Coaching for Success

Inspiring Women
For Success

itag’s Digital Women’s Coaching for Success 2022

We have developed a free structured coaching for the female community covering many areas in all business environments.

This coaching assistance will be tailored to the specific needs of each person requiring a coach through a detailed and actionable support system. 

The itag Coaching for Success Program is a process to promote effective communications in a relationship between people with lots of peer to peer learning. This structure enables knowledge and skills to be transferred to transform your business culture, performance, value position and often positively impacts on your financial position through highlighting your strengths.

The purpose of this coaching is to tap into the existing knowledge, skills, and experience of high performing employees and transfer these skills to newer or less experienced employees in order to advance their professional development and career pathway. 

Fiona Neary, NUI Galway and Maureen Kelly-Hardiman, DXC Technology took part in an interview for itag Podcast to discuss the progress of the ‘Coaching for Success’ program.   Click on the link below to have a listen.

Purpose for the Mentee: 

  • Professional Development & Direction. 
  • Enhance skill development outside of comfort zone 
  • Networking and building your own group 
  • Enhance Problem-solving techniques and utilising your coach as a sounding board 

The vision of this programme is to provide support to enable the growth and development of females aspiring to develop their skills and progress personally and professionally. Our coaches act as a confidential sounding board, advising Mentees on how to best navigate barriers they may be facing. 

The coaching on offer has been divided into 4 sections. The coach will provide support in one of these areas for you.

This matching in part of the application process below.

Soft Skills

  • Emotional Intelligence
  • Adaptable to Change 
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Team Player Attitude
  • Self-Awareness
  • Empathy

Communication Skills

  • Presentation Skills
  • Pitching Perfection
  • Active Listening
  • Openness to Feedback
  • Verbal/Non Verbal Communication

Time Management

  • How to use your time effectively
  • Scheduling & Planning Work
  • Managing Meetings
  • Delegate Effectively

Transitioning to Leadership

  • Career Pathway
  • Goal Setting
  • Leadership Skills
  • Influencing Skills & Behaviours

How the itag Coaching for Success programme works

Apply online
itag review application & assign coach
Mentee kick off call
Coaching Sessions

1 per month for 6 months
90 minute duration

Complete program evaluation

Join Our Coaches

If you feel you have the right experience, desire to give something back and you wish to provide coaching in any area, please join our coaching panel.

All applications will be subject to review by the itag Coaching Advisory Group.

Get Coaching Support

If you feel you are in need of a coach to help you learn and progress in a certain area, please join our Coaching for Success programme.

All applications will be subject to review by the itag Coaching Advisory Group. Click on the red button below to complete your application.

Meet Our Coaches

Fiona Neary

Fiona is an NUIG graduate with 28 years’ experience in business and academic environments. Previous positions in industry include Covidien (now Medtronic) and Avia before moving to NUIG 17 years ago supporting industry and academia in engagement and start up activities. Extensive experience in the start-up space, a coach and mentor to the entrepreneurial community, delivering commercial road maps for new business ideas, from concept stage to commercial market ready products. 

“I deliver comprehensive training in advancing your innovation, building your team, presenting your idea, becoming pitch perfect, validating the business opportunity, applying for grants to support innovations and getting the right investment to progress.”

Areas Fiona can help you:

  • Validate your innovations, new ideas and defining the right path for you in business.
  • Coaching to improve your communication and delivery skills, it’s all about telling your story and perfecting that pitch.
  • Mentoring to build your confidence in communicating effectively.

Orla Collins

Orla Graduated with an MSc in Software Engineering, began her IT career as a Software Quality Engineer with Ericssons in Athlone. With 15 years of experience, Orla currently works as an Escalation Manager for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications business unit in IBM Galway. As part of this client-facing role, Orla identifies automation opportunities and leads the creation of AI automation requirements driven by the early identification of client impacting issues. Orla also leads the AI tooling education amongst the global IBM Cloud Delivery Services’ teams that span across Canada, China, the US, Brazil, Australia, and Ireland. As a member of IBM’s global women in technology program, Orla strongly believes in empowering people to drive their own route to success and advocates for more women in the thriving technology sector. Orla has successfully completed the itag Galway Management Excellence Program.

Areas Orla can help you:

  • Sounding board to identify and progress interests to determine actionable next steps in your career.
  • Building confidence and striving to excel in the workplace.

