Professional Background

Trinity College Dublin is a partner of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a unique EU initiative that boosts innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. It supports the development of dynamic pan-European partnerships between leading universities, research labs and industry partners through the offices of Tangent, Trinity’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre. I lead innovation and accelerator activities that expedite the commercial validation and growth of start-ups/scalers across numerous industrial verticals including AI, Health and Climate-tech. I’m a senior leader in other EU-funded strategic innovation initiatives that pertain to TCD across the Horizon Europe community. This role requires a unique balance between a disruptive entrepreneurial spirit and the capability to get things done within the confines of a large higher educational public sector institution and its European funding partners. I am also involved in transformational learning experiences that facilitate personal and professional growth and enable the translation of knowledge and ideas into innovative products, services and policies of the future. Before my journey with Tangent began, I ran my own business for ten years and have been providing and have been strategy, innovation, fund raising and enterprise development (management, scaling, sales etc.) advice to businesses since 2008.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up Development
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Sustainability & Green Technologies
• Networking & Relationships

Availability and Commitment

Relatively flexible with a sufficient heads-up!

Professional Background – Green Business

Ed Murphy is an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in business. Throughout his career, he has developed a deep appreciation for individuals who have the drive and passion to create something meaningful from nothing, benefiting many people in the process. After working in the USA, Ed returned to his hometown in Wexford in 1992 and joined forces with Michael Kearney, embarking on several successful franchise ventures. These included Snap Print and Design, CEX, and Home Instead Senior Care.

In recent years, Ed has divested from his franchise businesses and shifted his focus to pursue his passion projects. With a strong sense of pride in his Wexford heritage, he recognized the potential of the region to foster innovation, attract inward investment, and create numerous job opportunities for the local community. Believing that Wexford is a hidden gem yet to be fully discovered by the world, Ed is determined to establish an innovative environment that supports entrepreneurs and encourages young people to live and work in Wexford, hence his newest project GreenTechHQ.

GreenTechHQ, Ireland’s Sustainability Innovation Hub is located in Enniscorthy. The hub serves as an ecosystem bringing together entrepreneurs, corporates, investors, and communities to address the challenges of climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Ed aims to leverage the renewable energy and sustainable development potential of Wexford to combat climate change while simultaneously capitalizing on the business opportunities presented by technology and innovation, growing employment for the county.

His diverse skill set in business strategy, marketing, and finance enables him to guide and support the growth of sustainable initiatives within the innovation hub.

Areas of Expertise

• Startup Development
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Network & Relationships
• Marketing

Availability and Commitment

As and when required

Professional Background

I am a results‐driven communications and marketing strategist with more than 20 years’ experience in brand‐building while managing rapid growth and organisational change. I began my career with Wilson Hartnell PR in Dublin, later working as a self-employed communications consultant with clients primarily in the organic and natural personal care and food sectors. I joined organic dairy company, Glenisk as Marketing Director in 2008. I became a member of the board of directors in 2015 and currently have responsibility for marketing, communications, sales, product development and ESG. In 2023, I qualified as a barrister to expand my knowledge and skill-set.

Core strengths are advocacy, storytelling, leadership and accountability.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture and Food Production
• Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Product development

Availability and Commitment

Preference for online but certainly available for in person as appropriate.

Professional Background

James O’Donnell is a highly accomplished and influential figure in the Irish agricultural industry, known for his exceptional leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to the farming community. With over four decades of experience, James has played a pivotal role in shaping the success of Athassel Abbey Farm, an award-winning beef and dairy farm, where he currently serves as the Co-owner and Operator.

Throughout his career, James has demonstrated remarkable resilience, steering Athassel Abbey Farm through various challenges, including foot and mouth outbreaks, TB crises, price instability, and global supply chain disruptions. His forward-thinking approach led to the modernization and expansion of the farm, ensuring its continued growth and prosperity.

In addition to his commitment to his own farm, James has been actively involved in the Irish Co-operative Organisation Society (ICOS) for many years, where he held several key positions. As the President of ICOS from 2022 to 2023, he advocated passionately for farmers and the Irish agriculture industry, navigating through challenging times such as fertilizer shortages and environmental scrutiny. Under his leadership, the ICOS charter was launched to promote female representation and include younger farmers at board level, fostering a more inclusive and dynamic agricultural community.

James’s expertise in financial management and governance was instrumental during his tenure as Vice President and Chairman of Finance and Governance at ICOS. He played a pivotal role in the management of ICOS’s finances and represented the organization during critical discussions on CAP reform.

Outside the agricultural realm, James has shown a deep commitment to the local community through his voluntary board memberships and affiliations. As a dedicated member of various sports and educational committees, including GAA, Semple Stadium Management Committee, and Presentation Secondary School Thurles, he played an integral role in facility development and community building.

