out https://odetoearth.ie/
IG: odetoearth.ie
FB: ode2earth
Orla McAndrew is delighted to meet Dr Tara Shine for this episode. Join their conversation as they discuss the power of individuals and their impact on....
Orla McAndrew is an award winning zerowaste wedding and event caterer. She is a TV chef, recipe contributor, podcaster, speaker, writer, and mother of three young girls. Orla celebrates the very best of seasonal Irish produce in all that she does and works tirelessly to promote the efforts of Irish food producers.
She is the first person to offer couples the opportunity to celebrate their nuptials by using rescued surplus foods and saves upwards of 225kg of perfectly good food from going to waste for an average wedding, without compromising on taste or quality.
IG: orla_mcandrew_food
Dr Tara Shine is co-Founder and CEO of the award-winning sustainability business, Change by Degrees. She has advised world leaders, governments and civil society organisations on climate change, environmental policy and development assistance. Tara was formerly a climate negotiator at the UN and Special Advisor to the Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice and Adviser to the Elders. Tara is Chair of the Board of Trustees of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and co-facilitator of a science-policy dialogue under the UN Climate Convention. She is a member of faculty of the Global Leadership Programme for Women in Science, Homeward Bound and a board member of Enterprise Ireland.
Tara’s book ‘How To Save Your Planet One Object At A Time’ was published by Simon and Schuster in April 2020, and is a guide to sustainable living told through everyday objects. Tara is a regular contributor to TV and radio and has presented TV programmes for the BBC, Channel 4 and RTE.
IG:changebydegrees
Join Orla McAndrew, Monika Nowakowska and Kate Sloane conversation on the antidote to fast fashion! Our Orla kicks off the Online Lounge Mini Series on Sustainability with a chat among friends about the need for more mending, fixing, respecting and reusing clothing.
Orla McAndrew is an award winning zerowaste wedding and event caterer. She is a TV chef, recipe contributor, podcaster, speaker, writer, and mother of three young girls. Orla celebrates the very best of seasonal Irish produce in all that she does and works tirelessly to promote the efforts of Irish food producers.
She is the first person to offer couples the opportunity to celebrate their nuptials by using rescued surplus foods and saves upwards of 225kg of perfectly good food from going to waste for an average wedding, without compromising on taste or quality.
IG: orla_mcandrew_food
Monika Nowakowska is the owner, designer and dressmaker behind the Lady of the Valley brand based in Schull, West Cork.
With over 30 years of experience in textiles and design she provides a range of services to her customers in West Cork and further afield, from style advice and dressmaking to alterations and visible mending, helping customers to live more sustainably and use the content of their wardrobes to their full potential is her passion.
You can contact Monika on IG: the_lady_of_the_valley
Katie Sloane is the owner of Peach Vintage Clothing & Peach Vintage handmade.
Peach Vintage was born in january 2018 and is an online consignment store selling your items and retuning part of the profit back to the owner.
Katie sources only previously purchased items ensuring that her business operates in a truly sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Through Peach Vintage Katie has been able to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
"I want to make a positive impact on the planet while pursuing my passion with fashion"
If you'd like to work with Katie contacted her on:
WhatsApp: 086 3124868
IG: peach_vintage_clothing
Website: www.peachvintageclothing.com
Maeve is with us for the last episode of the first mini series - all things coaching. In this episode, Maeve interviews Angela Smiddy to get to know more about interview and career coaching.
'Coaching is future focus… it is a thinking partnership to help the person get where they need to be...' - this is Angela's vision of coaching which she shares in this 30min podcast/vodcast.
Angela Smiddy - Owner at Insightful Works - Coaching Solutions
Angela is a highly experienced, qualified coach and facilitator, Angela has spent almost two decades coaching and supporting professionals, managers and leaders who want to be at their best in both their personal and working lives. Angela draws on her extensive experience of working with multiple disciplines both clinical and non-clinical during her tenure with a large healthcare organisation and in the past few years since establishing her own consultancy, with clients and organisations across both the wider public, private and voluntary sectors.
Her relaxed, empathic style of coaching and facilitating helps her clients to tap into their undiscovered strengths and abilities and in turn undertake the changes required to enjoy more professional and personal success. Her understanding of the unique challenges that arise in the healthcare environment makes her a popular Career and Interview Coach with professionals in the health sector.
Angela holds a Masters in Personal and Management Coaching (UCC) as well as an Accredited Diploma in Executive & Life Coaching, her primary qualification is in Human Resource Management. Angela is a Myers Briggs Type Indicator Qualified Assessor and a registered Test user with the British Psychological Society.
Website: www.insightfulworks.ie
Linkedin: Angela Smiddy
Email: angela.smiddy@insightfulworks.ie
Maeve Lankford - Owner at Kaleidoscope Coaching and Facilitation and Director at Maeve Lankford and Associates Ltd.
Maeve is an award-winning, inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She works with individuals and teams, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Following a successful career in Human Resources, Maeve made the leap of faith and set up the coaching business she dreamed of. Her ability to teach overarching spiritual transformation and success principles in accessible and applicable ways is what makes her a standout in her field. Maeve is family oriented, loving her downtime with her husband Andrew and their three adult sons. Never without a good book and always learning, she walks her talk and shares what she knows works with her clients.
