I currently work in the Alumni & Development office in University College Cork (UCC). Previously I was in the Student Health Centre, UCC. My first proper job after I left secondary school and after my training was as a Montessori Teacher. But, I had many jobs in between. I have live in London, Brussels, New Jersey, USA and now back in Cork. I have two adult children and a dog who thinks he is the boss of the house!
30yrs in the construction industry as a QS. enjoy the outdoor life regards sports (rugby / GAA), sea (fishing / sailing) and cross country hiking.
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Aileen Cotter
MTU
Academia
Aileen Cotter
Lecturer & Industry Placement Manager
I am employed at Munster Technological University, Cork as a Lecturer, Placement Manager and Research Supervisor. With over two decades of experience in my role I look forward to mentoring students on this exciting initiative.
Aileen is an accredited Executive Coach on UCC’s Internal Coaching Panel with extensive experience coaching both academic and professional services staff and is also a work placement manager. Aileen really enjoys working with students at all levels to facilitate learning particularly around work place skills.
I'm a scientist working in a lab in a biopharma company. I've always liked a puzzle and hands on learning and that's what drew me to the field of science and working in a lab.
Áine O’Flaherty is a Senior Designer at Verve. When not spending time on screens creating events, motion graphics or enhancing user experiences she can be usually found outdoors; cycling, swimming or walking in nature.
Hi there! I am Alessandra and I am fundamentally a curious person. I am a graphic designer and I currently work as a Design Director in Red Dog. What I love about design is identifying key problems, and finding beautiful solutions through solid research and creativity. I hope you'll love it too!
I am director of EMEA Marketing in Autodesk Construction and Autodesk Ireland site lead, based in the EMEA headquarters in Dublin. I have worked in marketing for food, consulting and IT, living in Ireland, France, Germany and the UK. I enjoy running, hiking, travel and cooking.
I am based in the USA, and work at a software company that develops products and solutions for the telecommunications industry. My colleagues and I spend our time looking at new developments in our industry, how new ideas and technologies can help our customers. We also do some work on patents.
Carelon Global Solutions Ireland
Healthcare/Pharmaceuticals
Ann Marie Mitchell
Product Owner
Once Upon a time, Ann Marie Mitchell, embarked on a journey in the world of IT, from QA, BA and currently Product Owner. Along the way I also found the passion working in the Wellbeing space and am lead of the Wellbeing Group. Now I am here to help you with your B!G iDEA's!
Digital Marketing Lead with a passion for crafting performance-driven strategies tailored to elevate ecommerce success. I specialise in leveraging the power of email marketing, social media, and PPC to drive tangible results for clients. Prior career - Deaf Interpreter
My name is Aoife. I am from Wexford in the sunny south east of Ireland!
I studied Commerce in UCD after secondary school. After college I completed a graduate programme in the tax team of a global accounting firm, specialising in employment tax and taxes for people moving between different countries.
Now I work for Autodesk, a make and think design software company, in our tax team. Our company creates software used across many industries including architecture & engineering, product design & manufacturing, and media & entertainment.
Hello! My name is Ben, and I'm delighted to be a mentor for "THE B!G iDEA"!
I love to see creativity in all shapes and forms because you'll only know if something works if you try it out!
I didn't really have a plan. I just knew what I liked to do.
And through following my passions travel, technology and learning I have followed a varied and interesting career, helping people and organisations achieve their goals.
Having spent 20+ years as a shoe design lead for global brands, I now focus on using design skills and creativity for collaborative problem-solving. I still love designing shoes though! I just focus on smaller brands with an eye on the future and sustainability.
I am originally from Italy, but moved to Dublin in 1999 after completing my MEng and working for a period for the university of Bologna.
I have worked in IT for 25 years.
Fineos
Financial services/ professional services/ consulting
Carmel Fahy
Product Owner
Product owner with Fineos with previous experience in project management and training mainly in financial services and the insurance sector. Outside of work I have an interest in cyberpsychology and digital literacy
Hi teams! I'm Caroline and I work as a Social Impact Analyst at Rethink Ireland, a venture philanthropy fund that supports social innovation projects to try new ideas and scale their impact. Looking forward to learning all about your ideas!
