Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plays a vital role in shaping Ireland’s future. Talent is one of Ireland’s most valuable natural resources, and we have seen the power of embracing DEI principles to empower organisations and drive economic prosperity. It is imperative to ensure that we have access to a diverse pool of talent essential for continued growth and innovation. DEI is not merely a checkbox; it is an ongoing journey that can yield positive impacts at every stage. Intentional efforts to promote inclusivity can lead to transformational change. 

This panel will bring together thought leaders, innovators and leaders to discuss accelerating female participation at senior levels in the public sector. They will explore how we can make it more attractive for women to join, and stay in the workforce; what more the government can do to get more women into leadership positions; what policies and initiatives are being implemented. They will also discuss how we can embrace equity to inspire all future women including those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, ethnic and religious groups as well as those from less well-off socio-economic backgrounds to reach leadership roles in the public sector.

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.

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

The panel will outline the educational programmes and initiatives designed to inspire, engage and encourage female participation from early childhood through primary, secondary and third level educational system. What is the vision for the type of education system required to prepare learners for the future? What are the challenges and inequities for young women accessing educational programmes? How is the higher education sector creating a more inclusive approach to the talent pipeline? What capacity building measures are needed to support teachers? What access programmes are available for students? 

The panel will also discuss how some companies are delivering on continuous learning and development opportunities for their employees and how these companies, whose education programs align with their business goals see increased retention, engagement and overall productivity. 

• the role of educators in equipping girls and women to take on leadership roles 
• modernising career guidance to be reflective of today’s job market
• developing leadership skills for emerging female leaders
• the value of employee continuing education

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.

In this panel discussion we will explore how we are making it more accommodating for women to join, and stay in the workforce. We will discuss the attitudinal and structural barriers that exist and what more the government can do to get more women into leadership positions as well as what are the measures that have been taken, and are they enough?

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

By empowering women in tech, we unlock an organisation’s full potential. From using new skills to driving innovation and economic growth to fostering a more equitable and socially conscious future, investing in women in tech is a strategic decision with far-reaching consequences. Innovation in artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising women’s empowerment by expanding economic opportunities, enhancing educational access, improving healthcare accessibility, and increasing safety. This panel will discuss how government, policy makers, educators and businesses can collaborate to empower women with the technology and skills necessary for a better future.

Topics will include:

• the benefits and challenges that come with fast-paced innovation                                                                                                                                                          
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – addressing the gender bias to achieve ethical AI
• how the EU can best regulate AI while boosting innovation, ethical standards and trust in technology
• how digital and technology leaders can focus strategy to ensure that they add maximum value to the top and bottom line

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.

Self-promotion has long been associated with professional success and with decisions relating to hiring and promotions, including promotions to top management positions. This then becomes an issue of major concern when considered with research showing women are significantly less likely to self-promote than men.  

This panel will discuss how to amplify your own voice and to be your own role model. Learn how to harness the power of networks and networking to propel your career forward and to navigate your career progression in the public sector. Strategic connections are unlocking doors and creating opportunities like never before so effective communication and negotiation skills are crucial for women leaders

• 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

Driving gender equity in leadership requires allies of all genders. This session spotlights leaders who are breaking down barriers through mentorship, sponsorship, and peer support, while embedding equality into organisational culture. Together, they’ll explore how real allyship moves beyond words to measurable impact.

Breda will discuss not only the reasons you should want that promotion, but also how to go about getting it. She coaches thousands of professional executive women every year helping them to upgrade and transform their careers and lives. Breda’s insights to mindset and emotional intelligence will help you to build up your confidence and support your journey from ambition to abundance.

The private sector has not been without its challenges in overcoming the barriers to getting women on boards and executive roles. However, it has the freedom to innovate to solve these problems and now thousands of examples of how good strategy and programs can yield success. 

In this panel we will look at what measures the private sector are taking and how could these be applied to tackle this challenge in the public sector.

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. 

An Garda Síochana is one of Europe’s most female police forces – how did we get here and what are the lessons for other public sector organisations?

Women are significantly out-numbered by men in politics in Ireland. Gender quota legislation introduced prior to the 2016 General Elections resulted in a 6.5 percentage point increase in those elections from 15.7 per cent of seats held by women to 22.2 per cent. In the last election the increase in the number of women elected increased from 20.1 per cent to 23.9 per cent, a rise of just 3.8 percentage points! There is some progress but we need greater momentum.

This panel will discuss:

• the various barriers to entry that exist for women
• the measures already in place that are making an impact and any further policies and measures in legislation or otherwise that may be effective in increasing the amount of women who are attracted to politics as a career
• gender quotas – are they working?
• the culture of political parties and measures that can be taken by parties to increase female participation in politics
• how can we encourage more men to take on the role of male champions of change?

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

In this panel male leaders who are setting an inclusive culture from the top will discuss their approach to ensuring females are supported in the workplace and what more could and should be done in the public sector.

Why don’t more women become CEOs? A perspective from the seafood sector A host of studies suggest that female leaders are often less favourably received with women making up just 19% of CEOs in Ireland. Caroline gives a perspective on why less women than men are getting to the top and how we could change that

Digital Health Transformation

Enabling digital transformation within the new redesigned care pathways and the best use of data to identify areas of most need