Maureen Kelly-Hardiman

Maureen has 25 years experience in working for a number of multi-national companies. Her background is in sales where she worked for Gateway,O2 & Alphyra (now Payzone). At present she is working for DXC Technology as UK & I Graduate Manager mentoring the early careers team on a 2 year graduate program. 

Maureen key skills are her ability to build relationships, problem solve & multi task. Maureen has many years experience of building relationships and account managing expertise. 

 

Areas Maureen can help you:

Business soft skills – Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Resolution, Self Awareness & Empathy

Ruth Lennon

Ruth has over 20 years’ experience in business and academic environments. Ruth has been mentoring and managing teams within the ACM and IEEE for many years. Ruth’s provides training for industry partners through LYIT and provides mentoring through Craobh Technology Consulting. Ruth provides industry mentoring on aspects relating to scaling up your business, the application of standards, applying DevOps principles to ensure lean processes and risk management. Ruth provides individual mentoring for those wishing to move up within their industry or to simply to be heard.

Areas Ruth can help you:

  • Team management: get the best from your team.
  • Moving Up: be heard in a crowded meeting.
  • Find allies: be proactive in finding allies.
  • Communicate clearly: identify and improve upon your communication skills
  • Action: create an action plan with clearly defined milestones 

Nigel Moss

A seasoned with 15 years experience as a highly successful and dynamic Client Account Manager, fully conversant with client-needs strategies and highly experienced in Sales, Finance, Operating Profit and Customer Care globally. Strategic thinker who demonstrates substantial success in capitalising on market opportunities and delivering first-rate results in b2b markets. Effectively builds and nurtures long-term productive customer relationships with executive-level decision makers and C-Suite leadership. A highly productive professional in constantly changing and challenging multinational corporate environments, consistently building relationships and generating sales. Substantial Sales Specialist & Consultancy experience in IT services, software and complex solutions, partnering with clients to transform, digitise and modernise their business.  Experienced in driving proactive campaigns to build sales pipeline and closing rewarding opportunities. Exhibits strong leadership skills, leading and developing a team of high-performance sales, operations and finance personnel. Track record in delivering key Digital programs including Process Digitization, IT Digitization and Automation. An analytical approach and ability to develop and execute sales and operations strategies and drive to success.

Member of the itag (Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway) Board. 

Areas Nigel can help you:

  • Navigate complex and challenging environments whilst delivering success
  • Communication and delivery skills, it’s all about telling your story and perfecting the solution
  • Build your confidence in communicating effectively
  • Building and managing a team of highly intelligent professionals
  • Understanding the corporate eco system and identifying the positives and negatives
  • Manage client engagements
  • Build and grow a sales pipeline

Caroline Cawley

As CEO and board member of itag (Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway) since 2002, Caroline leads one of the most respected business and technology clusters which promotes and drives economic development along the AtlanTec Gateway, Ireland. A community of tech-builders with a 20-year history of leading and developing successful, socially-beneficial enterprises, training, up-skilling and future skills. 

Our cluster is structured around tech through a series of core working groups, training, member forums, meet-ups, TechTalks, networking events, festivals & conferences, all of which are the primary enablers of our strategy  and ignite conversations that inspire and move audiences to positive action.  

Caroline is the promoter of itag Skillnet which provides member companies with essential innovating technical training and development activities for tech/engineering ICT staff. itag Skillnet is the largest tech network in the west of Ireland and last year trained in excess of 1,000 staff ensuring that our members remain competitive and are at the leading edge when it comes to technology relative to their business. 

Extensive experience in industry engagement, founder of AtlanTec Festival – building a global technology festival along the Atlantic Way,  co-ordinator of West Region Cyber Ireland Chapter, promoter of itag’s Teens in Tech & Digital Women Forum and an entrepreneur. 

Areas Caroline can help you:

  • General Business Help
  • HR & Tech Training 
  • Events & Event Management
  • Brand You & Networking
  • Starting Your Own Business

Rachel O'Donnell

Rachel has been working in UX for the past 13 years, working towards cross functional collaboration between teams, by injecting Design Thinking and Design Sprints into product organisations. She joined Genesys in 2019 after enjoying remarkable success with her self-founded, award-winning design agency ‘The UX Studio’ which applied human centred design methodologies to solve critical problems for some high profile clients, including Medtronic.

The last few years have been a testament to Rachel as she achieved multiple design and business awards and was a finalist in Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneurs of 2019, as well as winner of Best Emerging Start-up in the SFA Awards. She’s also an accomplished public speaker who has become known for her raw honesty that fuels positive change. 