Hi there! My name's Charlotte, Senior Product Designer, working in Tech. I've always been curious to understand why people would do what they choose to do, as well as pulling apart computers to understand the functioning of it.
I love playing board games, they involve problem solving skills with a good social aspect. I also enjoy playing with my dog at the beach and playing ultimate frisbee.
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Chris Small
technology
Chris Small
Director Product adoption and growth
I'm a Product leader. I have lead teams at Meta, SurveyMonkey, Build.ai and now Autodesk. I built the first ecommerce capabilities for facebook, restrated self-serve growth at SurveyMonkey and built AI powered online stores at Builder.ai
Associate Software Engineer in the Insurance Industry, currently working on some really exciting projects with AI. Looking forward to exploring some great ideas, that will change the world one step at a time.
I have a Master's in Psychology and was a Social Care Worker for 22 years. I returned to education and have been a Software Engineer for 2 years. I have a great love of animals and chocolate :-)
I am a multi-disciplined events and communications professional with a history of working in impact-focused non-profits. I enjoy event planning, being part of a team, and figuring out the best way to create lasting impact.
I oversee employer branding globally at Linesight, centring around the company and its reputation as a place to work. My career has been focused on creating and executing impactful marketing strategies, across a broad range of regions and target audiences, aligning with core business objectives.
Senior Advancement Officer, Prospect Research and Due Diligence
Hi everyone! I support University advancement (philanthropic fundraising) by researching prospective and current donors. I also do due diligence (a background check) on prospective donors. I am also a Trustee and Director of a Charity which supports people living in Direct Provision in Cork City. My background is in student experience and recruitment, research and sales. I'm super excited to see your projects!
My name is Colm Humphreys, I'm based in Dublin and I work for Microsoft as an Account Executive. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing.
My passions include sport, fitness and technology!
Irish Life Health
Financial services/ professional services/ consulting
Cormac Donnelly
Head of Sales
My career has enabled me to work in many areas, from technical, strategic and client management roles, to now leading a department responsible for commercial activity in Irish Life. I have experience in product creation and design thinking which I hope will help you!
Worked in Finance for 20+ year, from age 18. Worked my way through different departments & levels of management at Citi Bank and Bank of New York.
My passion is people management, mentoring, building teams and helping people navigate through their careers.
3 years ago I moved into IT and love it !
Hello,
I am happy to join the team working with young people to improve their skills. I am sure that sharing experience of regular work is the key to open new perspectives for them.
Thank you
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Dan Little
Dolmen
Design/Creative
Dan Little
Product Designer
Hello, I'm Dan from Donegal. I work in a design consultancy called Dolmen. I work as a design engineer mainly with drinks companies helping them make products to dispense their beverages. I have a huge passion for outdoor sports such as sailing, surfing and triathlon.
Dan is a graduate of University College Cork and has completed a BA Economics & Geography and also an MA in Planning and Sustainable Development. He is currently working part-time as a Graduate Planner at Charterhouse Infrastructure Consultants, while also undertaking a Postgraduate Diploma in GIS
My name is Dan, I'm a graduate of Psychology & Computing at UCC, and I'm now studying Design Thinking. I work with student recruitment at UCC, and I'm interested in inclusive and accessible design.
A systems thinker keen to contribute to the circular economy–I earned a PhD in Environmental Microbiology. I'm passionate about catalyzing innovation to build sustainable businesses.
I am currently managing the Project Management Office in Nostra - we are a large Irish Managed Services Company (IT). My team deliver IT related projects to organisations across Ireland and Europe. The technology we deliver allows businesses to focus on their core business while providing leading edge technology to work smarter. I have over 20 years experience in this industry, including sales, logistics, procurement and now Project Management. In my personal life I love Soccer and still play for my local team as a goalkeeper, I coach junior sides and love how participation in sports at an early age can give a platform for young children to learn team work, commitment and responsibility to others while being active.
I work in a finance team for a very cool, forward thinking company called Autodesk. I work with really smart & innovative people where B!G Ideas are paramount!
I'm looking forward to working with some of the brightest minds and lean on my experience to help develop some great B!G Ideas!
Without sounding too cheesy, Richard Branson (very cool guy) once said, "If you have a good idea, sometimes the best thing to do is just share it".
