Regional Business Summit

Engaging People and Leading on Sustainability

Thinking Beyond.

An Event Series for the Public Good at J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics

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Friday 31^st March 2023 08.45 to 13.30
Venue: Bailey Allen Hall, University of Galway

J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway in partnership with ITAG and Galway Chamber were delighted to host this regional event as part of our Thinking Beyond event series. The event brought together industry and academic thought leaders to showcase how businesses navigate and can take leadership on the current challenges of Talent Engagement, Sustainability and ESG in the West of Ireland. Using business cases and panel conversations, the event provided participants with research-informed and practical insights to help them address current and future business challenges.

Event Programme

Registration and Networking

Tea/coffee and Networking

Welcome

Cllr. Clodagh Higgins, Mayor of the City of Galway
Minister Hildegarde Naughton, Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health
Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, President, University of Galway
Professor Alma McCarthy, Head of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
Keynote Address – Jenny Melia, Executive Director with responsibility for Regions & Local Enterprise, Food & Sustainability and Industrial, Life Sciences & Construction, Enterprise Ireland

Talent Engagement

Business Case Vignettes on Talent Engagement

Chair: Professor Jonathan Levie, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Regional Development

Sharon Walsh, Senior Vice President Head of Strategy, Planning and Agile Enablement Fidelity Investments, and Vice Chair ITAG “Corporate Investment in IT Talent”
Ruairí Conroy, Galway Site Lead & VP of Sales Development, Diligent “Onboarding talent into the new hybrid working environment"
Dr Maeve O Sullivan, Assistant Professor of HRM, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway, “Working 9-5: transitioning from presenteeism to meaningful work”
Q&A and audience interaction

Attracting and Retaining Talent - Regional Challenges and Opportunities

Claire McGee, Head of Education and Innovation Policy, Ibec in conversation with

Sai Gujulla, President Student’s Union, University of Galway
Emer Hannon, Human Capital Consulting Graduate, Deloitte Deloitte, Emer Hannon, Human Capital Consulting Graduate
Marie Laffey, Head of Career Development Centre, University of Galway
David Bermingham, Director IBM and Chair ITAG
Siobhan King, Clience Services Officer, Fáilte Ireland
Audience interaction

Coffee Break and Networking

Launch of MSc in Sustainability Leadership Programme

Sustainability and Demystifying ESG - in conversation with Businesses and Academia

Chair: Kenny Deery, CEO, Galway Chamber

Panel Conversation

Dr Orla Lenihan, Assistant Professor in Governance, Sustainability and Finance J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway
Javier Santoyo, Director, Nulla Carbon
Dr. Sinead Mitchell, Assistant Professor in Sustainability and Strategy, J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, University of Galway University of Galway
Fiona Gaskin, Partner in PwC and ESG Leader for Assurance and Reporting
Cormac Mac Donncha, Operations Director, Thermo King
Conor O'Dowd, CEO, The Port of Galway

Roundtable Discussion plus feedback from audience using technology

Closing remarks

12.50 – 13.00 Professor Alma McCarthy, Head of J.E. Cairnes School of Business & Economics