UCD Business Impact

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Eamon Fennell, former GAA Champion turned Salesforce professional, about his leap into education through Ireland's top Executive MBA programme. With a background rooted in sport, now thriving in a global tech company, he shares his unusual career journey and how the MBA gave him the tools to transition into a strategic, business-focused role.  Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, returning to education later in life, or simply seeking growth, Eamon's story proves that it's never too late — and you don't need to have all the answers to begin.

Assistant Professor Paul Dylan-Ennis of UCD Smurfit School dives into the evolving world of cryptocurrencies— where rebellion meets regulation. From Bitcoin's libertarian roots and links to MAGA culture, to Ethereum's resistance to mainstream finance, this discussion tackles the tough questions.

In a rapidly changing job market, the traditional CV just doesn't cut it anymore. In this episode, Louise Campbell, Senior Manager of Smurfit Careers Network, shares essential insights on the evolving recruitment landscape—and what graduates need to know to stand out.

How can biologically inspired computing shape the future of AI in business?  In this episode, Assistant Professor Miguel Nicolau, Business Analytics and Computer Science at UCD College of Business, explores how nature's principles help evolve better technological solutions, the role of explainable AI, and the growing challenge of trusting machine-generated decisions in business. Join us as we discuss the balance between AI's immense power and understanding real-world applications with insights from a computer scientist in a business school.

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Marius Claudy, Associate Professor of Marketing, to explore the profound ways morality influences our relationship with technology.  He discusses the ethical dilemmas of algorithmic bias and unpacks the nuances of how political views, social conditioning, and human psychology shape our trust in emerging tech. As regulation looms on the horizon, we ask: How can we design technology to foster fairness rather than reinforce bias? And what lessons can we learn to ensure AI serves society equitably?

Governance expert Dr Margaret Cullen explores the biggest challenges facing corporate boards and shares actionable solutions to navigate uncertainty. She highlights the power of a clear corporate purpose in fostering collaboration between the board, CEO, and executive team and explains why cognitive diversity is key to driving success. 

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with UCD Quinn School alumna Sadhbh Wood, a trailblazing entrepreneur who turned recycled coffee grounds into a thriving skincare business. Hear how she became the first Irish finalist in the International Hult Prize, the world's largest social entrepreneurship competition for students. Sadhbh shares her start-up story, the challenges of building a sustainable brand, and her ambitious plans to take her company global. Plus, we chat with UCD's Hult Prize Committee to uncover how students can enter this year's competition and turn their innovative ideas into real-world impact.

Donal O'Donovan, Business Editor at the Irish Independent and Chairman of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland, and Catherine Sanz, journalist with the Business Post and winner of the Women in Business Journalism Award Category at the 2024 UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards, look back over the leading business stories of 2024.

Dr Anshu Suri digs deep into the heart of consumer behaviour from why customers are more tolerant of brands supporting green initiatives, the real reasons people take to social media to list company complaints and why big firms neglect their customers. Listen to this fascinating conversation covering current consumer behaviour and where we're headed in the future.

From Greenlabelling to Greenshifting, Assistant Professor Fabiola Schneiderm, UCD College of Business discusses how businesses can navigate new regulations and work towards true green credentials.

Founding donor of UCD Lochlann Quinn School of Business and BComm alumnus, Lochlann Quinn, joined us for this special episode as part of UCD Culture and Engagement Week. Across a high-impact leadership and philanthropic career, Lochlann developed and guided many businesses, serving as Chairman of AIB, ESB, National Gallery of Ireland, Irish Museum of Modern Art, and the director and driving force behind the global leading business Glen Dimplex. He discusses his career, higher education and the bright future for the economy.

Expert in digital transformation and Academic Director of UCD Smurfit Executive Development Professor Joe Peppard reveals why technology competitiveness is a necessity and why digital transformation is less about digital and more about transformation. 

