Mari Cahalane is the Head of BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, which is the 57th year, and BT has organised it for over 20 years.

Mari's position as head of the project is a year-round role. She looks after the development and delivery of all aspects of BTYSTE on an ongoing basis.

Overall her responsibilities include the fundraising, project management and event management of the project end to end. Mari also is the direct liaison with partners, judges, board and internally at BT.

“I think the fear of failure is what holds people back; you need to take chances to forge ahead. Success is not about money and material things; it is about contentment and a feeling of having lived your best and most fulfilled life.”

Mari Cahalane

Tom Morley has developed a truly artistic way of living following his time in the music business with the 80s band Scritti Politti. It seems that every experience leads him to the humorous uncovering of some universal truth.

He turns his disasters and successes into stand-up comedy for conference audiences. Forty years on stage, first behind a drum kit, then being the multi-talented frontman for whole troupes of performers earned him the name 'The Rockstar Activator'.

Instant Teamwork is both Tom's speciality and the name of his company. Teambuilding, be it drumming, or harmony singing is all very energising on the day, but how do you make that bonded feeling sustainable.

“Believing I could be neutral politically would mean I was simply choosing to support all the injustices of this dysfunctional world. Every day I want to stand up for my values, alongside other like-minded souls, to be part of the solution. Dream for sure, but stay grounded.”

Tom Morley

Maegan Lujan is referred to as a thought-influencer in the digital industry. Maegan is a strategist, storyteller, and personal branding expert that offers unique digital products to individuals and customized workshops to corporations looking to create authority, credibility, and trust.

Maegan's journey has taken her from high risk in foster care to high potential in the boardroom of Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.

“As a former foster youth from a broken home, I have not let myself be defined by the stigma surrounding my upbringing. I took control of my journey and channelled my energy towards positive growth and self-improvement.”

Maegan Lujan

Minter Dial is an international professional and energetic speaker and multiple award-winning author, specialised in leadership, branding and transformation.

An agent of change, he's a three-time entrepreneur who has exercised twelve different métiers and changed country fifteen times.

Minter's core career stint of 16 years was spent as a top executive at L'Oréal, where he was a member of the worldwide Executive Committee for the Professional Products Division.

“You don't need to wait for a life-changing moment to find that you can have a purpose in life and your work.

Spend time early on to find out what are your intrinsic motivators.”

Minter Dial

I was born in São Paulo, Brazil. I graduated in Strategic Marketing and Management. In 2014 I joined a multinational technology company specialising in Internet-related services and products, which included online advertising technologies, SEO and SEM, cloud computing, software and hardware.

Several years ago, I moved to Ireland to improve my knowledge of the English language and to have new challenges. It was a significant change in culture and language. I learned to love Ireland as a second home. I worked for some companies and projects here, which allowed me to meet incredible and admirable people along this path. 

Mark Fielding is currently working as a mentor and independent advisor to several businesses and their management. Specialising in all aspects of SME business from pre-start-up through early stage and growth phases.

Mark was the CEO of the Irish Small & Medium Enterprises Association, ISME, from August 2001 to November 2016. Increasing its influence and growing its membership tenfold to over 10,000-member companies.

“Things will always come against you in life, people, situations, and it's important to be resilient, some would say stubborn.”

Mark Fielding

Sarah-Jane Vincent is a digital marketing expert, self-education mastermind, data-obsessed, algorithm avenger, detail-loving self-care activist, determined as heck achiever, mom to a diva in the making and ultimate small business supporter.

She is the founder & CEO of Miss Content Creative, and Digital Tribe, a collection of high converting social media and business templates for women entrepreneurs. She is also the founder and organiser of Digital Picnic, a leading Social and Digital Media Marketing Conference.

“Don't be afraid to speak up for what you believe in. If it doesn't align with your values, it's not worth it.

We learn by doing – doing well, doing not so well, failing hard, and doing better.”

Sarah-Jane Vincent

Paul Richmond is Business Development Manager at TEKenable, a Dublin software company focused on digital evolution for large Irish Corporates and public sector clients.

Prior to joining TEKenable, Paul managed the 'Sage at Schools' programme for accounting software company SAGE Ireland.

“The most important thing I learned was the importance of listening. You can always do more than you think. It's much easier to persuade the customer to go with your solution when you know it's the best in the market.”

Paul Richmond

Louise McDonnell has been working in the area of Digital Marketing since 2009 and she has trained and coached over 14000 people on how to use social media as a marketing tool.

She has trained over 8000 online students over the last 12 months and runs LIVE training sessions every month through her online social media training platform, www.sellonsocial.media.

“Employers can now see that their employees are happier, living where they want to live but still getting their work done. When they have a better work-life balance, they are happier and more productive.”

Louise McDonnell

Pat Kane is the founder of reuzi, a one-stop-shop for minimal waste lifestyle based in Dublin, Ireland.

Pat runs her business (physical store & website) and also showcases her products and services at markets and pop-up shops across the country. Pat has graduated from Cambridge University in Business Sustainability Management.

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then do better. You can do anything but not everything: Prioritise!”

Pat Kane