Empowering Ireland’s STEM Future

Áine McCarthy is a Principal Applications Engineer at Analog Devices (ADI), specialising in system-level applications engineering, with a focus on high-performance instrumentation, industrial solutions, and automotive technologies. Her work has included leading wireless Battery Management Systems (wBMS) initiatives and conducting in-depth signal chain analysis, alongside developing internal training strategies within ADI’s precision technology group.

Áine thrives in collaborative environments, bringing a broad technical skillset and a proactive approach to solving complex challenges. Her ability to foster innovation through open communication and teamwork makes her a key contributor to both technical and strategic initiatives.

As Secretary of STEM South West, Áine is a passionate advocate for STEM education and regional development. She actively supports initiatives that connect industry with education, promote diversity and inclusion, and empower the next generation of STEM professionals. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to community engagement and building resilient, future-ready STEM ecosystems across the South West of Ireland.

John Morrissy is the Chief Information Officer at PepsiCo Ireland and serves as Vice Chair of STEM South West, where he plays a key leadership role in promoting STEM engagement and industry collaboration across the region. With a strong background in digital transformation and strategic IT leadership, John brings deep expertise in aligning technology with business growth and innovation.

At PepsiCo, John leads initiatives that drive operational excellence and digital innovation across the company’s Irish operations. His commitment to empowering future talent is reflected in PepsiCo’s sponsorship of major STEM outreach events, including the STEM South West Expo and the Women in STEM Awards, which celebrate and support the next generation of female innovators and leaders in Ireland.

Mary Good is the Chair of STEM South West and Managing Director of Advanced Medical Services (AMS), where she manages and leads the growth and development of its three core business units; Health and wellness; Diagnostics and Technology Solutions. With a career spanning global operations, technical leadership and healthcare, Mary brings deep expertise and a people-focused approach to building resilient STEM ecosystems.

Before joining AMS, Mary held senior executive roles at PepsiCo, including Vice President of Global Manufacturing and VP of Global Technical Services, working across Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa. She also served as Chief Operating Officer at the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, where she championed innovation and business growth.

Mary holds a BSc in Analytical Chemistry, an MBA, and an MSc in Personal & Management Coaching. She has served on several influential boards, including the IBEC Regional Committee, the UCC IGNITE Advisory Board, and currently on the MTU RISE (Research & Innovation) Advisory Board as well as leading STEM South West’s efforts to foster collaboration between industry, academia, and government.

Mary is passionate about empowering regional talent, aligning STEM education with industry needs, and ensuring the South West remains a hub for innovation and opportunity. Mary’s work reflects a deep commitment to empowering the next generation of STEM talent and ensuring that the region plays a central role in shaping Ireland’s innovation economy.

Róisín O’Sullivan is the Department Head for Quality at Astellas Ireland Co. Ltd. (Kerry Plant). In her role she is responsible for ensuring that lifesaving Products manufactured and released, meet the required specification.

Róisín earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics and Electronics from the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG), followed by a certificate in Quality Assurance, which launched her career in the pharmaceutical industry. She began her professional journey with Wyeth Medica in Newbridge, working in the compliance department on the quality management system. In 2007, she returned to her native Kerry to join Astellas in the Quality department, where she has held various positions, ultimately becoming the Department Head for Quality.

Throughout her career, she has actively supported the development of personnel and the pursuit of improvements through Lean Six Sigma and innovation, consistently challenging the status quo. In her leadership roles, she has aimed to foster a similar mindset within all her teams to promote growth and development, ultimately delivering value to patients

Róisín is an advocate for STEM education, emphasizing that it goes beyond mere promotion – it's about shaping the future. She is dedicated to engaging and empowering the next generation to view themselves as creators, problem-solvers, and leaders in science and technology, and believes it is crucial to begin these interactions with children at an early age.

Nessa is Senior Director of TSMS Small Molecules and Peptides at Eli Lilly, where she is responsible for developing and evolving the strategic direction, organisational capability, and management of the small molecule and peptide business.

Nessa holds a PhD in Organic Chemistry and a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry and has built an impressive career at the forefront of pharmaceutical manufacturing and process science. She began her career as a Laboratory Analyst at Abbott Vascular before progressing to a Production Supervisor role at Pfizer's API plant in Ringaskiddy. She joined Eli Lilly in 2012 and has since held a range of senior roles supporting process optimisation, commercial manufacturing, and new product introduction across both small molecule and peptide platforms.

Throughout her career at Eli Lilly, Nessa has developed strong collaborations between industry and academia through advisory boards and research partnerships. A passionate advocate for educational outreach, she has been a strong supporter of programmes within Lilly aimed at inspiring and developing the next generation of scientists.

Brenda Cooper Horner is a pioneering leader in industrial automation and a passionate advocate for STEM innovation and education. As Managing Director of Horner APG Europe, Brenda has guided the company’s Cork-based operations for over 27 years, building a high-performing team and delivering automation solutions across Europe in sectors ranging from food and pharma to energy and water management.

