Alicja is an aviation professional with over a decade of international experience across airlines, airports, and global aviation bodies. She currently leads sustainability efforts at Ryanair, focusing on SAF procurement strategy, regulatory compliance, and climate policy. Previously, she supported sustainability at airports worldwide through Airports Council International and contributed to UN-led climate programs at ICAO. Alicja holds a PhD in airline performance management and combines expertise in policy, economics, and operations to advance aviation decarbonization. She is passionate about building efficient, future-ready air transport systems.
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Anne Kiely is a commercially focused and dynamic HR executive with over two decades of experience spanning airline, finance, consulting, and technology. Known for her strategic insight and passion for building high-performing teams, Anne has held senior HR leadership roles at previous organisations including Twitter, Permanent TSB, and Ulster Bank. Since May 2023, Anne has served as Chief People Officer at Aer Lingus, where she is shaping future-focused people strategies to support organisational growth, technical innovation and cultural transformation. In 2023, she authored How to be a Chief People Officer, sharing insights from her extensive career to support aspiring HR leaders. Anne is also a proud non-executive director with Special Olympics Ireland and holds a Master’s in Occupational and Social Psychology from UCD. She lives in Dublin with her husband, 3 'young adult' children, and Brodie the cockapoo. She loves travelling, and is always looking for her next place to scuba dive with the family.
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Andrew McDougall is Head of Geopolitical Risk for Barclays and advises Barclays Board and executive leadership on global affairs. He joined Barclays from the UK Foreign Office, where he gained extensive experience working on some of the most important global issues over the past two decades. His particular expertise is Europe, Russia, and China, but also worked closely on Iran and South Asia (India/Pakistan/Afghanistan) earlier in his career. Andrew’s final posting was in Brussels (Political Counsellor in the UK Mission to the EU and NATO) but also served in Switzerland, India, and the Middle East. As a British Army officer, he served in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, and Iraq, before joining the Foreign Office. He read Law and International Relations at university.
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With over 20 years of leadership in the aviation and energy sectors, Arnaud brings deep industry expertise and a track record of innovation. Arnaud is the co-founder and CEO of ATOBA Energy, the midstream sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) aggregator accelerating the aviation industry energy transition. Previously, as Chief Operating Officer of Universal Hydrogen, he spearheaded the development of the aviation hydrogen value chain and launched a pioneering energy aggregation to unlock the hydrogen market for mobility.
Earlier in his career, Arnaud held executive positions at Safran and Zodiac Aerospace —global leaders in aerospace systems and equipment—, where he led major initiatives in engineering, program management, and corporate strategy. He began his career at Airbus, contributing to advanced aircraft design.
A graduate of École Polytechnique in France and UCLA Anderson in California, Arnaud is recognized for his ability to drive collaboration, a true sense of urgency, and bold solutions in the pursuit of sustainable aviation.
Betsy R. Snyder was a Director in S&P Global Ratings Corporate Ratings group from 1990 through March 2024. She specialized in coverage of transportation companies, including aircraft lessors and the airline industry. She also worked extensively on Structured Finance transactions related to her areas of specialization.
Prior to joining S&P, Betsy was an equity research analyst following airlines and aircraft lessors for Merrill Lynch and L.F. Rothschild.
Betsy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Fordham University. She is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. Betsy has been a Trustee of the ISTAT Foundation and a member of the ISTAT International Appraisers’ Program Board of Governors. She also currently serves as a member of various ISTAT Foundation committees. Betsy has participated extensively as both a speaker and moderator at several global conferences.
Ciara Ruane was appointed Chief People Officer at Avolon in October 2021 and is responsible for leading the company’s people strategy. Ciara plays a key role in driving Avolon’s organisational performance through its people. She is accountable for building leadership capability, fostering a high-performance culture, and developing talent strategies that support Avolon’s growth. In 2024, she assumed responsibility for the technology and project management teams to further integrate people and operational strategy.