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David O Hanlon
MTU
Academia
David O Hanlon
Lecturer
I am a Chartered Work and Organisational Psychologist who has expertise in training, well being and user centred design. I have also taught on entrepreneurship, marketing and sales modules at university. Prior to lecturing, I worked in various roles focusing on enhancing workplace well being.
Over the past 15 years David has managed large global teams in the wearable technology & mobile applications space. Currently a member of the project management team for leading ecommerce specialists, StudioForty9.
StudioForty9
Financial services/ professional services/ consulting
David O'Sullivan
Senior Support Specialist
David brings many years of customer service experience to StudioForty9. Having worked in the Insurance Sector for several years and also in Voxpro on the Stripe support contract. David has a law degree from UCC.
Hi, I'm Dayna, and I've been fortunate to have a diverse career path, from Operations and Supply Chain to my current role as a Data Integration Manager at Unum.
I have worked as a designer for over 25 years in Johnston Shopfitters on various retail & commercial projects & enjoy the variety of work that I get to do, seeing a concept become a reality. This is my first year to mentor and I am looking forward to seeing the creative ideas.
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Deirdre Parker
UCC
Education
Deirdre Parker
Career Consultant
Deirdre Parker is a dedicated professional with a multifaceted background spanning career advising, instructional design, and higher education. An applied psychology graduate initially, Deirdre has a strong aptitude providing career guidance and support to students at all levels and disciplines.
Business degree from Trinity college which included lots of fun times playing golf and meeting lots of interesting people that I am still connected to. Went into doing tax returns for builders at 23 and then into Construction payroll and compliance six years later where I now own my own business.
Design Capability Lead for Irl / UK in PA Consulting, an international company with 3000+ consultants. Industrial Designer by training with 40yrs experience in Design Consultancy. Partner for 20+ yrs in Design Partners before it was acquired by PA in 2022. Worked with Multinationals and Start ups on range of projects including Logitech, Dell, ADT, Nokia etc. Have won multiple IDI / IF / Red Dot / Good design awards for products ranging from Security systems, Audio speakers, Healthcare products etc.
Hi, I'm Emer. Working in UX has given me a love for simplicity & creativity. Above all, being able to view through the eyes of others. Love going to gigs, travel/exploring, and learning from others. Fascinated by non-verbal communication & human behaviour in our digital world. Always stay cu
I'm a product designer & have been working for Dolmen, a product design consultancy for year and half! working on both consumer goods and medical devices where creativity and problem-solving blend in a fast-paced environment.
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Emma Walsh
StudioForty9
Technology
Emma Walsh
Front-end Developer
Currently working at StudioForty9, Emma is a Front-end developer with 5 years experience.
Her journey in the working world has taken her across borders, having worked in South Korea, Germany, Ireland, and the UK in recent years.
Emma holds qualifications in Data Analytics and Full Stack Development.
Hi! I’m Eoghan, a product designer from Dolmen Design & Innovation. I currently work on a lot of physical products, but I have a strong base in design research & ideation methods too!
Hi there, my name is Eugene and I work as an IT Support Manager covering Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific. My job is all about making sure the tech side of things runs smoothly. Driven by a fervor for diversity, teamwork, and environmental preservation.
Experienced Business Analyst with expertise in SaaS, Agile, and process optimization. Passionate mentor dedicated to guiding professionals in achieving success through strategic insights.
Hi There, I'm a Project Manager who started my career as a computer science graduate, I am also a career coach in the company I work for. I have a teenage daughter and live in Co Kildare.
With a global background in fashion, skincare, gardening, and pet industries, I'm passionate about creative, impactful ideas that engage and empower communities.
After studying a master's degree in Chemical Engineering at Queen' University Belfast, I joined MSD and currently work as a Project Manager. My passions include renewable energies and equality.
I am a recent graduate of product design in TUDublin and have a great passion for crafting innovative ideas and experiences. My final year project ErgoTech won several awards such as top 20 international James Dyson award. Currently I am working in Dolmen Design agency on some great projects!