Website: www.maevelankford.com
Twitter: Maeve Lankford
FB: Maeve Lankford
LinkedIn: Maeve Lankford
Maeve is back in the host hot seat, and this episode see her welcome Cathy Fitzgibbon to discuss her participation in a number of coaching programs, how coaching has enriched her business journey so far, and her contribution as a mentor in the Mentoring for Success program for 2023.
'Coaching is an exciting journey… it is like a bit of an adventure… you can learn a lot about yourself but just be open to endless possibilities… the world is a oyster and is a matter of seizing the moment … finding the time of investing on yourself…' is one of Cathy's thought shared in this 30min podcast/vodcast.
Cathy Fitzgibbon, aka The Culinary Celt is a media sales and marketing professional for the past 23 years. She is passionate about exploring contemporary culinary experiences and actively promotes the areas of food sustainably and wellbeing through her food writing contributions and marketing activities, using an ethically based farm to fork ethos.
Cathy is also the author of her debut book 'Eat With The Seasons'. The book is designed to empower readers with practical and meaningful ways to self-reflect and understand their own eating patterns in tune with nature and the four varied seasons of the year, enabling them to build a more overall positive relationship with food.
Website: theculinarycelt.com
Twitter Handle: theculinarycelt
IG: theculinarycelt
Facebook: theculinarycelt
Email: theculinarycelt@gmail.com
Maeve Lankford - Owner at Kaleidoscope Coaching and Facilitation and Director at Maeve Lankford and Associates Ltd.
Maeve is an award-winning, inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She works with individuals and teams, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Following a successful career in Human Resources, Maeve made the leap of faith and set up the coaching business she dreamed of. Her ability to teach overarching spiritual transformation and success principles in accessible and applicable ways is what makes her a standout in her field. Maeve is family oriented, loving her downtime with her husband Andrew and their three adult sons. Never without a good book and always learning, she walks her talk and shares what she knows works with her clients.
Website: www.maevelankford.com
Twitter: Maeve Lankford
FB: Maeve Lankford
LinkedIn: Maeve Lankford
In this one episode, our host Maeve welcomes her former UCC colleague Ailbhe Harrington and talks all things about the journey of becoming a coach and building a coaching business.
'Coaching is coming home to ourselves. It is about being in a space with someone that helps you to hold up the mirror and see things to really have a conversation with the different parts of yourself' is one of the thought-provoking comments in this 30-minute podcast/vodcast.
Ailbhe Harrington, MA, MCC Director and Owner Ailbhe Harrington & Associates Ltd and Aspire Coach Training Ltd.
Ailbhe is a Master Certified Coach and an ICF award-winning coach, coach trainer and coach supervisor with over 30 years’ experience in the field of learning and development. She has spent the last 14 years training people to become professional coaches and recently established her own coach training business called Aspirecoachtraining which has enabled her to bring all her experience and learning to create an incredible learning journey for people who want to train as a coach. She works with leaders as a thinking partner providing a reflective space where they can explore, discover, and liberate themselves. This enables them to embody the full essence of who they are, who they are becoming, and in turn bring greater value, positive impact, and improved performance for the people they serve. She is married to Eoin and has two grown sons, she loves walking in nature with her dog, cooking, traveling, yoga, reading a good book and is still hoping to get time to learn the piano.
Find out more and connect with Ailbhe here
Website: www.ailbheharrington.com / www.aspirecoachtraining.com
Email: ailbhe@ailbheharrington.com
LinkedIn: Ailbhe Harrington
Maeve Lankford - Owner at Kaleidoscope Coaching and Facilitation and Director at Maeve Lankford and Associates Ltd.
Maeve is an award-winning, inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She works with individuals and teams, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Following a successful career in Human Resources, Maeve made the leap of faith and set up the coaching business she dreamed of. Her ability to teach overarching spiritual transformation and success principles in accessible and applicable ways is what makes her a standout in her field. Maeve is family oriented, loving her downtime with her husband Andrew and their three adult sons. Never without a good book and always learning, she walks her talk and shares what she knows works with her clients.
Website: www.maevelankford.com
Twitter: Maeve Lankford
FB: Maeve Lankford
LinkedIn: Maeve Lankford
'Introduction to Coaching' is the first episode of the first podcast mini series for 2023 which will explore the world of coaching with Maeve Lankford as our capable host. Maeve together with Network Ireland West Cork member, Network Ireland Mentor, and Life Coach, Anna Healy will guide us through an introduction to coaching in a 30-minute conversation.
Maeve Lankford - Owner at Kaleidoscope Coaching and Facilitation and Director at Maeve Lankford and Associates Ltd.
Maeve is an award-winning, inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She works with individuals and teams, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Following a successful career in Human Resources, Maeve made the leap of faith and set up the coaching business she dreamed of. Her ability to teach overarching spiritual transformation and success principles in accessible and applicable ways is what makes her a standout in her field. Maeve is family oriented, loving her downtime with her husband Andrew and their three adult sons. Never without a good book and always learning, she walks her talk and shares what she knows works with her clients.
Website: www.maevelankford.com
Twitter: Maeve Lankford
FB: Maeve Lankford
LinkedIn: Maeve Lankford
Anna Healy - Business Mindset Coach
She is the founder of "Lighthearted Women", an online mentoring group for women in business. Her Mastermind programme supports women to grow their business, building one that aligns with their values and ambition.
