The Better Leadership Forum is a series of four events, hosted by LIFT Ireland with the aim of instigating a high-profile public debate on leadership. Each event will focus on leadership in key sectors of Irish life.
At each event, national and international representatives from each sector will join a high-profile MC to discuss what good leadership looks like, how to cultivate it, and the benefits of building leadership skills across Irish life.
#BetterLeadershipForum
Previous Events
Event 4: ‘Leadership in Social Enterprise’:
Thursday, 26th May 2022, 1-2pm
The Fourth event in The Better Leadership Forum explored leadership in Social Enterprise. Topics to be discussed:
- How they bring about change through Social Enterprises?
- Challenges faced by businesses in Social Enterprise sector
- How companies can create social inclusion?
The Panelists:
The panel discussion was moderated by TV Presenter, Designer, Founder & Social Entrepreneur Sonya Lennon and the speakers included:
- Fergus Finlay – Chair of SERI and a life-long campaigner for the rights of people with disabilities. Fergus was formerly the CEO of Barnardos which is Ireland’s largest children’s charity.
- Deirdre Mortell – CEO of Rethink Ireland. Deirdre has a passion for social changes with over 20 years experience of changing the world one step at a time.
- Stephen Cluskey – CEO and Co-Founder of Mobility Mojo, an effective agent of change for inclusion and accessibility.
- Iseult Ward – CEO and Co-Founder of FoodCloud, a non-profit social enterprise that was established to reduce food waster and increase social inclusion.
The Better Leadership Forum Rapporteur is Professor Niamh Brennan, the Michael MacCormac Professor of Management at University College Dublin and Founder/Academic Director of the UCD Centre for Corporate Governance. Niamh will compile a report at the end of this series.
Event 3: ‘Leadership in Business:
Thursday, 7th October 2021, 1-2pm
The third event in The Better Leadership Forum explored leadership in Business. Topics addressed included:
- Is the role of the leader in business the same as it was 20 years ago?
- When you lead in business, where do your responsibilities lie?
- How can leaders in business build teams that succeed?
The Panelists:
The panel discussion will be moderated by TV Presenter, Designer, Founder & Social Entrepreneur Sonya Lennon and the speakers include:
- Anne Heraty: CEO, Cpl Resources plc, Current Chair of judging panel for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards in Ireland and former President of IBEC.
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Kanaar Bell: Consultant & Content Creator with extensive experience in public speaking, community building, and entrepreneurship.
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Eamonn Crowley: Chief Executive Officer at permanent tsb
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Chupi Sweetman Chief Executive Officer at Chupi, an award-winning modern heirlooms business.
The Better Leadership Forum Rapporteur is Professor Niamh Brennan, the Michael MacCormac Professor of Management at University College Dublin and Founder/Academic Director of the UCD Centre for Corporate Governance. Niamh will compile a report at the end of this series.
Event 2: ‘Leadership in Politics: How do we Cultivate Good Political Leaders?
Thursday, 10th June 2021, 1-2pm
The second event in The Better Leadership Forum explored leadership in politics. Topics addressed included:
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What leadership skills do politicians really need?
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Can you be a ‘good’ leader while also being a ‘strong’ leader?
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Does party politics stymie individuals’ leadership capabilities?
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What can political parties and the wider political system do to promote ethical leadership?
Watch back on the second event in The Better Leadership Forum which took place online with great line–up of representatives and experts, who shared their thoughts on leadership in politics
The Line-Up
The panel discussion was moderated by journalist, broadcaster and author Alison O’Connor, while the speakers were:
- US Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, who represents New Jersey’s 11th Formerly a Navy pilot and a federal prosecutor, she is a member of the Democratic Party, and was elected to the House of Representatives in 2018, defeating Republican Jay Webber. She was re-elected in 2020 by a slightly narrower margin.
- Jim O’Callaghan TD, who has served as a Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay South since 2016 and was formerly a member of Dublin City Council. He is currently Fianna Fáil’s Director of Elections for the by-election in Dublin Bay South.
- Activist and academic Ailbhe Smyth, who served as strategic advisor for the Marriage Equality referendum campaign and co-director of the Together for Yes campaign for the referendum on the Eighth Amendment. In 2019, she was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world.
- Olwyn Enright,
Olwyn Enright, former TD, was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2002 becoming FG Spokesperson on Education and Science and was re-elected in 2007 serving as Spokesperson on Social Protection.Before that she served as a councillor for the Birr electoral area from 1999. She was the first female TD to represent the Laois–Offaly constituency. On leaving politics Olwyn worked as Director of Public Affairs in Edelman until 2017. She is currently working as an advocacy consultant with Dóchas. Olwyn has a degree in Civil Law degree and attended the Law Society of Ireland in Blackhall Place, Dublin, qualifying as a solicitor in 1999 and a Diploma in Community Development Practice from NUIG.
- Professor Niamh Brennan, the Michael MacCormac Professor of Management at University College Dublin and Founder/Academic Director of the UCD Centre for Corporate Governance. Niamh is the Better Leadership Series Rapporteur and will compile a report at the end of this series.
Event 1: ‘Leadership in the Media: A Two-Way Street?’
Thursday, 15th April 2021, 1-2pm
Watch back on the first event in The Better Leadership Forum which took place online with great line–up of media representatives and experts, who shared their thoughts on leadership in the media.
Upcoming Better Leadership Forums
These events will be followed by events on leadership in the Public Sector, youth, sport and other areas of Irish society.
