Waterford businesswomen recognised at Network Ireland awards event

Network Ireland’s Waterford branch hosted its prestigious Businesswoman of the Year Awards at Waterford Castle on Friday, May.

The evening was filled with celebration and empowerment, as award nominees were honoured by supporters, fellow members and special guest Linda Codoul, Network Ireland’s National President.

The awards recognised the resilience, innovation, and leadership of exceptional women in business and showcased their remarkable achievements and contributions to the local community across a variety of businesses and trades.

Twenty-seven women from across Waterford County were shortlisted for the awards across eight different categories, based on the calibre of their professional achievement.

The winners in each category were determined by a judging panel composed of business experts including: Theresa Smyth – AIB Waterford; Rosemary Ward, Deputy CEO at Southeast BIC and Gareth Evans, Head of Enterprise at LEO Waterford.

The winners in the eight categories were: Networker of the Year – Mailo Power, Monkey Reusable Products Ltd; Solo Businesswoman – Sharon Ginnetty, Optimise Marketing; Emerging Businesswoman – Claire Mooney, ReduceCosts; Employee – Rising Star – Dawn Roberts, Officemaster; Employee – Shining Star – Lisa O’Brien, Focus Ireland; Stem Professional – Jane Russell O’Connor, Russell Environmental; Creative Professional – Christine Murphy, Urban Aran; Established Businesswoman – Mailo Power, Monkey Reusable Products Ltd and Lisa Curtis, SETU Arena Waterford was highly commended in the Employee Rising Star category.

The winner of each category will advance to represent the Waterford branch at the National Businesswoman of the Year Awards in Kilkenny in September.

In her speech on the night, Network Ireland Waterford Branch President Sinead O’Neill, founder of Sinead O’Neill Consulting, said: “Entering the Businesswoman of the Year Awards takes immense courage. Stepping out of your comfort zone and putting yourself forward to recognise your accomplishments and achievements is a brave move.

“It highlights your business and the journey you embarked upon to get to where you are today, both as entrepreneurs and employees,” said Sinead.

“This undertaking is something you will never regret,” she added, before commenting: “We celebrate each of you here tonight for your dedication, innovation, and leadership. Your remarkable journeys inspire us all, embodying the spirit of enterprise that Network Ireland champions. Tonight is about recognition, celebration, and looking forward to a bright future for one and all”.

This year's awards were co-ordinated by Ann Marie Shannon, Director of Veritas Chartered Accountants.

Commenting on the initiative, she said: “This year’s awards campaign was a resounding success, reflecting the growing interest among female business owners and employees in the region who are eager to compete for a highly recognized national award.” 

“Notably, this year's event saw increased engagement from employers, who actively put forward their female employees for awards,” said Ann Marie.

Network Ireland is a non-profit, voluntary organisation, with over 1,200 members and 17 branches.

Established in 1983, it’s a progressive, dynamic organisation supporting the professional and personal development of women.

The organisation’s membership is made up of a diverse group of women, from budding entrepreneurs, SME owners, professionals and leaders in indigenous and multinational organisations to non-profits, charities, arts and the public sector.

An aim of the organisation is to have a strong voice for its members and to promote diversity and equality, entrepreneurship and leadership development.

To find out more about Network Ireland Waterford branch contact Sinead O’Neill at networkwaterford@gmail.com