2025 Programme

Thursday 6th March 2025

Keynotes from over 20 national and international expert speakers will be given on talent attraction, retention, leadership, mentorship, culture and the future of HR.

8.15 am Registration Opens

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area.

9.30am

Setting the Scene

This opening session will provide an overview of the key trends shaping HR in 2025, the macroeconomic enviornment of geopolitical and economic shifts, the impact of AI and automation, the shift towards skills-based hiring, evolving employee expectations, and more.

Picture of Michelle Fogarty — **Michelle Fogarty**

Chief People Officer at
LifeScientific

Picture of Rossa Mullally — **Rossa Mullally**

Director at Sigmar Recruitment

9.40 am

Fireside: Embracing an Agile Culture

TBC

10.00am

Panel: Building HR Influence - Winning Over the C-Suite & Board

HR leaders often face a challenge when securing buy-in from the executive team and the board for strategic change initiatives. Just like you wouldn’t approach a bank manager for a loan without first establishing a relationship, HR must proactively cultivate trust and alignment with the C-suite and board before critical moments of decision-making. This panel brings together a Chief People Officer, a CEO, and an Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) to explore how HR can build credibility and advocacy at the highest levels. What do CEOs and board members expect from HR? How can HR leaders frame their proposals in ways that resonate with decision-makers? And what strategies ensure HR is seen as a key driver of business success rather than a support function?

**Amanda Zahringer**

Independent Non-Executive Board Director

**Gordon Lynn**

HR Leader, Coach & Board Member

Image of Sharon Murphy — **Sharon Murphy**

Chief Executive Officer at
Wilson Hartnell & Ogilvy Group Ireland

**Malwina King**

Director at
Sigmar Recruitment

10.30 am

Embracing Talent Development

Charlie Smyth’s remarkable transition from Gaelic football to American football offers valuable insights for HR professionals in today's dynamic workplace. In this session, we’ll explore how Charlie’s career trajectory exemplifies the power of transferable skills, adaptability, and resilience in the face of change.

As HR leaders, we can draw key lessons from Charlie’s ability to leverage his background in one sport and adapt it to a completely different environment, ultimately achieving success in a new field. His story underscores the importance of building diverse talent pipelines and recognizing potential beyond traditional career paths. We’ll discuss how organisations can support employees through transitions, foster a culture of continuous learning, and create pathways for growth that cross traditional boundaries—whether that’s within different functions, industries, or geographies.

**Charlie Smyth**

American Football Player at New Orleans Saints

10.40 am Coffee Break

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area

11.10am

Insights: Title TBC

11.25am

Panel: Embracing Inclusion

Despite recent rollbacks and growing political scrutiny, many HR and business leaders remain steadfast in their commitment to building inclusive workplaces. With DEI programs facing resistance—particularly among major global brands—how can HR continue to drive meaningful progress? This panel will explore the evolving landscape of workplace inclusion, the challenges posed by shifting corporate priorities, and the strategies leaders are using to ensure fairness, belonging, and equity remain at the core of their organisations. From redefining DEI to embracing ‘inclusive leadership,’ join us for a candid discussion on how HR can navigate these changes while staying true to their values.

Image of Jeanne McDonagh — **Jeanne McDonagh**

Chief Executive Officer at
Open Doors Initiative

**Lee Christie**

Country People & Organisation Head at Novartis Ireland

11.55 am

Morning Keynote: Embracing Skills

Skills are becoming the new currency of work, driving agility, resilience, and reinvention. In his keynote, Ravin will provide a framework for leaders to redesign work for exponential gains in performance and productivity. Learn how to build organisations that embrace skills as the foundation for future success.

**Ravin Jesuthasan**

Global Thought Leader
& Author

12.45-2.00 pm Lunch

Grab yourself some lunch and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area

2.00 pm

Fireside: Embracing a High-Performance Mindset

What does it take to perform at the highest level—consistently, under pressure, and with unwavering focus? In this fireside interview, former Irish Olympian and world champion boxer Bernard Dunne will share his insights on cultivating a high-performance mindset. Drawing from his elite sporting career and leadership roles, Bernard will explore the principles of discipline, resilience, and mental strength—offering valuable lessons for HR professionals looking to inspire peak performance within their organisations.

**Bernard Dunne**

Former Irish Olympian and World Chamption Boxer and High-Performance Coach

In conversation with
Michelle Fogarty

Chief People Officer at
LifeScientific

2.20pm

Insights: Title TBC

TBC

2.35pm

Panel: Embracing Innovation

As the workplace rapidly evolves, HR is at the forefront of driving innovation—not just in technology, but in culture, processes, and the overall employee experience. From AI-powered talent strategies to reimagining workforce development, how can HR leaders harness innovation to stay ahead? This panel will explore the latest trends shaping the future of work, the role of HR in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and practical strategies for embedding innovation into everyday HR practices.

**Jess Majekodunmi**

Managing Director, Human Sciences Studio at Accenture

**Caroline Hughes**

CEO at Conscious Leadership Development

**Dr. Dale Whelehan**

Lecturer in Org Behaviour, UCD Smurfit School and Ex-CEO,
4 Day Week Global

3.05 pm

Afternoon Keynote: Embracing Resillience

In his keynote at Talent Summit, Professor Steve Peters will explore how his groundbreaking Chimp Paradox model applies to the world of HR. By understanding the way the human mind processes emotions and reacts to challenges, HR leaders can build cultures that foster emotional agility, enhance performance, and navigate change more effectively. This session will provide invaluable insights into managing workplace emotions, supporting employee wellbeing, and strengthening resilience—both at an individual and organisational level.

**Professor Steve Peters**

Consultant Psychiatrist and CEO Chimp Management Ltd

3.35pm Tea & Coffee

Grab yourself a coffee and explore the exhibition area and Vhi Wellbeing Area.

4.10 pm

Panel: Embracing Leadership

As HR evolves into a more strategic function, moving beyond traditional service delivery to a team of consultants, problem solvers, and data-driven decision-makers, the expectations of HR leaders are shifting. In an era of rapid change and uncertainty, how do we equip HR teams with the skills and mindset to lead effectively? How do we inspire the next generation of HR leaders to drive innovation, foster resilience, and champion people-centric strategies? And in the face of constant disruption, how can HR professionals cultivate a calm, clear and confident approach to leadership?

Image of Lorraine Culligan — **Lorraine Culligan**

Group Director of People & Culture at Primark

Image of Matt Elliott — **Matt Elliott**

Chief People Officer at
Bank of Ireland

Image of Ian McClean — **Ian McClean**

CEO & Founder at
Flow Group

4.40 pm

Closing Keynote: Embracing Compassion

Like young girls everywhere Katriona O’Sullivan grew up bright, enthusiastic, curious. But she was also surrounded by abject poverty and chaos, and after she became pregnant and homeless at 15, what followed was five years of barely surviving. Yet today Katriona is an award-winning academic whose work explores barriers to education for girls like her. Katriona’s personal story showcases the importance of Embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and as it is now an area that Katriona extensively researches and publishes in, her insights will be invaluable at Talent Summit. She will delve into the systemic barriers that prevent marginalized groups from accessing education and opportunities, and how institutions and individuals can work together to dismantle these obstacles. Dr. O'Sullivan will also highlight the transformative power of mentorship and community support, drawing from her own experiences to illustrate how these elements can change the trajectory of a person's life. Her talk will inspire attendees to consider the impact of their actions and the importance of creating inclusive environments where everyone has the chance to succeed.