The fourth eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards launched today with an inspiring networking event in eir’s HQ in Dublin, ahead of the awards which will take place on the 8th of November in the 5-star Anantara The Marker Dublin Hotel.
The event aims to shine a spotlight on the exceptional achievements of Irish female entrepreneurs, with over 110 women nominated across 12 diverse categories. The awards will also feature a special honour: the Entrepreneur of the Year Award, celebrating one standout leader in Irish business.
The launch brought together nominees, guests, and industry leaders for an engaging and informative panel discussion, moderated by Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business, and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing. Former award winners Helen Steele, Jennifer Rock, and Fiona Parfrey shared their experiences, offering advice on what it takes to succeed as a female entrepreneur in today’s competitive landscape.
Winners will be decided upon by a panel of judges made up of Susan Brady, eir’s Managing Director of Consumer & Small Business; Lily O’Donoghue, eir’s SMB director; Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of Entrepreneur of the Year; Ruth O’Connor, journalist; Kathryn Thomas, broadcaster and businesswoman; Rebecca Brady, Commercial & Events Director of VIP Publishing; and Bianca Luykx, Editorial Director of VIP Publishing and Editor-in-Chief of VIP magazine.
The awards will see the return of eir as title sponsors for the third year, supported by a prestigious group of Irish and international category sponsors including Very, Weir & Sons, Suir Engineering, Kérastase, Boots, Dr Hauschka, AYA supplements, Uniphar, Penneys, Lindt and Tanqueray Gin.
Pippa O’Connor Ormond, last year’s winner of the Entrepreneur of the Year award said: “I am thrilled to be on the judging panel for this year’s eir VIP Publishing Power of Woman awards. To have won entrepreneur of the year in 2023 was such an honour. Awards like these are a great boost for women in business. A reminder to celebrate ourselves & others. I look forward to meeting more like minded, inspiring women at this year’s awards’’.
VIP Publishing’s Commercial & Events Director Rebecca Brady said: “VIP Publishing are thrilled to partner with eir and all of our fantastic sponsors to bring you the 4th annual Power of Women Awards. delighted to see Irish and international businesses join forces to celebrate the outstanding achievements of Ireland’s most remarkable female entrepreneurs. Women are the driving force behind all that we do at VIP Publishing, and we are proud to provide a platform that highlights the passion and perseverance of Irish female entrepreneurs. We look forward to celebrating their achievements once again this year.’’
Susan Brady, Managing Director of eir Consumer and Small Business expressed her pride in hosting the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women nominee announcement at eir’s headquarters: “We are honoured to return as the title sponsor of the eir VIP Publishing Power of Women Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements of female entrepreneurs and business leaders across Ireland. These women are not only driving innovation and economic growth, but they are also creating lasting positive change in society.
At eir, our purpose is to connect for a better Ireland, and our role in supporting small businesses – by providing the connectivity and solutions they need to grow and thrive – directly aligns with the spirit of these awards. By shining a light on the incredible contributions of female business leaders, we hope to inspire the next generation of women to lead with innovation, create stronger communities, and build a more inclusive future for all.”
