Shortlist announced for the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2025

Women in business are a beacon of innovation, creativity, diversity and progress in Ireland and beyond. These characteristics are evident throughout the exciting shortlist for the 2025 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards, which we are delighted to announce.

“Every year the IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards are a showcase of the incredible depth and diversity of female leadership across Ireland’s business ecosystem,” says Clodagh Edwards, CEO of IMAGE Media.

“The exceptional calibre of the 2025 shortlist demonstrates the economic impact of these women in business, across so many sectors, and we are delighted to spotlight these inspiring business stories. This year we are delighted to introduce new categories to these prestigious awards – featuring Irish names from beyond the shores of this island – and we look forward to honouring this shortlist of women at our prestigious awards on Friday, April 25th,” she says.

There was an astounding line-up across all 14 categories and shortlisting was a difficult job for the team of judges. Incredible stories were backed up with evidence of the success and vision of the women shortlisted in each category. These are the businesswomen we are inspired by, the women we want to seek out after a networking evening, the women we want in our corner and the women we wish to support and to celebrate.

We are delighted to share the complete 2025 IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of the Year Awards shortlist…

IMAGE PwC Businesswoman of The Year Shortlist 2025:

CEO of the Year

• Aimee Connolly, CEO and Founder, Sculpted By Aimee
• Amanda Nelson, CEO and Chair, Vodafone Ireland
• Carolan Lennon, Country Leader Salesforce Ireland, Salesforce
• Dee Ahearn, CEO, Barretstown
• Evelyn Moynihan, CEO, Kilkenny Design
• Imelda Hurley, CEO, Coillte
• Madeline Riley, CEO, Luxor Leisure Ltd t/a Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin, Velvære Spa, Dublin, Royal Convention Centre, Old Town Café and Old Town Wine Bar, The Crown Square Leisure Ltd t/a Radisson RED Galway
• Nicola Vavasour, CEO, Scotiabank (Ireland) Designated Activity Company
• Sharon Murphy, CEO, Ogilvy Group Ireland

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Creative Businesswoman of the Year

• Andrea Williams, Creative Director, HYPE Digital
• Anna Guerin, Director, The Landskein
• Audrey Hamilton, Artist and Founder, Audrey Hamilton Art and Audrey Hamilton Apparel
• Carrie Neely, Founder and Director, Art Loves Ltd
• Cleo Prickett, Creative Director, Designer and Owner, Cleo Prickett
• Edel Lawlor, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and Trainer, Expressive Play
• Edwina Forkin, Managing Director, Treehouse Media
• Ella de Guzman, CEO and Co-owner, Siopaella
• Jess Murphy, Owner and Chef Patron, Kai Galway
• Madeleine Blaine, Founder, Silver Works, The Collective, Gallardo & Blaine Designs Ireland

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Diversity & Inclusion Leader of the Year

• Adebola Olomo, Ambassador, Women in AI
• Aisha Bolaji, Ashley Chadamoyo, Oyin Adeyemi, Lulit Luis, Co-founders, The GALPAL Collective
• Caroline Flynn, Senior Partnerships and Diversity Manager, Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland
• Jeanne McDonagh, CEO, The Open Doors Initiative
• Linda Coogan Byrne, CEO, Policy Advisor, Gender and Racial Equality Campaigner and DEI Specialist, Why Not Her?
• Mamobo Ogoro, Founder and CEO, GORM
• Margot Slattery, Global Head of Social Sustainability and Inclusion, ISS World Services
• Sharon Kelly, Chief People Officer, Woodie’s
• Yvonne Brewer, Country Manager, Auticon