Excited to join The Big Idea as a mentor! Currently a Vetting Analyst at Microsoft, at the company almost 5 years. I studied Information Technology at Queen's University Belfast, and I'm passionate about cybersecurity, sports tech, and AI. Looking forward to getting started.
Senior Prospect Researcher and Due Diligence Officer
I work in University College Cork as a Senior Prospect Researcher and Due Diligence Officer in the Alumni & Development Office. I work to find and vet donors to support significant projects at UCC, including funding student bursaries and scholarships.
I look forward to mentoring some great teams!
Glyn Griffiths is an expert in making sure that the technology we love is created in a way that's better for the planet. He works as a Lead Sustainability Consultant, which means he uses a lot of data to help design things more sustainably. He has a PhD in Sustainability.
Hello! My name is Grace Brennan and I am a freelance graphic designer and full time entrepreneur. I have experience in production design, graphic design, photography, design for film and branding. I have a degree in Visual communication Design and am passionate about design for social change.
Hey! I'm Grace and I work as a UX/UI designer with Dublin based design consultancy Each&Other. I have been working in this role for a year and a half and have a background in product design and entrepreneurship. Can\\\'t wait to meet you all
Senior Service Designer at Big Motive. I work with governments and other sectors to resolve service challenges, using research, user centred design and strategic thinking to create services that work efficiently and are easy for people to engage with. My background is in Mechanical Engineering.
Studio49
Financial services/ professional services/ consulting
Hannah Leacy
Delivery Director
Hannah has over 8 years experience in the Ecommerce industry, focusing on Client Relationship Management. Hannah is the Delivery Director in StudioForty9 and is responsible for the Client Services teams and implementing solutions that drive efficiency and client satisfaction in the daily operations
Helena is an accredited + experienced Mindfulness Coach + Mental Health First Aid Trainer. She has been self employed since 2008; initially as Founder of a Pottery Painting Studio-Giddy Studios.
I'm originally from France, my name is Hélène, I'm the mum of a little girl and a cat :)
I decided to come to Ireland to improve my English.When I arrived in Ireland, a great career path began. I'm passionate about yoga and decided to teach it to children, to adults an people with special needs
26 years into a sales & marketing career. Lived and worked in U.K., USA and now Ireland. Enjoy walking, gardening, travelling & exploring, Lego, jigsaws, learning to play the xylophone.
I'm Jack. work in a team where we design healthcare products. I have two main jobs in the team: Talk to the people who will use our devices to make sure that we are designing the right thing for them; and test our prototypes with them to make sure the products are easy to use.
I have 20 years of experience in Industry. I qualified as a electrician and went to college by night to get an energy management degrees. My passion is protecting our precious planet.
Hi, James Bilson, I work for UCC in Cork as part of the Access UCC Team, supporting students from underrepresented groups before, during and after their time in UCC. This includes links to schools and the community. I've worked in education for over 20 years, teaching and coordinating programmes.
I am professional product designer and a huge watersports enthusiast. I love surfing, sailing, kitesurfing, diving, kayaking etc....I do also enjoy building as many of my ideas as possible outside of work. Some of my favorite things to make are speakers as there are very little constraints and you are left with a beautiful and functional piece to listen to some music (which I also love). I also enjoy designing things that can directly help to improve peoples lives and I feel this kind of work is best done as a team with multiple insights. I look forward to seeing the Big Idea's this year!
Highly experienced, flexible and innovative engineer in manufacturing sector (semiconductors, pharma), specialising in process and equipment. Energetic, practical, eco-responsible and empathic.
I am a Software Engineer at Unum, specialising in Front-end Web Development.
I have past experience as a lab demonstrator, and computer science tutor in Maynooth University.
I have 20+ years of experience helping to build out technology solutions focused on absence, accommodations and disability software that supports clients in helping to create a positive employee experience when they need to miss work to care for themselves or loved ones.
IT Consultant / Business Coach / Personal Development Coach
I have a strong background in technology with over 30 years of experience in telecommunications and in addition I am a Business Coach and Personal Development Coach and a love for helping (young) people to be as successful as possible on their path in life.
Graduate of NCAD in Design & Visual Communication. Have worked as a designer & creative director in the US & Europe and am currently the Creative & Digital Services Lead at MSD, a global biopharma co.