Areas Rachel can help you:

  • Communication Skills – Explore how to flex your individual communication style to influence and motivate people in different arenas and with different personality types.
  • Time management – The number of things we need to do in a day is overwhelming. Explore effective time management techniques.
  • Transitioning to Leadership – Explore the difference between managers and leaders in communication, mental focus, building trust, and handling conflict.

Teresa Lawless

Teresa Lawless is Director of Sales EMEA for Vistatec and Development Director for the Think Global Forum.

After starting her career in publishing in London, where she was instrumental in launching a successful awards ceremony and a Publisher for popular B2B emerging technologies magazines, she moved back to Ireland, focussing on Localisation with Business Development & Account Management roles at Merrill Brink, EC and Argos Multilingual. 

Since joining Vistatec, a leading global solutions provider, helping some of the world’s most iconic brands to optimise their global commercial potential, she has been working directly with customers, managing content, introducing change, solutions and technologies for greater success in this digital world. 

Teresa also promotes awareness of the industry through Think Global Forum, bringing together a community of senior leaders in the business of going global.

Teresa is an alumnus of NUIG, where she majored in Arts, English, Sociology and Politics.

 

Shirley Keville

Shirley is an NUIG graduate and Management Accountant with over 20 years experience across both the manufacturing and services sectors.  Currently a PMO Manager with Metlife, she has worked extensively in driving change and innovation throughout organisations.  This has been driven by her extensive experience leading teams and managing relationships in order to successfully deliver on business objectives. 

Areas Shirley can help you: 

  • Business Soft Skills: Emotional Intelligence, Adaptable to Change, Conflict Resolution, Team Player Attitude.
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively.  Delegate Effectively
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

Laura Reddy

Laura is an NUIG Electronic and Computer Engineering graduate with 10 years’ work experience in software development working for a couple of multi-national companies. Currently she is working for Cisco Galway where she is developing and implementing features for the backend services of Webex Teams. Her key skills are in her analytical thinking, problem solving, being a team player and the ability to muti task.

Areas Laura can help you:

Business soft skills – Conflict Resolution, Team Player Attitude, Adaptable to Change

Time management – Delegate Effectively

Lorna Smyth

Lorna has 10 years’ experience working in IT roles across various industries having graduated from Business Information Systems in NUIG. In Lorna’s current role in SmartBear she specializes in Test Automation solutions and delivers webinars, technical demonstrations and training as well as carrying out industry research and participating in global software testing conferences. Lorna has a passion for presenting and communicating, she made her international speaking debut at the StarWest Testing Conference in Los Angeles last year. She has also spoke at Tech Meetups around Ireland. 

Lorna is an advocate for Women in Tech and is very active in the Galway Tech community through hosting and planning tech events both internally in SmartBear, and externally with itag and The PorterShed. Lorna is also very active online (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) and realizes the importance of having an effective professional online presence. Lorna recently won the Highly Commended ‘STEM’ award presented by Network Galway.

Areas Lorna can help you:

  • Communication Skills; Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Online Social Platforms, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communication.
  • Time Management; How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively.

Taryn Schuller

Taryn has over 20 years’ experience working in IT and Finance within various industries including Technology, Media, Entertainment, Pharmaceutical and Electrical industries.  She is an Advanced Certified Scrum Master (Scrum Alliance) / Project Manager (Prince2) with extensive experience in global software development implementations – inclusive of agile, traditional, and hybrid approaches.  Taryn is currently working for Kneat Solutions Ltd as a Scrum Master where she is helping drive agile adoption within their expanding R&D teams.

Taryn has enjoyed training and coaching teams of different sizes within various countries, ensuring that she is coaching to the current maturity level of the team.  She is also certified in Change Management and uses her awareness that changes impacts individuals differently.  “Organisations don’t change. People within organisations change”.  Taryn values her teams, building a strong level of trust and respect with each team member to collaborate through change.

Areas Taryn can help you:

Business Soft skills – Emotional Intelligence, Adaptable to Change, Team Player Attitude, Self-Awareness, Empathy

Time management – How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively

Florence Higgins

Florence has 15+ years experience of unprecedented record setting performance in high profile, global sales positions for world class telco and software companies. She has in the last 2 years returned to Galway having spent most of her career in Dublin. At present she is working with SmartBear Software in Galway leading, mentoring and coaching a high performing Sales Team for the EMEA region.

