The IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2024 winners are…

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