Hello!
I'm a UX designer at Unum. I've worked in other design disciplines before landing in UX.
This is my second year taking part as a Big Idea Mentor. I really enjoyed it last year, seeing all the projects and ideas from the students.
I look foward to connecting with you all.
Jon
I am the Design Research Lead at Big Motive, a digital design agency based in Belfast. My role focuses on understanding the attitudes, behaviours, and needs of the users of new products and services.
Protecting Stripe and our users from bad actors. Stripe makes it super simple for businesses to accept and move money online. My job is to protect Stripe and our users. I work at the intersection of Anti-Financial Crimes and Data Science. On my bike or listening to music when I'm offline!
I studied Maths and Computing on college, I started out as a software tester, then developer, then consultant and contractor across a number of tech industries and then moved into Financial Services specialising in EU regulation. In Stripe I'm working in Regulatory Compliance.
Hi! I'm Kacper. I studied electronic engineering in Maynooth University and am now a software engineer in Unum.
I am part of a team that maintains and develops a web application, which is just one piece of a massive ecosystem. Teamwork is everything!
I am a values-driven innovation leader, committed to driving positive change and co-creating transformative solutions. In my work we use a Human Centred Design approach to solve billion dollar challenges with some of the biggest companies in the world.
I\'m Irish, living in London since 2016. I work for Airbnb, and lead the global social impact program. At work, I\'m passionate about diversity and inclusion, employee advocacy, and philanthropy. I love food: dining out, cooking, hosting dinner parties. Music is also a big passion!
MASONRY founder, Kathryn Mason has a career spanning over 30 years. This expansive career has seen the launch of some of the most iconic names in pop music including Take That and Westlife.
In 2009, Kathryn completed a Diploma in Digital Marketing awarded with Distinction and she later gained a Dip
Born/raised in India and now lived in America for 35 years. Been in IT space for 30+ years now. Happily married for 27 years with 2 fine men. Serving as Adult leader in Scouting for 15+ years.
I started working in MrPRICE Oct 2014 and joined the team as a marketing asssitant, in Mar 2015 I became their social media & events manager, then in Jun 2015 I was promoted to marketing manager and finally in Nov 2019 I became a director of the company as the MrPRICE marketing director.
I'm Laura, an Interaction Designer at Big Motive and a lover of typography! I've been designing for around 9 years with a core focus on User Interface and User Experience Design meaning I'm always thinking about the end user and meeting their needs.
I am a HR Analyst with 3.5 years of experience in HR. I work at FINEOS, a global software company based in Dublin. Looking forward to reading all the amazing B!G Idea entries!
Liz is an award-winning designer with over 20 years’ experience within the workspace, hospitality, retail and residential sectors working on projects across the globe . As Creative Director she leads the design team while being one of the main points of contact for key stakeholders during a project.
I have worked in IT for 30+ years, starting as a developer, and now managing teams for the last 15 or so. I love seeing my teams grow and develop and learning from them every day. In my spare time you'll find me walking, reading, baking or sitting at my sewing machine making quilts.
I'm a System Architect with over 20 years of experience working in the software industry. I'm also a Mam of 2. In my free time I garden, do a bit of sewing, read, listen to music and swim.
Currently EMEA Lead for Enterprise Support at Stripe, I have 10+ years experience of customer experience, support and service delivery design across multiple industries including travel (TUI Group), retail (Amazon), cloud (AWS), and fintech (Stripe).
Gardening! I Design gardens for people's homes and for community spaces mainly in Dublin. Plus I teach Horticulture to TY students.
I aim to help people fall back in love with Nature. Simple As.
30+ years of diverse international experience in retail, operations, management consultancy, and leadership roles across various industries focusing on strategic planning, transformation and change.
I am a creative practitioner, as a goldsmith I design and make beautiful jewellery in my studio in rural Co Carlow. I have worked with primary and second-level schools as a Creative Associate. I love helping people come up with different solutions to solve complex problems.
I'm a curious and innovative thinker who loves exploring new ideas across different platforms. I thrive in team settings, both agile and otherwise, and I'm known for my self-motivation and creativity. I hold a First Class Honours degree in Product Design Innovation and have a strong passion for design thinking and consumer-focused problem solving.