Her Sport take over for International Women's Day To mark International Women's Day Niamh Tallon, Her Sport has taken over the UCD Business Impact Podcast to celebrate female athletes in the UCD Quinn School community and how they are changing the game in sport and business. Her Sport's mission is to use sport to empower, educate and inspire so that girls and women can achieve their full potential.

From reducing food waste to proactive health, MBA alumna and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Kerry Group, Catherine Keogh discusses how innovation and sustainability are driving one of Ireland's most well-known brands to remain a global leader while staying connected to its local roots. 

MBA alumna Kerry McLaverty, winner of this year's UCD Alumni Award for the College of Business and CEO of LauraLynn, Ireland's only children's hospice discusses engaging the public in an era of permacrisis, staying visible and having a job with purpose. 

Dr Emma McDaid dives into her research on Uber revealing the downsides of working for disruptor firms and the darker aspects of the gig economy. 

Looking back at the biggest business stories of 2023. In conversation with Business Journalists Linda Daly and Donal O'Donovan. 

UCD Smurfit School alumna and Head of Social Policy at IBEC, Dr Kara McGannon shares how the workplace reflects society's issues and how we can all work to build better organisations. 

Double UCD Business alumnus in BComm and MBA Joe Barrett discusses building the Applegreen retail empire and charting the journey from one to over 600 service stations. 

Assistant Professor Rebecca Maughan and Assistant Professor Seán O'Reilly talk about the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the new European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs) along with the EU's Green Deal and Taxonomy.  They give an overview of the new regulations and standards and discuss the challenges and benefits for businesses, stakeholders and the accounting and audit profession. They also examine greenwashing and the risks of noncompliance for companies as we move towards a net-zero future.

New Director of UCD Smurfit Executive Development Professor Tim Wray discusses trends in executive education from bite chunk to virtual learning and designing accessible ways of learning for busy executives to refresh their skills and stay relevant in a diverse, global workforce.

Academic Director for the MSc in Management Consultancy Kathy O'Reilly is a leader in work-integrated learning that brings students and companies together for real-world based projects. She discusses the key benefits of hiring management consultants including the value of a fresh set of eyes to bring about new ideas and efficiencies. 

Founding Director of the UCD Natural Computing Research and Applications Group Professor Mike O'Neill looks inside the machine and subjects generative AI to a reality check to determine if it is a useful business tool or a job killer. 

Fernando Vicario leads Bank of America Europe as CEO and is also the Country Executive for Ireland. He discusses Ireland's bustling banking hub, as well as key priorities for the organisation including ESG and diversity and inclusion.

Joanne Hession, UCD Quinn and Smurfit School alumna, is the founder of Entrepreneurs Academy and more recently LIFT (Leading Ireland's Future Together) which is the country's first and most inclusive social enterprise focused on elevating the standard of leadership. She discusses her work in the organisation and a national campaign to grow better leaders.

UCD Careers Network Manager Michael McDonnell discusses navigating today's stormy jobs market, finding opportunities and how employers and graduates can find appeal to each other. 

Associate Professor Paul Ryan discusses Ireland's fatal attraction to property and his current research that psychoanalyses the country's relationship with land ownership and development. 

Season 3 Episode 10 - Global food price hikes: Who's to blame? Professor Don Bredin | Finance and Globalisation  Vice Principal for Internationalization and Global Engagement Professor Don Bredin discusses global price wars and who is stoking global food prices.

Assistant Professor Annunziata Esposito Amideo, Management Information Systems, UCD Quinn School of Business explains how using operational research and mathematical modelling can result in better outcomes in real-world scenarios, including business decisions, global challenges and reacting to natural disasters. 

17th January 2023. Focusing on the lived experience of entrepreneurship, Dr Orla Byrne discusses why entrepreneurship is good for society and how Ireland's hospitality sector can survive tough times. She also discusses her new initiative, AtThePass.ie, which is designed to support the current needs of hospitality, food and drink-related business owners.

Elaine Burke and Donal O'Donovan | Business Journalists 20th December 2022. Elaine Burke, editor of Silicon Republic, and Donal O'Donovan, Business Editor at the Irish Independent and Chairman of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland, look back over the leading business stories in 2022.

