Siobhan Duffy, CEO, Element Six (4th left) pictured at the International Women’s Day with (from left): Helen Downes, CEO, Shannon Chamber; Lisa Mulvihill, HR manager, Element Six; keynote speakers Ailbhe Keane. founder, Izzy Wheels; Lavinia Duggan-Ryan, Vhi and research post grad, TUS; and Catherina McKiernan, distance runner and mindful running coach. Photograph by Eamon Ward
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY was marked in Shannon with a panel discussion on taking ownership, responsibility, and action to close gender barriers in the workplace.
Held by Element Six in conjunction with Shannon Chamber, the panel leaders were Siobhan Duffy, the first female CEO of Element Six; multi-award-winning entrepreneur, Forbes 30 Under 30, and inspirational speaker, Ailbhe Keane of Izzy Wheels; project manager, people and sustainability with Vhi and research post grad with TUS, Lavinia Ryan-Duggan and; one of Ireland’s greatest female distance runners and mindful running coach Catherina McKiernan.
Gender bias, empowerment, self-belief plus the balance of a career and a personal life were among the topics covered in the event which took place on-site in Element Six’s Shannon facility. Senior human resources professional with Element Six, Lisa Mulvihill was the moderator.
Siobhan Duffy, sharing her journey to leading Element Six, said that equality in business is about not feeling different for being a woman but about encouraging women to have a louder voice. She stressed the importance of innovation and leadership in driving gender equality.
Requesting people to refrain from referring to women in sport, but instead focus on people in sport, Catherina McKiernan said that actions speak louder than words, that empowerment lies in achievements, and that mindfulness and well-being help in achieving goals.
Alibhe Keane, the multi-award-winning entrepreneur behind Izzy Wheels, enthralled the audience with her effervescent personality and her account of how she and her sister Izzy have transformed wheelchairs into vibrant personal statements, showcasing the power of innovation and breaking barriers in both business and disability representation.
PhD candidate at TUS, Lavinia Duggan-Ryan, blended her academic research with real-world experiences to share insights on how equity, inclusion and leadership development can empower individuals and organisations. Stating that no-one was born with gender bias, she stressed the importance of thinking strategically, connecting emotionally, and taking action to achieve goals and make a lasting impact. “It’s all about head, heart and feet,” she stated.
Shannon Chamber’s CEO Helen Downes, was fulsome in her praise for the openness of the panel in speaking about their journeys in business and life. “The focus of IWD is to recognise the contributions of women in various fields. It’s a day to celebrate how far women have come in the fight for equal rights and opportunities and we certainly saw that in spades at the event.
“My motto is life has always been: Be yourself; everyone else is taken. It is so important for everyone, not just women, to recognise that their value lies in embracing their individuality and authenticity. Trying to be someone else is a waste of a person’s unique potential. Bring your own strengths, creativity and perspective to the work and success will follow,” she added.
