Paula Cogan
Paula held the role of CEO of Cognate Health a leading occupational Health provider in Ireland from July 2020 to February 2024 and has recently taken on the role of Head of Sales of a new lifestyle hotel group – Miiro Hotels who are launching a collection of luxury urban hotels across Europe
Paula is a Past President of Cork Chamber and is the second female to hold this role in 200 years. Paula has worked for over 25 years in the hospitality industry and had held senior roles in sales and marketing, culminating as Global Head of Sales for Doyle Collection, an Irish owned and operated luxury hotel company with properties in Ireland including the flagship Westbury Hotel as well as the UK and the US.
Paula sits on the governing body of MTU (Munster Technological University) and The Glucksman Gallery at UCC and has recently been appointed to the board of daa. She completed her primary and postgraduate studies at UCC and in 2015 undertook a Diploma in International Sales and Marketing at Cornell University. A huge advocate for lifelong learning, in 2021 Paula completed a diploma in Corporate Governance and is currently completing a certificate in Diversity and Inclusion at MTU.
Deirdre Waldron
Fuzion Communications
Founder of Fuzion Communications, Deirdre is one of Ireland’s leading communications consultants with more than 25 years’ industry experience in the UK and Ireland and specialising in Strategic Communications and Reputation Management, working with a very diverse mix of clients.
Colette Kelleher
Colette Kelleher is a highly experienced, energetic and values driven leader. She is an organised and optimistic change maker, with a strong track record of delivering social results. Most recently Colette set up Kelleher O’Meara in 2020 and, with her business partner Kathleen O’Meara, is working with a wide range of public bodies and NGOs on strategic planning, advocacy and public affairs.
Philip King
Co-founder of South Wind Blows, Philip King is a curator and producer of bespoke cultural events. A film director, writer, musician, broadcaster, commentator and contributor to national and international forums on the role and contribution of culture and arts in a world where we are more connected and more isolated than ever before. Most notably, Philip co-created Ireland’s best-known music series, Other Voices, with Oscar-winning musician Glen Hansard. Now in its eighteenth year, Other Voices continues to grow and evolve.
Raluca Saceanu
Raluca Saceanu is the CEO of Smarttech247, an enterprise cyber security organisation. Trusted by global private and public companies, the Smarttech247 platform provides threat intelligence with managed detection and response to provide actionable insights, 24/7 threat detection, investigation, and response. Smarttech247 listed on the London Stock Exchange in December 2022. Under Raluca’s leadership, Smarttech247 continues to be at the forefront of innovation, delivering unparalleled cybersecurity solutions and safeguarding organisations worldwide.
Raluca is an advocate of public cybersecurity education, empowering individuals and organisations alike with vital insights and expert guidance through her educational endeavours. Raluca holds a Master of Science in Strategic Management from the University of Innsbruck and received the Women in Technology Advocate Award by Deloitte in 2021. Alongside her entrepreneurial pursuits, Raluca indulges in the captivating realm of arts and culture, finding joy in its expressive forms and drawing inspiration that transcends into her professional ventures.
Rob Worrall
Dr Rob Worrall is a bi-lingual leadership development professional, academic, researcher, and consultant. He is highly experienced in the innovative design and delivery of a wide spectrum of leadership and transformation programmes for large employers, public sector bodies and post-graduate level professionals, particularly in healthcare, the public service, automotive, financial services, and higher education sectors. His international activities include a range of strategic policy initiatives in the EU, China and South Africa, research consultancy in Kenya, Uganda and Guatemala, as well as collaborations with co-authors in Europe, the US and Australia. He is an award-winning researcher with a growing national and international profile with publications on themes such as place-based leadership development, authenticity and identity.
Rob has twenty-five years’ experience in regional, national and international public sector senior level roles including Programme Director for NHS Emerging Leaders Programme and Leaders UK, Strategic Relationship Manager at the National School of Government, Assistant Chief Executive of a Regional Assembly and Strategic Policy Adviser to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Artistic Director
Tony Sheehan
Tony Sheehan was appointed as Artistic Director of Triskel in 2006, where he has led the transformation of the organisation from a small arts centre to a major Cultural Hub, incorporating Christchurch, which was annexed to Triskel in 2011 after its restoration by Cork City Council.
Prior to that, he served as Arts Adviser to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, and was part of the programme team for Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture.
Tony has extensive experience in the Arts over a 25-year period, and is a member of the boards of Waterford Spraoi. Tony served in Dublin as Director of the Fire Station Artists Studios for over 10 years, where he also co-chaired the North Centre City Community Action Project (chaired by the late Tony Gregory), and was a member of and chaired the ICRG (Inner City Renewal Group). He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Tony lives in Youghal in Co. Cork.
