2021 Shortlist

An accountancy professional who has consistently met or exceeded challenging objectives to ensure the highest quality of provision of accountancy and related services. The award is based on achievements made in the last 18 months. 

Bernie Moran, St Michael’s Hospital

Saragh Fitzpatrick,House of Oireachtas

Niamh Cunningham, Square

Sinead Colreavy, EY

Sandra Clarke, BCC Accountants

A woman working within financial services who is a role model and has gone out of her way to support the cause of getting more women into finance in the last 18 months. As well as examining the initiatives the candidates has pioneered to inspire women to succeed in the industry, judges will also assess their leadership and the initiative’s impact on, and integration with, the business.

Judith Kelly, FK International

Grace Hayes, Mastercard

Melissa Longmore, Bank of Ireland

Roise Cunningham, Liberty Insurance

Orla Collins, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

Grainne Ryan, Sunrise Financial Planning Ltd

Claudette Whyte, Association of Compliance Officers in Ireland 

The most influential and inspirational female private and/or personal banker who has overseen strong financial performance and successfully guided the bank in best practices, expansion into new markets, or innovation in terms of new products or services. The award is based on achievements made in the last 18 months. 

Semin Soher Power, Bank of Ireland

Ailbhe Doyle, IBI Corporate Finance

Sabrina Dunne, Bank of Ireland

Polina Ievskaya, Bank of Ireland

Louise O’Mara, Citi

A chief financial officer that has delivered real value – with tangible business results – to a company. Judges will look at projects and achievements, along with examples of best practice, leadership, ROI generated and alignment to business goals. The award is based on achievements made in the past 18 months.  

Sharon Coffey, Design Partners

Paloma O’Neill, CJK Engineering Ltd

Saragh Fitzpatrick, House of Oireachtas

Eimear Cahalin, Vivid Edge Ltd

This award category is open to organisations that have undertaken a specific initiative that has been established to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within their organisation or the wider community. These could involve gender pay gap, paternal leave, greater support for BAME and LGBT+ professionals, greater opportunities for people with disabilities, etc. Judges will assess commitment to the cause, awareness raised, impact on the organisation and/or industry, and ultimate results of the initiative. Submissions should include the name of the initiative. 

Sponsored by

Ally and Advocacy Programmes, Zurich Insurance Plc.

Equality Reimagined – Accelerating a culture of DEI, Accenture

Diversity & Inclusion Toolkit, 30% Club Ireland

Impactful Business Programme (IBP), Matheson

This award category is open to financial services companies which have demonstrated great efforts to recruit and retain more women, and achieve equal gender representation at all levels. Judges will look at efforts the employer has made to create a more diverse and inclusive working environment. Submissions should include examples of professional training and advancement, ways to boost morale and implemented programmes to increase the well-being of employees.

Fidelity

AIB

Matheson

A finance team, led by a woman, that has delivered real value – with tangible business results – to a company. Judges will look at projects and achievements, along with examples of best practice, leadership, ROI generated and alignment to business goals. The award is based on achievements made in the past 18 months.  

CJK Engineering Ltd, Team led by Paloma O’Neill

Verve the Live Agency, Team led by Lucky Akter

Bank of Ireland Group, Team led by Adrienne Browne

Citi, Team led by Louise O’Mara

CitiBank Europe plc, Team led by Silvia Carpitella

SaonGroup, Team led by Samantha Greene

This award recognises a female professional in a senior role who has demonstrated outstanding innovation, within a financial service or fintech business which is focused on creating solutions to other businesses, over the last 18 months. Judges will look at products/services, client testimonials, examples of ROI achieved, success in challenging implementations, post-sales support and services, and tailored customisations in specific enterprise environments.

Sharon Coffey, Design Partners

Lisa Silver, Liberty Insurance

Orla Brady, Bank of Ireland

The corporate lawyer or in-house legal counsel that has broken down barriers to advancement in the firm and wider legal sector, as well as paved the way for diversity in leadership. The award is based on achievements made in the past 18 months.  

Caroline Austin, Matheson

Catriona Cole, Matheson

Davina Conlan, Citi

Donna Ager, Maples Group

Gabrielle Ryan, Bank of Ireland

Gayle Bowen, Pinsent Masons

Michelle Ridge, Matheson

Sarah Francis, Maples Group

A senior male figure who has gone out of his way to improve the diversity levels of women in finance, within the organisation and/or in the wider community. Successful nominations must provide case studies or examples of how the candidate has gone out of his way, or strategically prioritised, getting more women into finance and/or supporting them in their careers.

Danny Buckley, EY  

John Reen, Bank of Ireland

Niall Treston, Brewin Dolphin

A woman under the age of 35, or who turns 35 in 2021, who has progressed rapidly though their career within financial services and demonstrated business value and innovation throughout.

Judges will examine the last 18 months in each candidate’s career, looking at standout achievements and demonstrable contributions to successful projects. 

Aisling Doherty, Mercer Global Investments

Nargis Dewji, Davy

Aisling McCaffrey, Grant Thornton

Ifeoluwa Adesemowo, Investec

Neha Arora, CitiGroup

Ailbhe Doyle, IBI Corporate Finance

Franzi Warkotz, Square

Irina Bevza, Fineco Asset Management

Fiona Haughey, Davy

This award recognises a female wealth manager or financial planner who has made an outstanding contribution to their clients financial well-being and in particular female clients, as well as initiatives to improve financial literacy and inclusion with the wider public. The judges will look for real evidence of achievement.

Niamh Prendergast, Davy

Catherine Flavin, Brewin Dolphin

Carol Brick, HerMoney

Anne O’Doherty, Quintas Wealth Management

Louise Savage, Brewin Dolphin

A woman who has demonstrated the highest degree of excellence, innovation and leadership in their role in the last year, and shone a light on the great things women in financial services can achieve. This inspiring leader will have challenged, influenced or revolutionised the culture of the financial services sector.  In their submission, nominees should not only have demonstrated outstanding business achievements, but should also give examples of how they have actively sought to bring more diversity to the financial services industry. 

Sponsored by 

Lucky Akter, Verve the Live Agency

Breda McCague, Bank of Ireland Group

Chantal Brennan, Davy Global Fund Management

Schira Mullen, American Express

Deirdre Hannigan, AIB

Geraldine Casey, AIB

Samantha Greene, SaonGroup

Catherine Quirke, Taxback International

Suzanne Cashin, Brewin Dolphin