All-Island Female Entrepreneurs Conference

Caroline O'Neill

Conference Host

Caroline returns as our host for the day, bringing her trademark warmth and ability to connect people through meaningful conversations. As the host of The Digg Podcast, she has interviewed over 170 inspiring leaders and change makers, sharing stories that spark growth and offer practical takeaways. Known for her honesty and genuine love of engaging with people, she creates experiences that inspire and empower. Through Digg for Success, she helps businesses tell their story, build attention, and grow community. Caroline will lead the day as we connect and network with female founders from every corner of the island.

Laura Tenison MBE

Founder | JoJo Maman Bebe

Laura is the founder of JoJo Maman Bebe, a maternity and children’s clothing label and winner of Veuve Clicquot businesswoman of the year award. Formerly the director of a small fashion company and founder of a French property business, Laura sold these ventures and built up JoJo Maman Bebe from its small startup in 1993 to a company dominating the pregnancy and baby niche market. Notably, Laura runs her business by putting people and the planet above bottom line profit, an ethos which has won her numerous business awards. She takes great interest in corporate social responsibility and business ethics, whilst still managing to act as full time mother to her sons. Laura is also a trustee of the children’s charity Nema, based in Mozambique. Laura gives many talks and inspirational speeches to a diverse range of audiences and has appeared on numerous relevant TV and radio programmes.

Linda Stinson

Founder & CEO | Bellamianta

Linda is the Founder and CEO of Bellamianta, Ireland’s leading luxury tanning, skincare, and cosmetics brand. What began in 2015 as a response to her own skin struggles has grown into a multi-award-winning business, built on a commitment to clean, high-performing formulas that deliver both results and care. Over the past decade, Linda has transformed Bellamianta into a market-leading brand, now generating £8 million in annual turnover and stocked in over 5,000 locations across the UK, Ireland, and international markets. The brand continues to expand globally, exporting to seven countries, and recently marked a major milestone with the opening of its first standalone retail store in Rushmere Shopping Centre, Craigavon. Driven by authenticity, innovation, and a passion for empowering confidence through beauty, Linda has built more than just a brand she has created a community. A proud Tyrone native and mother of three girls, she is also a strong advocate for supporting local enterprise and championing female-founded businesses. Known for her honest and inspiring approach to entrepreneurship, Linda shares valuable insights on building a purpose-led brand, scaling a business, and staying true to your values in a competitive industry.

Sherene Powell-Okafor

Founder & Director | HOPE Autism Care Centre

Sherene is a passionate entrepreneur, educator and advocate who has turned personal experience into purposeful innovation. Her journey began when her daughter was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half — and, facing a lack of adequate services, Sherene founded HOPE Autism Care Centre in 2011. What began as a response to unmet need has grown into a multifaceted organisation supporting children, families, schools, and communities through inclusive and holistic services. Sherene has since developed five Montessori and crèche settings, including specialised early intervention classes for children with ASD, with two further services due to open this year. She currently employs up to 70 staff, with plans to grow to over 100 as residential and additional services launch. Alongside her work with HOPE, Sherene serves as a Deputy Principal and is Founder of Scoil Sinéad Ltd, a developing patron body for a primary school, as well as trustee patron of a post‑primary school. Under the HOPE umbrella, she has launched several purpose‑driven ventures, including HOPE Childcare, HOPE Visual Studio, HOPE Consultancy, Daystar, and Resilient Essence, creating jobs and delivering education, training, and scalable models of inclusion. Recognised for her authenticity and leadership, Sherene was selected for the EY Winning Women Programme and is known for bringing warmth, honesty, and lived experience to conversations about entrepreneurship, inclusion, and building organisations that truly matter.

Lesley Tully

CEO & Founder | Penny Technologies

Lesley is the Founder and CEO of Penny Technologies, a business rooted in behavioural science and driven by one clear mission: helping women genuinely understand their financial personalities and fast‑track their journey to financial wellness and freedom. Formerly Head of Design Thinking at Bank of Ireland, Lesley also served as Chair of the Gender Taskforce and Director of International Women’s Day across the Bank of Ireland Group in Ireland and the UK. An engaging and powerful speaker, Lesley brings honesty, insight and lived experience to the stage. Her story reflects exactly what this conference stands for: real women, real challenges, and practical, no‑nonsense strategies to move your business and your life forward.

Colette McNicholl

Co-Founder | McNicholl Caravans

Colette is the co‑founder of McNicholl Caravans, a family business she has built alongside her husband, Michael, since 1980. What began at a kitchen table—juggling young children, paperwork and everyday demands—became a journey shaped by resilience, learning and determination. While raising her family, Colette continued her education and applied those skills across operations, finance and growth. At pivotal moments, she stepped forward to lead the business through significant challenges, making high‑pressure decisions that strengthened her confidence and leadership. Over the decades, McNicholl Caravans has grown into a successful multi‑generational enterprise with seven caravan parks across Ireland and Scotland, generating £9 million in annual revenue and employing 18 staff. The business has received numerous awards, including Best SME and Best Customer Services. Today, Colette proudly co‑leads the business with the next generation—her greatest achievement. Passionate about supporting women in business, she encourages others to trust themselves, take courage and say yes, even before confidence arrives.