Anna Scally | International Tax Partner, Head of Technology and Media, and FinTech Lead, KPMG Ireland 13th December 2022. KPMG Partner and UCD Quinn School alumna Anna Scally discusses whether Ireland can remain an FDI leader and the future of Ireland's tech cluster. 

15th November 2022. Deloitte Ireland CEO Harry Goddard explains how firms, including his own, are changing to meet an anxious age and reveals how to navigate a world in a state of “permacrisis”.

8th November 2022. Julie Ennis discusses how her UCD Smurfit School MBA helped in her leadership leap from Bank of Ireland to Sodexo and how staying client-focused amid surging prices is presenting new opportunities for cost mitigation and sustainability. She also discusses the company's dedication to its people and diversity in leadership positions. 

25th October 2022. UCD Business Alumni Award winner for 2022 Mary Quaney talks about Mainstream's tremendous international growth in emerging markets and how enhancing grid transmission infrastructure may see Ireland become a powerhouse in wind energy.

With a background in mathematical and statistical modelling of energy markets, Assistant Professor Mel Devine reveals how renewables may solve this winter's looming energy crisis and how new energy forms could hold the key to our future. 

Research Associate Allen Higgins discusses the role of good design and creativity and how they can be positively applied in the world of business. 

Associate Professor Tom Conlon is that Academic Director for UCD's Masters in Aviation Finance and talks about why he is optimistic about aviation's future in a net zero world and how he sees transport operating in a decarbonised world.

CEO of the Business Post and UCD MBA alumnus Colm O'Reilly talks about the future of the newspaper industry from libel reform, tech disruption and the importance of supporting great journalists in a time when they are under fire.

Professor of Employment Relations Colm McLaughlin has recently taken on the role of VP of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at UCD College of Business. He talks about the importance of bringing transparency to gender pay issues and on finding out who is paid what—and why.

Director of UCD Smurfit Executive Development Helen Brophy talks about the need for 21st century workers to push themselves to keep learning and the importance of the latest Financial Times rankings that places them 31st in the world.

Associate Professor in Strategy and International Business Dorota Piaskowska discusses why globalisation will continue despite war and Covid, and how organisations can navigate in a nervous era. 

Niamh Tallon, UCD Quinn and Smurfit School alumna, talks about the importance of equal representation of sportswomen in the media and the powerful effect it plays from girls continuing sport to sponsorship opportunities.

UCD Nova's Invention of the Year Award winner Dr John McCallig discusses blockchain, cryptography and why accountants are moving up the value chain and driving innovation within companies by introducing machine learning to provide better insights into large data sets.  

With rising energy costs hitting the headlines on a regular basis, Urbanvolt's Kevin Maughan talks about how he sees our energy future and how it could be brighter than we might think. 

Recent UCD College of Business Alumni Award Winner, Olivia Maguire discusses her career journey from studying at UCD to becoming a Portfolio Manager in J.P. Morgan Asset Management in London. She also explains the concept of cognitive diversity and how it can meaningfully impact the diversity of any industry when implemented. 

Dr Alessia Paccagnini is one of the top female economists in the world and also one of the most published economics academics globally. Listen as she discusses the fascinating world of economic modelling, including how to model uncertainty to help policymakers make decisions of international importance. She also discusses her role in encouraging women to enter the field of finance. 

With businesses across every sector grappling with a post-COVID environment, it has never been more important to understand what motivates consumer spending. UCD Business alumnus Stephen Rust takes us inside the mind of the consumer and what motivates them to make a purchase. 

With Ireland facing one of its biggest energy crises in recent history, UCD alumna and Airtricity Director Klair Neenan discusses how green power can help solve our energy dilemma, concerns over energy prices and how to be a smarter energy consumer.

Laura Slattery, journalist at the Irish Times, and Donal O'Donovan, Business Editor at the Irish Independent and Chairman of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland, look back over the leading business stories in 2021.