Categories are as follows:
Digital & Tech – Sponsored by eir
Máirín Murray and Vicky Twomey-Lee (TechFoundHer)
Rena Maycock (Chirp)
Tammy Darcy (Shona Project)
Clare McSweeney (KuulPlay)
Niamh Donnelly (Akara Robotics)
Anna Carmody (Little Red Edu)
Rosanne Longmore (Coroflo)
Deirdre Lyons (Examifly)
Fashion Retail – Sponsored by Lindt
Emma Manley (Manley)
Lucy Nagle (Lucy Nagle)
Faye Rochford (FéRí)
Laura Weber (LW Pearl)
Aoife McNamara (Aoife McNamara)
Rosie Connolly (4th Arq)
Fiona Heaney (FeeG)
Lisa McGowan (Lisa & Co)
Beauty Industry – Sponsored by Uniphar
Linda Stintson (Bellamianta)
Kerry Hanaphy (Kerry Hanaphy Aesthetic Clinic)
Liz Dwyer & Nikki Dwyer (Future of Beauty)
Dr Emma Cunningham (Dr Emma Skincare)
Vanessa Gomez (Essences Day Spa)
Agnes Rafal (HOMEface yoga by agnes)
Anna Forde (Haumea)
Noelle O’Connor( TanOrganic and VeganTan)
Hair Care – Sponsored by Kérastase
Denise Phillips (PELO/Voduz)
Anita Donohue (Annutri)
Claire Balding /Fullam (Remi)
Nancy Cavanagh (Belle Hair Extensions)
Helen Reavey (Act+Acre)
Stephanie Nwambu (Callah Crowns)
Aine Kennedy (Smooth Stick)
Mairead Ronan (Faro)
Cosmetics & Skin Care – Sponsored by Boots
Charlene Flanagan & Niamh Ryan (Ella & Jo)
Niamh Hogan (Holos Skincare)
Dr. Helena McMahon (Seabody)
Una McGurk (Seoulista Beauty)
Sonia Deasy (Pestle & Mortar)
Susie O’Neill (AYU Cosmetics)
Geraldine Jones (Skin Formulas)
Michelle Regazzoli Stone (MRS Glam)
Communications
Valerie Roe (Valerie Roe PR)
Rebecca Burrell (Burrell Marketing and Publicity)
Hannah Saunders (Hannah Saunders PR)
Sonia Harris (Harris PR)
Lindsey Holmes (Lindsey Holmes Publicity)
Rachel Sherry (Sherry Communications)
Tara O’Connor (Tara O’Connor Consulting)
Kerryann Conway (The Hive Agency)
Creative – Sponsored by Dr. Hauschka
Audrey Hamilton (Audrey Hamilton Art)
Orla de Brí (Orla de Brí)
Ciara & Rachel Howard (Howrad Studios)
Jenny McCarthy (By Jenny McCarthy)
Clíodhna Doherty (Clíodhna Doherty Art)
Heather Condren (Flowerpop)
Jenny Buckley & Carol Gunner (Tamber Media)
Deirdre Young & Sinead Bailey Kelly (H&G Creations)
Lifestyle – Sponsored by VERY
Una Leonard (2210 Patisserie)
Lucy Hagerty (La Bougie)
Portia Quinn & Robin Thompson (Harley & Marley)
Natasha Rocca Devine (NRD Designs)
Adrienne Heslin (West Kerry Brewery)
Laura Bonner (Muff Liquor Company)
Sadie Chowen (Burren Perfumery)
Barikisu Ali Telfer (Sahara.ie)
New Founder – Sponsored by Weir & Sons
Suzy Griffin (Hildun Beauty)
Ngozi Elobuike (Hi Spirits Wine Club)
Olivia Humphries (Athena)
Destiny Ayo Vaughan (Mind The Gap)
Evie and Eliza Ward (NutShed)
Ellie Haughney (Anam Cosmetics)
Shona Mahon (Speedy Lash / Wink With Mink)
Susan Fox & Carly Colgan (Ealu)
Wellness – Sponsored by AYA
Kylie O’Donoghue (FemFuelz )
Laura Dowling (fabÜ)
Orla Hopkins (New Dimensions Active)
Audrey O’Connor (CoreState)
Kira Walton (Voya)
Maura Rath (Yoga with Maura)
Gráinne Byrne (Norma)
Shawna Scott (Sex Siopa)
Sustainability – Sponsored by Suir Engineering
Nicky & Ella Dwyer (Drobey)
Ella de Guzman (Siopaella)
Sarah Fliessbach (Share Club)
Fiona Fahy (Feed Me Mother)
Jess Dollinger (The Good Neighbour)
Aisling Cullen (Thanks Plants)
Nicola Connelly (Nunaïa)
Fran Fogarty (Lily Mais)
Accessories
Julie Peelo (Peelo)
Lyndsey Cavanagh (One Dame Lane)
Lisa Ruttledge (Fabulisa)
Sallyann Concannon (Mettle & Bloom)
Suzanne Jackson, Terrie McEvoy & Siobhan Murray (MANTRA Official)
Nicki Hoyne (Nicki Hoyne)
Margaret Urbanowicz (Sómas)
Megan Nolan (MNW Design)
Entrepreneur of the Year – Sponsored by Penneys
Winner revealed at the event!
Pictures Brian McEvoy