Her AREAS OF EXPERTISE:
- Harnessing your passion to build a business with purpose
- Business development brainstorm
- Clarity on what steps to take to help you get unstuck
Website: www.annahealy.ie
Twitter: Anna Healy
FB: Anna Healy
LinkedIn: Anna Healy
IG: annahealycoaching
Resilience is the capacity to overcome problems taking the inner strength inside you to give you the outer strength to keep going in the face of adversity. What this means can be very different to each of us throughout our lives, we will all need resilience at some point. Taking this time to understand other experiences and realisation that we have all experienced adversity and needed to find that resilience to pull us through is heart-warming and makes us similar as people.
On this episode, Noella Carroll together with Helen McGonagle and Fiona Kennedy talk about their experiences, how they found that inner strength and the tools they used to move forward. Be on the look out for Fiona’s acappella as we sign out!
Noella Carroll – Founder and Managing Director of Pinnaklo Limited. Noella’s power is to simplify and build strength around financial processes, allowing her clients to
make decisions backed with key financial information, empowering organisations to grow, strengthen and succeed which brings fulfilment and satisfaction to Noella and to her clients.
Linkedin: Noella Carroll
Helen McGonagle Mother of four grown up children, Helen is a Music Librarian and PhD candidate based in Cork City. She is author of “A Room of Their Own, Cork Carnegie Free Library and it’s Ladies Reading Room”. She is a strong advocate of public libraries as safe spaces providing culture and learning for all, free of charge.
Linkedin: Helen McGonagle
Fiona Kennedy is a singer, a songwriter and a recording artist. Her songs have gone to no.1 in the iTunes chart and her latest release ‘All Together Now’ spent several weeks on the prestigious RTE Radio 1 Recommends list. She is also a two-time finalist in the Network Business Woman of the Year Awards in the Creative Professional category.
Linkedin: Fiona Kennedy
Diversity is the presence of differences within a given setting. In the workplace that can mean differences in race, ethnicity, gender identity, age and more. Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging and support from the organisation.
A diverse and inclusive workplace is one that makes everyone, regardless of who they are or what they do for the business, feel equally involved in and supported in all areas of the workplace.
However, “unconscious biases” are social stereotypes about certain groups of people that we, individuals, form outside our own conscious awareness. Everyone holds unconscious beliefs about various social and identity groups, and these biases derivate from one's tendency to organise social worlds by categorising. Have you ever thought about unconscious bias? Is unconscious bias compromising diversity and inclusion in the workplace?
On this episode, Susana Marambio together with June Lacour and Karen O'Reilly discussed what it means diversity and inclusion for them, they shared their very personal experiences and their own ideas of how to increase awareness around unconscious biases.
Susana Marambio - SME Business Consultant helping business owners who want to GROW & FUTURE PROOF their business to achieve their growth goals by providing them with the structure, the knowledge, and the tools.
She is a senior business management and marketing professional with over 25 years hands-on experience in developing and implementing growth strategies in pharma, technology, distribution and packaging industries. She has held strategic positions in brand management, product development, international marketing and business development at Global Corporations for EMEA markets.
Susana is originally from Chile, has lived in Europe for the last 22 years, in Spain, The Netherland and The UK and together with her family, she moved to Ireland in December 2020 and setup her own business, Beacon Business Commercial Services, during the second year of the pandemic (April 2021).
Susana knows very well the importance of networking and joined Network Cork in 2020. As Social Media Officer she is involved with the communication and promotion of Network Ireland Cork Branch events and activities, as well as supporting our members to amplify their message thanks to our social channels.
Linkedin: Susana Marambio
June Lacour has been a consultant in the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) space for the last 7 years focusing on Youth inclusivity in policy work within EU institutions.
Most recently in the face of Europe campaign. A believer in cross-cultural communication and use of art in weaving community’s together, she hosts a weekly radio show on UCC 98.3fm called Africana where she shares on the latest news on African continent, Music and the intersectionality of Black/African and Irish culture & history.
Linkedin: June Lacour
Karen O'Reilly is the founder of EmployMum and EmployFlex, specialists in recruiting for flexible work as well as training, consultancy and advocacy in this area.
Karen hasbeen involved with Network Cork since 2017, being part of the committee as the treasurer for four years and as a membership officer on the membership team for 2022. She finds Network Cork and Network Ireland to be a wonderfully supportive place where she has made many friends. Linkedin: Karen O'Reilly
Tune in and Listen up: a podcast episode about new ways of communicating in our ever changing world of work.
Human beings are social creatures and the core reasons we communicate are to connect plus to belong. Listening with all your attention, hearing what’s not being said in words, taking the time to engage with people - these are all communication tools as old as time, yet essential to connecting. Regardless of the changes in how we communicate, there are fundamentals that will always remain key.
Melissa Curley, owner of SocialBe - a company that delivers training and up-skilling in the soft skills required to navigate the ever shifting landscape of the world of work - is your host for this podcast episode. Melissa confidently says that the need for communication training is one that remains constant, regardless of what else changes around it.IG: socialbebuzzWebsite: Social Be - Connect With Impact
Joining our host are Elaine Duggan, Deputy Features Editor of The Echo newspaper and EchoLive.ie and Editor of Women on Wednesday (WoW!) and Kidz Zone together with Stef McSherry creator and business founder of Kinderama.
Elaine Duggan - Her role includes commissioning and editing content for print and online.
