IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2023 Shortlist Announced

Our annual IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, which is in its fifteenth year, will take place on Friday, April 14 at The Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road. We are very excited to host a truly special evening, recognising the amazing achievements of Irish businesswomen. 

This year in particular the editors and directors of IMAGE Media were faced with an overwhelming number of outstanding nominations across eleven categories. With vigour, dedication and a good deal of passionate discussion, they worked tirelessly to select the shortlist, and we are thrilled to unveil the worthy shortlisted nominees.

IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of The Year Shortlist 2023:

Entrepreneur of the Year

• Alison Banton, CEO and Fragrance Designer, Brooke & Shoals Fragrances Ltd
• Anita Murray, Managing Director, (Pink Beauty Group) Edvard & Pink, The Salon & Spa Company, and Be Kingdom Kind
• Donna Reilly, Director and Founder, Donna Reilly People & Wellness
• Joeanna Caffrey, Owner, Joeanna Caffrey Flowers
• Kathy Peyton, Director, Sweete
• Linda Stinson, CEO, Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze
• Lisa McGowan, Founder, Lisa’s Lust List Ltd
• Loretta Dignam, Founder and CEO, The Menopause Hub
• Louise Grubb, CEO, TriviumVet
• Peigín Crowley, Owner, GROUND Wellbeing
• Suzanne Jackson, Director and Founder, SanFran Cosmetics and Cohar Ltd

 

Young Businesswoman of the Year (Under 35)

• Aine Kennedy, Founder, The Smooth Company
• Aisling Tuck, CEO, Oh Happy Treats Ltd
• Charlene Flanagan, Co-founder, Ella & Jo Cosmetics
• Dr Wendy Oke, CEO, TeachKloud
• Grace Reed, Managing Director, Kare Cosmetics Ltd
• Gráinne Mullins, CEO, Grá Chocolates
• Niamh Hegarty, Founder, Niamh’s Larder and BKultured
• Onagh Chira, CEO, Platinum Hair Extensions
• Niamh Tallon, CEO, Her Sport

 

Management Professional of the Year

• Brenda Flaherty, Client Relationship Manager, Sodexo
• Caoimhe McAuley, Director of Pharmacy and Superintendent Pharmacist, Boots Ireland
• Caroline Sherry, CFO and Executive Director, Hostelworld Group Plc
• Catherine Gardiner, CIO and COO, Energia Group
• Claire Markey, IT Director, Obelisk 
• Hilary Quinn, Marketing Director, Diageo Ireland
• Katie Banks, VP of Global People, Nitro, Inc
• Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development, Fáilte Ireland
• Sarah Priestman, CVM Senior Manager, Vodafone Ireland
• Sandra Devenney, General Manager, McElhinneys, Co Donegal

 

Start-up of the Year

• Alison Mac Sweeney, CEO, BrandHive Ltd
• Dr Helena McMahon, Co-founder, Seabody
• Fiona Parfrey, Lauren Duggan and Áine Kilkenny, Co-founders, Riley
• Heather Condren, Owner, Flowerpop
• Rachel Bothwell, Founder and CEO, GP Practice Ally
• Rachel Hennessy, Founder, Happy Days
• Shauna Burke, Owner, CROÍA Jewellery
• Sophia Seymour, Owner, Wild Meadow Florals
• Tara O’Connor, Founder, The Designed Table

 

Creative Businesswoman of the Year

• Aoife Smith, Director, Movement
• Courtney McDonnell, Owner, Courtney McDonnell Studio
• Kasia Gaborec-McEvoy, Co-founder, My Name is Ted
• Kim O’Sullivan, Director and Owner, The Dublin Makeup Academy, Brow Aid®? and PhiAcademy Ireland
• Nell Roddy, Co-founder, Break Out Pictures
• Nicki Hoyne, Creative Director, Nicki Hoyne
• Olga Kochlewska, Director and Owner, Skin by Olga
• Olivia Buckley, Founder & Managing Director, Olivia Buckley International
• Ruth Maria Murphy, Director, Ruth Maria Ltd
• Sinead Keary, CEO, Sinead Keary The Label

 

