Voices of Leadership Conference 2024

Donna Traynor

Conference Host

Donna Traynor is one of Ireland’s most respected public figures, with over three decades of experience in broadcasting. After starting her career at RTÉ, she became a household name as the presenter of BBC Northern Ireland’s award-winning “BBC Newsline.” Donna has covered some of the most significant events in Ireland’s history, including George Best’s funeral, the Titanic centenary, and Queen Elizabeth II’s state visit to Ireland. She also gained international recognition with cameo appearances in the hit series "Derry Girls." Donna now provides media performance and public speaking training. As a familiar voice to thousands, Donna will be our guiding voice throughout the conference.

Hannah Scott

Olympic Rowing Champion 2024 | Team GB

Hannah Scott is an Olympic Champion and world-class rower who began her journey at Bann Rowing Club in Coleraine. The five-time All-Ireland Champion went on to Princeton University, where she captained the women’s crew and became a two-time Ivy League Champion. She also claimed two silver medals at the U23 World Rowing Championships. Representing Team GB at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, she won the B Final. In 2023, she claimed the World Championship title in the women’s quad, then went on to secure both European and Olympic gold in 2024. Hannah is passionate about advocating for women in sports and enjoys pottery painting, sea swims, and black coffee. Her favourite mantra, "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard," inspires her relentless dedication on and off the water.

Dr. Niamh Shaw

Scientist & Engineer | STEAM Specialist on a Mission to get to Space

Dr. Niamh Shaw is a renowned scientist, engineer, and space communicator based at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. Passionate about inspiring others, she uses her expertise to promote STEAM education and foster a deeper understanding of how space can awaken us to our interconnectedness and the shared human endeavor of improving life on Earth. Through her engaging presentations and innovative approaches, Niamh empowers audiences to embrace change, pursue their dreams, and make a positive impact. Her mission to get to space began in 2011, inspired by her belief in the power of knowledge to foster connection. Following in the footsteps of David Attenborough, she aims to empower individuals to take ownership of their world and strive for positive change.

Karen Walrond

Author & International Leadership Consultant

Karen is an author, leadership consultant, and attorney dedicated to fostering value-centred, compassionate leadership. Trained in positive psychology coaching with the Wholebeing Institute, she uses science-based methods to enhance satisfaction, purpose, and fulfilment. Karen’s work focuses on helping individuals discover their strengths, develop leadership skills, and use them to create impactful change. Her bestselling book, The Lightmaker’s Manifesto, and her award-winning latest book, Radiant Rebellion, explore themes of integrity, advocacy, and resistance to ageism. Her debut, The Beauty of Different, combines imagery and essays on authenticity and courage. Formerly Chief Counsel at Landmark Graphics Corporation and Chief of Staff at Halliburton Energy Services, Karen has extensive experience in strategy, change management, and corporate ethics. Her insights have been featured on CNN, USA Today, and Good Housekeeping. Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Houston Law Center, and is an active member of the State Bar of Texas.

Vicky Davies

Chief Executive | Danske Bank UK

Vicky began her career at Accenture and joined Danske Bank’s senior management team in 2012. Vicky became the bank’s first female CEO in 2021. Under her leadership, Danske Bank UK has been recognised as the best company to work for in Northern Ireland and the top financial services employer in the UK. In 2024, Danske earned the Gold Diversity Mark for its commitment to inclusion, and Vicky was named Business Woman of the Year at the Women in Business Awards 2024. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and serves on several boards, including UK Finance, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry as well as Chair of Business in the Community Northern Ireland.

Professor Helen McCarthy

Chief Scientific & Technology Adviser

Professor Helen McCarthy, appointed as Chief Scientific and Technology Adviser (CSTA) in June 2024, leads Northern Ireland's science and technology strategy. She chairs the NI Science and Technology Advisory Network (NISTAN) and provides policy advice across government, universities, and the business community. A globally recognised expert, Professor McCarthy holds the Chair of Nanomedicine at Queen’s University Belfast. She has supervised over 40 PhD students, holds 18 patents, and founded pHion Therapeutics. Her research focuses on non-viral delivery systems for drug therapies, and she has won multiple awards for innovation and secured nearly £10M in funding.

Professor Karen McCloskey

Director of Queen's Gender Initiative

Professor Karen McCloskey is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (EDI) at Queen’s University Belfast. She is Director of the Queen’s Gender Initiative and led the recent Institutional Athena Swan Gold Award programme(Charter for gender equality charter in academia). She is an Athena Swan Charter Panel Chair (UK) and was a member of the Women in Business’ steering group that established Diversity Mark. Professor McCloskey is committed to fostering inclusion and belonging. Her portfolio includes establishing and delivering institutional programmes through collaboration and co-creation with colleagues. She is a speaker, consultant, advisor and mentor. As Professor of Physiology in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences at Queen’s, Professor McCloskey is an educator and research group leader.

Noyona Chundur

Chief Executive | Consumer Council for Northern Ireland

Noyona Chundur has been the Chief Executive of the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland since January 2021. In 2023, she was named Public Sector Director of the Year at the Institute of Director Awards. Noyona is a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors, a non-executive Director for Progressive Building Society, and a Council Member for the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Before becoming Chief Executive, she served on the Consumer Council’s Board and chaired its Audit and Risk Assurance Committee. Previously, Noyona led award-winning communications as Head of Campaigns and Digital Solutions at Invest Northern Ireland. She also served as Chair of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival for 11 years, until 2024.