Elaine began her career as a news journalist back in 2000. She has worked for The Echo more than 20 years - including 15 years on the news desk, before landing her dream role in features, more than six years ago. Elaine is an avid supporter and admirer of Network Cork and regularly features Network events, and members stories on the newspapers pages, and at EchoLive.ie. She is married to photographer Darragh Kane and is a mum to two young girls. On her downtime she loves to craft.... but there's never enough hours in the day!
IG: Elaine Duggan
Linkedin: Elaine Duggan
Stef McSherry - Trained at the Italia Conti Performing Arts School in London. She worked for many years in the world of performing arts and eventually radio, both in Ireland and the UK. In 2004 Stef created a unique multi-activity programme for younger kids called Kinderama.
Kinderama incorporates music, dance, sport, gymnastics, yoga and mindfulness and a lot of imaginative play. Stef feels it is really important for children under 6 to be able to experience all kinds of activities without having to choose just one! Kinderama classes are delivered to children within their school or créche setting and are currently running across Munster and two counties in the UK. During the pandemic Stef filmed her classes in a green screen studio and now these classes can be accessed on YouTube, the Highbrow app or at Kinderama.com via an online membership.
IG: kinderama
Email: stef@kinderama.com
At some stage in every life and career you have to take a leap of faith - those moments where you step out into your next phase of becoming, often without fully knowing how it's going to turn out or what exactly your future looks like, you just know you need to head in that direction. Join host, Maeve Lankford, transformational coach and facilitator, Orla McAndrew, Wedding and Event caterer and Karla Goodman, Producer and Director of Made to Measure Films, to hear their inspiring stories of leaps of faith and taking the road less travelled. Learn some tips to empower you forward when you are on the precipice of your own next leap and how your networks can support you in taking the plunge.
Maeve Lankford - Owner at Kaleidoscope Coaching and Facilitation and Director at Maeve Lankford and Associates Ltd.
Maeve is an award-winning, inspirational speaker and transformational coach. She works with individuals and teams, helping them build their dreams, accelerate their results, and create richer, more fulfilling lives. Following a successful career in Human Resources, Maeve made the leap of faith and set up the coaching business she dreamed of. Her ability to teach overarching spiritual transformation and success principles in accessible and applicable ways is what makes her a standout in her field. Maeve is family oriented, loving her downtime with her husband Andrew and their three adult sons. Never without a good book and always learning, she walks her talk and shares what she knows works with her clients.
Website: www.maevelankford.com
Twitter: Maeve Lankford
FB: Maeve Lankford
LinkedIn: Maeve Lankford
Orla McAndrew is a wedding and event caterer working all over Ireland and delivering exquisitely memorable events. Network Cork Creative Professional of The Year 2022 and a mom of three young girls. With a strong ethos of supporting local farmers and producers Orla is about to take the sustainability of her business up another notch and is sharing her latest creative idea exclusively with us in this podcast episode!
Website: www.omcatering.ie
FB: Orla McAndrew
IG: orla_mcandrew_food
LinkedIn: Orla McAndrew
Karla Goodman - Director of Made to Measure Films Ltd
Karla is an award winning Producer and Director and has worked in TV for over 25 years. She founded Made to Measure Films eight years ago and works with TV professionals with years of experience and a wealth of creativity to generate unique and memorable short films, documentaries and commercials and B2B videos.
With a background in acting and directing she has the expertise to enable her clients to reach their potential and feel fully in control of the filming process. She works with clients from concept to completion, specialising in story driven content highly effective in brand building strategies. Clients include Standard Life, Invivo Wines, Graham Norton blends, Fyffes,
Standard Life, Johnson & Johnson. BioMarin, Premier Stationary, Arts Council and Creative Ireland, Cork County Council, RTE and a range of SME’s.
Website: www.mtmfilms.ie
Twitter: MtMfilmsLtd
LinkedIn: madetomeasurefilms
IG: madetomeasurefilms
What is an Internship Programme and how can it add value to your business? What do businesses need to know before becoming a host organisation? These questions, and more, are discussed in this month’s Network Cork podcast.
The Network Cork podcast episode is hosted by Clodagh O’Donovan, HR Consultant and owner of AdvanceHR. In this episode, Clodagh is joined by two other Cork businesswomen, Kathy O’Dwyer, owner of CTI, Career Training Internships and Judie Russel, owner of The Vidacademy and they share their experience of Internship Programmes. Kathy explains what an Internship Programme looks like and offers advice for businesses on how they can give and receive during an internship so that it is a positive and mutually beneficial experience. Judie talks to us about her experiences with interns, the lessons she learned from the first internship and what it was like having a remote intern during the pandemic.
Clodagh O’Donovan is a HR Consultant for Business and owner of AdvanceHR. As a HR Consultant, Clodagh offers support to businesses that do not need full time inhouse HR but who do need an expert they can trust who will guide them through HR problems that can be a risk to their business. Clodagh has seen how quickly issues can escalate and the cost to businesses in terms of time and money because the employer is not sure what they can and cannot do. Clodagh offers simple solutions to make it easier for employers to manage their people and HR Compliance Risk . These solutions reduce cost for business owners, in the form of minimising unnecessary claims, helping them make the right hiring decisions and retaining their people to avoid replacement costs. Above all, Clodagh offers reassurance to employers that they have options that will resolve HR problems while protecting their business and supporting their employees.
Website: www.advancehr.ie
IG & FB: advancehrireland
Kathy O’Dwyer has been working in the education and training industry for over 20 years. In 2010, she founded a small business, Career Training Internships, which arranges career-focused language training and high-quality work placements in Ireland for international candidates.
