Expert speakers will outline how early support from the educational eco-system, business mentoring, and local government initiatives foster the development of impactful, civic-minded education. They will discuss the role of educators in equipping girls and women to take on leadership roles and how corporate champions can create leadership pathways through commitment to empowering women in their organisations.

The panel will also discuss some innovative partnership-driven approaches where industry is working closely with third level education bodies across the country to create tailored courses that will reflect the skills needed for jobs of the future.

Topics will include:

• Educating the future workforce for jobs that don’t even exist yet
• Cross-sector learnings on inclusive policies
• Public/private partnerships that benefit the public sector
• The importance of role-modelling and visibility for young women
• Building pathways from innovation to policy influence

Join us to hear from the Murphy Sisters, creators of the ACT app, whose visionary approach is transforming how communities access public resources. Discover how youth-led tech is shaping the future of public leadership. The winners of the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition 2025 tell us about Aid Care Treat (ACT), a medical assistance app designed to support emergency healthcare responses. The Murphy sisters talk about how they spent the last year working with public and private stakeholders on their app which also has the capability to share precise geolocation co-ordinates to assist medical services and has the potential to make a real difference in helping citizens in an emergency situation.

Driving gender equity in leadership is not just a women’s issue, it requires the active participation of men who use their influence to challenge the status quo, break down barriers, and create inclusive workplaces. This session spotlights male leaders in the public and private sectors who are stepping up as allies and advocates for change. They will share practical insights on what good allyship looks like, from mentoring and sponsoring female talent, to fostering inclusive cultures, and embedding gender equality into policies and organisational strategies. The conversation will highlight how male champions can move beyond words to measurable action that drives lasting impact.

From digital diagnostics to AI-assisted care pathways, women in the private sector are leading a new wave of health innovation that is transforming how the public sector delivers care. This panel will feature exceptional female leaders in health tech and life sciences who are collaborating with the HSE, government agencies, and academic institutions to co-create scalable solutions for Ireland’s evolving healthcare needs. Panellists will explore how inclusive innovation, cross-sector partnerships, and gender-responsive design are reshaping patient care, access, and equity.

• Educational and organisational pathways to promotion
• How tailored leadership programmes, executive education, and upskilling initiatives help women develop the capabilities and confidence to step into senior roles
• Policies, culture shifts, and talent pipelines that remove systemic barriers and create clear pathways to promotion for female leaders

The critical role of women’s participation and leadership in advancing a just transition

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on infrastructure projects is wide-ranging, transforming how they are designed, delivered, and managed across sectors such as transport, energy, water, communications, and the built environment. From predictive maintenance and generative design to real-time data analytics and automated construction workflows, AI is reshaping the entire infrastructure lifecycle. This panel will discuss how utilities are evolving to meet AI-driven demands particularly in the context of power infrastructure, which underpins the operation of all other digital and data-intensive systems. By partnering on policy, innovation, and sustainability, companies and governments can ensure that AI infrastructure is secure, scalable, and socially responsible. A collaborative approach is key to ensuring AI’s growth aligns with national goals for economic development, sustainability, and digital sovereignty.

Jennifer created PayGap.ie to make gender pay gap data accessible to everyone, but the reports hold much more than just pay gap information. In this session, she shares insights into the reports, and explores what that data means for women in the public sector. 

Effective public service depends on sustainable, strategic investment and women in finance are at the forefront of making that happen. This panel brings together female finance leaders from across the public and private sectors, state-backed financial institutions, advisory firms, and technology innovators who are shaping Ireland’s financial and digital future. Their work spans public budgeting, sustainable infrastructure investment, and the deployment of AI and digital tools that drive smarter, more transparent decision-making. Together, they will explore gender-responsive budgeting, innovative funding models, how technology and AI are transforming financial governance, and how collaboration between public bodies, financial experts, and private sector tech partners is accelerating projects that serve communities and close the equity gap.

Speakers will explore:

• Technology as an enabler of innovation, leadership, and better public service outcomes
• Innovative funding models for public service and infrastructure
• Gender-responsive budgeting and inclusive financial policy
• How AI and data analytics can enhance transparency, governance, and decision-making.
• Leveraging technology to measure and close gender pay and investment gaps
• Expanding access to finance for female founders and entrepreneurs
• Collaboration between public finance leaders and private sector IT/AI firms to drive equitable, tech-enabled solutions

Senior women from government and public service agencies share their personal stories, career pivots, and advice for the next generation of leaders.