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DR. KAREN WEEKES -
PERFORMANCE PSYCHOLOGIST & ENDURANCE ADVENTURER
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Karen Weekes is a performance psychologist and endurance adventurer. In February 2022, she became the first Irish female to row the Atlantic ocean solo and unsupported.
Working within business and sports teams for thirty years, Karen specialises in cognitive and practical coping strategies, pressure management and specific mechanisms for proactive motivation to achieve optimal performance in competitive business and sporting environments.
Her PhD and MSc research explored motivation and coping within ultra-endurance sport, which are tested throughout her personal endurance exploits.
Twenty years University lecturing experience assures the client that quality communication and education for clients is present in all interactions.
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GILLIAN PETERS -
CEO, PRAGMATICA
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Gillian’s professional journey spans a diverse range of roles, predominantly focused on marketing and business development within the financial services sector. It was during her time as Business Development Director at CPA Ireland, where she also pursued and successfully attained her MBS in Business Practice that Gillian became both intrigued and passionate about sustainability in business.
Transitioning to the position of CEO in Pragmatica in February 2023, Gillian embarked on a mission to craft an unparalleled value proposition for enterprises. Her strategic vision encompasses the development of customised roadmaps and innovative solutions, thereby facilitating companies in their transformative sustainability journeys.
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LORRAINE BOWEN -
CEO, THE ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY
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Lorraine was appointed CEO of The Entrepreneurs Academy in 2022 following 10 successful years holding various roles within the organisation.
Lorraine has significant experience as both an entrepreneur and an educator over many years.
As founder and managing director of a textile manufacturing business, she completed extensive collaborations with fashion designers, interior designers, corporate gift agencies, high-end retailers and government agencies, including Áras an Uachtaráin, The Department of Foreign Affairs and The Office of An Taoiseach, as well as serving the Irish retail market including premium retailer Brown Thomas with premium products.
Lorraine has a Degree in Textile Design from NCAD, a Masters in Profession Design Practice from DIT and her passion for learning has resulted in extensive ongoing study in areas such as education, leadership, management, communication, design thinking and many other areas over her career.
Her full bio is available here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorraine-bowen/
Lorraine serves on the Policy Council of Dublin Chamber, and on the National Advisory Council of Network Ireland.
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HELEN WYCHERLEY -
DIRECTOR, CELTIC ROSS HOTEL
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Helen Wycherley is Director of her family businesses Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery and Marina Commercial Park, Cork City.
Helen’s main focus is strategic and to drive the hotel business forward in all areas with particular emphasis on business & people strategy, sales, marketing and PR.
As an excellent networker and connector, Helen, is a member of Network Ireland, Cork Chamber of Commerce and family business networks for many years. In 2019 she was Network Ireland National President, Ireland's leading women in business organisation. She has a unique ability to identify opportunities for herself and for others to mutual benefit. And also consciously considers how she can connect others within her networks to their benefit. She was the National Winner of the Network Ireland Networker of the Year Award 2023.
Helen is passionate about her family business, about ensuring its legacy continues through learning from other family business and their experiences while also helping others learn from her experience. She completed a Family Business Continuity Programme with DCU in 2021, has given talks on her family business experience to peers and third level students. Helen and her business have participated in three published academic research studies.
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