The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023 winners are…

A celebration of Ireland’s most inspiring businesswomen, our annual IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road this evening.

Every single year, we’re blown away by the calibre of talent that exists in this country and 2023 was no exception. Faced with an overwhelming number of outstanding nominations, our highly esteemed judging panel whittled the applications down to one incredibly inspiring shortlist, from which they chose this year’s winners.

Now in its 15th year, IMAGE Media is proud to recognise the amazing achievements of Irish businesswomen, their unparalleled contribution to the Irish economy and their vital role within the Irish business community, both at home and abroad. These awards are a testament to the skill and resilience of Irish women and our winners are richly deserving of recognition.

Hosted by expert entertainers Melanie Morris, IMAGE Media’s Group Contributing Editor, and Richard Chambers, News Correspondent at Virgin Media Television, we had a fantastic evening with a gourmet dinner, delicious drinks and special musical performances from the Irish Women in Harmony collective, electric violinist Aoife Kelly and saxophone player, Conor McGrath. 

Thanks to our incredible partners PwC, sponsors Key Capital, DS Automobiles, Kuehne + Nagel, Glenveagh and Ibec and in association with Marks & Spencer, the Circle Club and i-Stil38, we were able to commemorate these women’s achievements, congratulate them for their innovative work and celebrate excellence across all of our distinguished award categories.

From social entrepreneurs to sustainability champions, young businesswomen and start-ups to CEOs and entrepreneurs, we are so proud to honour some of our country’s most amazing businesswomen and their stories — the innovators, the changemakers and the determined hard workers. Congratulations to all our winners and to the wonderful runners-up.

These are your IMAGE PwC Businesswomen of the Year 2023. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

Mary Robinson 

Start-Up of the Year

Fiona Parfrey, Lauren Duggan and Áine Kilkenny, Co-founders, Riley

Runners up

Dr Helena McMahon, Co-founder, Seabody

Rachel Bothwell, Founder and CEO, GP Practice Ally

Young Businesswoman of the Year

Onagh Chira, CEO, Platinum Hair Extensions

Runners up

Gráinne Mullins, CEO, Grá Chocolates

Niamh Tallon, CEO, Her Sport

Digital & Technology Businesswoman of the Year

Zara Flynn, Managing Director, Accenture Song

Runners up 

Ashley McDonnell, Global Digital Media & E-Commerce Director at PUIG, Chairperson of the Board at Digital Business Ireland and Founder of Tech Powered Luxury

Caroline Dunlea, CEO, Core Optimisation

Creative Businesswoman of the Year

Nell Roddy, Co-founder, Break Out Pictures

Runners up

Olivia Buckley, Founder & Managing Director, Olivia Buckley International

Ruth Maria Murphy, Director, Ruth Maria Ltd

Sustainability Champion of the Year

Ailbhe Gerrard, Founder, Field Exchange Ltd

Runners up 

Aideen O’Hora, Karen Deignan and Laura Heuston, Directors, SustainabilityWorks

Sandra Rockett, Director, ILIM Retail and Wealth Distribution Channels, Irish Life Group

Management Professional of the Year

Caroline Sherry, CFO and Executive Director, Hostelworld Group Plc

Runners up 

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland

Caoimhe McAuley, Director of Pharmacy and Superintendent Pharmacist, Boots Ireland

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

Dee Ahearn, CEO, Barretstown

Runners up 

Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland

Nicole Ryan, Director, Alex’s Adventure Ltd

Family Businesswoman of the Year

Aisling Ryan, CEO, Ryans Cleaning

Runners up 

Laura Kelly, Director, Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa

Ann O’Brien, Managing Director, Kent Stainless

Diversity and Inclusion Businesswoman of the Year

Amanda Adé, Creative Director, Black and Irish

Runners up 

Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors Initiative

Gwen Layden, Executive Director, Layden Group

CEO of the Year

Karen Clince, Founder and CEO, Tigers Childcare

Runners up 

Sharon Murphy, CEO, Wilson Hartnell and Ogilvy Ireland Group

Mary Rodgers, CEO, PorterShed

Entrepreneur of the Year

Suzanne Jackson, Director and Founder, SanFran Cosmetics and Cohar Ltd

Runners up 

Linda Stinson, CEO, Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze

Loretta Dignam, Founder and CEO, The Menopause Hub

Overall Businesswoman of the Year

Louise Grubb, CEO, TriviumVet