Our VIP Speakers on the evening: 

Joe Kennedy III, United States Special Envoy for Northern Ireland

Over four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Kennedy built an impressive legislative record around economic policy, health care, and civil rights.  Representing a district that spanned from the suburbs of Boston to the proud post-industrial communities along Massachusetts’ South Coast, Mr. Kennedy sat on the House Energy & Commerce committee and spearheaded bipartisan efforts to extend mental health coverage, support the domestic manufacturing industry, protect consumer voices online, make hearing aids more affordable, and defend access to legal assistance for struggling families. Today, Mr. Kennedy also serves as President at Citizens Energy, a non-profit energy company founded to help low-income families meet their basic energy needs.  Through innovative programming, Citizens has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to benefit millions of families across the United States.  He is the founder of Groundwork Project, an advocacy organization dedicated to supporting local community organizing efforts in under-resourced and historically disenfranchised communities.  He also serves on the boards of the Woodwell Climate Research Center, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate. He is a graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School and spent two years in the United States Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin: 

Micheál Martin was born in Turners Cross, Cork, the son of Paddy Martin, formerly of CIE and ex-Irish International boxer, and Lana Corbett. He was educated locally, at Scoil Chríost Rí and Coláiste Chríost Rí, and remains a frequent visitor to both schools. He later attended University College Cork where he qualified with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Micheál subsequently completed his Master of Arts thesis in Political History, before deciding to embark on a career as a secondary school teacher in St. Kierans College, Camden Quay, Cork. It was at UCC that a keen interest in politics was developed and Micheál has been a member of the Fianna Fáil National Executive since 1988. Terms were also served as Chairman of Ógra Fianna Fáil and as a member of the Commission on the Aims and Structures of Fianna Fáil. Micheál was first elected to Cork Corporation in 1985. Since entering national politics in 1989, the Cork South Central TD has served on the Fianna Fáil front bench and in four cabinet posts: Minister for Foreign Affairs (2008-2011), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2004-2008), Minister for Health (2000-04) and Minister for Education (1997-2000), Taoiseach (2020-2022), and Tánaiste (2022-).

Dublin Chamber President - Siobhan O’Shea, Director, Indeed and Dublin Chamber President

Siobhan O’Shea is the 135th President of Dublin Chamber in 2024 and is Director of Scaled Business Success (EMEA/APAC) for U.S. multinational Indeed, the world's number 1 job site with 300m unique visitors every month. Siobhan has served on Council since her election in 2018 before joining the Board of Directors in 2019. She sits on the Audit & Risk and Remuneration Sub-committees and has chaired the Chamber’s Labour Taskforce. Siobhan is also a Board Member of State Agency SOLAS, the Further Education & Training Authority in Ireland. She previously served as Vice President and Board Member of the Employment & Recruitment Federation and Non-Executive Director of Chambers Ireland, the Open Doors Initiative and Teenline (now merged into ISPCC).Siobhan's leadership track record spans 25 years in the United States & Ireland including recent senior roles with global organisations cpl Group and Morgan McKinley. She is a frequent speaker and brand ambassador on workplace & labour market trends, the future of work and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Siobhan is a qualified Chartered Director and Executive Coach, having graduated from UCD with a Bachelor of Commerce. 


Sponsor speaker - Colin Hunt, CEO, AIB Group

In March 2019, Colin was appointed Chief Executive Officer of AIB Group and an Executive Director on the AIB Board having joined the Group in August 2016 as Managing Director, Wholesale, Institutional & Corporate Banking Division. Prior to joining AIB, Colin was Managing Director at Macquarie Capital where he led the development of its business in Ireland. Previously, he was a Special Policy Adviser at the Departments of Transport and Finance, Research Director and Chief Economist at Goodbody Stockbrokers, Head of Trading Research and Senior Economist at Bank of Ireland Group Treasury and a country risk analyst at NatWest. Colin served as a Non-Executive Director of Aer Lingus Group plc from 2008 to 2014. His current external appointments include:
- The Ireland Funds, Board Member
- IBEC, Board Member
Colin has a PhD in Economics from Trinity College, Dublin and degrees in Commerce & Economics from University College, Cork. He is a Chartered Bank Director and a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers. Colin’s key areas of focus include building a sustainable business to support the transition to a low-carbon future, enhancing customer propositions in terms of products, services and delivery as well as the future of leadership in a fast-evolving world.

Event Host - Mary Rose Burke, CEO, Dublin Chamber

Prior to joining the Dublin Chamber, Mary Rose held the position of Director of Corporate, Strategic and International Affairs for Ibec since 2013 having moved from the position of Director of Pharmacy at Boots Ireland which she held for 8 years.Prior to joining Boots Mary Rose worked at the HSE, and previously established and managed her own business. She has also been a council member of Chambers Ireland and the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. Mary Rose is a pharmacist and is a member of the Board of Directors for Bord na Mona and is Chair of the Board of Directors of the NMH Foundation.