Judging Panel

An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing Ireland's HR profession, will determine the winners of the HR Leadership & Management Awards.

We understand the importance of a fair and objective judging process. That's why we assemble a prestigious panel of industry leaders, renowned for their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise in the HR industry.

Our selection process is meticulous. Judges are bound by strict confidentiality agreements and declare any potential conflicts of interest. Entries with conflicts are reassigned, ensuring complete impartiality.

This unwavering commitment to integrity is the foundation of our awards programme. Become a part of recognising industry excellence. If you're interested in joining the judging panel, email your details to judges@businessriver.com

2026 Judging Panel

Dr Alan O'Neill (Judging Coordinator)

MD, Kara Change Management

With a global track record in culture, change management and organisational health, Dr Alan O'Neill Dr. Alan O’Neill assesses entries through both a commercial and human lens. He values submissions that demonstrate real impact, not just intent, particularly where culture translates into measurable o VIEW MORE

Miriam Manning (Judging Coordinator)

People and Culture Director, TELUS Digital

Miriam is Director of People and Culture at TELUS Digital Ireland, with over 13 years of strategic HR leadership, Chartered Fellow CIPD membership, and responsibility for approximately 7,000 employees across Europe. VIEW MORE

Caroline Browne

Managing Director, HRP Group

Caroline Browne is Managing Director of HRP Group. She a highly experienced HR and employee relations specialist. Through her extensive work in her HR consultancy, she has advised a wide range of organisations on complex workplace matters, governance, and best practice in Human Resources. VIEW MORE

Judy Byrne

HR Director & Co Founder, Crewlink Ltd

Judy is a seasoned HR executive and strategic leader with deep expertise in M&A, organisational design, transformation, and large-scale restructuring programmes. With a career spanning multiple industries—including financial services, insurance, distribution, professional services. VIEW MORE

Leona Carroll

Learning & Development Manager, Health Products Regulatory Authority

A dynamic L&D Manager with extensive leadership and employee development experience. Qualified Coach with a Master in Business Management, Leona develops strategic frameworks fostering high-performance cultures while delivering transformative results that drive sustainable organisational growth. VIEW MORE

Wendy Chin

Managing Director, Pinnacle HR

Wendy Chin is Managing Director of Pinnacle HR, a trusted partner to scaling SMEs, helping executive teams appoint and grow Director‑level leaders who deliver enterprise‑wide impact and sustainable growth. VIEW MORE

Eamon Collins

Owner, EC Coaching and Consulting

Eamon is an executive coach, Senior Talent, Organisation Development, Learning and Development and HR professional. Eamon has 25 years leading in Learning and Development, Talent Management, Organisation Development and HR. Eamon has worked in Pharmaceuticals, Aviation, Travel Retail & Consulting. VIEW MORE

Dr. Mary Collins

Chartered Psychologist, RCSI

Dr Mary Collins is a Chartered Psychologist Author, Speaker & Senior Coach Practitioner with over 20 years experience in Leadership & Talent Development. VIEW MORE

Paula Corrigan

Director of Human Resources, The Bar of Ireland

Paula Corrigan is an HR leader with 20 years’ experience shaping people strategies that boost performance, drive innovation and build inclusive cultures. As Director of HR at The Bar of Ireland, she drives impactful employee initiatives, enables high-performing teams and service transformation. VIEW MORE

Aminat Oluwabusola Farinmade

Director Total Rewards EMEA, Equinix

Busola Farinmade is a strategic HR and Total Rewards Leader with experience working across various industries and jurisdictions. She is a thought leader supporting global companies to deploy scalable HR/Reward strategies whilst integrating region-specific context on all aspects of Total Rewards. VIEW MORE

Vivienne Fay

Founder and MD, Irwin HR

Vivienne Fay is a Work and Organisational Behaviour Specialist and Founder of Irwin HR. Through The CARE Model®, she helps organisations unlock growth by building confident people management, strong leadership, empowered cultures, and high-performing teams through commitment, not just compliance. VIEW MORE

Claire Gubbins

Professor in Organisational Behaviour & HRM, Dublin City University Business School

Claire Gubbins is a Professor of Organisational Behaviour & HRM. She is co-founder & Director of Masters in Strategic Learning & Development; Chair the Irish Academy of Management Early Career Development Network, Lead of RINN-AI Human-AI Collaboration & Cognition pillar, Board of Academy of HRD . VIEW MORE

Aidan Harney

Strategy Manager, Culture & OD, ESB

Dr. Aidan Harney, PhD, is Strategy Manager for Culture & OD on ESB's People & Sustainability team. Previously he held several roles in Intel Corporation including Director of OD (EMEA) as well as Enterprise Director of Leader & Manager Development solutions. VIEW MORE

Janis Heather

Head of Culture & Change (HR), KPMG

Janis Heather is Director and Head of Culture & Change at KPMG Ireland, with almost 20 years’ strategic and operational HR experience. Janis held leadership roles across culture, employee engagement, communications and talent acquisition, and is also a qualified Executive & Leadership Coach. VIEW MORE

Margaret Heffernan

Associate Professor, Dublin City University

Margaret Heffernan is an Associate Professor in HRM at DCU Business School and Chair of the Irish Academy of Management. Her research is on decent work, focusing on employee wellbeing and psychosocial risks. She has led €1.5 million in EU-funded research collaborating with partners across the EU. VIEW MORE

Juracy Junyor

Founder, Coach, Book Author, Speaker, Career Coach, GetHired.ie

Juracy Antunes is an HR leader, board director, author and speaker with international experience across WHO, healthcare, non-profit and multinational environments, passionate about people development, diversity and career empowerment. VIEW MORE

Kathleen Linehan

Strategic Director Of Human Resources, Trigon Hotels

Kathleen Linehan, Strategic HR Director at Trigon Hotels, is a strategic people leader with expertise in talent development, organisational culture, and driving high-performing teams across the hospitality and manufacturing sector. VIEW MORE

Katy Lumsden

Head of Human Resources, National Library of Ireland

Katy Lumsden is an HR, Leadership and Organisational Development practitioner, with a keen interest in systems thinking, system dynamics, leadership and followership. She is Head of Human Resources at the National Library of Ireland, one of Ireland's foremost National Cultural Institutions. VIEW MORE

Gillian McMahon

Director, HRIZN Business Advisory Services Ltd

Gillian is a commercially focused HR Leader with 27+yrs proven track record of shaping inclusive workplace culture and delivering employee engagement excellence, whilst also leading transformative people change initiatives. Gillian has guided organisations across multiple sectors. VIEW MORE

Blanaid O'Regan

Director of People and Culture, SIRO Dac

Blanaid O’Regan is Director of People and Culture at SIRO DAC. She has strong experience in people development, organisation change and delivering people solutions to scaling and complex organisations including mergers and amalgamations. She has held positions in start-up and scaling organisations i VIEW MORE

Ross O’ Neill

Founder & Managing Director, Workbly

Ross O'Neill is Founder and Managing Director of Workbly, helping organisations create workplaces where people thrive and businesses perform at their best. His unique engagement and culture methodology, widely adopted in Ireland and internationally, turns employee feedback into results. VIEW MORE

Aricio Silvestre

HRBP, Turas Mobility Services Limited (eFlow)

Aricio is an experienced HR Business Partner with 16+ years of experience specialised in employee relations, talent management, and organisational development. He holds an MSc in HRM plus degrees in Business, HRM, and Employment Law, delivering strategic HR solutions across many industries. VIEW MORE