Recognition Awards 2025
STEM South West Awards
Recognising Excellence & Innovation across Industry, Education & the Community
The STEM South West Awards celebrate exceptional contributions and leadership in STEM across four distinct categories:
- Industry – Honouring businesses making pioneering contributions and fostering STEM excellence
Education – Celebrating schools, colleges, and educators delivering inspiring STEM initiatives
- Community – Recognising programmes and people that make a tangible difference in regional STEM engagement
- Person of the Year – Highlighting an exceptional individual whose leadership and impact stand out
STEM South West Awards 2025 – Award Categories
STEM in Industry:
Company of the Year
The “STEM Company of the Year” award celebrates organisations leading the way in creating a proactive, inclusive and supportive environment for STEM, both within their own company and through outreach initiatives.
Start-up & Small companies (up to 50 Employees): CompuCal Calibration Solutions
Small to Medium (50-250 Employees): MACOM Technology Solutions
Large (250+ Employees): Analog Devices
STEM in Industry:
Company of the Year
Details:
The “STEM Company of the Year” award celebrates organisations leading the way in creating a proactive, inclusive and supportive environment for STEM, both within their own company and through outreach initiatives.
Entries for this category should outline the organisation’s corporate culture, development opportunities, and commitment to supporting, upskilling and empowering STEM professionals. Any specific initiatives developed to encourage and inspire the next generation to consider future studies and career choices in the STEM sector can be included.
STEM in Education:
Educational Initiative of the Year
The “STEM in Education” award celebrates educational institutes, departments and classroom-led initiatives that show the way toward creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for STEM.
Primary Level: Firies National School
Secondary Level: Coláiste Mhuire Crosshaven
Third Level: STEM Teacher Internship
STEM in Education:
Educational Initiative of the Year
Details:
The “STEM in Education” award celebrates educational institutes, departments and classroom-led initiatives that show the way toward creating an inclusive and supportive educational environment for STEM. Applications are also welcome from individual contributors, such educators, lecturers, teachers, and career guidance professionals.
This educational initiative demonstrates a commitment to inspiring, supporting, and empowering the next generation to engage in STEM-related topics. It also demonstrates an innovative approach and robust learning opportunities for students.
STEM in the Community:
These awards honour the incredible initiatives and individuals making a real impact on STEM engagement across our region.
STEM South West – Best Expo Exhibitor (large): Johnson & Johnson
STEM South West – Best Expo Exhibitor (Small): Reliance
Inspirational STEM Volunteer of the year: Shane Ruddle, Gilead
STEM Initiative of the Year: Scoil Mhuire Junior School, Cork
STEM Person of the Year: Michael Loftus
STEM in Community:
STEM Expo Award
The STEM Expo Award recognizes the most engaging, innovative, and impactful exhibitor stand. This award celebrates excellence in how organizations showcase STEM in action—through creativity, interactivity, and the ability to inspire students, educators, and the wider community.
Award mechanism: STEM SW board selected.
Inspirational STEM Volunteer of the year
- Recognises the extraordinary individuals who give their time, energy, and expertise to advance STEM education and outreach.
- Who is this person: A volunteer either connected with STEM South West through his/her network or in the Community who gives their time to advance STEM
- STEM SW board selected.
STEM Initiative of the Year
- This award recognises a company, school, or educational institute that has developed and delivered an outstanding initiative to promote STEM in the South West of Ireland. The winning initiative will demonstrate innovation, inclusivity, and measurable impact, while aligning with STEM South West’s mission to connect, inspire, innovate, and foster STEM.
- Award mechanism: Will be awarded by the Judges as they’re reviewing the applications for “Company of the Year” & “Educational Institute of the Year”.
Note: This award will recognise a specific initiative, other than those initiatives in organisations picked for “Company of the Year” & “Educational Institute of the Year”.
STEM Person of the Year
The STEM Person of the Year Award honours an exceptional individual whose impact has advanced STEM in the Southwest of Ireland. This prestigious accolade recognises those who demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders and/or exemplifies excellence in their field.
STEM SW board selected.
