Finalists announced for Network Cork and West Cork 2025 awards

The finalists for this year’s Network Ireland Cork and West Cork branch awards have been announced.

The annual awards, which take place later this month, aim to celebrate and recognise exceptional women in business in Cork.

The Network Ireland Cork branch awards will take place on Thursday, May 22 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island.

Elaine Duggan, former editor of WoW! and Digital Media and CRM Coordinator with See Her Elected, will MC the event.

Diane Higgins, Awards Co-ordinator, said she was “blown away” by the voluime and quality of entries for this year’s awards.

“Supporting this year’s applicants has been incredibly moving. So many of our members put themselves out there and shared their incredible journeys.

“I’ve been blown away by the number and quality of entries — it’s been a real privilege to witness the talent and drive within our membership,” she said.

This year’s judges are Audrey Houlihan, Regional Business Development Manager, AIB; Jim Barry, Managing Director, Barry Group; and Helen Murphy, Senior Enterprise Development Officer, Local Enterprise Office Cork City.

Returning judge Audrey Houlihan praised the determination of the entrants.

“This is my second year judging these awards. All of these women have great ideas, but what sets them apart from those of us who have the idea but do nothing about it is their grit and bravery in pursuing their dream and making it reality – I take my hat off to them all,” she said.

Helen Murphy highlighted the awards’ importance in recognising the powerful contribution women make to Cork’s economy.

“The Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year Awards are an important platform for women in business to showcase their significant and varied achievements,” she said.

“Choosing to enter the awards is an important step for each businesswoman and one we know is not taken lightly. This is reflected in the quality of the applications and makes our job as judges all the harder.

“LEO Cork City is delighted to be associated with the awards as they celebrate the very best that each woman brings to her business, to her career, and to the overall economic life of Cork.”

The finalists for the Network Ireland Cork branch are:

Emerging Businesswoman- sponsored by Sian Horn

• Deirdre O Grady, AbilityWise
• Sofia Kalfa, Fzin Coffee & Compostable Capsules
• Cathy Cullen, Cathy Cullen Communications
• Ailis Crowley, FASH Forward
• Terri O’Callaghan, Decluttered by Terri

Solo Businesswoman – sponsored by Orla McAndrew

• Louise Kane Buckley, Loula Natural
• Sian Horn
• Tracy McCarthy, Naturally Balanced Kinsale

Established Businesswoman - sponsored by NuaFund

• Sinead Lucey, 9 White Deer Brewery Ltd
• Orla Frawley, Bishopstown Podiatry Clinic
• Gwen Perroud, Cameron Bakery

Creative Professional Businesswoman - sponsored by Joan Cashman

• Sue Nelson, Sue Nelson Designs
• Emma Jacobs MIHI, Emma Jacobs Art
• Maura Mackey, Maura Mackey Design
• Nadine Hughes Campbell, Noah’s Adventures

STEM Professional category- sponsored by Access Laboratories

• Fiona Walsh, Empower Presentations
• Gene Cashman, Cashman Veterinary Hospital
• Mary O’Driscoll, Mary O’Driscoll Strategic Consulting
• Enrika Moore, Viska Systems

Employee Rising Star category- sponsored by Sue Nelson Designs

• Megan Geaney, Johnson & Johnson MedTech
• Victoria Curtis, Cork Opera House
• Sophie Murphy, Johnson & Johnson MedTech

Employee Shining Star category - sponsored by Dr Siobhán Lucey

• Niamh Gaine, Cork Education and Training Board
• Sinead O’Dea, Griffith College Cork
• Roisín Flynn, Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork
• Doroteja Bogdanovic, Johnson & Johnson MedTech
• Therese Deane, MACOM

Networker of the Year – sponsored by Maura Mackey Design

• Louise Kane Buckley, Loula Natural
• Sian Horn
• Dr Siobhán Lucey, University College Cork
• Marilyn Reidy, Kneat Solutions
• Ciara Crossan, MIH WeddingDates

President’s Award - sponsored by Cliste Hospitality

This will be presented to one worthy winner on the night, acknowledging the work of an exceptional individual outside of Network Cork who embodies the spirit of the Network and has inspired other members.

The Network Ireland West Cork branch awards will take place at the Inchydoney Island Lodge & Spa, Clonakilty on Friday, May 23.

MC and host for the afternoon is Life/Style editor of the Irish Examiner Esther McCarthy with the judging panel including Aisling Riordan, Vice President of Client Communications at J.P. Morgan Workplace Solutions; Susan Robbins Fehily the owner of Wildberry Bakery; Kevin Curran Head of Enterprise with the Local Enterprise Office Cork North and West; and Maeve Buckley Branch Manager at AIB Skibbereen.

Speaking ahead of the awards, Anna Healy, President of Network Ireland West Cork, said: “We’re thrilled to celebrate our finalists, each of whom represents the talent, resilience and innovation of women in business in West Cork. This year, our focus on building capacity is about equipping our members with the skills, confidence and connections to grow stronger together. In alignment with Network Ireland’s national theme of breaking barriers, we are proud to champion women who are pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and forging new paths in their industries. The awards process is not just about recognition, it’s about growth, visibility, and community.

This year’s categories and finalists include;

Networker of the Year – sponsored by Hollywood Coaches, Bandon

• Sandra Maybury, Maybury Marketing
• Shauna Colaci, Shauna Colaci Coaching
• Majella Galvin, DNG Galvin
• Barbara Nugent, Transilient Coaching
• Melissa Clarke, Melissa Clarke PR

Emerging Businesswoman – sponsored by Scally’s SuperValu Clonakilty

• Patricia Maybury, The Etiquette Suite
• Gilly Brazier, The Pink PA
• Geraldine McCarthy, Steer Coaching

Solo Businesswoman - sponsored by Billy’s Rent a Goat

• Barbara Nugent, Transilient Coaching
• Lorna O’Regan, FeelGood Health & Fitness
• Marie Wiseman, Wiser Marketing)

Established Businesswoman – sponsored by Clonakilty Food Company

• Carly O’Donovan, Bluebird Care Kerry & West Cork
• Tracey Keoghan, Lemon Leaf
• Majella Galvin, DNG Galvin
• Hannah Dare, Organico

Creative Professional – sponsored by Cork County Council

• Anya Spark, Anya Spark Consulting
• Liz Ehrenberg-Redl, Coffeehouse Creative
• Melissa Clarke, Melissa Clarke PR
• Sharon Thomas, Celtic Knot Events
• Michelle Fox, Michelle Fox Interiors
• Claire Marie Barton, Connecting Through Sound

STEM Professional - sponsored by Groupe Clarins

• Mary Cotter, Mary Cotter: The Heal your Bladder Programme
• Aislinn Horgan, By Aislinn Medical Micropigmentation
• Katherine O’Sullivan, Chartered Accountant.

Network Ireland will run 17 local branch finals. The winners of these will go forward to represent their branch at a national level later this year.

Winners are chosen by a panel of business experts, who are looking for women who understand business, who are passionate about their career/business, and who show a determination to succeed no matter what life throws at them.