INFANT Research Centre, University College Cork
Marketing
Michelle Dorgan
Communications and Public Engagement Manager
I work as the Communications and Public Engagement Manager, at the INFANT Research Centre, UCC. INFANT specialises in maternal and child health research and I work with lots of researchers, scientists, clinicians, academics, post graduate students, engineers and others. In my role, I look after all the communications, marketing and outreach activities for INFANT.
I am a Software Test Engineer at Amdocs with nearly 8 years of experience in the software industry, I contribute my expertise to the ANDF project which is a mediation solution. In my free time, I take pleasure in cooking and and love approaching it in a creative way.
I completed a Bachelors degree in Computer Science with Data Analytics in 2022 and am currently working as an Experienced Software Engineer with Amdocs. Outside of work , I love graphic design, travel, 35mm photography and hiking. I started my own clothing brand called \"Syntax Archive\" :)
Hi there! My name is Neasa Egan and I currently working as Wearables Designer in PA Dublin. My role bridges both fashion and product design, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to share some of my industry based insights with new and up and coming creatives. Reach out for a chat!
I'm Neil! A former advertising art director, now working in a tech company as a creative strategist (don't worry, I'm not entirely sure what the job title means either). I've always loved all things creative, and coming up with fun, impactful ideas that connect with people!
Postdoctoral Researcher in Neurodiverse Chemistry Education
Hey guys, my name is Niamh. I am a researcher at UCC. I did my undergraduate and postgraduate here; BSc in Chemistry with Forensic Science and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry. I am now a postdoctoral researcher in neurodiverse chemistry education. I live in Cork but I'm from Limerick.
I\'m a Lecturer and Research Group Leader at Trinity College Dublin. I specialise in molecular microbiology. My work involves studying how nasty bacteria behave when they infect us, and working out new ways to prevent infection.
My name is Nicole, and I'm a Brand Consulting Executive in a full-service brand agency called Bradley: The Brand Agency.
I work in research insights, brand discovery, copywriting, social media management, marketing strategy, and more! I work in a really creative team, so I learn every day.
I am software developer with 10 year of experience, currently working with Amdocs. I worked as a mentor for my team mates, I am a goto person for my team mates for their questions on the tasks assigned to them.
I would like to be part of Big Idea mentor program and help and guide the young talents.
Noreen Cotter is an Assoc. Director, Qualified Person at MSD based in Co. Tipperary. Noreen has a strong background in quality assurance and compliance, for release of Pharmceutical Product.
IADT Dun Laoghaire / RTE TV / Freelance
Scenographer & Academia
Patrick Molloy
Head of Department Film & Media IADT DL (Retired) / Sn Production Designer RTE Des Dept. (Retired)
Patrick has experience in Industrial Design for TV, exhibitions, film and events; Former: Sn. Designer RTE, Head of Dept. Film & Media IADT. Dun Laoghaire, Mentor ‘Creative Process’ at Uversity. Member IDI https://www.idi-design.ie/ Member of (ISPD) ) https://isssd.ie/
Originally from Limerick, Studied Product Design & Tech in the University of Limerick and now working for Dolmen Design & Innovation in Dublin.
I have been in the industrial design industry for just under two years now and am looking forward to sharing my knowledge of identifying issues to solve with the design process.
I'm an all-rounder in industrial design with experience in electronics, 3D modelling, user interface design, and fluid dynamics. I'm also very quick to get along with people and love to work alongside people to achieve their goals.
I'm really looking forward to meeting the students and helping them to visualize and execute on their Big Idea!
I'm Paul, been working with Unum for 7 years. I live in Tipperary with my wife and 3 children. I'm a problem solver, help teams fix things and look to come up process improvements.
Hi. I am an accountant who has been working for Autodesk for 5.5 years. I live in Dublin with my Brazilian wife. I like watching and paying football (soccer). Also like travelling, movies and reading
I am a mobile telecommunication software engineer specialised in 4G/5G policy and charging control. I did mentoring last year and am doing the same this year, too. I love to see the creative thinking coming from the student teams and give them feedback and encouragement.
Principal Designer in Healthcare with PA consulting Ireland. I work across three areas including Industrial design, Medical packaging design and H.F.E, Human Factors Engineering.