She is on the Network Ireland Mentoring Approved List available for all Ireland members and takes every opportunity to mentor, especially young women. Additionally, she has hosted and mentored several young entrepreneur women through a European programme. She is also an active supporter of local organisations such as the Hope Foundation, Rotary, and Good Day, Cork.
Career Training Internships has grown rapidly over the past decade and has formed connections with many families and businesses in Cork. The company works creatively to match the goals of interns with the needs of businesses in Cork to create value.
Website: www.careertraininginternships.com
Judie Russell is a video coach and founder of The Vidacademy. She simplifies the video production process by showing people organisations how to plan, film and edit professional video content. Judie makes video simple using phones, affordable equipment and beginner-friendly apps and software. She has 15 years of professional experience in presenting, camera work, editing, producing and directing videos including films and television shows. She is also a qualified project manager and works as a video consultant and communications strategist for international brands.
Website: www.TheVidacademy.com
IG: thevidacademy
What are the habits holding you back? Are you missing out on opportunities to grow and stretch? How can you break the Habits holding you back?
This month Network Cork podcast episode is hosted by our very own Marguerite O’Sullivan, Senior Engineering Innovation Manager. In this episode Marguerite accompanied by Joan Walsh, Director of Partnership International and Gillian Hennessy, Marketing & Development Manager at Triskel Arts Centre aim to share insights, learnings, and unexpected discoveries along their different journeys to stepping up. There are challenges, and there are gifts! What they learned about habits holding us back, how they overcame them and how being President of Network Cork helped them to grow and stretch their leadership muscles. Let listen to 3 former Network Cork Presidents!
Joan Walsh, Director of Partnership International
Joan is founder of Partnership International, an award-winning work, study and travel company for international students. The company is 14 years old and operates from Cork, Dublin, Kerry and Valencia. Joan was president of Network Cork in 2016 and served on the committee for 9 years. She served on the Network Ireland National Executive Committee for 4 years. Joan also won the Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year award in 2011 and 2019.
You can contact Joan here
Email: joan@partnershipinternational.ie
Website: www.partnershipinternatioal.ie
Marguerite O Sullivan, Senior Engineering Innovation Manager
Marguerite O'Sullivan is a Senior Engineering and Innovation Manager at Johnson & Johnson. She is responsible for leading the engineering excellence strategy and delivering transformative business systems and methodologies. She has more than 20 years of experience with Johnson & Johnson, holding roles in Business Excellence, Engineering, Science, and Technology.
Marguerite is committed to promoting diversity in her industry and advancing women through mentoring. She leads the Re-Ignite program, a paid returnship. Marguerite co-founded a STEM academy to promote STEM in schools. For 8 years, Marguerite has been a member of Network Cork and has served as President in 2020 .
You can contact Marguerite here
Email: margueriteosullivan@gmail.com
Gillian, Hennessy, Marketing & Development Manager
Gillian is a Marketing and Development Manager with Triskel Arts Centre, a vibrant cultural HUB in the heart of Cork City with a programme of live music, with a focus on Classical and Jazz concerts, cultural cinema, visual art exhibitions and literary events. Gillian has been a member of Network Ireland since 2012 and served on the Cork committee from 2014-2021, including as President in 2019. I'm currently on the National Exec.
You can contact Gillian here
Email: gillianhennessy@triskelartscentre.ie
In this episode, Áine McLoughlin has the pleasure to host two well-known PR & marketing professionals who happen to be Mother and Daughter, Mary and Judy Hopkins.
Hopkins Communications headquartered in Cork, working on a national (and in some cases, international basis) celebrates 32 years in business this year and we at Network Cork have the pleasure to hear first-hand about their journey. From what drove Mary to set up her own business in 1990, the ups and down encountered along the road, to how Judy found her own feet into the family business and her role in pushing the value of digital and integrated marketing communications to their clients.
Digital marketing has also played a huge role in Áine’s business, AML Property Services, from the start. Áine tells us about how over the past 2 years, digital marketing has helped her to develop her own business, from creating awareness of the brand to creating client-oriented content of value for online channels.
Áine McLoughlin is the owner of AML Property Services, an estate agency who specialise in residential lettings and sales in Cork City and surrounding areas. She launched her business on the 28th of April 2020. Áine is passionate about property. Providing professional, friendly, and honest advice to her customers is the focus of her business.
LinkedIn: Áine McLoughlin
IG: amlpropertycork
Judy Hopkins has been in the marketing and PR industry for twenty years, working at her family-owned agency Hopkins Communications, as well as for international marketing agencies and in in-house roles for retail, tourism and technology. Twelve years ago, Judy introduced the online and digital media offering to the agency and expanded the PR and events offering while working across all of their services such as advertising, promotions and experiential marketing, graphic design and more.
Hopkins Communications’ clients range from start-ups, to SMEs, to large multinationals on a regional, national and in some cases international basis.
Recently named 'Businesswoman of the Month' by RSVP Live and one of RSVP Magazine's 'Most Influential Cork Women', Judy is an active member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland, Network Ireland – Cork Chapter (where Hopkins Communications is also the PR Partner and is former Chair of the Marketing Institute of Ireland, Cork (with Hopkins Communications as the PR and Communications Partner for the last 10 years)
LinkedIn: Judy Hopkins
IG: hopkinscommunications
Mary Hopkins founded Hopkins Communications in 1990 and has since retired. She served as the third President of Network Cork and was a trailblazer who is still highly respected both locally and nationally for her achievements. A popular business figure, her integrity and huge personality saw her persevere in creating a resilient and well-respected communications firm that has endured through several recessions and ever-changing marketplaces.
