Network Ireland Kerry Businesswomen of the Year Awards 2024 – an inaugural showstopper, celebrating the businesswomen of Kerry!
Network Ireland Kerry hosted their inaugural Businesswomen of the Year Awards on Friday night in The Rose Hotel, Tralee to great acclaim and a full house. The incredible evening showcased thirty finalists who amongst them competed in seven categories. Special guests on the evening included Minister Norma Foley, Trisha Lewis of “Trisha’s Transformation” and the national president of Network Ireland, Linda Codul.
President of Network Ireland Kerry, Linda O’Mahony Logan said “this evening showcases the incredible talent, entrepreneurship, motivation, dedication to academia and commitment to raising the bar for themselves our finalists are demonstrating daily in their professional and personal lives. It is an honour to recognise all our winners this evening and we will proudly support them as they go forward to the national finals where they will compete with finalists from the other 16 branches throughout the country. This process involves interviews in AIB, Molesworth St, Dublin, and a gala event to be hosted in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on the 27th of September where the national Network Ireland winners of each category will be announced.”
The winners of each category were:
Established Businesswomen Category
Winner – Helen O’Sullivan Murphy, MD of O’ Sullivan’s Bakery.
Judges feedback – “Helen is a businessperson who has immersed and challenged herself in her family bakery businesses building 3rd generation growth. Her motivation is obvious from her keen interest in food development, building personal skills and engaging in her community. Her broader networking engagement is reflected in her strong business and community engagement.”
Employee Shining Star category
Highly Commended – Katherine O’Sullivan, Lecturer on the REEdI Project at the Department of STEM, MTU.
Judges feedback – “Katherine has demonstrated a truly incredible competence and ability in combining both academic and business careers and bring her industry skills to academia. She is a chemist and a highly motivated scientist and engineer. She was pivotal in the development of 12 patents for electronic applications while also being involved in prestigious academic publications. She joined MTU and has published two papers on the subject of implementing the sustainable development agenda. She promotes the STEM agenda and has worked closely on the benefit of STEM outreach activity in primary schools. She has recently undertaken the Professional Title of Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland. She continues to build excellence and is an exceptional asset to this county.”
One to watch – Sarah Flaherty – member of the senior management team at MTU. University
Judges Feedback – “Sarah is not only a valued employee of the MTU, she also has a chairing role with the Tralee Chamber and she is studying for a Masters, she epitomises ongoing personal development and pursuit of personal challenges. She highlights the value of communication as the cornerstone of her professional philosophy which underpins every aspect of her work.”
Winner Employee Shining Star – Denise Healy, Centre Director, Castel Education.
Judges Feedback – “Denise clearly demonstrated her fearless ability, determination and challenges she faced within her application. She faced changes in her career outside her control and her current position with Castel International Education raised challenges she did not initially expect. She has shown determination and perseverance and is a valued, exceptional employee and a “Shining Star”.
Solo Businesswoman Category
Winner – Edel Lawlor, Founder of Expressive Play
Judges Feedback – “Edel told an exceptional story in her application where she worked on her own self-development journey maintaining a strong empathy for her work in the area of expressive play. She faced challenges but highlighted her passion and determination to achieve what she has today.”
Creative Professional Category
One to Watch – Anita Michalak, founder the Digital Talk.
Judges feedback – “Anita deserves the Emerging Award based on her work ethic and approach to developing her business which grew from providing” free” support to developing a viable and growing business. She has clearly outlined the challenges of keeping up to date with changing technologies and keeping ahead of the curve. Her support for the network has been immense.”
Winner Creative Professional – Brigeen O’ Sullivan – Managing Partner Match Marketing.
Judges Feedback – “Brigeen is a busy woman and her ethos of “hands-on” involvement in the trenches alongside her clients” is fundamental to the growth of her business with her business partner Eimear and Match Marketing. She is a straight talker. This transparency has helped build strong relationships with clients who appreciate the commitment to understanding their needs and exceeding their expectations. A truly creative professional.
STEM Professional Category
Winner – Dr Fiona Boyle, Head of Department- STEM (Director of REEdI at MTU).
Judges Feedback – Fiona is a woman of ability and action. She is Head of Department- STEM (Director of REEdI at MTU. She holds qualifications in Microbiology, Biomedical Science, a Ph.D. in Medical Microbiology, and she is a Member of the Institute of Engineers in Ireland (MIEI). Her determination in the promotion of STEM as a career option for women. The judges were particularly taken with the LinkedIn reference “I wish in 2024 no girl gets left behind-dream it dare it do it-activity”.
Emerging Businesswoman Category
Winner – Kerry Mc Carthy Brady, CEO, Hercules Building Systems.
Judges Feedback – “As the CEO of Hercules Building Systems, Kerry’s dedication to addressing the housing crisis through innovative construction methods is truly commendable. Under her leadership, Hercules has achieved a groundbreaking patent, embodying the principle she lives by: “Be the change.” Beyond her professional achievements, Kerry finds joy in country music, reading, and the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Her commitment to her work is matched by her devotion to her family—her husband and son, who inspire her to create a lasting impact. This recognition is a testament to her hard work, vision, and unwavering dedication to making a difference.”
Networker of the Year Category
One to Watch – Aisling Foley, Sales & Marketing Manager, The Rose Hotel, Tralee.
Judges Feedback – “Aisling was born into the hospitality industry starting in the family B&B and worked in sales and PR before entering the hotel hospitality sector. She has continuously upskilled and has huge regard for her work colleagues in the Rose Hotel where there is much learning and mentoring. She starts her days in the “Wonder Woman” Gym which sets her up for the unpredictable days within the hospitality sector. Her networking ability and approach is key to driving business and supporting her network based on professional and friendly respect.”
Winner – Jacqueline Gavaghan, Lecturer in Management/Strategy, MTU.
Judges feedback – “Jacqueline is not just Networker of the Year but she is Networker of Many Years. As she has stated in her application “I collected many business cards over the years” but her long career has always highlighted the value of networking. This is reflected in the high esteem she is held in across many disciplines and former students and colleagues where the linkages remain strong and valuable. She is a pure and assured networker.”
The President’s Award- this accolade is designed to honour an outstanding leader who embodies the core values of Network Ireland: leadership, support, and collaboration. This year, the award recognises an individual whose inspirational leadership and visionary perspective have been pivotal. Joan Walsh, the esteemed Branch Liason and the 2026
National President, has demonstrated unwavering support, generosity, and guidance, always ready to assist with both the significant challenges and the smaller details that are so important to a branch. Her ability to see possibilities where others see obstacles has empowered Network Ireland Kerry to harness a collective potential and skills, creating magical experiences for events like tonight and throughout all the monthly gatherings.
