This episode dives into the fascinating career journey of Sarah Surgenor, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

Sarah Surgenor is passionate about changing how behavioral healthcare is accessed and discussed. A communications expert with 20 years of national and international experience, Sarah began her career working in television production and program development for Ireland’s national television station, before moving to healthcare communications. 

As Head of Communications and Fundraising for St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Sarah created the communications and marketing department and spent a decade establishing the service as Ireland’s foremost mental healthcare provider. In the US, Sarah has been a communications leader in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors. 

In her current position as the Vice President of Marketing Communications, Sarah defines and develops strategic marketing communications for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

We explore:

Her surprising pivot from Irish television production to mental health communications.

The contrasting landscapes of mental health support in Ireland vs. the US.

Promising practices and trends emerging in mental healthcare.

Sarah's vision for the future of mental health and her own aspirations within the field.

Join us for an insightful conversation that breaks down barriers and sheds light on the ever-evolving world of mental health!

Want to get in contact? Email us at [email protected]

We explore the key factors that led Elkstone to broaden its focus on the Irish market, capitalizing on its unique position and expertise.

Alan elaborates on the strategic decision to expand across all three of Elkstone's business lines, venturing beyond a single focus. We delve into specific sectors within the alternative investment landscape that hold promise and align with Elkstone's mission.

We unpack Elkstone's commitment to forging a stronger connection with the Irish Diaspora, fostering their involvement in alternative investments.

Alan sheds light on how Elkstone measures the impact of its investments, not just in terms of economic value but also on the overall well-being of Ireland and its broader mission of enabling impactful investments.

The evolving Irish alternative investment landscape and its exciting potential.

How Elkstone tailors investments for diverse clients, including the Irish Diaspora.

Elkstone's approach to measuring the impact of its investments beyond just financial returns.

www.akara.ai 

In this episode, we sit down with Niamh Donnelly, the visionary co-founder of Akara Robotics, a trailblazing company at the forefront of healthcare automation. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of revolutionizing cleaning and sanitization in care homes and hospitals.

Niamh Donnelly is a co-founder and Chief Robotics Officer at Akara Robotics, a healthcare robotics company building groundbreaking technology to enhance infection control and patient safety in hospitals. Niamh holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering and a Masters in AI and Machine learning. She has previously held engineering positions at Etsy and Syze (AI start-up based in Dublin) and has also worked as an AI consultant at some of the biggest insurance and banking firms in Ireland. 

She has won national awards for her AI research in the area of Convolutional Neural Networks, was named by Silicon Republic as one of "20 women doing fascinating work in AI, machine learning and data science" and was awarded the prestigious 'EU Top Rising Innovator' award by the European Commission. At Akara, Niamh oversees the development of artificial intelligence and machine learning. She played a key role in the development and validation of the 'Stevie' robot, which featured on the cover of Time magazine in 2019.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the transformative power of robotics in healthcare, and how Akara Robotics is leading the way towards a new era of smart, efficient, and hygienic care environments. This is an episode you won't want to miss—empowering, enlightening, and at the cutting edge of healthcare innovation!

www.mediahq.com

In this episode of the Digital Irish Podcast, join us in a captivating conversation with Jack Murray, the visionary CEO and Founder of MediaHQ. From the charming landscapes of Ireland to the forefront of media innovation, Jack shares his journey and the profound impact his Irish roots had on shaping his love for storytelling.

As we delve into the roots of his passion, Jack unveils the inspiration behind establishing MediaHQ and how this platform is revolutionizing the way stories are told in the digital age. Discover the challenges he faced, the milestones he conquered, and the invaluable lessons learned on his entrepreneurial journey.

Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just embarking on your narrative journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Join us for a conversation that transcends borders and explores the boundless possibilities of storytelling in the digital era.

Buy your copy of The Magic Slice here: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Slice-Master-Storytelling-Business-ebook/dp/B09HZFKYKY/

Join us for a dynamic discussion with leading experts from Ireland's booming Fintech scene. We'll dive into the powerful synergy between government, academia, and businesses, exploring how they're:

Sparking a culture of innovation: Discover how government initiatives and organizations like Enterprise Ireland are nurturing a fertile ground for disruptive Fintech solutions.

Building the talent pipeline: Learn how universities and research institutions are equipping the next generation of talent with the skills and knowledge to conquer the global market.

Fostering collaboration: Dive into the unique partnerships between established financial institutions and startups, driving rapid development and market adoption.

Scaling for global impact: Unravel the secrets behind Irish Fintech companies' success in expanding beyond their borders and leaving their mark on the world stage.

Our panel includes:

Conor White, Daon, https://www.daon.com/ - Conor is part of the core team that founded Daon. He joined the company as Chief Technology Officer in 2001 with the goal of designing and delivering trusted experiences that put human beings back at the center of digital transactions. In 2015, Conor accepted the role of President of the Americas, where he led all Daon activities across North, South, and Latin America. Then, in 2023, he accepted the role of President, New Industries, where he leads efforts to find Daon’s “next big thing.”

Patrick Horgan, Valid8me, https://www.valid8me.com/ - CEO and Co-Founder of valid8Me. Patrick is responsible for leading the development and global rollout of valid8Me, comprising general operations, business development strategy, and client relationships. Patrick is an experienced leader in the investment management and professional services industries, recognized for building and leading teams to deliver sustainable business value.

Stephen Walsh, Keeper Solutions, https://keepersolutions.com/ - Stephen Edward Walsh has been working in the IT industry since 1994. In 2011, they founded Keeper Solutions Worldwide, providing high-quality tailored fixed-price managed services to corporates, scaling tech firms and fintechs.

Our guest host on the podcast is Maria Gagic - who is currently SVP of Financial Technology and Services in the Enterprise Ireland New York office; Maria’s role is to support Irish Fintech companies to start and scale their businesses in the USA

People are the key to successful digital transformation

Collaboration is essential for breaking down silos and driving innovation

A shared vision can help organizations navigate the challenges of change

Digital transformation can create a more sustainable, prosperous, and inclusive future for industry

Our panel includes:

Dr Andrew Lynch, Chief Innovation Officer, Irish Manufacturing Research (www.imr.ie). Andrew is the Chief Innovation Officer at Irish Manufacturing Research.  He is the international Vice President of the EUREKA SMART Manufacturing Board of Directors, chairs the ManuFuture ETP Working Group (State Aid Strategies- Research & Innovation) and is the national delegate to the European manufacturing policy platform, ManuFuture High Level Group (HLG). Andrew has recently been nominated by EFFRA to the Made in Europe Partnership Board, an expert board which meets regularly with the European Commission to discuss the scope and modalities of the Partnership and future call topics.

Joe Peppard, Professor and Academic Director at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School - teaching and consulting in the domains of IT leadership, digital strategy and innovation, the execution of digital transformation programs, the creation of value from IT investments, and in the role, structure and capabilities of the IT unit in contemporary organizations.