Digital Transformation in
HR, Learning & Development

Carmel is an experienced organisational psychologist with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and consulting services sector,
Her experience includes
Human Capital Strategist
Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet

Talent Manager at IBM

And rune=s her own consultancy as an Organisational Psychologist.

A senior HR leader with a proven track record in successfully implementing complex organisational change in manufacturing and shared services environments, in union and non-union operations across multiple countries whilst enhancing employee engagement through the implementation of innovative engagement and communication strategies. An experienced leader with a keen business understanding and a proven ability to identify and nurture leadership talent through the implementation of robust talent development strategies.

An innovative, inspirational and commercial Head of Learning and Development. Experienced in the design, delivery and implementation of training solutions for leadership, senior manager and line manager development. Able to combine training genres, from classroom, e-learning and internet based learning solutions.
A solid background in HR allows me to have a unique people insight and as such I have developed many strategies for employee engagement, succession planning and people development.
I have facilitated Investors in People accreditations for organisations I have previously worked with and written bespoke leadership programmes that have been accredited by ILM.
I am equally comfortable operating with shop floor colleagues or with the Board and I have established a reputation as a credible mentor.

I have a drive and passion for self development and development of others and this also creates a sense of continuous improvement and professionalism in all I do. Working alongside The Coaching Academy in developing my self and others, I am gaining Specialist Coach status, and hold a Level 7 (Masters) Advanced Professional Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development, specialised CIPD electives: management development, managing the T&D function, learning & development and managing organisational learning & knowledge and hold full CIPD qualification.

People enhancer. Extensive international experience in the whole talent management areas working on local, regional and corporate roles combining an innovative point of view with strategic, tactical and operational expertise and a deep knowledge of HR. Skilled in the design, development and delivery of award winners HR strategies to support growth and transformation.

Jason is an experienced Executive Director with over 20 years in strategic executive & operational posts, which includes within Higher Education, Corporate Business & SME’s. During this time Jason has supported Corporare, Educational & 3rd Sector Boards, providing governance & strategic support. Throughout his career Jason has had vast experience in developing & delivering strategies from the ground up with his remit involving having responsibility over HR – Talent, Learning, Organisational Development, Professional Development & Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.

Musgrave is a food retail, wholesale, foodservice and export group and one of Ireland’s largest companies.

Prior to joining Musgrave, Edel held a variety of senior global roles with Lucent Technologies based in the UK and previously with Eircell (now Vodafone) in Dublin. Edel spent six years in Brussels working for the European Commission, European Parliament and latterly as a consultant and European political lobbyist in the transport, agriculture and agrochemical industries.

She is a member of the Board of Retail Ireland within IBEC, an independent member of the Audit Committee of Cork County Council and in 2021 she joined the Board of Repak. A native of Limerick, Edel was educated in Ireland and the United States and holds postgraduate degrees in public policy and European political economy.

Jocelino joined the Irish Red Cross in 2019 with experience in both the corporate and not for profit sector. Some of his career highlights include working at the International Tennis Federation in London looking after the commercial and global sponsorships.

He had also held senior management positions in Australia looking after fundraising, marketing and communications with leading national charities. More recently, Jocelino was looking after the fundraising portfolio at Oxfam Ireland. When he is not working, you can find him at his local tennis club in Dublin.

Michelle is responsible for Workforce Analytics, supporting the Rail industry with Strategic Workforce Planning. Forecasting the future skills needs, numbers and workforce requirements for the rail industry is key in the current climate as changing trends and the impact of technological developments mean different skill sets are required.

Kevin is Head of Talent Consulting at HPC where he works with clients across multiple sectors to deliver development solutions that drive sustainable individual and organisational change. His creative, commercial and evidence based approach to learning has seen Kevin partner with many global brand names alongside many of Ireland’s largest organisations. His client work has been recognised with awards from Training Journal and the Irish National Training Awards. Prior to joining HPC, Kevin ran the Learning and Development functions in FMCG and Professional Services organisations. As well as his work with HPC, Kevin is a visiting lecturer with two Irish Universities and is currently President of the Irish Institute for Training and Development. Kevin’s passion for performance excellence stems from his practice of Taekwon-Do over the past 30 years. He is a former double world champion in Taekwon-Do and have served as Director of Coaching to the Irish Taekwon-Do team.

Jo has been a volunteer with the Engage for Success movement since its launch. As Strategy Director she sits on the Core Team and co-hosts the weekly Engage for Success radio show.

EFS radio draws guests from across the engagement world with interesting stories to share. The Engage for Success agenda is absolutely aligned with Jo’s vision ‘to make workplaces better places to be’.

Jo’s ‘day job’ is MD and founder of Woodreed, a specialist ad agency who use the tools, techniques, creativity and insight of the advertising world to engage employees inside organisations.

Jennifer is responsible for the leadership of IoIC, the only independent professional body solely dedicated to internal communication. IoIC is the voice of internal communication, setting standards for more than 70 years through qualifications, career development, thought leadership and best practice.

Prior to joining IoIC, Jennifer has worked for over 15 years in professional associations, most recently as Strategic Marketing & Sales Director at the Market Research Society, developing and leading on activities across marketing communications (both internal & external), careers, membership, professional development and publishing.

In 2005, after completing his International Executive MBA, Joe left a global management position with General Electric to move into educating and consulting. Up to then, he worked for 20 years in software and telemetry development, specialising in the management and implementation of mobile field force systems, CRM, Sales Force Automation. This involved managing and leading teams all over the world for a number of multi-national corporations including W.R. Grace, BetzDearborn, and General Electric.

Joe and his wife Penny also run Houghton Photography offering photography services, training and small group photo walks.

