Stephen Kinsella is Full Professor of Economics and Head of the Department of Economics at the University of Limerick. He is Economic Advisor to An Taoiseach agus An Tánaiste, with a focus on Trade. He is Co-Director of UL's Immersive Software Engineering programme and a member of the team that designed UL's latest Immersive Bioscience and Biotherapeutics degree, which will take its first students in September 2026.
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A native of Connemara, Breda joined IDA Ireland 22 years ago after spending much of her career in the UK and holds a master’s degree in strategic human resource management from Manchester Metropolitan University. Breda joined IDA Ireland as the Global Head of HR&OD, moved into Regional Business Development and Client Operations. Breda is currently heading up a department for IDA developing Ireland’s proposition on talent and digitalisation to support client transformation. Breda’s team works with IDA Ireland client companies on innovation, talent development, digitalisation, and sustainability. Her team is responsible for the development of supports and services in these areas to drive transformation across Irish sites and works closely with stakeholders across Ireland like BioPharmChem Ireland, to provide some of these supports to client companies.
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John is currently employed as the Director of Training Alliances & Innovation at the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Dublin, Ireland (NIBRT). As a member of NIBRT’s senior management team he works with colleagues to drive new business and initiatives in the area of training, workforce readiness and skills development. As an Adjunct Lecturer, he also currently delivers modules in Biopharmaceutical Science & Engineering within the Higher Education Sector in Ireland.
John completed his PhD in Biochemistry at University College Dublin specialising in molecular enzymology. He has over 25+ yrs experience in the development and manufacture of biopharmaceutical products. Within the biopharmaceutical industry he has been employed in technical operations and client engagement roles. Within GMP manufacturing facilities he has had roles in process development, process scale-up, tech transfer and regulatory engagement.
Dr Kara McGann is Head of Skills & Social Policy at Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative group. Her role involves regular analysis of social and educational policy issues for a business audience, and as a strategic advisor to employers providing support on skills, labour market, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and social sustainability policy and practice.
She is a member of the National Skills Council and Chair of its NTF working group, a member of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, a board member of the Open Doors Initiative, she represents Irish business on the Employment, Labour and Social Affairs Committee of Business at the OECD (BIAC), on the Social Affairs Committee at Business Europe and is Chair of their Employment Working Group, and is a member of the Labour Market Advisory Council.
Prior to joining Ibec in 2008, Kara held roles in industry as a Career Development Manager, Organisational Psychologist, and lectured at undergraduate, postgraduate and executive level.
Justin is a Development Advisor in Network Development with Skillnet Ireland where he manages a portfolio of Skillnet Business networks across a range of networks including, BioPharmaChem, Medtech, Engineering, Greentech, Sustainable Enterprise, Space, Connected Health, First Polymer and Industry 4.0.
With over 25 years’ experience, Justin has a strong track record in supporting and mentoring networks and companies. Justin has extensive experience and understanding of the development and training needs of companies at various stages of their development working with Skillnet Ireland and Enterprise Ireland. Justin holds a BA in Economics and a Masters in Marketing and Management from University College Dublin.