Areas Florence can help you with:

  • Customer Relationship Management
  • Contract Negotiations
  • Active Listening
  • Training & Development 
  • Communications & Analytical Skills 
  • Territory Management
  • Leadership Skillss an NUIG 

Caroline Kilduff

Caroline is a qualified solicitor (admitted in Ireland and England & Wales) and trade mark agent.  Qualified since 2010, she has extensive experience working as an in-house legal advisor within multi-national companies, including in the telecommunications, SaaS and insurance industries.  She is specialised in intellectual property and technology law.  She joined MetLife’s technology campus in Galway in 2018 and supports the MetLife group’s technology initiatives within the EMEA region.  Her role requires strong communication and relationship building skills.  

Areas Caroline can help you:

  • Communication skills – active listening, being open to feedback, verbal/non-verbal communication, dealing with difficult personalities
  • Time management – using your time effectively, balancing priorities, managing meetings

 

Annette Cosgrove

Annette is a lecturer in computing at GMIT, Galway and is currently a team member on a regional digital education project that involves developing online and blended learning opportunities in Higher Education Institutes in Ireland and internationally.

Annette has been a member on the organisation committee of many local ITAG events, including women in STEM initiatives, and has worked alongside ITAG for a number of years on various school/college promotional STEM events. Many of GMIT’s computing graduates are employed in local tech companies, and numerous students have also undertaken work experience programs with ITAG companies.

Annette has developed & worked on a number of mentoring  programs at GMIT and has vast experience working with students from first year to masters level . She has many years of  experience working in the local IT industry and ,more recently has been involved in numerous start-up companies at LIBC, GMIT, through students project work and placements.

Qualifications : Masters in Computing (NUIG) BComm (NUIG) PDip in Systems Analysis & Design (NUIG) Postgraduate Diploma in HE Teaching & Learning (AIT)  Also working towards a PhD on the impact of Digital Teaching & learning in Higher Education, a very relevant topic at the moment !

Chris Hill

Chris Hill is an Engineering Director leading Public Cloud Platform & Operations at Avaya

Leading a global engineering team responsible for an innovative Global Cloud SaaS Platform

Chris has worked in the IT industry for 25 years specializing in Software Engineering & Delivery, R&D, innovating in Telecoms, Manufacturing, Warranty, Financial, and Supply Chain software systems.

Chris has worked at Misco, HP Labs, HP Enterprise & DXC spanning across roles in Architecture, engineering, R&D Labs, Solutions divisions and held various leadership positions in the UK & Ireland. Prior to joining DXC he worked in Misco based in London.

Chris holds an honors degree in Computer Science & Systems Engineering, Masters in Computer Information Systems and is a Certified Security & Privacy Professional.

Areas Chris can help you: 

Soft Skills,  Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership 

Ruth Hynes

Ruth’s career in communications spans over 20 years. She started off in journalism in the Czech Republic, before moving to London to become a marketing and public relations consultant for a London-based communications agency EMC EuroPR. Six years later she was an Associate Director with the company and a team-leader, with responsibilities to a wide portfolio of clients – primarily from the IT sector. After taking two years out to travel around the world, she returned to her native Galway. For the last 14 years she has worked at NUI Galway, applying her skills in project management, communication, messaging and engagement. In her current role as Innovation and Engagement Officer, Ruth works to promote a culture of innovation and creativity among students and staff and to increase the visibility of the university’s research and innovation activity externally.  

Areas Ruth can help you: 

  • Support in being true to your own individual values while distilling your personal brand 
  • Promoting yourself on social media and honing your presentation and networking skills. 
  • Coaching to improve your communication and presentation skills. 

Marian Metcalfe

Marian is a graduate of UCC and NUIG, in Psychology and Software Engineering respectively, Marian works at MetLife Galway as Manager of the Business and Systems Analysis Department.  She has worked in a variety of organizations from start-ups to service companies to large multinationals, including programming, analysis, design and architecture.

Marian’s current role involves acting as the expert in the functional understanding of the business requirements and then leading teams to design and build solutions that support those business functions.  Passionate about education and training, Marian has led the establishment of a BSA  Centre of Excellence, and has worked with LYIT to develop a HDip Business & Systems Analysis & Design.  She has mentored as part of the Business in the Community program and as a technical trainer for return to work programs.