Tiffany Brien

Director | Simon Brien

Tiffany is an ambitious entrepreneur who has co-founded a new tech business, building on her experience as a Director in Simon Brien estate agents.  Tiffany joined the family business, founded by her father Simon Brien, and during 16 years in the estate agency sector became known for her top sales achievements and deep operational expertise. She has faced the daily realities of running branches and knows what genuinely helps move the needle and what doesn’t. Tiffany was at the heart of the company’s growth journey, which ultimately led to its acquisition by Castlegate — the group behind Sherry FitzGerald. In her last year in the business in 2025 prior to her maternity leave, she personally sold £42 million worth of property, the kind of frontline commercial experience that now directly shapes her new exciting venture.   She is developing a proptech startup built to solve a very real problem: understanding buyer intent. Signal provides estate agencies with a powerful buyer intelligence layer that fits seamlessly alongside the tools agents already use.   Tiffany was one of 10 successful winners of the 2026 TechStart Female Founder’s competition, securing £35k investment in her new venture and is excited to transfer her learning from being part of a family business to her own innovative problem solving.   Now focused on transforming how agencies identify, understand and act on buyer demand, Tiffany brings a refreshingly honest perspective—sharing real lessons, real challenges, and practical strategies that help businesses move forward with clarity and confidence.

Catherine Cunningham

Founder and CEO | The Present Tree

Catherine is the Founder and CEO at The Present Tree, an award-winning brand which specialises in beautifully wrapped tree and plant gifts. Catherine founded The Present Tree by taking inspiration from her lifelong passion for trees and nature and her love of beautiful design. Since launching in 2013 with just £5,000 personal investment, the company has flourished into a premium multimillion pound gift brand that celebrates thoughtful gifting through the symbolism and beauty of trees. Recently, The Present Tree raised £1.8m equity investment to accelerate its journey to massive growth. The Present Tree’s ambition is to establish itself as a leading gift brand by encouraging people to celebrate life’s milestones with a gift that connects in real life and brings pure goodness to the world. Today, Catherine continues to lead The Present Tree with a focus on its matriarchal work culture, her team’s wholehearted dedication to excellence and always, at its heart, outstanding customer happiness.

Ursula Kelly

Managing Director | Cormac Tagging

Ursula is a trailblazer in the agricultural sector, leading Cormac Tagging and advocating for women’s roles in farming. As MD of her family business Cormac Tagging, she has transformed the company’s product line and market reach, introducing cattle tags and expanding to other livestock. Growing up on a sheep farm in the west of Ireland with four sisters, her parents instilled a strong worth ethic and a passion for agribusiness. After qualifying as an accountant and working as the financial controller for a chain of pubs in Galway, she joined the family business at a pivotal moment, and has brought diversification and digitalistation to the business. She is a woman who is known for her courage in many aspects of life and is not afraid to challenge the status quo, whether in farming or equality for disability rights for her daughter . From small beginnings 30 years ago they are now exporting as far as America, Kenya and New Zealand.

Emma Early Murphy & Linda O’Mahony Logan

The Leadership Lounge on Leveraging Your All Island Network.

Emma Early Murphy and Linda O’Mahony Logan are the founders of The Leadership Lounge working with professionals and organisations globally to build confident, connected and effective leaders. Emma is a growth strategist, experienced facilitator and networking expert. She is a former National President of Network Ireland and leads the WE Grow All-Island Programme driving the development of strong collaborative networks across the island. Linda is a leadership expert and experienced facilitator, founder of Network Ireland Kerry and works with organisations globally bringing an international perspective to leadership, communication and team effectiveness. Together they combine complimentary strengths in strategy, leadership and high-impact facilitation with real-world experience in building and leading networks at both local and national level. They don’t just talk about networks, they’ve built them, led them and continue to champion the power of connection globally in driving real success. Their work focuses on strengthening relationships and building trusted networks that open opportunities, accelerate growth and support people to lead with confidence. Known for their warm, practical and straight-talking style, Emma and Linda create engaging spaces where people feel comfortable to connect, share openly and learn from each other. Passionate about keeping leadership real they focus on what actually works, helping attendees strengthen their networks, build confidence and take meaningful action.