Ciara brings over 20 years of HR experience with a strong track record in driving business performance through strategic people leadership. As Director of People and Culture at Primark, she led global HR centres of expertise across talent, reward, learning, diversity & inclusion, and wellbeing, supporting organisational scale, employee engagement, and cultural alignment with business growth. Before that, Ciara spent more than a decade at Willis Towers Watson, working across a wide range of HR disciplines and consulting practices.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University College Cork and has a Masters from Smurfit Business School.
Conor McCarthy has been in the airline industry for over 47 years. He started with Aer Lingus as an Apprentice Aircraft Engineer at 16 and holds a Degree in Engineering from Trinity College Dublin. Conor is a serial entrepreneur and has been a founder of several airlines and aerospace companies worldwide including PlaneConsult, AirAsia (Malaysia), Jetstar (Australia), Viva (formerly vivaAerobus in Mexico), Dublin Aerospace and Emerald Airlines.
After graduating from Trinity College, Conor quickly rose to the level of EVP and was appointed Chief Executive of Aer Lingus Commuter at the age of 28.
Conor was the Director of Group Operations & Safety for Ryanair from 1996-2000. During this time the airline tripled in size and Conor was responsible for implementing the famous Ryanair 25-minute turnaround, new Base rollout template, and successful specification, delivery and introduction of the first Ryanair Boeing 737-800s in 1998.
Conor left Ryanair to establish PlaneConsult, a boutique aviation consultancy company. Over the past 25 years PlaneConsult has worked with many airlines including easyJet, Aer Lingus, AirAsia, Qantas, Jetstar, Air Deccan, Pegasus, Alaska Airlines, Copa, Thai AirAsia, AirAsia X, MAS, flyNAS, Saudia and vivaAerobus.
Conor was a Co-founder and former director of AirAsia and its affiliates in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India.
In 2009 Conor established Dublin Aerospace, parent company to Dublin Aerospace and Exeter Aerospace. Dublin Aerospace is now one of the world’s leading providers of Aerospace MRO services with capabilities in APU Repair & Overhaul, Base Maintenance, Component Repair and Landing Gear Overhaul. Dublin Aerospace has recently developed a state-of-the-art Landing Gear facility in Ashbourne, Ireland and started up Exeter Aerospace in the UK.
Based primarily in Dublin, Ireland, Conor is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Emerald Airlines, Ireland’s newest regional airline, and the exclusive operator of the Aer Lingus Regional network
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Donal Handley has worked in the aviation industry for over 25 years and has extensive experience in aviation policy, government relations, aviation decarbonisation, airline economics, air finance and leasing, communications and aviation stakeholder relations.
AerCap is the largest owner of commercial aircraft and engines in the world and also the world’s largest aircraft lessor. Based in Brussels, as Head of Government Affairs & Sustainability for AerCap, Donal engages with all parts of the aviation value chain, including European and global policy makers, as well as aviation stakeholders.
Prior to joining AerCap, Donal was Chief of Staff EUROCONTROL (from 2018-22), where he was responsible for overseeing and coordinating the implementation of the Director General's mandate. Previous that role, he held various positions with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) between 2004 and 2017, including the position of Head of Corporate Affairs (from 2012-17). Prior to joining the IAA, he was a Senior Economic Analyst with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), based in London. Prior to IATA, he worked for Aer Lingus as an Economic Analyst in Dublin.
He has an honours Masters degree (M.Econ.Sc) in European Economic & Public Affairs from University College Dublin, as well as an honours Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) from University College Dublin.
Eamonn Brennan was the Director General of EUROCONTROL (2018 – 2022). EUROCONTROL is based in Brussels, Belgium. EUROCONTROL is an intergovernmental European organisation with 41 member States in addition to comprehensive agreements with two other states. The organisation manages the European Air Traffic Network, handling over 11 million flights yearly and is central to the operational and financial management of the air traffic control system, which costs €11 billion annually. The organisation provides a range of technical coordination activities, training and research support for States, Airlines, ATC Providers, Airports and Industry. In addition, it also provides ATC services for the upper airspace of the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Belgium and Northern Germany, amongst the busiest airspace in continental Europe. (www.eurocontrol.int)
Prior to joining EUROCONTROL, Eamonn was Chief Executive of the Irish Aviation Authority (2002 – 2017) with responsibility for the safety regulation of the fast-growing Irish civil aviation sector, providing air navigation services in Irish airspace and ATC at major airports and North Atlantic Communications. He was significantly involved in the promotion of the industry, which saw considerable growth with high levels of safety, performance, cost efficiency and expansion of services, which included investments in technology, resources, and infrastructure. He has also worked in international positions in South East Asia based in Kuala Lumpur, in Malta and London where he led the successful Airline Group bid for the first ever part-privatisation of a European Air Navigation Service Provider in the UK (NATS).