Right now she’s enjoying life with little Jack and Anna (grandchildren), driving to West Cork, meeting friends, doing some creative writing or planning her next escapade with her husband, Dave (the Company Chairman).
Linkedin: Mary Hopkins
In this episode, Fiona Murphy-Gerlich discusses with Michelle Johnson and Gillian McGrath, how we can, as leaders, as women, as employees, as business owners, prioritize our own well-being. Where shall we start? It starts with you!It starts with me: women in leadership roles managing their own wellbeing, empowering yourself to manage your own wellbeing so you can show up with the energy and positivity you need to lead well and wholeheartedly. Tune in to listen more about wellbeing, empowering women and personal leadership.
Show notes link https://leanin.org/women-in-the-workplace-report-2021/
Fiona Murphy-Gerlich - Senior Manager International Accounting & Company Director McAfee IrelandHaving worked in the accounting and finance space for over 20 years, Fiona is an experienced leader of Irish and international teams, and is passionate about the importance of a strong self-care routine in managing stress, creating emotional resilience and strengthening one’s ability to lead through uncertainty and change. Fiona is a fierce champion for empowering women to equip themselves with the skills to take charge of their own wellbeing & thus lead more powerfully from an authentic place, true to their own values & needs.
LinkedIn: fionapmurphy
IG: fionamurphygerlich
Michelle Johnson - CEO of the ASA Group - ASA Brands and ForWare Fleet Management SoftwareASA Group is a fascinating business, comprising two separate businesses: ASA Brands designs branded promotional products and are now leading the field in the creation of sustainable promotional products; & ForWare Fleet Management Software, creating bespoke software for fleet management. With two sisters, female entrepreneurs and business owners at the helm, ASA took the decision during the pandemic, to focus on helping their clients lead within their companies, to create sustainability by choosing recycled or reusable products.
Michelle is an experienced Leader who has spent the majority of her career in management and as CEO at the helm of ASA Brands. Michelle brings a wealth of hand-on experience and practical wisdom to the theme of personal leadership, empowering women and how to manage one’s own wellbeing as a female business owner.
www.asabrands.ie
www.forfleets.ie
LinkedIn: michellejohnson500
IG: michellejohnson500
Gillian McGrath - Founder of Change Grow SucceedWith over 20 years’ experience in training, coaching and people development across multinationals, SMB and the public sector and with qualifications in psychology, training and development, coaching and psychometric assessment, Gillian McGrath founded Change Grow Succeed in 2015.
Passionate about supporting clients in effecting positive change, Change Grow Succeed offers a breadth of customized solutions using a blend of facilitation and coaching interventions. Her facilitation & coaching styles are personable, authentic & hugely impactful. She leverages a strengths-based approach - an experience that leaves clients feeling empowered, energised and looking forward. Gillian is passionate about empowering women and diversity in the workplace and is a much sought-after speaker and facilitator.
www.changegrowsucceed.com
LinkedIn: gillian-mcgrath
IG: gillianmcgra
In this episode Anita Siegl (Founder of Happy Feet Reflexology Cork), Marion Courtney, (business manager at Himalaya Yoga Valley) and Cathy Fitzgibbon, (aka The Culinary Celt), author of Eat with the Seasons chat about how to flourish with yoga, how to nourish our bodies mindfully and how reflexology can help you to achieve happiness and harmony.
As “busy is back” in our lives and the pace picks up again, a new stress comes with it hand in hand. Marion, Cathy and Anita will guide us with tips and techniques on how to cope with stress, tension and anxiety and how to regain equilibrium and balance.
Marion will highlight the wonderful benefits of Yoga in relation to infusing our lives with flexibility and vitality.
Cathy will set out how food can fuel the body and provide the energy needed to both mentally and physically look and feel good.
Anita, our host, will take us through why the ancient healing techniques of reflexology are such a beneficial complementary addition to every wellbeing practice.
This podcast is for your mind, body and soul. It is about infusing and fuelling your body with wonderful food and about living a fulfilling and energised life.
Anita Siegl is the owner of Happy Feet Reflexology, Cork. She is an accredited and registered reflexologist, offering a unique hot-stone reflexology treatment where she combines traditional reflexology with native American basalt stones to enhance the benefits of traditional reflexology.
Anita is a Tibetan Reiki and Usui Reiki master providing stress, tension and anxiety relieving treatments from her own studio on the outskirts of Cork. During the lockdown Anita developed a unique guided hand reflexology workshop series combining relaxing, stretching and breathing exercises with hand massage based on hand reflexology.
IG: happyfeetreflexology_cork
FB: HappyFeetReflexologyCork
www.happyfeetreflexology.ie
Cathy Fitzgibbon (aka The Culinary Celt) is a media sales and marketing professional for the past 23 years. She is passionate about exploring contemporary culinary experiences and actively promotes the areas of food sustainably and wellbeing through her food writing contributions and marketing activities, using an ethically based farm to fork ethos.
Her debut book 'Eat With The Seasons' is designed to empower readers with practical and meaningful ways to self-reflect and understand their own eating patterns in tune with nature and the four varied seasons of the year, enabling them to build a more overall positive relationship with food.
