Kathleen is a Senior Sustainability Specialist in Enterprise Ireland’s Business Expansion and Sustainability Solutions Department where she supports companies to adopt and embed sustainability best practice through a range of supports, including webinars, workshops, advisory and training grants, and capital grants. Prior to this Kathleen worked in the Enterprise Ireland Operational Excellence Department and Shannon Aquatic Toxicity Laboratory. Kathleen holds a degree in Environmental Science and Technology from ATU Sligo, a master’s in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Monitoring from the University of Ulster and completed a Business Sustainability Management course from the University of Cambridge.
Show more
Shane is Managing Director at KPMG Sustainable Futures. He has 20+ years’ experience of the global construction materials market in operations, investor relations and ESG group management. He works across multiple sectors developing ESG strategies, due diligence, target setting and decarbonisation. He is an outgoing chair of the CDP Ireland Network, a committee of sustainability professionals from across Irish industry and semi-state organisations. He is currently a Non-Executive Director of ECO UNESCO, Ireland’s Environmental Education and Youth Organisation that works to conserve the environment and empower young people.
Show more
Jack is the Director of Certifications at the for-profit subsidiary off of My Green Lab, Impact Laboratories. He is based out of Limerick, Ireland, from where he manages and supports laboratories globally, involved in the My Green Lab Certification Programme. His responsibilities have also involved the administrative work and management of the International Laboratory Freezer Challenge, My Green Lab Ambassador Programme, supporting lead generation for My Green Lab and the current project lead for the Pilot Programme with Research Ireland-funded laboratories, and a pilot with the HSE. Jack graduated from Munster Technological University in 2019.
Prior to joining My Green Lab and now Impact Laboratories, Jack had previously applied his trade within the QC laboratories of both PepsiCo and Regeneron. During his time in PepsiCo, Jack spearheaded the project for PepsiCo’s pursuit of My Green Lab Certification for a number of laboratories across multiple European PepsiCo sites.
Dr. Ann O’Connell is Head of Funded Projects for Medtech and Engineering Skills at Ibec, leading over 100 upskilling programmes across industry. With a PhD from UCD’s Centre for BioNano Interactions and a background spanning Intel, IMR, and EU-funded research, Ann brings deep expertise in digitalisation, innovation, and strategic programme development. She’s a passionate advocate for lifelong learning and skills for the future.
Show more
Pauline O’ Flanagan, Director, Engineering Industries Ireland, an Ibec Trade Association, representing the interests of engineering business sectors in Ireland. Member of Orgalim National Council, representing European Technology Industries, Lean Business Ireland Leadership Team, Solas, Skills to Advance Micro-Qualifications Oversight Team and Midlands Advanced Manufacturing Steering Committee. Previously, Head of Funded projects for Ibec Medtech & Engineering Skillnet, Springboard & Apprenticeships. Held senior leadership positions in Medtech research and manufacturing for 15 years. Managing Director of own consultancy business for 10 years. Academic qualifications BSc (NUIG), H. Dip. App. Sc. (UG), MBA (UL), Diploma in Managing Networks (TUI), Diploma in Quality Mmt, Lean Blackbelt (UL), Certificate in Training & Development (UG).
Show more
David is the Chair of the Ibec Medtech and Engineering Sustainability Steering Committee. David is the global sustainability director at Teleflex, with experience across multiple sectors including medical devices, civil and structural engineering, retail and manufacturing with over 15 years being in senior sustainability roles.
David has developed and led award winning sustainability strategies that have delivered significant impact in GHG emission, water and waste reductions and supported cost improvements and commercial success.
Throughout his career David has engaged widely with industry initiatives in Ireland, the UK and Europe, including serving as chair on the Irish Food Board (Bord Bia) DEI Taskforce and EU PEFCR Technical Secretariat for Red Meat.
David is a Chartered Engineer (Engineers Ireland/University College Cork) and holds an MSc in Sustainable Business (Michael Smurfit Business School) and an MBA (University College Cork).
.jpg?rev=d784de16a1ec41cd87977ba1187ec9ad)
Ellie Walshe is the Vice-Chair of the Ibec Medtech and Engineering Sustainability Steering Committee Ellie Walshe is Head of Sustainability at Suir Engineering. She has over 14 years’ experience working in sustainability across engineering, construction, and infrastructure in both Ireland and the UK. Before joining Suir Engineering, Ellie worked in sustainability advisory with Davy Horizons, supporting organisations across a range of sectors on ESG and sustainability strategy. Earlier in her career, she worked on major infrastructure projects including Crossrail and HS2. Her work today focuses on helping Suir Engineering respond to changing sustainability regulations, reduce emissions, and build practical sustainability approaches that work across operations, people, and supply chains.
Show more
Pádraic Ó hUiginn leads the Climate Action and Sustainability Centre of Excellence in the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), a government agency, to enable it become an exemplar – internally, in how it does business, and externally, in how it supports business in the green transition. With a background in economics, public policy, communications and environmental innovation, he holds a diploma in management and leadership from UCD, and an M.Sc. in sustainability from DCU.
Over the past decade in particular, he has been a central connector and facilitator for innovation and knowledge transfer, in early mover projects in developing a circular economy in Ireland – at the intersection of industry/enterprise, government, academic research, and citizens/end users. He is a co-author and co-contributor on a number of environmental and circular economy reports, including the Irish EPA-funded Environmental Policy Integration: Innovation and Change.
Fiona Lavin works for SEAI on their Large Industry Energy Network (LIEN) Programme. Fiona qualified from University College Galway with a BE (Industrial Engineering) and later an MSc (Biomedical Science). She has experience in various manufacturing industries including wafer fabrication and data storage, fibre optics, wound care, medical device and advanced research and training with laser processing. In her current role Fiona focuses on supporting LIEN members to improve their energy performance and decarbonise their sites. This is achieved through the LIEN ongoing engagement supports including advisory, training, events, site visits and briefings.
Show more
Ryan Collins is a Sustainability Executive at IDA Ireland. He collaborates with corporate leadership teams across Ireland, the U.S. and Europe to develop impactful sustainability investments. With a focus on decarbonisation, Ryan also works to support circular economy, waste, and water projects across the FDI sector. Ryan works with IDA clients to strengthen competitiveness, productivity, and to futureproof industry. Ryan has an MSc in International Political Economy as well as a degree in Economics and Politics from UCD.
Show more