Enrika Moore: 'We hoped to build something to support our family and our dreams'

Becoming a first-time parent made Mallow-based businesswoman Enrika Moore rethink what she wanted from life, sparking in her a need for more balance and flexibility.

The mum-of-two began her career with a background in languages and communication, holding a BA in Languages for International Communication and a Master’s in Translation Technology.

But her career took a radical turn when her son Henry was born, and, with her husband David, she co-founded Viska Systems, an automation and machine vision company based in Cork.

“We hoped to build something that would support both our growing family and our dreams,” said Enrika, who has been living in Ireland for 20 years having moved from her native Lithuania when she was a teen.

“My parents have always been incredibly loving and supportive - they wanted to give me and my brother evert possible opportunity in life.

“One of those opportunities was the chance to study abroad through English, something they believed would open more doors for us in the future. So, they made the huge decision to leave behind their life in Lithuania and start over in Ireland, all so that we could have a better education and, hopefully, a brighter future,” she said.

Enrika is the company’s chief operating officer, leading global operations, and as it gears up to celebrate its 10th anniversary in August, she can take a lot of the credit for growing it from a local start-up to a globally active tech company.

“Stepping into a leadership role in a highly technical industry pushed me to upskill, eventually earning a Master’s in Engineering Management,” said Enrika, who was presented with the STEM award at the recent Network Cork Businesswoman of the Year awards.

“I balance the demands of entrepreneurship and family life – Henry is 10 years old, and Emily is six. I am passionate about learning and taking on new challenges. What I love most is being part of a team that turns ideas into real-world solutions that make a measurable impact for our clients. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to technology that helps manufacturers improve quality, speed, and reliability.

“The most challenging part is finding enough hours in the day - balancing big-picture planning with the demands of a growing business can be intense. But, ultimately, that challenge is also what keeps the work exciting and meaningful.”

While free time is a bit limited, she loves travelling with her family and discovering new places.

“I also enjoy yoga, cycling, and walking - when life allows! Driven and curious, I find inspiration in both the everyday and the unexpected,” she said.

That’s just as well, as no two days are ever quite the same.

“That’s one of the things I love about my role. As COO, I am usually balancing strategic planning, client engagement, and team coordination. Some days are spent deep in product discussions or reviewing project timelines; others are focused on business development or preparing for international expansion.

“I also carve out time for marketing and supporting the team. It’s a fast-paced, varied role that constantly challenges me, but that’s exactly what keeps it interesting. The common thread in every day is problem-solving, collaboration, and keeping things moving forward,” said Enrika.

She joined Network Cork in 2023, to connect with other women in business.

“But it quickly became so much more than that. From day one, I felt genuinely welcomed and inspired by the energy and ambition of the members. It’s a space where real conversations happen, and where support flows naturally - whether you are navigating a challenge or celebrating a win.

“Being part of this network has opened doors and learning opportunities, and reminded me that, while running a business can feel lonely at times, you are never truly on your own when you are part of a community like this,” she said.

And winning the STEM award, she said, was honestly a surreal and deeply special moment.

“I was genuinely honoured just to be named among such an incredible group of finalists – so hearing my name called took a moment to sink in!

“It feels especially meaningful as we are celebrating 10 years in business this year. The award is a reminder of how far we’ve come as a business, and how I’ve grown as a person too – it means a lot to me not just professionally, but also personally.”