Siobhán Finn
National Hub Network Manager
Siobhán has over 30 years of wide-ranging experience in the not-for-profit, public, small business and enterprise support sectors.
With a strong focus on leading, facilitating and managing multiple-stakeholder groups, she is driven by the value of social impact and is passionate about creating innovative solutions, working collaboratively, and developing community partnerships. She recognises potential and seizes opportunities to connect people, communities, and networks.
A purposeful communicator with an agile and innovative mind-set, Siobhán specialises in Strategy Formulation and Implementation, Stakeholder Relationship Management, Project Management, Change Management and Compliance.
Passionate in her conviction on the value of collaboration in communities, Siobhán was formally recognised in 2016 by the Global Entrepreneurship Network for her continuing work as a Community Builder. She is one of the first individuals in Ireland to complete the international Innovation Management Professional Course (2021) – pending accreditation.
Siobhán holds an MSc in Management Practice (TCD) and is a graduate of TU Dublin. She is an advocate for disadvantaged communities having previously co-founded Dress for Success Cork and volunteered as an ambassador for Focus Ireland.
Gary O’Meara
CEO of Meath Enterprise
Chairperson, Co-Founder & Executive Director of NACEC CLG
With over 25 years’ experience managing, developing and leading businesses across a variety of sectors, Gary is a keen entrepreneur with a passion for business development and innovation.
The Managing Director of Ireland’s Global Entrepreneurship Network, Gary is also a member of the government’s SME & Entrepreneurship Consultation Group (SMEe).
He holds a BA in Business Administration & Management from TUD, and a MSc in Leadership & Strategy from UCD. He has also obtained a variety of additional qualifications relating to Public Sector Management, Project Management, Digital Media Production, Entrepreneurship and Ecosystem Development.
Currently the CEO of Meath Enterprise and Managing Director of Boyne Valley Food Innovation District, Gary is a serial volunteer who dedicates a large proportion of time, passion and energy to supporting local sports associations, community and business groups and entrepreneurs and is an active member of various local, regional and national boards, steering committees and working groups.
Breanndán Casey
Connected Health & Wellbeing Cluster – Education & Outreach Manager, Dundalk Institute of Technology
Non-Executive Director of NACEC CLG
Breanndán Casey is the manager of the Connected Health & Wellbeing Cluster, based at DKIT. He has over twenty years of economic development and innovation experience across multiple areas including start-up support, foreign direct investment, and roles in the public and private sector.
His current role is developing a new Connected Health and Well-Being Cluster as part of Enterprise Ireland’s Regional Technology Cluster Fund initiative. The priority is to encourage and facilitate digital health collaboration across industry, healthcare providers, patients, academia, and support agencies.
From 2014 to 2021, he led the expansion of Drogheda’s award-winning Mill Enterprise Hub, which included the mentoring and training of digital start-ups and scaling companies, development of regional digital clusters, and strong support of national, regional, and local economic development programmes.
Niamh Costello
CEO of CREW
Company Secretary & Non-Executive Director of NACEC CLG
Niamh is the CEO of CREW, a collaborative initiative involving Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, the Western Development Commission and Galway Film Centre. CREW is focused on the empowerment of Digital Creatives in the West of Ireland to create, develop and scale globally.
Niamh has over 25 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience. After graduating from GMIT, she spent several years in the luxury hospitality sector. Prior to joining CREW as CEO, she spent seven years as General Manager of the Galway Technology Centre where she gained invaluable experience in the start-up and technology sector.
Niamh is also a founding director of Galway City Innovation District whose first building is the high-profile coworking and collaborative space, Portershed. She is a previous director of Galway Chamber and Network Galway.
Niamh takes great pride in seeing start-ups and young companies she’s worked with establish themselves, achieve success and continue to develop and grow – it’s what motivates her. She leads with enthusiasm, empathy and example, and drives innovation every day.
Sarah Daly
Executive Director of Creative Spark
Non-Executive Director of NACEC CLG
As a Board member, Sarah Daly served as Treasurer of Community Enterprise Association Ireland from 2014 to 2021.
Experienced in business development for SMEs, mentoring and facilitation, Sarah has a keen interest in community development and engagement through creative practice. She understands the value of networking and peer-to-peer learning and recognises the importance of a work environment that allows innovation and creativity to flourish.
As the Executive Director of Creative Spark, Centre for Creativity and Innovation located in Dundalk Co. Louth, she is primarily responsible for the delivery of business supports to clients.
Passionate about innovation and enterprise development, Sarah has an MSc in Social Practice for the Creative Environment from LIT and a BA in Fine Art. She also holds a Diploma in Management Coaching and Mentoring from the Institute of Leadership & Management.
John O’Connor
CEO of The Model County Enterprise Group CLG
Treasurer & Non-Executive Director of NACEC CLG
With over two decades of experience in the Enterprise Centre space, John is passionate about entrepreneurship, creativity and business development. An accomplished project manager, John thrives on mentoring start-ups and providing the business supports required to help them develop viable commercial ventures.
John has a strong commercial and financial background, with over 15 years of experience working across a variety of wholesale and retail roles for Barry’s Group, Mallow.
A Chartered Company Secretary and Administrator, he also has a Diploma in Network Management and a Masters in Research on the role of Small Businesses and their effect on Poverty Alleviation.
John is a skilled domestic and international public speaker and has been published in a peer-reviewed journal on the topic of Business Incubation.
A natural risk-taker, John has a keen sense of adventure that is evident in both his professional and personal life. In his spare time, he enjoys field athletics, running track and competing in decathlons around the country.