Recognising Leaders Driving STEM in the South West
The Awards, launched earlier this year by Michael McGrath European Commissioner-Designate, were designed to showcase the talent, innovation, and commitment in the region’s STEM sectors.
Bob Savage, who chaired the judging panel, and who was himself awarded the accolade of STEM Person of the Year as decided by the board of STEM SW added:
“Our winners exemplify the innovation, collaboration, and community engagement that are essential for continued STEM success. This region has consistently led in STEM excellence, and it’s clear that we’re nurturing a pipeline of talent and opportunity for years to come.”
BOB SAVAGE
And the Results are in… Congratulations to the Winners of the STEM South West Awards 2025
Awards 2025 Gallery
STEM Southwest Award Highlights 2024
Held at the Vertigo Suite, County Hall Cork, the awards ceremony welcomed over 100 guests and featured more than 30 outstanding entries. A strong community turnout—celebrating local STEM leaders and initiatives—underscored the event’s growing significance in the South West.
Thanks to robust support from our sponsors, the evening offered an inspiring blend of celebration and impact.
Industry Group
STEM South West Awards Judges
Bob served as Vice President and Site Leader for EMC Cork (2008–2015) and later for Dell Technologies Cork (2016–2024), while also acting as Regional Chief Information Officer for Dell Technologies EMEA from 2017 to 2024.
He currently sits on the board of the Tyndall National Institute (since 2023) and is Chair of the South-West Regional Offshore Wind Working Group, appointed in 2024.
Olivia has over 20 years experience in leadership roles, delivering large scale programmes across the Global Pharmaceutical and MedTech industries. She currently works as a Senior Program Manager for Boston Scientific in the Urology group. She is also the Co-founder of Wayfinder-Careers, which provides a dedicated career development platform that is both affordable and accessible, guiding individuals towards fulfilling career paths and personal growth.
Olivia also leads the Cork Chapter of ‘Women in Technology & Science Ireland;
Darragh Cotter is South West regional manager with Enterprise Ireland, the government agency responsible for supporting Irish businesses to start, grow, and scale internationally. Enterprise Ireland client companies employ over 234,000 people across Ireland, providing a significant contribution to the Irish economy. As South West regional manager, Darragh works closely with clients and stakeholders to optimise job creation and support start-ups, SMEs and regional enterprise infrastructure. Darragh has also held roles with Enterprise Ireland’s strategic policy team and spent several years as a senior market advisor in EI’s London office, strategically supporting Irish companies across the industrial and energy sectors
Education Group
Helen Van Eesbeck
Senior Science Education Leader, Oide
Senior Leader responsible for all Post Primary Science subjects (Junior Cycle Science, Senior Cycle Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agricultural Science, Phys / Chem) in Oide which is the Department of Education’s support service which supports the professional learning of teachers and school leaders in Ireland through the development of high quality, innovative and responsive professional learning.
Patrick Doyle is the South West Regional Manager with IDA Ireland, the state agency responsible for attracting foreign direct investment to Ireland. The South West Region comprises Cork and Kerry and is the largest region for foreign direct investment outside of Dublin. In his role, Patrick and his team are responsible for all IDA activity across the South West Region from attracting new clients to the region and managing the existing portfolio of IDA clients. Core to Patricks roles is to work with all stakeholders to ensure the region maximises its potential to attract further investment. Prior to taking up the role with IDA, Patrick held a number of commercial roles in the region. Patrick was the commercial manager in the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh stadium and also worked as the Membership Manager with Cork Chamber of Commerce.
Cliona is an experienced Independent Non-Executive Director (INED) and Chartered Director and former Vice-President of Research & Development and Supply Chain at PepsiCo with extensive international experience including in Europe, China, Asia Pacific and Global roles. Cliona is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Bord Bia, of the Irish Red Cross and of the Irish Heritage Trust. She is a a member of Merieux NutriSciences Strategic Advisory Team and a mentor on the IDA’s Building Strategic Leadership Programme. Cliona is an adjunct professor at the Cork University Business School and a member of Trinity College Dublin’s Provost’s Council.