Nic Joined BOB with eight years of experience working within the NHS, most recently leading on change and innovation within the pharmacy department via an NHSE pilot project.

Dara Connolly is CEO of Common Purpose Ireland, a global social enterprise, operating across 100 cities around the world with over 80,000 alumni. Its object is to provide inspiring and challenging programmes for leaders from diverse backgrounds and sectors, allowing them to connect with each other, expand their perspectives and create real change in their organisations, societies and as individuals.

Dara has had an eclectic career as a leader across a variety of worlds. With Recreate, a Creative Reuse social enterprise, he built it from an idea to an award-winning sustainable business. As Head of Business Development and Property of Temple Bar Cultural Trust Ltd, he managed a cultural and commercial property portfolio of over €100M, being involved in land mark projects such as Culture Night, development of the West End and Ireland’s first retractable roof in Meeting House Square. In addition, he has had stints in the tech multinational sector, financial services and corporate fundraising and a number of diverse start-ups.

Dara has a real passion for people and their development, always seeking to expand the inclusivity objectives of Common Purpose’s programmes. He is also cares deeply for the arts and the environment resulting from his time with Cultivate (a sustainability NGO). His very rewarding time as director and chair of Saplings Schools for Children with Autism has given him a real interest for children with special needs development and their welfare.

He is a qualified Management Accountant and holds diplomas in Business Studies, Project Management, a Post Graduate Diploma in Innovation and is an alumni of Common Purpose Meridian programme for senior leaders.

I am the Managing Director of Improving Communications UK, a London-based corporate training firm that offers Public Speaking & Presentation Skills, Customer Service, Leadership, Sales & Negotiation, Business Writing, and other Staff Development learning programmes. Improving Communications is established in the US for 20 years, and has opened an office in Dublin least year.

I’m a member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the New York City SHRM (NYCSHRM) chapter as well as Ascend’s New York Metro chapter. I am an American Management Association (AMA)-certified faculty and a Vistage-approved speaker.

When I’m not doing that, I like spending time with family, adventure motorcycle riding somewhere on the planet, or playing bass guitar and Chapman Stick in a few bands.

My aim is to create great places to work. This means helping an organisation consciously create a culture where people are aware of their impact on others, colleagues learn to collaborate well and generate great results together.
The approach is based on neuroscience and systems thinking. Key factors include increasing positivity, reducing common emotional states that generate dysfunction in teams and learning to optimally use the brain to create, relate and have healthy debate.

Brian comes from a computing background and has more than 20 years’ experience in the IT industry covering all aspects of Software development, Operations and Management. He holds an Advanced Diploma (L6) in Computer Science and is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Certified Ethical Hacker and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer. Specialisms include: Mobile and Pen Based Computing, Collaborative Working, SharePoint, Digital Innovation, AR and VR, Cyber Security and New Product Development. Brian has been a Programmer, Project Manager, Technical Trainer, Solutions Architect, Gadget Builder and Technology Evangelist for Portable, Wearable and Cloud Computing. Brian has experience across all sectors from Government to Education to Healthcare as well as the private sector with many types of business including Financial, Design and Manufacturing, Construction, Media and IT.

I run a training consultancy that focuses on maximising human potential during transformational times – for a range of clients including Unilever, The Body Shop, Hobbs and Heathrow Airport. We have seen a complete change in how we work, interact and live. Such is the pace of change, any principles created pre-Feb 2020 around classic skills e.g. teamwork, leadership, sales, service and motivation require an update. We are never too young to lead, and never too old to learn!

It is an invigorating time to be supporting clients in helping their people develop what I call a ‘foxy mindset’ – to be adaptable and wide-minded like the fox, rather than static and fixed like a panda. Each week I co-host the Secrets From a Coach podcast, and please feel free to dip into the complimentary library of 30 minute lunch & learn webinars.

We have an unprecedented opportunity to evolve how we create opportunity and equip people with skills and confidence to succeed!

Ramesh has extensive expertise in Digital Transformation backed by early two decades of experience in the Techology industry. Before co-founding Cevitr in 2018, Ramesh worked in various leadership capacities in Cognizant, Tata Consultancy Services & Harman International having organically grown business portfolios that he was responsible for. Ramesh is known for driving strategic transformation deals across the UK, Europe & Asia Pacific.

Steve Reeve, who has achieved success in sales and leadership, as well as in the highly competitive world of training and development.

Formally trained to train, he has worked with household names including Philips, Seagate Technologies, UPS and Travelodge.

He also has the unique experience of achieving staggering results by personally implementing the same methodologies he had introduced to his clients. Those results included a 60% revenue increase in a previously declining product, conversion ratios improved by more than 50% and a dramatic reduction in staff turnover.

I am extremely passionate about raising awareness of the importance of cyber security and this passion led me to founding the UK Cyber Security Association, which is a small not-for-profit organisation devoted to raising awareness of the importance of cyber security in small businesses and SME’s, and educating the general public to be more cyber aware. I am also passionate about raising awareness of the cyber skills gap, women in cyber security and cyber security for the neurodiverse as a career path.

Michael is a former primary school teacher who has over 25 years’ experience working in the field of digital education. He developed his interest in digital education in the early 1980s as an undergraduate student teacher in Coláiste Mhuire, Marino by playing with the college’s newly acquired Apple Macintosh computer. His first research project focused on the use of a BBC Micro in Irish primary schools in the mid-1980s. He later pursued a Masters in Education Technology in Boston College, where he also focused on the area of digital assessment. During his time in Boston he also worked in the Newton Public School System, one of the most progressive education systems in the US and he had the privilege of working on numerous innovative digital education projects.

Michael has a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Trinity College Dublin, and a Masters in Education Technology from Boston College, and a EdD from the University of London in Online Teaching and Learning