I loved languages at school and completed a degree in French and Irish after my Leaving Cert.
I was lucky enough to study abroad in Bordeaux, France for the third year of my degree.
My first apartment was just like the one in Ratatouille!
After college, I thought I wanted to be a secondary school teacher but it wasn't for me.
I moved to London 'for a year' to study French translation and it was 8 years later before I moved home to Cork.
During my first job in London, I worked in account management at a translation agency and got to use my language skills with clients in France and Belgium.
I then started working in the international education sector.
That role allowed me to see a lot of the world and I visited Egypt, Oman, the UAE, Kuwait, India and the USA.
I really enjoyed working with colleagues, students and education agents from all over the world.
In my current role at UCC, I support students from Ireland, the UK and Europe to find a postgraduate programme that will support their future goals.
I can't wait to learn more about this year's Big Idea projects in the weeks ahead.
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Pradeep Kamble
Amdocs
Technology
Pradeep Kamble
Software Engineer
Highly Ambitious, Passionate, Self-Motivated, Technical Software engineer and Data Analyst.
Currently working at Openet - An Amdocs Company as a Software Engineer
I am Pruthviraj Bhamare, IT Support Analyst at Nostra, Valeo in Tuam. With a Master's in Cloud Computing and 4+ years in IT, I aim to mentor students, sharing experience and industry growth strategies
Rachael, a University of Colorado alumna, has spent 10+ years in the US absence management industry and is passionate about crafting innovative, sustainable solutions.
I\'m a content designer with a passion for transforming complex concepts into simple, engaging digital experiences. I have over 6 years of experience in graphic design and more recently service design, having worked with a range of clients, from small startups to large organisations.
Hi folks, my name is Rachel and I am from Cork. I have worked in Stripe for 2 years and I lead the Global Monitoring & Assurance team. Being from Cork I love hurling and football. I am a lifelong Liverpool supporter but, obviously, Roy Keane is my all time favourite player. Keano!
I am an Entrepreneurship Researcher in the Hincks Centre for Entrepreneurship Excellence (MTU). Formally, I ran my own digital media marketing company and worked as a marketing manager in industry for many years. I received a Masters in Business in the area of Entrepreneurship and won several awards
Robyn forms part of the growth team at Studio Forty9 as an account manager. She studied a Bachelor of Commerce and throughout her career has gained experience in ecommerce, digital marketing, SEO, and web development.
Sustainability Consultant / Co-Founder of VisionGreen Consultancy Ltd
My name is Ronan Murphy, Co-founder of VisionGreen Consultancy Ltd, a Sustainability Consultancy business working in the areas of Energy / Carbon reporting and reduction, alternative fuels for Transport and Sustainability reporting and strategy for business. Our work is aimed at making a difference.
In my work, I enjoy understanding businesses and helping our customers solve technology problems.
Outside work, I have a wife and daughter, two dogs, and anywhere from 6-12 horses that keep me busy!
From crafting visuals in Detroit to a more immersive role helping shape UX in Dublin, meet the designer who\'s passionate about community-building and exploration 👋🏽 Sami is currently a UX Designer with Each&Other. She has a mix of prior experience in marketing, film, and graphic design.
From crafting visuals in Detroit to a more immersive role helping shape UX in Dublin, meet the designer who\'s passionate about community-building and exploration 👋🏽 Sami is currently a UX Designer with Each&Other. She has a mix of prior experience in marketing, film, and graphic design.
I am a tutor in DCU for a module, Uaneen Award, that develops students' critical thinking skills and identifys transferable leadership competencies gained through extracurricular involvement. I also design interactive learning materials. I have an elderly cat that likes to rob food.
I’m a designer who loves digging deep into research and turning big ideas into real solutions. I’ve tackled all kinds of projects across industries, blending human insight with technical know-how to create tools and apps that work seamlessly. I get most excited about projects that create lasting impact actually make the world a better place.
Leading an International, multi-cultural Sales Team, responsible for developing new business across multiple markets, bringing new clients to our Microsoft Advertising platform and ensuring they are set up for success across our product offering.
