Join us for our Beyond the Awards event: Stories of Success & Impact

On Friday, May 15, in front of an audience of 1,400, fourteen women were awarded for their vision, energy and commitment to careers that leave a legacy. Now, we get a chance to learn more about some of these remarkable winners, to find out about their paths to success, and the stories behind their achievements.

Join us on Wednesday, July 1, for an inspiring evening of insight, celebration and connection as we bring together some of Ireland’s most exceptional female business leaders – the winners of the 2026 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards in the first of a series of events.

Beyond the Awards goes deeper than accolades, exploring the personal journeys, challenges, and pivotal moments that have shaped the careers of these remarkable women. Through a powerful panel discussion and a special in-conversation feature, guests will hear directly from this year’s trailblazers across start-ups, social impact, global leadership, and enterprise, as they share what it truly takes to lead with purpose, resilience, and vision.

When and where

Date: Wednesday, July 1

Time: 6pm – 8pm

Location: The Grafton Suite, The Westbury Hotel

What to expect

6pm: Welcome reception

Join us in The Grafton Suite in The Westbury Hotel from 6pm onwards for bubbles, nibbles and networking.

6.45pm: Fireside chat: Overall Businesswoman of the Year

IMAGE contributing editor Melanie Morris will be joined in conversation with the IMAGE PwC Overall Businesswoman of the Year, Melíosa O’Caoimh, country head at Northern Trust. Melíosa is an outstanding leader in the Irish international financial services sector. In her role as country head, she has played an instrumental role in the growth and strategic direction of one of Ireland’s most important financial institutions.

7.30pm: Winner’s panel: Agents of change

Join us for an insightful panel discussion with three of the year’s most impressive category winners: Larissa Feeney, CEO of Kinore and CEO of the Year winner, Sarah Byrne, director of Agency, Private Equity and Venture Capital Partnerships, EMEA at Google and Senior Executive of the Year winner, and Orla Dolan, CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research and Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Charitable Organisation winner.

Modern leadership demands far more than a standard job description. To build a truly fulfilling career, where we work, how we work, how we adapt and how we bring teams along with us is just as crucial as strategy, ability, and bottom-line results. Our expert panel will share insights on crafting impactful careers that elevate you, your team, and your organisation.

Get tickets

Tickets are priced at €55 incl.VAT*.

Each attendee will enjoy welcome drinks, delicious canapés and a luxury gift bag on departure.

Meet the speakers

Melíosa O’Caoimh, Overall Businesswoman of the Year

Country Head of Ireland, Northern Trust

Melíosa O’Caoimh is an outstanding leader in the Irish international financial services sector. In her role as country head, she has played an instrumental role in the growth and strategic direction of one of Ireland’s most important financial institutions. Her dedication to Ireland’s funds industry is unrivalled, and she is widely respected for her inclusive leadership and industry expertise. Recently, Melíosa has driven the establishment of Northern Trust’s new Irish banking entity, a strategically important development that will help strengthen Ireland’s financial ecosystem and represents a major vote of confidence in the Irish market.

Larissa Feeney, CEO of the Year

CEO and Founder, Kinore Finance and Business Services

Larissa Feeney FCA, CEO and founder of Kinore, is a trailblazer in Ireland’s traditionally male-dominated finance sector. Beginning her career in hospitality before qualifying as a chartered accountant, she has grown Kinore from rural Donegal into a leading intentionally remote finance and business services firm serving clients nationwide. Her leadership is driven by innovation and people: she is committed to eliminating 100% of non-value-add tasks through technology so her team can dedicate more time to meaningful client relationships. She has also championed gender equality, building a strongly female-represented team, with women making up 73% of senior and leadership roles.

Sarah Byrne, Senior Executive of the Year

Director of Agency, Private Equity and Venture Capital Partnerships, EMEA, Google

With over 20 years of experience across advertising and technology, Sarah Byrne began her career at leading agencies in London, Dublin and Amsterdam, before joining Google in 2014 to lead their UK and Ireland Agency business. Today, she leads Agency, Private Equity and Venture Capital Partnerships for Google Customer Solutions across EMEA. She successfully launched the EMEA Private Equity and Venture Capital Investor team; her YouTube Masters programme builds creator-led capabilities across 1,500 global Agencies; and she empowers thousands of marketing leaders with thought leadership through her vodcast series for Accelerate with Google. Under her leadership, her division became the number one performing partnership team in Google Customer Solutions EMEA in 2025. Alongside her executive responsibilities, Sarah holds accredited expertise in Systemic, Team & Leadership Coaching from Henley Business School. She applies this expertise to support female leaders in technology, always advocating for radical transparency and kindness.

Orla Dolan, Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Charitable Organisation

CEO, Breakthrough Cancer Research

Orla Dolan is the CEO of Breakthrough Cancer Research, where she has spearheaded major national initiatives such as the All-Ireland Cancer Network and the White Ribbon for Lung Cancer campaign, focusing on cancers with the lowest survival rates and advocating that research is a necessity, not a luxury. She is the daughter of renowned surgeon and cancer researcher Gerry O’Sullivan, and has continued his legacy by leading efforts that have brought eight new cancer treatments from lab to clinic and by launching innovative fundraising campaigns, including a 130 km Camino walk and creative collaborations with figures like Michael Flatley. Orla is known for championing patient-centred research, supporting bold projects such as digital body replication for personalised treatment, and for her hands-on approach—often participating in awareness campaigns and public science communication. Her leadership has resulted in multi- million euro investments and high-profile partnerships, making her a driving force in transforming cancer research and survival in Ireland.