Areas of interest: Understanding cognitive and behavioural patterns; using them to influence and communicate effectively

Using analytical and critical thinking to solve problems

Negotiating and advocating for yourself.

Area where Marian can help: 

Time Management and Transition to Leadership

Leadership 

Andrea Manning

Andrea is an entrepreneur and draws on an extensive career in Marketing and Business. A continual learner, and proof that its never too late to upskill or retrain, she graduated from NUI Galway in 2019 with a BSc in Information Systems. She founded her own consultancy for Data Protection and Cybersecurity and is in the early stages of building a cybersecurity startup. From presentations to pitches to training, Andrea has developed her communication and relationship building skills.  Andrea is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion in the tech sector and through her work with Cyber Ireland works to inspire more women to consider the many varied roles opening up in cybersecurity.

Andrea provides mentoring for the ITAG Cyber Forum and Local Enterprise Office, and is is currently on the Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers accelerator program developing a cybersecurity product for the SME sector.

Areas Andrea can help you:

  • Soft Skills: Building confidence and self awareness
  • Communication skills: Confident presenting and pitching
  • Leadership: Goal setting and reimagining your career path
  • Leadership: Managing a younger team: how gen Z thinks

Dr. Sandra Ganly

Dr. Sandra Ganly Co-founder, BioInnovate, Senior Research Fellow, NUI Galway, Chief Technology Officer, Contego Ltd.

Dr. Ganly is a Biomedical engineer with 14 year industrial & innovative product design experience in the Medical device industry.

She has conducted her PhD research in Next Generation Stents for the treatment of heart disease. She brings a wealth of experience in innovative product design with a clinical need validation.

Since 2008, Sandra has maintained a role at the interface of academic, business and clinical communities, successfully managing multi-disciplinary projects for the benefit of the Medtech sector.

She is a co-founder of the BioInnovate Medical Device Innovation programme in NUI Galway (www.bioinnovate.ie). Sandra is also the Chief Technology Officer for her own technology start-up, focused on developing innovative solutions for unmet clinical needs in Sports-acquired Brain Injury. 

Marion Long

My name is Marion Long. I work for Optum Ireland and am based out of the Letterkenny office. My background is technical and in the last two years I have moved away from technical roles and am now a project manager/scrum master.

Marion informally provides career coaching and encouragement to my fellow colleagues by reviewing cvs and helping with interview prep. 

Marion is also involved with our Women in Technology group who promote technology and leadership to existing female staff and to potential graduate recruits. Marion has some excellent experience with creating presentations and presenting to different audiences including senior leaders and that’s why Marion has volunteered for that Communication Skills.

Marion would enjoy the opportunity to coach and to learn from that experience and bring some of that back to my own workplace.

Areas Marion can help you:

  • Communication skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications

Tara Dalrymple

Tara has strong roots in multinationals and well-known household brands across different industries working in consultancy, events, licensing, PR and marketing. To date her work highlights have been working with the Beckhams, Disney and Harry Potter brand in Marks & Spencer, George Lucas and the Star Wars franchise at publishing house Dorling Kindersley, and appearing on the Irish Dragons Den.

Most recently, Tara joined Genesys as Operations Manager and Employee Engagement Coordinator for Galway and EMEA.

Prior to Genesys Tara was at Electronic Arts where she was the Senior Employee Experience Advocate. Before that she worked at SiteMinder as their Operations Manager and the Community Manager at SuperPixel Labs.

Tara is a daily sea swimmer at Blackrock, loves mud runs and tennis plays netball for Galway, is a devoted yogini and loves dancing especially to 90s hip hop and RnB.

Areas where Tara can help:

  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively

Arik Elberse

Arik Elberse is the Global Director for Cisco’s Connected Transportation and IoT Smart City Solutions.  He is responsible for defining and creating innovative and compelling Connected Transportation and Smart City solutions by leveraging Cisco’s market leading IoT and Intent-Based Networking, as well as a broad selection of eco-system partners.

Arik’s previous Cisco responsibilities have included Director of Collaboration Systems and Solutions Engineering and Architecture and Director of Product Management for Video and Desktop Unified Communications. He has 25+ years’ experience in ICT and has held a variety of senior positions, incl. CTO for Contact Center and Multimedia Applications with Nortel (now Avaya).

Prior to joining Cisco in early 2007, Arik was the Managing Director and master franchisee of Ology Ireland, an international Business Consultancy and Coaching franchise.  As part of this, Arik qualified as a professional Business Coach with Adler Coaching in Canada.