I am currently working as a UX/UI Designer at UNUM Ireland. I've a Master of Arts degree in Design Research and a Product Design Innovation graduate degree from the Institute of Technology Carlow. I have honed my skills in design research, problem-solving, user research, and product development.
Lecturer at Munster Technological University: Department of Accounting and Information Systems.
Qualified Management Accountant with 6 years Industry Experience.
Interests: Music, Sports, Reading and Financial Markets.
I am a 26 year old industrial designer working for Dolmen. I adore working creatively on a variety of problems and applying critical thought to solve these problems
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Shannen Smith Boore
Dolmen Design & Innovation
design/creative
Shannen Smith Boore
Product Designer
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Sharon Lehane
MTU
Academia
Sharon Lehane
Lecturer
I am a Lecturer in Business at Munster Technological University (MTU). I also have ten years industry experience working as an Accountant for both the Kerry Group and Apple.
Hi, I'm Sinéad. I'm a Chartered Accountant and Internal Auditor. I'm originally from Co. Clare and now live in Dublin. I'm also Mum to a teenager. I'm super interested in the SGD's and have been involved in schools debating adjudication in the past. Looking forward to being a B!G Idea mentor!
University College Cork/Saol Research Consultancy
Academia
Siobhan O Neill
Research Support Officer/Research Consultant
Siobhán has a background in applied psychology and currently works as a Research Support Officer on European funded Artificial Intelligence projects. Siobhán also owns a research consultancy business, providing research services to charities, not-for-profits, and organisations.
Stefanie is a seasoned Project Manager and business leader with over 20 years of experience in various industries. She is passionate about mentoring and coaching others. Originally from Germany, she has lived in the USA for over 25 years (New York City and Colorado). In her free time, Stefanie enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and 2 dogs. She can often be found hiking, doing yoga, cooking, or reading.
I’ve spent the last decade diving deep into the world of technology. From troubleshooting complex systems to helping end users.
When I’m not immersed in lines of code, you’ll find me out in the wild. Adventure races are my adrenaline fix!
Hi All,
My name is Stephen. I have been working in IT for the last 6 years.
I am really looking forward to helping you all with the projects.
Outside of work I enjoy going for walks, cycling and swimming.
Also, I enjoy going to football matches with my friends. I support Shelbourne FC.
Stephen is an award winning designer, with almost 20 years experience. He has worked across all areas of graphic & web design and since 2015 he's focussed on UX/UI Design. A natural motivator he works hard to ensure that the teams he collaborates with have everything they need to do well.
Theresa has 4 years experience as an ecommerce project manager with Studioforty9 delivering enterprise-level projects for retailers. She has over 10 years of commercial and project management experience. Theresa has previously worked in account, product and project management roles for the Poppulo
I'm a Partner Enablement Manager at Microsoft, working with Microsoft's business Partners to ensure that their experience is prioritised when doing business with Microsoft.
I have a strong passion for creativity and innovation, and can't wait to see what your teams bring to the table.
I started my working life as an electrical design draughtsman in the Signalling department in CIE 45 years ago, moved into building services when I emigrated to Australia, I discovered a passion for technology when I first started to use CADD, started working in IT when Compaq opened their call centre in Dublin in 1997. I stayed with Compaq/HP for 21 years, having a number of roles there. L1 technician (UK&I), L2 engineer (EMEA), L2 manager(EMEA) , Project manager for global support organisation and finally a global product support trainer. I left HP in early 2018, I worked for a few months teaching IT to Youth Reach students in Leixlip. I joined Enclave (a small MSP) in June of 2018, as a technical coordinator, I became a service manager in 2020, shortly before Enclave was acquired by Nostra.
A highly motivated Senior Engineering Manager with a background in Solutions Architecture, Delivery Management, Technical Program Management and almost 20 years of experience in FMCG, Life Sciences, and FS/Insurance creating and leading multicultural and distributed teams.
I am software test engineer who has keen interest in learning new technologies and tools. Other activities that I have taken up recently or as part of my hobby are archer, Acrylic landscape painting and books.
I am a Chartered Quantity Surveyor working in Dublin, within the Life Sciences sector, for a pharmaceutical client. I have over 24 years experience in the construction industry, over 11 years as a QS.