IG: theculinarycelt
FB: theculinarycelt
www.theculinarycelt.com
Marion Courtney, is the Business Manager at Himalaya Yoga Valley, Cork's largest yoga studio. She is passionate about health and wellbeing and helping people improve their lives through yoga. Himalaya Yoga Valley bring authentic, accessible and affordable yoga to their clients and community. They provide in person classes at their beautiful Ballincollig studio along with online classes and specialised workshops. With over a decade of experience, they are leaders in delivering employee wellness programmes in the workplace.
IG: himalayayogavalleyireland and courtneymaz
FB: HimalayaYogaValleyCork
www.yogacorkireland.com
‘Being Brave' is hosted by our own Vice President, Ingrid, Seim.
In this episode Ingrid Seim (Founder & CEO of Avenues Consultancy & Coaching) , Ciara Crossan (Founder & CEO Weddings Dates) and Miriam Bourke (Client Services Manager) chat about feeling the fear and doing it anyway!, highlight the opportunities that can open up once you decide to go for something even if it scares you, and about how sometimes you just have to put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best!
Speaking up, believing in ourselves, supporting others. Learning from failure. Celebrating our successes. Looking out for what matters in life.
Bravery can take many forms.
“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” —Mark Twain
We are continuing with our fifth Episode of our Online Lounge hosted by Niamh Brady, a Productivity Coach. In this episode, Elaine Wilson, Director & Financial Advisor and Karen Goodliffe, Managing Director & Financial Advisor of SurePlan Financial, chat to Niamh about how do you gain the confidence to move from employee to self-employment. When and how do you take the steps to expand, without compromising on your core values? In this episode, Elaine & Karen of SurePlan Financial answer these questions and more, as they talk about the power of numbers in growing your business and securing financial freedom.About Niamh, BradyNiamh Brady is a professional speaker, workshop facilitator and productivity coach. She is the creator of the “A Better Workday” program, and author of “Remote Working Essentials”. Niamh’s interest in productivity began with her first job after college. She received a phone and a laptop, but no advice on how to manage her time and effort. With over 14 years of industry experience and a young family, Niamh has experienced the challenges of achieving work-life balance first-hand. Her mantra is “everyone deserves a better workday”. You can reach out to Niamh at niamh@niamhbrady.comAbout Elaine, Wilson Financial Fairy Godmother, qualified financial advisor and qualified accountant helping clients realise their financial dreams for 20 years. She believes LIFE is for living for today and with careful financial planning you can protect your lifestyle for your tomorrows. She works with individuals, business owners and company’s sharing financial tips and advice on how to make smarter financial decisions. Her very popular mortgage masterclass has helped hundreds of first time buyers know all about mortgages, while Corporate Financial Wellbeing programmes help employees understand the importance of long term financial planning.Philosophy “To provide the advice and service I would give myself” You can reach out to Elaine at elaine@sureplan.ieAbout Karen, GoodliffeWith over 20 years experience in the financial services sector, Karen is a Certified Financial Planner™ and Qualified Financial Advisor. After completing her MSc in Financial Services, she set up SurePlan Financial to provide business owners and employees with tailored and personalised advice in all areas of their financial planning. Karen takes the stress out of finances by creating realistic plans for her clients and guiding them on their financial journey.Away from work she is a keen GAA & soccer supporter and loves getting away for holidays at home & abroad. You can reach out to Karen at karen@sureplan.ie.
We are continuing with our fourth Episode of our Online Lounge hosted by Ciara, Wilson, an HR & Business Development Manager and Entrepreneur. In this episode, Linda O’Connell, of Digi Nomad and Diane Higgins, of Diane Higgins Design, chat to Ciara Wilson about their journeys into the digital creative space & the power of connection. Both Linda & Diane chat about their individual entrepreneur journeys within the creative industry as self-employed and how, although they are in a highly competitive environment, they have forged a friendship with each other and cheer each other as mentors in business and in life.About Ciara, WilsonA proud Cork woman, A mom & an partner. Ciara have had a varied career from employee to employer, always an entrepreneur at heart. Ciara owned and managed different businesses throughout the years and in 2020 and decided it was time for a career transformation, Ciara went to UCC to study HRM, and currently in UCD studying Creativity, Innovation & Leadership. Ciara believes in lifelong learning. She is member of Network since 2011, holding many different roles from events manager, to President and National awards coordinator. You can reach out to Ciara at ciaraw07@yahoo.co.ukAbout Diane, Higgins As a designer of many things from logos and brands, to websites, digital content and products, Diane’s main role is not to create, but to listen to her clients. She works mostly with start-ups to help refine their communications to work best with their brand.Diane’s process involves LISTENING first, then THINKING about the objectives, and finally CREATING. You can reach out to Diane at https://dianehiggins.ieAbout Linda, O’ConnellLinda O Connell is the founder of Digi Nomad whilst supporting as the National Online Media Coordinator, the Society of St Vincent de Paul. She has worked in the Non-Profit sector for over 16 years as a communications specialist. She qualified with a MSc in Digital Marketing Strategy from the Cork Institute of Technology in 2018. Linda have extensive experience with social media, website development, SEO, Adwords, graphic design and advertising both traditional and online.Linda won overall Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year and the Transformative Employee category at the Network Ireland Awards in 2020. You can reach out to Linda at https://diginomad.ie
