Meet our Event Ambassadors!

LEO Carlow/Kilkenny Ambassador

Irene Frisby

Irene Frisby is the Managing Director of FQS, and an active QP and RP on many Irish MIAs (Manufacturers and Importers Authorisations) and WDAs (Wholesale distribution Authorisations) for both local and global companies. Irene is a Certified Aviation Security Instructor (CIN 146) and conducts training and consultation in this area on a regular basis. She is also actively involved on client projects on a day-to-day basis and leads a team of respected pharmaceutical and aviation security experts.

With offices based in Ireland and the UK, FQS supports several leading national and international global pharmaceutical manufacturing companies, distribution companies and marketing authorisation holders. The team is comprised of highly qualified and experienced professionals who
have worked with some of the world’s leading companies. We also collaborate closely with a dedicated team of contractor/associates. With a strong client focus, we are here to ensure your compliance, and training needs are met with unwavering support and a friendly approach.

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LEO Cavan - Emer McVeety

Emer McVeety founded Laochra Academy with an aim to transform the school aged childcare experience. This has allowed her passion for child development to continue in the primary education sector.

Laochra Academy believe in giving children a voice.
Their innovative approach to onsite school aged childcare ensures that children, and their development, are at the very centre of everything they do.
Their innovative business model provides a before and after school service, which operates onsite in primary schools, at affordable prices for local families.
This allows parents to do a convenient single school drop off and pick up as well as availing of affordable, convenient childcare at their child’s school

LEO Monaghan - Aprilanna Barker

Aprilanna Barker is the managing director of Dinkin’s Bakery is a second generation family run business specialising in homemade breads, tasty treats and personalised cakes. We have been in operation over 50 years and have numerous home bakeries and coffee shops outlets throughout Co. Monaghan and Co. Cavan as well as an a la carte restaurant Taste of Tuscany in Monaghan town. Dinkin's Bakery have a workforce of 90 people (85% of which are women) across our operations. We also supply to over 30 wholesale stores such as Supervalus, Maces, Centras, Spars and local independent stores. They have won numerous awards for our products such as Blas nah Eireann, World Bread Awards and Great Taste Awards.

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LEO's Clare/Tipperary/Limerick - Hannah Wrixon

Hannah Wrixon, is the CEO of Kella,  an accomplished entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in startups, technology, and HR.

She recently exited WrkWrk, her third startup and a multi-award-winning company formerly known as Get the Shifts Ltd. Hannah serves as the lead entrepreneur for "Back for Business" and "Going for Growth" programs, and has been a judge for the National Enterprise Awards for the past three years.

With a background in leading international teams and developing bespoke software, Hannah is also an alumni of the prestigious EY European Winning Women program. She was honoured as Image Digital & Technology Businesswoman of the Year in 2019 and holds qualifications in Strategic Management (L9) and Corporate Governance

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LEO Dublin South - Aisling Tuck 

Aisling Tuck is an entrepreneur from Dublin and the founder of two brands paving the way in the plant-based food space. Starting her business from her parents’ kitchen at the age of 21, growing the business organically with no investment from a side hustle to a team of 8 working from a central production kitchen in Tallaght and 100 distribution points across Ireland.

Naked Bakes is a 100% plant based bakery specialising in making the most delicious treats possible which just so happen to be vegan. Incorporated in 2020 the company has established itself as a key player in the plant-based baked goods market in Ireland. The company's focus is on providing vegan freshly baked goods to cafes nationwide through B2B wholesale channels, while also catering to e-commerce orders facilitated by Shopify.

During lockdown of 2021 Aisling developed and launched a range of cookie doughs after identified the market gap for vegan home baking products. The product is a range of 3 core flavours and seasonal specials, and is an indulgent & convenient solution made with clean deck ingredients.

Over the past 3 years Naked Bakes has won listings in Donnybrook Fair, SuperValu and independent retailers all over Ireland, as well as a Gold Blas na hÉireann award in a non-vegan category. Our ready-to-bake vegan dough is also available in the food service channel, enabling chefs and operators to save time, reduce risk of cross-contamination/allergens & cater to growing demand for vegan options, solving hospitality labour shortages.