He has extensive experience of European Aerospace and operations and worked closely with EASA during his tenure at Eurocontrol and IAA, attending board meetings and leading a co-operative programme. He has worked extensively with industry and state representative associations (e.g. ICAO, IATA, A4E, ACI, etc.)
Eamonn has served as Chairman of CANSO Global, Chairman of the COOPANS Alliance, Deputy Chair of the SESAR Board and has served in the past on the Boards of Borealis, Aireon Llc, Entry Point North and the Irish Aviation Authority. He is a graduate of the National University of Ireland, qualified as a chartered accountant and a private pilot.
Eamonn is a Non-Executive Director of Ryanair. He is Chairman of the Foynes Flying boat Museum and advises aviation companies and governments. He is a Board member of ANRA Technologies and also serves on the advisory boards of Irelandia Aviation and Cirium. He is currently working on projects in on eVTOL and electric and hybrid aircraft and is a Board Adviser to Vertical Aerospace Plc. He is also the co author of a 2025 Strategic Report on the future of Irish Aviation.
Filip Cornelis is Director for Aviation (DG MOVE Directorate E) in the European
Commission, in charge of Aviation since October 2017.
He joined the European Commission in 1994. After a posting abroad, he worked in the
Task Force for Accession Negotiations. He then led the Commission team drafting the
Treaties of Accession for the 12 new EU Member States.
In January 2006, Filip Cornelis moved on to transport policy by joining the Office of
the Director General for Energy and Transport, Mr Matthias Ruete. He was the leading
member of the Office from 2008. He was then appointed Head of Unit for Aviation
Security in the European Commission in September 2010. He moved on to become
Head of Unit for Aviation Safety from December 2012 until October 2016. He
subsequently became Head of Unit for Aviation Policy until his appointment as Director
for Aviation.
A transactional lawyer by background, Heather has built a career spanning aircraft leasing, portfolio trading, and restructurings. In addition to her role as VP, Counsel, Heather also manages ACG’s Dublin office and serves as Managing Director of ACG LLC’s Irish subsidiary and related entities. Overall she is responsible for leading and executing complex cross-border deals and managing the delivery of aircraft related transactions, while also overseeing the governance and management of the Irish platform and the day-to-day operations of the Dublin office.
Prior to joining ACG, Heather worked with CDB Aviation. Alongside her legal and management responsibilities, she has developed a strong interest in cross-cultural business and communication. She has studied a number of languages and, given her experience at CDB and ACG’s Japanese shareholder, has placed particular focus on Mandarin and Japanese.
Joe Gill is an Adjunct Professor of Business in the Cork University Business School (CUBS) within University College Cork and a Director of Corporate Advisory with Goodbody Capital Markets. He previously worked as Head of Research in Goodbody, as Head of Equity Research Marketing with ABN AMRO European Equities and as Chief Economist with the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society. He specialised in European airline equity research between 2002 and 2012 and was an award winning analyst in that period. He worked as lead analyst on the 2006 IPO of Aer Lingus and has advised a number of airlines including Ryanair and IAG group. Joe is an Economics graduate of University College Cork.
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Appointed Group Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Karl joined Genesis in 2018 with 30 years aviation industry experience, as Chief Commercial & Investment Officer.
Prior to joining Genesis, Karl was the Chief Operating Officer at AWAS, where he spent 11 years building AWAS into a $15bn global aircraft leasing business.