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Entrepreneur of the Year

• Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan, Co-founders, Ella & Jo
• Denise Phillips, Co-founder and CEO, Voduz / Pelo Hairdressing and Scalp Specialists
• Jane Walker, Co-founder and CEO, Happy Cubs
• Linda Stinson, CEO, Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze
• Lisa McGowan, CEO, Lisa & Co and Lisa’s Lust List
• Loretta Dignam, Founder and CEO, The Menopause Hub
• Mairead Cheevers, Chief Operating Officer and Director, Rose Clinic
• Prof Caitriona Ryan and Prof Nicola Ralph, Co-founders and Consultant Dermatologists, Institute of Dermatologists
• Suzanne Fowler, Founder, 14 Day Mani
• Suzie O’Neill, Owner, AYU Cosmetics

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ESG Champion of the Year

• Aideen O’Neill, Head of Activations and Head of Sustainability, Verve The Live Agency
• Aoife McNamara, CEO, Aoife McNamara Ltd
• Ché McGann, Head of Responsible Business and ESG Reporting, Goodbody Clearstream
• Claire Morgan, Owner, McWilliam Bags
• Joanne Grace, Head of ESG Governance and Reporting, Glanbia
• Laura McDermott, CEO, Colectivo Ltd
• Pat Kane, Founder, Chief Sustainability Officer and Partner, reuzi and Pragmatica
• Rosie O’Neill, Director of Sustainability, Ifac (Irish Farm Accounts Co-operative)

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Family Businesswoman of the Year

• Dairíne McCafferty, Managing Director, Essential Foods Ltd t/a Cornucopia
• Danielle Tutty, Owner and Managing Director, Rathmines Glass
• Elaine Sterio, Owner, Glenellen Restaurants Ltd
• Karen Dudley, Director, Kare Plan
• Kira Walton, Co-founder, VOYA Organic Beauty
• Louise Whelan, Managing Director, Pioneer Homecare
• Nuala Mulqueeney, Managing Director, Aillwee Burren Experience
• Orla Good, Group Commercial Director and Managing Director, Portwest
• Phoebe Holland, Managing Director, Rugs.ie
• Ursula Kelly, Managing Director, Cormac Tagging

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International Businesswoman of the Year

• Aisling Connaughton, Sustainability Solutionist and Co-founder, Cyd Connects
• Ashley McDonnell, Director, PUIG and Founder, Tech Powered Luxury
• Carol Egan, Owner, Studio Carol Egan
• Deirdre O’Neill, Co-founder and Chief Commercial and Legal Officer, Hertility Health Ltd
• Erris Burke, CEO and Founder, Erris Creative
• Jane McCooey, Executive Director, Enterprise Technology and Services, Morgan Stanley
• Nicola Bates, President and CEO, Siemens Capital Company, USA
• Rachel Conlan, Chief Marketing Officer, Binance

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Management Professional of the Year – Senior Professional

• Aisling Teggart, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Accounting and Fund Administration, State Street
• Ciara McGuinness, Ireland Head of Aviation Services, Avenue Capital Management
• Crystel Rynne, CEO, HRLocker
• Joy Kiely, Head of Ireland for Securities Services, BNP Paribas
• Lianne Kavanagh, Chief Commercial Officer, Iconic Offices
• Majella Mungovan, Vice President, Meta Business Services and Meta Board Member, Meta
• Maoliosa Connell, Director of Marketing, Creative and Retail Buying, Avoca
• Maura Winston, Chief People Officer, Cairn Homes PLC
• Valerie Roe, Founder and Managing Director, Valerie Roe PR
• Vicki Donlon, Commercial Manager, Horse Racing Ireland

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Management Professional of the Year – Emerging Professional

• Aoife Beirne, AML Manager, An Post
• Aoife Callan, Head of Access and External Affairs, Takeda Products Ireland Ltd
• Laura Noonan, Partnerships and Development Manager, Cork Opera House
• Lauren McKenna, Head of Product, Positive Carbon
• Leanne Brolly, Vice President of Risk, Genesis Aircraft Leasing Services
• Lucy Tobin, Healthcare Compliance Consultant, Pharma Integrity

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Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Community Impact