Throughout his journey, James has acquired a wide range of skills, including farm management, business development, advocacy, financial management, and board governance. His ability to lead and collaborate with diverse teams has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and stakeholders alike.

In summary, James O’Donnell’s remarkable contributions to the Irish agricultural industry and the local community stand as a testament to his unwavering passion, expertise, and dedication. He continues to inspire and positively impact the lives of countless farmers and community members, leaving an indelible mark on the agricultural landscape of Ireland.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture & Food Production

Availability and Commitment

Both

Professional Background

Company Director for many decades in a number of privately owned agribusiness companies among others.

Areas of Expertise

• Agriculture & Food Production
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment

Availability and Commitment

Both

Professional Background – Green Business

With over 30 years in marketing Liz McGonigal is a highly skilled and experienced with a proven track record in delivering successful programs and strengthening client positions from a brand awareness, sales, and marketing perspective. She has worked with household names and launched them into the market e.g. Celebration chocolates, weddingsonline, Dublin Zoo retail, KClub K2 and Ryder Cup, Guinness Hurling Championship which saw Wexford win in 1996, National Lottery Games & Innovations, Insomnia Coffee, Bloom Gardens, lovegorey.ie, Addiction Awareness Week, AIB Club Championship and many more.

Throughout her career, Liz McGonigal has demonstrated her expertise in strategic thinking and marketing programmes. With her extensive experience and dedication to helping clients achieve their goals. Liz is able to help support strategic guidance, product/service development/branding/marketing/digital media, sales & customer relations.

Areas of Expertise

• Digital
• Marketing

Availability and Commitment

Whenever/whatever when planned in advance

Professional Background

As the founder and managing director of Brand Nova Digital, I lead an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in UI/UX website design, search engine optimization, pay-per-click advertising, training, and digital marketing consultancy. All our services are plugged into the Nova360 marketing dashboard, which provides seamless management and monitoring of all client accounts. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of consulting and training over 6,500 professionals, tailoring programs that range from two-day intensive lead generation sales funnel architecture workshops for leading brands and agencies to 12-week digital marketing diploma programs. My passion for digital marketing and innovative approach has led me to lecture in Digital Marketing with several institutions including the Digital Marketing Institute, Dublin Business School, Griffith College, and other corporate training organizations.

Recently appointed President of County Wexford Chamber, I have the honour of serving the local business community and advocating on their behalf. It’s a responsibility that I take very seriously and one that I’m proud to hold. Beyond my work, I’m a founder and moderator of Social Media Marketing Ireland Group on LinkedIn and have been a keynote speaker at many conferences on Digital Marketing Strategy. Overall, my career has been dedicated to helping businesses succeed and thrive in the digital age. I’m passionate about what I do and I look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the industry and the people it serves.

Areas of Expertise

Availability and Commitment

Available in person and virtual.

Professional Background

I am a company founder and originally CEO. The company, Rockall Technologies Ltd was acquired for over € 50M in 2019. I believe I can help organisations from start up to scaling with a focus on strategy, finance, sales and software product development.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up development
• Business Strategy
• Finance & Investment
• Product Development

Availability and Commitment

At the moment, I am generally available. Ideally virtual meetings but happy to travel with enough notice (I am based in Spain).

Additional Comments

I started Rockall in 2000 and boot strapped to a €12M revenue (mostly recurring) organisation. Rockall had multiple international clients (most in USA). The client base were financial institutions.

Professional Background

Professor Enda Hayes has been working on environmental management for over two decades. He has worked with local, national and international governments on a range of environmental management projects. His environmental and sustainability research and knowledge exchange projects have been funded by UKRI, Horizon 2020, Welcome Trust, UK local authorities, UK National Government and Devolved Administrations, International Governments (such as Ireland, Malta and South Africa), European Environment Agency and European Commission. His recent work has been exploring the democratisation of environmental data through human-centric data analysis and innovative public engagement approaches including citizen science. Additionally, Enda is a Director of Research and Enterprise at the University of the West of England, Bristol helping academics and business to work together.

Core strengths are advocacy, storytelling, leadership and accountability.

Areas of Expertise

• Sustainability
• Sustainability and Green Technologies

Availability and Commitment

Mostly virtual meetings (as I am based on the UK) but very happy to meet in person when in Ireland

Professional Background

Extensive experience in entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship, strategy, innovation and SME engagement. Author, writer, coach. I have worked with universities, membership organisations, corporate clients, government departments, public agencies and worked with hundreds of businesses, giving me a unique spectrum of perspectives on doing business in a highly complex environment.

Areas of Expertise

• Start Up development
• Sustainability
• Business Strategy
• Marketing
• Product development

Availability and Commitment

Virtual (I live in Spain)

Additional Comments

Have been working with companies in the climate change space for over 10 years. Have a particular interest in SMEs that want to use climate change as an opportunity for reinvention.