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LEO Fingal  - Michelle O'Keeffe

Platform55, founded by Michelle O'Keeffe and Tracy Gunn, is a HR platform that transforms how you support modern families at work.

Over 55% of the global workforce are parents, and 75% of employees will have caring responsibilities in their lifetime. Our mission is to create workplaces where individuals can balance their professional and family commitments. How we live, work and care is changing, and Platform55 creates equal, sustainable and family-friendly workplaces.

Both founders, Michelle O'Keeffe and Tracy Gunn, were not just senior leaders, but also parents raising a young family. They experienced firsthand the challenges of juggling family life with their careers, and this personal journey led them to recognise the need to support parents in the workplace. They're on a mission to make sure that individuals can have a fulfilling family life and career.

Since launching in June 2021, this founding team has gone from strength to strength, winning multiple awards and achieving industry recognition for the innovative work they are doing in ED&I, driving gender equality, and providing real solutions to manage the 'modern family' employee experience.

Platform55 was founded with a clear purpose to change the world of work. 55% of the workforce are parents, and over 75% will have caring responsibilities in the future. Our expert-led platform provides support to employees through major life events.

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LEO Dublin City - Niamh Tallon

Niamh Tallon is the founder of hersport.ie, an organisation tackling gender inequality through sport, through media and education strategies. Her Sport has the vision of equal opportunity in sport regardless of gender.

Her Sport has built a digital community of over a quarter of a million people, spotlighting female athletes and women's sport on their website, social media platforms and at events. They share news, athlete features and ensure coverage of important topics relating to sport, health, fitness and gender equality.

Her Sport works with some of the largest brands nationally and internationally including Whoop, Energia, Life Style Sports and Vodafone, and has also brought their coverage to print with a magazine with the Business Post, as well as coverage of the annual HerSport Awards on TG4.

Her Sport is dedicated to creating cultural change and the visibility pillar of the business is supported further by delivering educational workshops on the landscape of women's sport, creating tangible change at local level - delivering workshops nationwide in schools, clubs and businesses. Ensuring this education is accessible to all students in Ireland is a key goal for 2024/2025.

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LEO Kildare - Magdalena Seymour

Magdalena Seymour is the founder of Pure Oskar.  With degrees in Journalism and Political Studies from the University of Warsaw, and Project Management from the University of Limerick, Magdalena's career initially focused on orchestrating luxury vacations for the world's elite visiting Ireland.  When the pandemic hit, everything changed. Inspired by a desire to create natural solutions for her son Oskar, who struggled with dry skin and reacted to mass-produced products, she decided to pivot into the personal care and wellness industry. 

Pure Oskar is a distinguished Irish personal care brand celebrated for its commitment to crafting unique and sustainable products that embody Ireland's natural beauty and rich heritage. Founded by Magda Seymour, Pure Oskar has garnered acclaim for its artisanal soaps and skincare items, which blend premium quality with eco-conscious values.

Pure Oskar's product range is centered around the iconic Irish Native Animal Soap collection, expertly designed to showcase Ireland's diverse wildlife. Each soap is meticulously handcrafted reflecting our dedication to authenticity and sustainability. These products have resonated strongly with consumers, particularly in the United States, where Irish heritage holds significant cultural value.

Beyond Pure Oskar's commitment to quality and sustainability, the company distinguishes itself through personalized customer experiences. They offer bespoke soap shapes tailored for corporate gifting, hotels, and special occasions, further enhancing our appeal in the premium gifting sector.
Pure Oskar's journey is marked by milestones such as multiple awards and recognition in Ireland and international markets. Their expansion into over 100 stores across Ireland, the US, and Canada underscores our growing influence and consumer trust.

Looking forward, Pure Oskar aims to continue innovating within the personal care industry while deepening our connection with customers through meaningful products that celebrate Irish culture and contribute to a sustainable future.