Caroline Wilson

Founding Director | Taste & Tour

Caroline is a Founding Director of Taste & Tour, having co-founded the company in 2016 alongside Phil Ervine. Her journey began in March 2014 when she launched Northern Ireland’s first food tour focusing on local produce. The Belfast Food Tour was inspired by a passion for connecting people to Belfast, and each other, through local food and drink in locally owned hospitality venues. Caroline took the leap, left her 15 year legal career and under her leadership, what started as a weekly outing has blossomed into a multi award‑winning series of food and drink experiences. Taste & Tour now has over 30 guides in Belfast and Edinburgh with experiences that are enjoyed by locals, tourists and corporates. In 2022, she also co-created The Spirit Circle, an innovative multi-sensory cocktail experience. Caroline is proudly one of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ EMEIA Class of 2025. Caroline is deeply engaged in regional tourism, she serves on the boards of Visit Belfast and the The Strand Arts Centre, and participates in Belfast’s food and drink collective, Belfast Flavours.

Suzanne Healy

Co-Founder | ClearTech Consulting Engineers

With career experience in Ireland and Southeast Asia, Suzanne is a passionate advocate for the transformative potential of smart engineering and the value of harnessing unique strengths to deliver exceptional outcomes. In 2020, she co-founded ClearTech Consulting Engineers, an award-winning engineering consultancy specialising in sustainable and net-zero civil and structural design. Suzanne, one of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women and a Woman in Business Award winner, ensures the business runs seamlessly, driving both operational excellence and continued growth and innovation.

Bevin Mahon

Owner & Managing Director | Dentaltech Group

Bevin is the Owner & MD of Dentaltech Group, a second-generation, award-winning dental and medical device company based in Ireland. With over two decades in the business, she has led a transformative shift from traditional dentistry to a fully digital model, leveraging 3D printing and advanced manufacturing to improve patient outcomes while significantly reducing waste. Under her leadership, Dentaltech has scaled from a single clinic to five locations in just five years, alongside building a high-performing digital manufacturing lab supporting dentists across Ireland and the UK. Dentaltech Group is also the largest provider of mobile dental services to nursing homes, homecare, and corporate settings in Ireland, reflecting Bevin’s focus on accessibility, innovation, and scalable care delivery. A recognised Key Opinion Leader and international speaker, Bevin is a passionate advocate for innovation-led growth, sustainability, and collaboration. She currently serves as President of the All-Ireland Business Foundation (2025–2026), sits on several boards, and is an active member of the EY Winning Women network. She is deeply committed to empowering others and using technology to create meaningful impact at scale.

Carley Quigley

CEO | Grey Dog

Carley is an award-winning founder and the CEO of Grey Dog, a creative agency focused on brand development, marketing strategy and corporate event experiences. Based in Dublin, she has spent over a decade working at the intersection of storytelling, design and live engagement - helping businesses build brands that resonate and experiences that leave a lasting impact. Carley is passionate about helping organisations move beyond “just events” to create meaningful, immersive brand moments. She understands the power of events to drive engagement and growth; from digital presence to in-person experiences, Carley crafts cohesive narratives that connect every touchpoint. Known for her energy, organisation and people-first approach, Carley partners closely with clients to deliver thoughtful, high-quality outcomes that drive both personal and commercial impact.

Lowry O’Mahony

Managing Director | MaxPhysio and Pilates

Lowry is a Chartered Physiotherapist, entrepreneur and founder of MaxPhysio & Pilates, a growing multi-site healthcare and fitness business. She specialises in bridging the gap between clinical rehabilitation and performance, with a particular focus on strength, longevity, and women’s health. Lowry is also the founder of Maxsona, an innovative Pilates reformer company designed to bring clinical precision into commercial studio environments. Her work centres on helping both clients and clinicians build stronger, more resilient bodies, while also supporting business owners to scale sustainable, high-quality services. She is passionate about translating evidence-based health principles into real-world impact and is a regular contributor to Newstalk on topics including strength training, chronic pain, and health and wellbeing.

Ciara Crossan

Founder & CEO | WedPro

Ciara Crossan is the founder and CEO of WedPro, a leading events software company serving hotels and wedding venues across the UK and Ireland. With over 17 years in the hospitality tech space, Ciara is a passionate advocate for exceptional customer experience and empowering event professionals through smart technology. Her company helps busy venues streamline their wedding enquiry process, save valuable admin time, and ultimately increase bookings. Ciara is a dynamic speaker and hospitality marketing expert, known for her engaging style and practical insights. She regularly delivers training, speaks at industry events, and mentors other female founders. Ciara’s entrepreneurial journey—from bootstrapping her business to scaling it internationally—has earned her recognition from EY Winning Women, Network Ireland, and Enterprise Ireland. She brings energy, authenticity, and a collaborative spirit to everything she does.

Michelle Johnson and Caroline Bourke

CEO & COO | ASA Brands & ForWare Ltd

Michelle and Caroline Bourke are the second‑generation leaders of the ASA Group, founded in 1984 by their parents,. Since taking the helm in 2015, Michelle (CEO) and Caroline (COO) have grown the family business into an international operation spanning ASA Brands, a sustainable corporate gifting company, and ForWare Ltd, a specialist fleet management software provider, with operations in Cork, Dublin and Belfast. Together, they balance strong family values with innovation, focusing on sustainability, operational excellence and building a business designed to last.