Matthew Hynds

General Manager | Killeavy Castle Estate

Matthew is the General Manager at Killeavy Castle Estate, a renowned hospitality destination in Co. Armagh. With a passion for sustainable practices and exceptional guest experiences, Matthew leads the estate's award-winning team. Prior to his current role, Matthew held various management positions in the hospitality industry, gaining valuable experience in operations and leadership. His commitment to sustainability is evident in the estate's use of local produce, waste management initiatives, and focus on reducing its carbon footprint. Matthew's leadership has been instrumental in Killeavy Castle Estate's success in delivering unforgettable experiences for guests while promoting a sustainable future for our planet.

Judy McElroy

Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager | NIE Networks

Judy is the Sustainability & Environment Senior Manager at NIE Networks Ltd, a position she took up in July 2020. NIE Networks owns and manages the electricity networks in Northern Ireland, with c. 50,000km of network and c. 910,000 connected customers. NIE Networks’ vision is to deliver a sustainable energy system for Northern Ireland that addresses climate change through the decarbonisation of electricity and connection of renewable generation and low carbon technologies to the electricity grid. Judy is responsible for the Sustainability, Environment, Net Zero and ESG strategies and initiatives at NIE Networks. Judy previously held a number of Engineering roles in NIE Networks including in Asset Management. She is a member of the Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET) and Institute of Environmental Management & Assessment (IEMA).

Professor Karise Hutchinson

Professor of Leadership | Illuminaire Leadership Institute

Karise is a Professor of Leadership and the founder of Illuminaire Leadership - a global institute providing high-quality, research-led insights to leaders in private, public, and third-sector organisations. She is an award-winning researcher, author, educator, speaker, and strategic advisor to leaders across government, public and private sectors, as well as not-for-profit organisations. Whether through her TED talks or the launch of Illuminaire Press - a unique leadership science, strategy, and story publication series - Karise specialises in uncovering and disseminating the latest leadership thinking. She is driven by her purpose to equip and enable leaders to critically examine how they think about and practice leadership today, for the benefit of tomorrow.

Tessa Breslin

Leadership Consultant & Executive Coach

Tessa has recently launched an independent leadership consulting practice in Northern Ireland. Previously, she served on the Board and Leadership Team of YSC, a global leadership strategy consultancy, and was Managing Director of its North American business. Tessa has also led talent agendas for a global facilities management organisation and an airport management business. With over twenty years of experience, she has advised Fortune 500 and FTSE 100 CEOs and C-suite leaders on leadership strategy, talent development, and CEO succession. She is passionate about empowering senior women leaders to reach their full potential. A Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Tessa is also a member of the American Psychological Association, a practitioner with the Health Promotions Council (UK), and an ICF Accredited Coach. She serves as Vice Chair of the Queen’s University, Belfast Foundation and is a Non-Executive Director on several Boards.

Gillian McKee

Managing Director | GIRAFFE Associates Ltd

Gillian is a sustainability and ESG consultant, working with businesses on strategy development, training and engagement. She has worked in the responsible business and sustainability space for most of her career – spending 22 years with membership organisation Business in the Community NI before leaving in 2019 to establish her own business. With clients across the agri-food, construction, manufacturing, tech and public sectors, she has a wealth of experience in guiding organisations through the big picture thinking needed to understand sustainability and embed it across their operations. She also offers training in sustainability, carbon literacy and a range of other topics designed to support companies in engaging employees on their sustainability journey Gillian is an external assessor for BITC’s CORE Standard for Responsible Business, the independent auditor for Diversity Mark’s Gold Award and a B Leader, trained to support companies seeking to become certified B Corporations. In 2024 she won the Women in Business Best Green (Small) Business Award.

Maggie O’Carroll

Co-Founder | The Women’s Organisation UK

Professor Maggie O’Carroll has over 35 years’ experience as an entrepreneur having started and grown her own business and co-founded social enterprises The Women’s Organisation in the UK and Enterprise Evolution Education and Consultancy an economic development social enterprise headquartered in Ireland and operating globally. She led the development of the first dedicated women business incubator, research and business support facility in the UK securing over £10m capital and revenue investment. She is a social entrepreneur, entrepreneurship researcher and educator publishing in academic journals and educational textbooks. She specialised in female enterprise and social entrepreneurship research, policy development and implementation and is a Professor of Entrepreneurial Practice at the Hunter Centre, Strathclyde University and a visiting scholar at Nottingham University, and Simmons University Boston. Her leadership experience encompasses large scale publicly funded projects and commercial business development services relating to gender informed and social enterprise research, design, support and delivery, property management, technology adoption, research and policy support. She is currently leading and working on initiatives including the development and roll out of a national workplace wellness programme, to help SMEs implement changes in the workplace that support female employees’ reproductive health in England, female entrepreneurship in an All Island of Ireland context and accelerating deep tech through place-based innovation and connected ecosystems for women-led start-ups across Europe.