Network Cork is excited to follow with our 3rd Episode of our Online Lounge hosted by our very own Vice President, Maria Desmond. In this episode, Maria is in discussion with Elena Canty, Communications Executive and Margaret O’Regan, Partner and Operations Director with Event Plan & VE Studio. “Sliding Doors” is a discussion where Maria and her guests explore the choices we all make and reflect on decisions that have the potential to change life. Moments that altered the trajectory of future events. "We can't control the outcome of life, but the actions and choices we make through our own life and trust that we learn through the process of letting go", as described by Maria. About Maria DesmondMaria is Regional Fundraising Manager with Enable Ireland. Aswell as a background in marketing and market research she holds both a BComm and MScComm. She is passionate about business and entrepreneurship having been self employed for over 25 years prior to her work in the non-profit sector. You can reach out to Maria at mdesmond@enableireland.ieAbout Margaret O'Regan Margaret is a Partner and Operations Director with Event Plan and VE Studio. Margaret has over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality and catering sector. She is a graduate from CIT Cork, and the College of Food and Hospitality Management from University College Birmingham. Margaret is passionate, determined and focused in helping clients organise both their in-person and virtual events. Margaret loves being part of the Events Team in Network Ireland Cork. You can reach out to Margaret at https://www.linkedin.com/in/margaret-o-regan About Elena CantyElena Canty is Communications Executive at Event Plan and VE Studio with responsibility for social media management, digital marketing, and communications activities. Having graduated from Munster Technology University with a Master of Arts in Public Relations with New Media and an honours degree in Business Administration, she has experience in Public Relations, Event Management and Digital Marketing. Elena is a proud supporter of Disability Rights and Women in Business.You can reach out to Elena at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenacanty
Network Cork is excited to follow with our 2nd Episode of our Online Lounge hosted by Konstantina, Stefanidou, a Senior Engineering Leader with Depuy Synthes. In this episode, Konstantina is in discussion with Helen Wycherley, Director of Celtic Ross Hotel & Lucy O’Donoghue, founder of Lucy O’Donoghue Consulting. “Dear Diary Moments” is a discussion where Konstantina and her guests through their personal & professional experiences explore the ideas of adapting to change, living with uncertainty, controlling what we can control and recognise what we can’t control. Creating ‘Dear Diary Moments’ to work towards our reactions, recognising our inner self & what matters most. Building resilience, trusting instincts, connecting is this episode common theme!About Konstantina, StefanidouA strategy focused senior Engineering Leader with more than 15 years of field demonstrated experience in the Aerospace and Medical Devices sectors. She has 3 degrees in Materials Science Engineering including in Business Leadership & Management. She is a STEM coach & mentor and a strong Women in Leadership advocate. Committed to igniting the talent and passion of the next generation whilst nurturing creativity & innovation within healthcare.You can reach out to Konstantina at kstefan3@its.jnj.comAbout Helen, Wycherley Helen is a Director of her family owned Hotel, the Celtic Ross Hotel, in Rosscarbery, West Cork and the Marina Commercial Park, Cork City. She is a Chartered Accountant, was Network Ireland National President 2019 and currently chair of the Network Ireland Advisory Council. She is married to John with 3 children Liam, Laura and Kate.You can reach out to Helen at helen@mcpcork.ie About Lucy, O’DonoghueLucy is a European Studies graduate with a strong record in new business development, media relations, marketing, social media and project management. She has a keen interest in female entrepreneurship and is passionate about mentoring ladies who juggle busy professional and home lives whilst often trying to validate a new business idea.You can reach Lucy at lucy@lodconsulting.ie.
Network Cork is excited to announce the very first episode of our Online Lounge hosted by our very own President, Barbara Nugent. In this episode, Barbara is in discussion with Niamh Gunn, the CEO and Founder of The Dialogue Code. “Behind the Masks” is a discussion where Niamh and Barbara explore the ideas of how leaders often wear masks - following the musts and shoulds that are imposed on us as leaders, and not listening to our own intuition. Failing to be authentic to our hearts and leading from a place of the expectations of ourselves and others can lead to long term problems. Niamh discusses how the Dialogue Code was borne out of a need to help leaders express their true concerns, to provide a peer group to share and support the burdens of leadership and ultimately to co-create working environments by allowing all voices to be heard. Niamh describes her story from the heights of career success to the depths of experiencing burn out, and the lessons learned. “Behind the Masks” challenges us to examine what masks we wear and to explore the power of being our real and authentic selves.About Niamh GunnNiamh is a thought leader, serial-entrepreneur, lawyer and most importantly Niamh is a mum of 4 who is hugely curious about new ways of living, leading and working. Niamh’s passion is to spark honest conversations, to uncover the voices of the people and drive positive change projects impacting society and workplaces coming from deep experience of witnessing where she and others have gotten it wrong in the past. You can reach out to Niamh at www.thedialoguecode.comAbout Barbara NugentBarbara is an ex-Finance Leader with extensive corporate experience. As a qualified leadership and executive coach and consultant, she is passionate about the power of resilient and courageous leadership. Knowing how great leadership can change the world for the better, she helps leaders acknowledge their own power, step into their courageous leadership and step up to the challenge of making a difference. Focusing on measuring and developing Emotional Intelligence and Resilience, Barbara teaches and coaches leaders towards authenticity and transformation.You can read out to Barbara at www.eq.ie