LEOs Cork and Kerry Ambassador – Bhagya Barrett

Bhagya Barrett is the founder of Rebel City Distillery,  an Award-Winning sustainable distillery and visitor experience centre based in Cork City.  With a background in tech leadership, Bhagya began her career with an engineering degree in Information Technology in 2007.

Together with her husband Bhagya set up the distillery in 2020 and now proudly offer three spirits in their portfolio: the multi-award-winning Maharani Gin, Rebel City Distillery Absinthe (Ireland’s only absinthe), and Rebel City Distillery Citrus Vodka. Additionally, the distillery boasts an Award-Winning visitor experience centre in the heart of Cork City and a recently opened spirit school.

Proudly standing as Cork City's first distillery in half a century, opening the doors in 2020 and reviving iconic former Ford factory building that had remained abandoned since 1984. Their spirits are crafted with a global perspective, reflecting the maritime heritage of this dynamic port city. This approach infuses their products with a unique blend of cultural richness and creativity, resulting in a distinctive and appealing range that resonates globally.

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LEO Donegal - Diane Nesbitt

LEO's Sligo/Leitrim - Norah Casey

Broadcaster, entrepreneur and human rights campaigner Norah Casey was formerly a Dragon in the popular television series Dragons’ Den and is a well-known radio and television personality. The 2nd Edition of her book Spark! was recently published by Penguin and her TEDx talks include The Cure for Grief and The Courage to leave (her own testimony of domestic violence).

Her digital learning platform Planet Woman seeks to empower women, and much of her pro-bono work is devoted to mentoring female founders globally. She serves on the European Board for Vital Voices, established in 1997 by Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. She is a founder of the London-based Women's Irish Network and is a member of The International Women's Forum. Norah is currently serving on the Irish government Forum on a Family Friendly and Inclusive Parliament.

A journalist and former nurse, her awards include: Woman of the Decade Award from the Women’s Economic Forum in Delhi; Ireland’s Philanthropist of the Year award; five times Publisher of the Year; and Veuve Clicquot Business Woman of the Year. Her work to highlight domestic violence was recognised with a Safe Ireland SÍLA Leadership Award and she received the 2019 Lord Mayor Of Dublin Award. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and received the Honorary Graduate Award for 2018 from BFEI.

As well as owning Harmonia Publishing Ltd, Norah is an experienced broadcaster and producer. She was the Ambassador for Dublin Honours Magdalenes and executive producer of the 2022 television documentaries Ireland’s Dirty Laundry.  Her work can be viewed at norahcasey.com

Norah’s business expertise is extensive having acquired and grown multiple business to multi-million euro global success stories, as well as a wide range of business investments in Ireland and internationally. She has mentored leading global business leaders, politicians and public figures. Her corporate expertise includes leadership, corporate teambuilding, mentorship, innovation and strategy.

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LEOs Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath - Louise Brennan

As the owner and driving force behind Fabiani in Longford, Louise Brennan has played a pivotal role in establishing the store as a premier destination for discerning fashion enthusiasts in Ireland. Clients travel from all over the country to sample Fabiani’s expertly curated selection of contemporary womenswear labels, as well as the artisanal coffee on offer in the in-store cafe. With an exclusive Lululemon Yoga studio on site too, Fabiani truly has something for everyone.

Louise began her retail career at the tender age of 16, and developed a passion for business which she continued to work in as she qualified to become a primary school teacher. Louise opened Fabiani in 2010 and since then it has evolved into the cosmopolitan powerhouse it is today. In recent years, Fabiani has been awarded many accolades and was nominated for the Irish Times Best Shop award in 2016, crowned National Store of the Year by Retail Excellence in 2021, and Louise herself is also a former winner of Longford’s ‘Best Young Entrepreneur.’

Fabiani, helmed by Louise Brennan, stands as a premier women's clothing and lifestyle store that has been a staple in Ireland’s fashion scene for over a decade. Originally a high-end shoe store, Fabiani has evolved into a dynamic retail destination, showcasing a carefully curated selection of top designer brands such as Isabel Marant, Ganni, and Anine Bing. The store also features a bustling in-house coffee bar (mudshot.ie) with outdoor seating, as well as an exclusive Lululemon yoga studio.