Karl started his aviation career in 1990 as an apprentice in the Maintenance Repair & Overhaul sector with a GPA Joint Venture company, Shannon Aerospace. In 1998, Karl became a founding member of low-cost airline Virgin Express with a fleet of 25 aircraft serving major European cities. In 2002 Karl joined the newly formed RBS Aviation Capital, where he held various technical, pricing and marketing roles and led RBS Aviation Capitals engine leasing and finance business.
Karl received a first-class honours MBA from the University of Limerick, a Dip. Mechanical Engineering from Galway Institute of Technology and an ICAO & EASA aircraft maintenance engineers licence.
Liam Benham was appointed President of EU, NATO and Government Affairs Europe at Boeing Global in December 2022. Benham is responsible for expanding Boeing’s presence and pursuing new growth opportunities as the senior Boeing representative in France and Southern Europe. As head of the Boeing Brussels office, he also represents the company’s interests with key European Union institutions, European regulators and NATO. Working closely with Boeing teams across Europe, he leads the company’s advocacy for informed decision-making on key EU policies that strengthen transatlantic ties, advance Europe’s economy, promote sustainable growth, contribute to a safe, innovative and competitive aviation system, and connect EU citizens and businesses.
Benham brings over 25 years of senior government relations experience stemming from his work for global enterprises with a U.S. heritage. Prior to Boeing he served as Vice President Government and Regulatory Affairs at IBM Europe for over a decade, focusing on a broad spectrum of topics of interest – from AI, cybersecurity and privacy to trade, taxation and the EU Digital Single Market. Benham also held senior government relations positions for 15 years at the Ford Motor Company, where he focused on key regions of interest, including Europe, Asia Pacific and Africa. Benham holds a Degree in Politics from the University of Bristol. He is the current Board Chair of the American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union, and has previously served as Board Member of the organisation in the EU and Thailand. Benham has also previously served as Vice Chair of the BusinessEurope Digital Economy Taskforce, and Board Member of DIGITALEUROPE.
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In June 2023, Mélanie joined the Airbus Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project, as Project Director, where she endorses the responsibility of building the Airbus SAF Knowledge Centre to further advocatefor the worldwide use of SAF, as being a key solution to decarbonise air transport.
Before this, Mélanie was in charge of International Cooperation and Academic Relations also at AIRBUS, Corporate Affairs Department. In her role, she influenced the future of Air Transport with ICAO, Civil Aviation Authorities, Airlines, Airports, Air Navigation Service Providers and Academic Institutions. Her mission was to support business development and sustainable growth of Airbus aircraft operations.
Mélanie joined AIRBUS in 2009 at the Product Integrity Department, in charge of International Cooperation with Civil Aviation Authorities. Shortly thereafter, she joined the AIRBUS Product Safety Department in 2011, where she was the Manager of International Safety Operations, where she oversaw multiple operational safety assistance and collaborations efforts around the world with Civil Aviation Authorities and Airlines, efforts that she developed in close collaboration with AIRBUS Product Safety leadership. She was responsible for supporting the establishment of long-term relationships with ICAO Safety Groups, CAA’s, airlines and industry organizations involved in safety in the different regions around the world. She was also responsible for establishing and maintaining close collaboration with the different internal and external suppliers supporting simultaneous regional safety initiatives.
Mélanie earned a Master Degree in Safety from ENAC in 2016 and a degree in Human Resources & Business Management from IGS in 2008. Mélanie is fluent in French, English and Spanish languages. She has great interpersonal relationship ability, broad cultural sensitivities and strong organizational and management skills. In June 2021, she became a Private Pilot.
Terri is Chief Operating Officer based in LCI’s Dublin headquarters. She is responsible for the global operational management of the company, focusing on enhanced efficiencies and strategic initiatives to support its continued growth, and on legal strategy and process, supported by a legal team.
Terri was admitted as a Solicitor in England and Wales in 2001 and began her career in law with Dentons. She has proven experience in aviation leasing, financing and investing, both as a legal advisor and a commercial manager. Her time with Dentons included long-term secondments to Airbus SAS in Toulouse and to the corporate jet division of Barclays Bank.