Arik was born in Utrecht, the Netherlands and moved to Ireland with his parents at a young age.  He lives in Galway, Ireland where he is married with 2 teenage boys and where they enjoy the wonderful surrounding nature and outdoor activities like photography, kayaking and hill walking.

Areas where Arik can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership

Catherine Carolan

Catherine is a UCD graduate with a PhD in Life Sciences and 19 years’ experience in IT. She spent 15 years as a software developer in Compaq, HP, The Marine Institute and HPE before taking up her current role as a Scrum Master in HPE Galway. She has completed Advanced Scrum Master training and works with international teams in a Scaled Agile Environment.

Catherine is an articulate communicator, facilitator and motivator with a proven track record of delivering multiphase projects on time. She focuses on developing cross team relationships based on collaboration and trust and has successfully implemented cross team process change.

Catherine has received extensive training in coaching and mentoring and has many years’ experience in coaching face to face as well as online. 

Areas Catherine can help:

  • Increasing your confidence in presentations
  • Widening your sphere of influence
  • Building your brand
  • Adapting to and managing change
  • Resolving conflict
  • Prioritising your goals
  • Encouraging others to reach their full potential

Siobhan Calpin

Siobhán is a senior marketing and communications specialist with expertise in digital and content strategy, brand development, PR and media relations. Currently completing an MA in Professional Leadership, Siobhán has  over 15 years’ experience helping clients with their internal and external communications to include crisis management, media relations and presentation skills.

Siobhán began her marketing career with WHPR of  Ogilvy & Mather in Dublin before moving to Galway and opening her own Marketing and Communications Consultancy . Siobhán joined Intuity Technologies, a managed IT, managed print and IT & Data Security business in 2015 where she leads the marketing & communications function.  Throughout her career she has worked across multiple sectors with global brands such as Masterfoods, Diageo, Smurfit, Axa, Bank of Ireland, ESB and Reuters. She is a firm believer in finding opportunity in change and is a big fan of creative “outside of the box” thinking.

Areas where Siobhan can help:

  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively.

Michelle Frawley

Michelle Graduated from the Digital skills academy Webactivate program in 2011, began her IT career as a web designer running her own business.

With 10 years of experience, Michelle currently works as Customer support team lead for Diligent Corp based in Galway.

As part of this role, Michelle identifies the training, mentoring team of a team of 16 support agents across 5 different product lines in the APAC region.

Michelle also strongly believes in empowering people to drive their own route to success and advocates for more women in the thriving technology sector.

Areas Michelle can help:

  • Transitioning to Leadership:  Career pathways, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing skills & behaviours.

 

  • Soft Skills: Emotional Intelligence, Adaptable to change, Conflict Resolution, Team player attitude, Self Awareness, Empathy

Seán Morris is CTO at TitanHQ, with responsibility for leading TitanHQ’s Product Management, Technology Delivery, Customer Support and Security / IT Operations teams.

Before joining TitanHQ in 2020, Seán served as Senior Vice President of IT Enablement for Fidelity Investments, where he was instrumental in initiating and leading transformational programs to drive DevSecOps and Agile transformation for Fidelity globally.  

Previously, Seán has held several senior leadership positions at Fidelity Investments, TerraNua, and Nortel Networks. For over twenty-five years, Seán has been involved in technology leadership, strategy definition and driving transformations, and has worked with many global brands including BMW, COLT, Xerox, Lamborghini, and T-Mobile. 

Seán brings a holistic, business led approach to bear on diverse areas such as Leadership Development, Cyber Security, Machine Learning, Product UX design, Agile, Data Strategy and Digital Transformation in scale up companies.

Seán holds an M.Eng in Computer Systems from UL and a B.Sc in Physics from NUI Galway.  

Areas where Seán can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

Gabrielle co-founded NetFort in 2002. The company developed software for network and user activity monitoring market, built up an impressive portfolio of customers around the world, and was acquired by Boston-based Rapid7 in 2019.

Gabrielle previously worked as European Director of Technology Management at Mallinckrodt, a medical device company, leading a team of 50 IS professionals in nine countries and had responsibility for designing, building and managing the infrastructure for 4,000 users in 40 locations across 18 countries.

Gabrielle also worked in various IT and engineering positions with Digital Equipment Corporation in Galway

Gabrielle graduated from the University of Limerick with a B.Eng. Degree in Electronic Engineering (1988) and M.Eng in Computer Systems (1994).