CEO of the Year

• Brenda Dooley, CEO and Founder, AXIS Consulting
• Carol Brick, Managing Director, CWM Wealth Management and HerMoney Ltd
• Collette Gleeson, CEO, Comfort Keepers Homecare Ireland
• Evelyn Moynihan, CEO, Kilkenny Design
• Jeanne Copeland, CEO, Greenville Procurement Partners
• Karen Clince, Founder and CEO, Tigers Childcare
• Lisa McKenna, CEO, McKenna & Co Solicitors
• Margaret O’Rourke Doherty, CEO of HABIC and Network Manager of Image Skillnet
• Mary Rodgers, CEO, PorterShed
• Sharon Murphy, CEO, Wilson Hartnell and Ogilvy Ireland Group

 

Digital & Technology Businesswoman of the Year

• Anne Sheehan, General Manager, Microsoft
• 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
• Fiona Daly, CFO, Head of Talent and Legal, Codec
• Jacqui Meskell, Founder and CEO, Huggnote Ltd
• Kerri Sheeran and Alex Sheeran, Co-founders, TALY Subscriptions
• Louise McDonnell, Managing Director, SellOnSocial.Media
• Marie McGinley, Partner and International Head of Technology and Head of Intellectual Property, Technology and Data Protection, Eversheds Sutherland Ireland
• Rhona Togher and Eimear O’Carroll, Co-founders, Lios
• Zara Flynn, Managing Director, Accenture Song

 

Sustainability Champion of the Year

• Aideen O’Hora, Karen Deignan and Laura Heuston, Directors, SustainabilityWorks
• Ailbhe Gerrard, Founder, Field Exchange Ltd
• Aoife Mc Namara, Founder, Aoife Mc Namara Ltd
• Pat Kane, CEO, Reuzi
• Ruth Dempsey, Owner, Finders Keepers
• Sandra Rockett, Director, ILIM Retail and Wealth Distribution Channels, Irish Life Group
• Sarah-Marie Rust, CEO and Founder, EVE (Electric Vehicle Ecosystem) 
• Sharon Keilthy, CEO, Jiminy Eco Toys
• Taz Kelleher and Geraldine Carton, CEOs, The Useless Project
• Zelia Madigan, CEO and Founder, Conscious Convert

 

Social Entrepreneur of the Year

• Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland
• Dee Ahearn, CEO, Barretstown
• Kerry McLaverty, CEO, LauraLynn Ireland’s Children’s Hospice
• Marian O’Gorman, Founder, Champion Green
• Maureen Forrest, Founder and Honorary Director/President, The Hope Foundation (HOPE)
• Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil, Chairperson, Comharchumann Chléire Teo
• Nicole Ryan, Director, Alex’s Adventure Ltd
• Rosemary Keogh, CEO, Irish Wheelchair Association
• Susan McQuaid O’Dwyer, CEO, Make-A-Wish Ireland
• Tammy Darcy, CEO, The Shona Project

 

Family Businesswoman of the Year

• Ailbhe Garrihy, General Manager, Dublin Bay Cruises
• Aisling Ryan, CEO, Ryans Cleaning
• Ann O’Brien, Managing Director, Kent Stainless
• Birgitta Hedin-Curtin, CEO, Burren Smokehouse
• Edwina Donnellan, Manager, Donnellan’s Centra
• Gillian Blaney Shorte, Creative Director, Artzone
• Grace Irvine, Managing Director, McNally Joinery
• Laura Kelly, Director, Kelly’s Resort Hotel & Spa
• Sarah Murphy, Sales and Marketing Director, Jack Murphy Clothing
• Valerie Peart, Principal, Pearts Solicitors and Town Agents

 

Diversity and Inclusion Businesswoman of the Year

• Amanda Adé, Creative Director, Black and Irish
• Fiona Scott, Chief People Officer, CDB Aviation
• Furkan Karayel, Founder, Diversein
• Gwen Layden, Executive Director, Layden Group
• Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, Open Doors Initiative
• Maeve Monaghan, CEO, NOW Group
• Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion, ISS World
• Obonu Rachael Davies, Senior EMEA Program Manager, GoTo
• Olivia Maguire, Chair – CFA UK Diversity Equity & Inclusion Committee
• Siobhán Curtin, Site Leader, eBay Ireland

 

“This year’s shortlist has so many inspiring Irish success stories. Congratulations to all the finalists! I look forward to welcoming you and celebrating your achievements on Friday, April 14th,” said Ciara Cosgrove, Director of Events & Branded Partnerships, IMAGE Media.

We will announce the winners on the evening across eleven categories, along with the overall IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year and our very special Lifetime Achievement Award. 

If you would like to join us booking details are below for your convenience. Tickets are available below, or email our events team at [email protected].