Her career began in Galway with Digital Equipment Corporation during the rise of the personal computer, sparking a lifelong passion for emerging technologies. In 1997, Brenda took a bold leap to establish Horner’s European base in Cork, where she has led with strategic brilliance, operational precision, and a deep-rooted belief in empowering people. Brenda’s leadership style blends analytical rigor with human insight, shaped by her experience in auditing and European operations. She is known for fostering trust, continuous improvement, and inclusive growth in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

As Treasurer of STEM South West, Brenda champions the next generation of STEM talent, advocating for real-world career pathways and promoting STEM subjects in schools across Munster. Her contributions have earned her recognition as a Trailblazer in Science and Technology at the Women of Vision Awards, celebrating her impact on Ireland’s tech sector and her commitment to lifelong learning and mentorship.

Graduated as a Process and Chemical Engineer from UCC in 2006. Started work in Pfizer Ringaskiddy Drug Substance as part of their graduate program. Worked in multiple technical roles with Pfizer including technical roles in New Product Introduction and Technical Transfers and leadership roles in Operations. Following Pfizer, I joined Novartis in a role supporting External Manufacturing of Drug Substances across US, EU and Asia. In this role I was responsible for a team which led the technical transfer of both new products from R&D and existing commercial products to 3rd party manufacturing sites to support new product launches and supply.

In my current role, I am working as the Director of Development and Technical Services with Gilead Sciences Ireland – in the role my team is focused on support of clinical manufacturing, new product introductions, and support for manufacturing issues in the Oral Solid Dosage manufacturing facility in Cork. I have also led the commercial launch of multiple new products for Gilead Sciences Ireland for the EU and RoW markets including Veklury® [Covid-19], Sunlenca® [HIV Treatment], Hepcludex® [Hepatitis D Treatment] and multiple pediatric formulations of Gilead products including Biktarvy® [HIV Treatment]

Keith O’Donoghue is a Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm in Cork, where he leads advanced R&D engineering teams responsible for delivering leading‑edge IP for the Snapdragon family of products. In his role, Keith combines deep technical leadership with a strong focus on long‑term capability building, helping to ensure that innovation, research excellence, and talent development are tightly connected. At Qualcomm, Keith has played a key role in shaping university research collaborations, supporting the development of engineering internship and graduate pathways, and contributing to multiple STEM outreach initiatives aimed at increasing awareness of engineering and technology careers. His work emphasizes building sustainable pipelines from second‑level education through third‑level study and into industry, while fostering strong collaboration between industry, academia, and community partners across the region. Keith holds a B.Eng. and M.Eng.Sc. from University College Cork and a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Davis. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor at University College Cork, where he delivers a postgraduate module on Data Converter Systems and collaborates on postgraduate research projects in partnership with Tyndall National Institute. Keith is passionate about engineering innovation, education and talent development, and is particularly motivated by the opportunity to inspire the next generation of STEM talent by highlighting the diverse array of career opportunities that exist in the region. As a board member of STEM South West, he brings an industry and academic perspective to advancing STEM education, opportunity, and impact across Cork and the wider South‑West region.

Paul O’Brien is a STEM recruitment expert with a proven track record of delivering thousands of high-quality candidates—from school leavers and college graduates to seasoned professionals across all levels of experience. With a deep understanding of industry needs and workforce dynamics, Paul specializes in strategic recruitment, scalable staffing solutions, and employer branding that help businesses attract and retain top STEM talent.

As the founder of a leading recruitment consultancy, Paul implements agile hiring strategies that prioritize speed, precision, and performance. His approach eliminates lengthy lead times and ensures clients have access to the right people, right when they’re needed. His success with retained clients reflects his commitment to execution excellence and long-term partnership.

Paul leverages expert market knowledge to support both businesses and professionals in achieving outstanding results. His services span strategic planning, HR consulting, career development coaching, executive coaching, and interview preparation, making him a trusted advisor in the STEM talent space.

Dr. Brendan O’Connell is the Dean of the MTU Faculty of Science and Informatics at Munster Technological University (MTU), where he leads the strategic development, performance, and advancement of one of Ireland’s most dynamic academic faculties. As a member of the University Executive, he works closely with the President and senior leadership to shape university policy and drive the implementation of MTU’s Strategic Plan.

A champion of sustainability, Dr. O’Connell serves as MTU’s Climate & Sustainability Champion, overseeing institution-wide efforts to embed environmental responsibility and climate action into university operations and culture. He is also a member of the MTU Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Learning Committee, reflecting his commitment to inclusive education and leadership.

With over two decades of service at MTU, Dr. O’Connell has held several senior academic roles, including Head of School of Science & Informatics, Head of Department of Biological Sciences, and Senior Lecturer. He earned his BSc in Biomedical Science from University College Cork (UCC) and his PhD in Clinical Biochemistry from MTU, combining scientific expertise with a deep understanding of academic leadership.

Dr. O’Connell also chairs the Faculty Industry Liaison Committee, fostering strong partnerships between academia and industry to ensure MTU graduates are equipped with the skills and experience needed to thrive in the evolving STEM landscape.

Charles Dolan, MEng SC, FCIPD, is a seasoned career development and talent strategy leader with a rich background in engineering and human resources. Currently serving in a senior advisory capacity, Charlie blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of organizational development, coaching, and workforce transformation.

With credentials including a Master of Engineering and Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD), Charlie has spent his career guiding professionals and organizations through complex transitions, fostering inclusive leadership, and aligning talent strategies with business goals.

He is also a qualified career guide, passionate about mentoring emerging leaders and helping individuals unlock their full potential in dynamic, high-performance environments.