The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024 winners are…
After weeks of anticipation, here are our deserving winners of the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024.
One of the biggest nights on our annual social calendar, our annual IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards took place at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road this evening.
A celebration of Ireland’s most inspiring businesswomen, it’s an opportunity to recognise Ireland’s most inspiring businesswomen and the calibre of entries this year was exceptional. Over the past few weeks, our highly esteemed judging panel whittled the applications down to one outstanding shortlist, from which they chose this year’s winners.
Every single year, without fail, we’re blown away by the immense talent that exists in this country and 2024 was no exception. Now in its 16th 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 a very special musical performance from the inimitable Imelda May.
Thanks to our incredible partners PwC, sponsors Key Capital, DS Automobiles, Glenveagh, Kuehne + Nagel, Pinergy, Eversheds Sutherland, Ornua and Paul Sheeran and in association with Marks & Spencer, Movement, Enterprise Ireland and istil-38, 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 STEM professionals, we are honoured to champion 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 2024.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Anne Heraty
CEO of the Year
Fiona Matthews, Managing Director, Applegreen
Runners up
Fiona Gallagher, CEO, Wells Fargo Bank International
Dr Tara Shine, CEO, Change by Degrees Ltd
Management Professional of the Year
Ashley McDonnell, Global Digital Media and E-Commerce Director, PUIG
Runners up
Hilary Quinn, Marketing Director, Diageo Ireland
Lorraine Griffin, Chair and Tax Partner, Deloitte Ireland
Family Businesswoman of the Year
Edwina Donnellan, CEO, MillroadMotors t/a Donnellans Centra
Runners up
Phoebe Holland, Managing Director, Rugs.ie
Louise Whelan, Managing Director and Owner, Pioneer HomeCare
STEM Professional of the Year
Karen May, Company Director and Chief Financial Officer, XOCEAN Ltd
Runners up
Tina Raleigh, Head of Offshore Wind, Ireland, Statkraft
Rosanne Longmore, CEO, Coroflo
Entrepreneur of the Year
Mairead Mackle, CEO and Founder, Tarasis Enterprises
Runners up
Elaine Brady, Founder, Barden
Lisa McGowan, Founder, Lisa’s Lust List and Lisa & Co Ltd
Start-up of the Year
Dr Helena McMahon, Co-founder, Seabody
Runners up
Sharon Mooney, Managing Partner, Hyphen Strategy Ltd
Rebecca Hoban, Founder, Outwest Clothing Ltd
Young Businesswoman of the Year (UNDER 35)
Aine Kennedy, CEO and Founder, The Smooth Company
Runners up
Gráinne Dwyer, CEO and Founder, Heritage
Emily Brick, Founder and Director, Athena Analytics
Creative Businesswoman of the Year
Gráinne Humphreys, Executive Director and Festival Director, Dublin International Film Festival Ltd
Runners up
Madeleine Blaine, Founder, Silver Works and The Collective
Suzie Mc Adam, Founder, Suzie Mc Adam Design
Diversity and Inclusion Businesswoman of the Year – Community Advocate
Lisa McKenna, Principal Solicitor, McKenna & Co Solicitors
Runners up
Loretta Dignam, Founder and CEO, The Menopause Hub
Diversity and Inclusion Businesswoman of the Year – Industry Leader
Tracy Gunn and Michelle O’Keeffe, Co-founders, Platform55
Runners up
Margot Slattery, Global Head of Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging and Social Sustainability, ISS World Services
Sustainability Champion of the Year
Dr Val Cummins, Chief Impact Officer, Simply Blue Group
Runners up
Madeleine Murray, Chief Product Officer, Change by Degrees Ltd
Patricia Kane, Founder, reuzi; Partner and Sustainability Chief Officer, Pragmatica
Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Community Impact
Dairine Kennedy, Co-founder, Neurodiversity Ireland
Runners up
Niamh Ní Dhrisceoil, Community Activist, Cape Clear Island
Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Charitable Organisation
Martina Jennings, CEO, Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation
Runners up
Kerry McLaverty, CEO, LauraLynn
Overall Businesswoman of the Year
Emma Maye, CEO, CORE Builders Providers