• Angela Hayes, CEO, The Thomas Hayes Trust CLG / Teac Tom
• Aolish Gormley, Founder, Ardú and Leader, Year of Care Campaign
• Eileen McHugh, Founder and CEO, Hair Together CLG
• Fiona Tuomey, Founder and CEO, HUGG
• Lucie Cunningham, Founder and CEO, The Home Share
• Niamh Tallon, Founder, Her Sport Media Ltd
• Sinéad Ryan, Founder and CEO, Little Fitness
• Sonya Lennon, Founder, WorkEqual and Co-founder, LIFT Ireland

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Social Entrepreneur of the Year – Charitable Organisation

• Aisling Hurley, CEO, Breast Cancer Ireland
• Avril Ryan, CEO, Gaisce – The President’s Award
• Ciára Dalton, Sorcha Killian and Rosie McDonagh, Co-founders, Hygiene Hub
• Deirdre Mortell, CEO, Rethink Ireland
• Gráinne Fogarty, Director of Care, RehabCare, Care division of the Rehab Group
• Louise Quill, CEO, Tír na nÓg Children’s Foundation
• Maeve Monaghan, CEO, NOW Group
• Maura Kiely, CEO, Leave No Trace
• Tricia Nolan, Manager, South Dublin County Volunteer Centre

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Start-up Businesswoman of the Year

• Alice Carroll, Co-founder, Foxes Bow Whiskey
• Gráinne Mullins, CEO, Grá Chocolates
• Jenny Keane, Director and CEO, Oh! Moment
• Kate Scott, Founder and CEO, HoloToyz
• Laura Dowling, Founder and CEO, fabÜ
• Leonie Lynch, Founder, Juspy Ltd
• Morgan Pierce, CEO, SolarSmart Energy Ltd
• Nicola Lyons and Elaine Crosse, Co-founders, Bánór
• Samantha Forrest, Founder, Fussy Food Plates
• Sharon Mooney, Managing Partner, Hyphen Strategy

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STEM Professional of the Year

• Caroline Rocks, Programmes Director, AbbVie
• Dr Niamh Shaw, CEO and Founder, Dream Big Space & Science Communications
• Jacqui O’Connor, Founder and CEO, MedScan3D
• Katie Farrell, Co-founder and Chief Customer Officer, SQUID
• Kelly McKillen, Head of Security Strategy and Architecture, Bank of Ireland
• Laragh de Bhulbh, Founder and Managing Director, Wolf Medical Ltd
• Lorraine Smyth, e-Enabler of Digital Solutions, Health Service Executive
• Rena Maycock, Founder and CEO, Chirp
• Shana Chu, CEO and Founder, Tailr
• Susan McGarry, Director of Public Affairs and Sustainability, Ecocem Global

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Young Businesswoman of the Year

• Alison Mac Sweeney, Founder and CEO, BrandHive Ltd
• Clara Mulligan, Owner and Founder, HomeBot Ireland
• Georgia Quealy, Co-founder, Bon Chocolatiers
• Hannah Saunders, Founder and CEO, Hannah Saunders PR
• Nadia Adan, Founder and Owner, Ashford Motors
• Nancy Costello, Co-owner, The Belle Brush and Owner, Belle Hair
• Sarah O’Sullivan, Founder, SOS Cookies
• Shona Mahon, Founder, Wink with Mink
• Sophie Leahy, Director, The Wine Opener Ltd
• Una Leonard, Owner and Founder, 2210 Patisserie

Tickets

Tickets are priced at €365 ex.VAT. Each guest will enjoy:

• Welcome drinks reception & opportunity to network with Ireland’s leaders in business
• Delicious four-course dinner including wine
• Luxurious gift bag
• Special musical performance
• Opportunity to win fantastic prizes

For event terms and conditions and the booking policy, please visit HERE.

If you have any questions or require any assistance, please email events@image.ie