Anna Healy: ‘I was terrified initially...then I got in my stride and never looked back’

When Anna Healy took over at the helm of Network Ireland West Cork, there was one thing she was certain of – she wanted to inject as much fun and lightheartedness as possible into her year as president, for all members.

Through her work as an executive coach, she sees that many women are already at capacity, feeling worn out and in some cases facing burn-out.

And while her theme for the year was ‘building capacity’, for Anna, that didn’t mean striving ahead.

“It wasn’t about pushing members, or getting them to level up. In some ways it was actually about getting them to be aware of their mindset and habits and stopping to reflect on that, and then perhaps to open our minds to things we thought we might be too busy for.

“It was also about wellness, connections and creativity and having a relaxed space where there wasn’t any pressure to ‘do’, where you only had to ‘be’,” said Anna.

Like everyone, the mum-of-two, admits to feeling overwhelmed at times.

“That’s the case especially when I’m busy and when I came in as President initially, I knew I’d have to rely on my wonderful committee to stop that happening, and I did. We can sometimes forget to delegate. There are people to reach out to, to brainstorm, accountability buddies etc. It really does take a village, not just to raise a child, but to develop and grow our businesses, and to grow personally and that’s a lot of what the Network is about,” she said.

Reflecting on her year, without a doubt it was one of the best of her life.

“I loved every last minute of it,” she said without hesitating.

“I’ll admit that I was terrified when I took over initially, despite being vice-president last year and part of Network Ireland both locally and nationally for years.

“From December to May it was like a rollercoaster of learning but not in a scary way, more thrilling; and then I got into my stride and never looked back.

“I’d never taken on a public leadership position like this before and wouldn’t be the most confident of public speakers but I always just reminded myself that it was the members who were the most important thing in the room, and were always my priority. In that sense, I had to learn to get out of my own way, get past myself, and I often thought that if the members saw me up at a podium, they’d know they could do it too,” said Anna.

With her trademark honesty, she admits that at times it was a juggle: running her own business, parenting a 10 and 14 year old and being Network president.

“I had a very honest conversation with my husband Paul before taking this on and we chatted through what the year would look like and he was 110% behind me, as were all my family. My daughter was like my personal stylist and my son was a great support and I couldn’t have done it without them,” said Anna, who is originally from Kerry and who lives in Courtmacsherry.

Anna admits to being ‘passionate’ about Network Ireland – and it shows … it’s infectious!

“I feel very invested in the branch, and I wanted to do the role justice so in many ways I treated it as another job,” she said.

“I’m really proud of what I delivered and the stretch I took personally,” she said emotionally.

She’d encourage anyone to join the group for 2026.

Aside from access to inspiring events and speakers, there’s so much to gain, she said.

“I can’t explain how fantastic it is to be part of a group of like-minded people who are in your corner – and on top of that we’re also a really nice old bunch!”