 

Areas where Gabrielle can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

Carla has worked for more than 25 years in HPE, leading complex global projects, including: infrastructure deployments, user application migrations, program design, and service introductions.  She has proven experience communicating at the executive level as well as externally to service partners.

Carla fosters effective collaboration in teams with diverse technical ability, functional specialties, and management levels.  She is recognized for supporting her teams to navigate the challenges of remote working, cultural gaps, multiple time zones, and managing competing priorities.

 

Areas where Carla can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively.

Emma has over 15 years’ experience working in the IT Industry across people centric roles such as Resource Management, Learning & Development and Project Management. Currently, she is leading a number of Global solutions to address the digital transformation in virtual learning and also to drive accredited IT Certification across the Business which involves leading multiple, cross cultural teams. She is an excellent communicator, facilitator and leader with extensive stakeholder management experience.

Emma holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from Sheffield Hallam University and an Advanced Diploma in Personal, Leadership and Executive Coaching. Having benefited from Coaching herself, Emma is passionate about helping others unlock their full potential and move beyond any perceived roadblocks.

Emma is actively involved in Women in Technology initiatives internally in IBM and working with external organisations via Connecting Women it Tech where she has organised events and runs education for teens to encourage them to consider careers within the Tech Industry.

Areas where Emma can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications.
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

Jarlath is a passionate technology professional with over twenty years’ experience spanning multiple roles in the travel, mobile gaming, and financial services industries.

Jarlath’s current position is ‘Senior Manager, Software Development’ at Fidelity Investments in Galway. Since joining Fidelity he has held several roles, including Senior Software Engineer, Product Owner, and Scrum Master. Prior to joining Fidelity, he was a software developer at Traventec, then he moved to a mobile gaming start-up called Nephin Games where he worked on the back-end of their social platform.

In his current role he spends a great deal of time working with associates across multiple disciplines (including Software Engineering, Analysis, Testing, etc) on their career planning. This includes developing career plans and identifying career paths and training needs.

Jarlath has a B.Sc in Software Development and a P.Dip in Innovation Management from NUIG.

Areas where Jarlath can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Time Management: How to use your time effectively, Scheduling & Planning Work, Managing Meetings, Delegate Effectively
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

Imelda graduated at The Hague University with a BSc in Commerciële Economie (Marketing) including a minor in International Management. Originally from The Netherlands, Imelda began her Irish career at IBM Sales and Service Centre, Dublin in 1996 and currently works as Inside Sales Manager at The MathWorks in Galway. Imelda held various roles from Sales, Technical Support Manager, Project Manager and Inside Sales Manager including taking some time out to look after her young family.

During her direct and indirect sales roles, she was highly motivated by going the extra mile for the customer/partners to create those win-win situations by balancing a successful sale with the customer’s return of investment. As manager she enjoys encouraging personal and business growth while supporting strategic objectives.

Imelda is part of the Galway Women in Tech group at MathWorks which inspires, empowers, and enables group members to reach their potential and achieve their professional goals through the power of peer support. It promotes development of future female leaders and promotes MathWorks Galway as a diverse and inclusive place to work. Imelda is a strong communicator; listens well, focuses on resolving issues and believes everyone has a right to be successful while navigating their career.

Areas where Imelda can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications.
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours

With 20 years’ experience spanning various tech industries, Michelle has undertaken many roles in her career across the disciplines of Agile Transformation, Project and Product management including Developer, Project Manager, Scrum Master, Product Owner, RTE and Delivery management.

She has a BSc in Information Technology from NUI Galway, a Diploma in Project Management and holds a SPC SAFe certification. Having benefitted from this programme herself, she is passionate about helping others seek out their potential and find their paths forward in their career.

Michelle is currently a Senior Director of Retail Payment Solutions at Planet. She is responsible for the Retail Payment Solutions product intake, involved in the Retail roadmap strategy and manages a team of product owners to maintain the retail roadmap.

Areas where Michelle can help:

  • Soft Skills, Communication Skills, Time Management, Transitioning to Leadership
  • Communication Skills: Presentation Skills, Pitching Perfection, Active Listening, Openness to Feedback, Verbal/Non Verbal Communications
  • Transitioning to Leadership: Career Pathway, Goal Setting, Leadership Skills, Influencing Skills & Behaviours