Event host / Kara McGann
Head of Skills and Social Policy acts as strategic advisor and support on diversity and inclusion, skills and labour market policy and practices to Ibec member organisations across multiple sectors. Role includes lobbying and developing policy positions at a national and European level, developing tools and guidelines, and representing business at stakeholder forums across the breadth of skills and social policy issues from gender pay gap reporting and human rights to labour market activation and immigration. With Ibec since 2008, specialist in strategy development and implementation, public and regulatory policy, business representation and stakeholder engagement.
She is the Chair of the Employment Working Group of Business Europe, a member of the External Group of Experts of the European Consortium of Innovative Universities (ECIU), a member of the Labour Market Advisory Council and Board member of the Open Doors Initiative. An organisational psychologist, formerly HR manager in industry with lecturing experience at undergraduate, postgraduate and executive level.
Forum chair / Michelle Cullen
Michelle is a managing director at Accenture, and executive sponsor for inclusion and diversity at Accenture in Ireland. For over 30 years, Michelle has worked at the intersection of technology and humanities. She is a strong advocate for diversity and co-founder of Accenture’s Women on Walls initiative which seeks to make women leaders visible through a series of commissioned portraits to inspire future generations.
Michelle has been a member of the Ibec Diversity Forum for a number of years. She serves on the Board of Governors and Guardians of the National Gallery of Ireland. Michelle was named Woman of the Year at the 2018 Women in IT Awards and is a DCU Alumni Achievement honouree.
Guest speakers / on the agenda
Amanda Jolliffe leads Microsoft Dream Space, where she drives strategy and delivery of innovative STEM education programs that equip young people and their education communities with future-ready skills like problem-solving, collaboration, and ethical decision-making. With over 14 years in education and leadership roles, Amanda combines deep sector expertise with a passion for quality learning experiences that can have scalable impact. She holds a Bachelor of Science, Master’s in Education Leadership and a Diploma in Computational Thinking. Amanda also contributes to the tech ecosystem through her volunteer work with CWiT Ireland and her community by coaching an Adult Ladies Gaelic Football team.
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Emma is a graduate of Trinity College where she completed a Level 5 in Arts, Science and Inclusive Applied Practice. As part of this she completed modules on Disability rights, Entrepreneurship and STEM. She has worked and gained experience in Key Capital and CAIRN Homes. She has worked in Microsoft Ireland for over a year now as Dream Space Administrator Intern where she supports the Microsoft Dream Space team with their planning, programme delivery and administrative tasks.
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John is the Public Engagement Manager for Irish Wheelchair Association. A native of Limerick City where he lived until moving to Dublin in 1991, John worked as a Bank Manager with AIB for 24 years before changing career to join Irish Wheelchair Association supporting the work of an organisation and a cause he feels passionately about. His current role focusses on Advocacy supporting people with disabilities in having their voices heard on the issues important to them including topics such as Inclusion, Equity, Housing, Realising their Rights under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Person with Disabilities and the everyday challenges faced around attitudes and access.
John, however, rates his greatest achievement as being married to his wife Mary, a running coach and having their nine -year-old son, Harry. John’s hobbies include Reading, Cinema, Munster Rugby and he is a Big Star Wars fan.
John is a sports enthusiast, inheriting Limerick’s passion for sport and is the current Chairperson of UL Sport and a Board Member of Irish Wheelchair Association. His love of Athletics and Basketball saw John compete up to and including Paralympic Level. John is a previous President of Paralympics Ireland and also Sport Irelands Women in Sport committee.
John is a wheelchair user who has his disability, Spina Bifida, since he was born.