In 2021, in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving retail landscape, Fabiani undertook a strategic expansion to better serve its clients. This initiative not only strengthened the store's resilience but also attracted a wave of professional clients seeking luxury products without the need to travel to larger cities. As a result, Fabiani has successfully extended its reach nationwide. Alongside its physical growth, Fabiani has established a thriving online presence (fabiani.ie), further expanding its customer base and boosting revenue. Fabiani now ships all over Europe and is widely accredited as one of the top stores in Ireland.

Throughout this journey, Fabiani has collaborated closely with the Local Enterprise Office, benefiting from mentoring, training, online trading support, digital expertise, and the Lean for Business programme.

Over the years, Louise Brennan and her team at Fabiani have solidified their status as a top fashion destination that not only keeps pace with trends but sets the bar for retail excellence. This success is reflected in Fabiani's numerous Retail Excellence Ireland Awards, as well as their recognition in being nominated in the Irish Times Best Shop competition.

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LEO Galway - Grainne Mullins

Grainne Mullins is the founder of Grá Chocolates.  The future of Grá Chocolates is bursting with delicious possibilities! Here are a few things Grainne sees on the horizon:

Expanding our reach: Up to now, Grá Chocolates has been focused on Ireland. We are trying to broaden our reach by attending international food shows or partnering with online retailers that ship gourmet chocolates globally.

New flavor innovation: We already incorporate Irish flavors, and we continue to experiment with exciting new taste combinations. There will be even more seasonal offerings that highlight the bounty of fresh Irish ingredients.

A bigger production space: The company's current "micro-factory" is charming, but we are trying to graduate to a larger space to meet growing demand. This would allow us to increase production while still maintaining their commitment to small-batch, handcrafted chocolates.
Sustainable practices: Grá Chocolates will explore eco-friendly packaging options or source directly from Fair Trade certified cocoa producers.

By staying true to their core values of using high-quality ingredients, creating unique flavor experiences, and crafting each chocolate with love, Grá Chocolates seems poised for continued success and a bright future!

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LEO Mayo - Elzbieta Szczerbak

Elzbieta Szczerbak, known as Ella, is the founder and director of The Mood Designs Ceramics Ltd., a flourishing ceramics business established in 2012. Together with her husband, Lukasz, Ella has built The Mood Designs into a celebrated brand recognized for its unique ceramics inspired by the Irish landscape. The couple runs a Craft and Design shop where they sell their own ceramics alongside other handcrafted items. Their business also includes a ceramic studio and classroom, where they offer a variety of workshops and a popular "Paint a Pot" facility, providing creative experiences for the community. As a National Women’s Enterprise Day Ambassador, Ella is eager to share her journey and inspire other women entrepreneurs, highlighting the strength of creativity, collaboration, and perseverance in business.

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LEO Roscommon - Timea Kovacs

Timea Kovacs is the founder of Healthy Bake Ltd, an Artisan bakery and home of a very unique brand, The Best FREE FROM – who’s goal is to make everyone feel included in every meal, without compromise.

The Best Free From products are all natural, no added sugar, gluten free, dairy free, yeast free, grain free, wheat free, low carb treats. Free from preservatives, they give you fresh and flavorful bakes without compromise.

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LEO's Meath, Louth - Elizabeth Oakes

Elizabeth Oakes is the founder of Pure Reflections Ireland’s pioneering water cremation facility, dedicated to providing greener and more sustainable end-of-life choices.  Pure Reflections is committed to offering compassionate and eco-friendly funeral services that honour the memories of loved ones while protecting our planet for future generations.

Elizabeth's mission is to revolutionize the funeral industry in Ireland by offering innovative, environmentally conscious alternatives to traditional burial and cremation methods. We strive to set the standard for funeral care in an unregulated industry, ensuring that every family we serve experiences the highest level of care and respect.

We believe Pure Reflections will be the largest and most trusted provider of funeral services in Ireland by 2030, leading the way in sustainable funeral care and setting benchmarks for quality and compassion.

