IIA CEO scoops ‘Professional Businesswoman of the Year’ award

1 Dec 2011

Ciara Troy (from left), Lynda McQuaid, Vicki O'Toole, Clodagh McKenna and Joan Mulvihill

The chief executive of the Irish Internet Association Joan Mulvihill has been honoured with the IMAGE Magazine Professional Businesswoman of the Year award.

Since she took the helm, Mulvihill has overseen the development of the IIA’s annual conference, the Digitise the Nation campaign, the NetVisionary Awards and various training programmes around the country.

She also drove July’s successful Government lobbying on the Digital Skills Retention Policy, various conferences and events, and the launch of the IIA’s Diploma in Digital Marketing in conjunction with Irish Times Training.

Under her leadership, the IIA has attracted new event sponsorship and membership through the delivery of the widest range of internet seminars and conferences, and has collaborated with other organisations to take the lead in championing the Irish open data movement.

Vicki O’Toole, MD of packaging company JJ O’Toole Ltd, was named winner of the overall IMAGE Businesswoman of the Year Award. Chef and businesswoman Clodagh McKenna bagged Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

The Young Businesswoman of the Year prize, aimed at inspiring achievers under the age of 35, went to Ciara Troy, CEO of Oishii Foods.

The inaugural Creative Businesswoman of the Year was introduced this year to recognise women who have forged a successful career from pursuing their creative passions. The inaugural title was awarded to freelance producer and director, Lynda McQuaid, who worked on UK shows like Stars in their Eyes, This Morning and The Sunday Show, before returning to Ireland to work on Popstars, You’re a Star, The Apprentice, and more recently, MasterChef Ireland and The Voice of Ireland.

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

editorial@siliconrepublic.com