Elizabeth Oakes Permanent Make-Up Clinics: Elizabeth Oakes Permanent Make-Up Clinics are leading the way in the field of medical micropigmentation and cosmetic tattooing in Ireland. Founded by Elizabeth Oakes, a world renowned expert in the art of permanent make-up, our clinics offer advanced, safe, and personalized treatments to enhance natural beauty and restore confidence.

Pure Reflections mission is to provide life-changing treatments through permanent make-up, empowering individuals to look and feel their best. We are dedicated to delivering exceptional results with the highest standards of care and professionalism.
Elizabeth Oakes Permanent Make Up clinics are recognized as the premier permanent make-up clinic in Ireland, known for innovation, excellence, and a commitment to improving the lives of our clients.

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LEO Waterford - Stephanie Wickham

Stephanie Wickham, a Chartered tax Adviser and Chartered Accountant is the founder of ExpatTaxes.ie. On moving back to Ireland from Australia Stephanie realised there was a gap in the market for tax services for expats – people moving to or from Ireland, and so ExpatTaxes.ie was born.  In the 5 years since starting the business Stephanie has not looked back. The team has grown to 7, working across 3 countries and 2 timezones, and  have worked with over 3,000 expats in the last few years

Expat Taxes is a boutique Irish tax practice that caters solely to people who are moving to or from Ireland. Expat Taxes answer complex tax questions in a simple and friendly manner. By doing so, saving their clients time and money. 

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LEO Wexford - Liz Nolan

Liz Nolan lectured on a part time basis in Carlow IT on business development and research.

Dampdoctor was the Brain child of Colin Nolan, a Construction Engineer.  To grow the business and create awareness, Liz joined the business with her background and experience in marketing and strategy. 

Damp and Mould is a serious health problem for homeowners along with damaging the structural integrity of their homes over time. Almost 50% of all properties have visible mould present at some stage and this figure is increasing due to many reasons. Furthermore, growing issues around health issues,air quality and a greater awareness have seen the demand for our expertise increase year on year.

Dampdoctor is an Irish owned business who diagnose, treat and monitor all damp, mould and water ingress issues in all types of properties across Ireland. They offer a professional approach to this ever growing problem - all their surveyors are building surveyors and Engineers and all heavily experienced and knowledgeable in their field. We pride ourselves on our reliable service to their Domestic and Commercial customers across the island of Ireland. Dampdoctor has become one of the best known names in the Irish Damp and Mould Industry. Their proven systematic approach ensures top class results and performance. At Dampdoctor we offer accurate diagnostics, proven solutions and ongoing monitoring to alleviate these serious problems.

Dampdoctor differentiate their services based on Education, training and best practice of our surveyors and technical staff. Currently they have 6 fulltime staff and several part-time staff to provide support during extra busy periods.

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LEO Wicklow - Catherine Murphy-Brady

Prior to joining Brady’s Coffee Company, Catherine Murphy-Brady had over 20 years’ experience in the architectural/construction industry, preparing tenders, bid management and managing projects. Catherine has gained extensive coffee knowledge and carried out the role of Head Roaster at Brady’s Coffee Company from 2018 to 2020 before moving into her role of business development.

Brady’s Coffee is part of Irish Decal Products Ltd., an Irish souvenier company, founded in 1990 by Catherine’s father-in-law John Brady. It is now run by Catherine’s husband Craig and his brother Darren.

In 2014 Catherine and Craig set up www.coffeeshop.ie and in 2017, Catherine, Craig and Darren developed the coffee side of the business. Today Brady’s Coffee provides a range of 25 coffees and teas, along with a natural sparkling canned cold brew coffee, branded as BARE. All coffee is ethically sourced, and expertly roasted. Their international bestseller, the Irish Whiskey Barrel-Aged Coffee is very successful in US markets.

In 2024 the company launched the Murphy’s Soap range, which offers seven handmade, cold pressed, natural soaps using local Wicklow and Irish ingredients. At the LEO National Enterprise Awards 2024, Brady’s Coffee were the winners of the South East Regional Award.

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