Lean Business Ireland Conference Speakers 2025
Áine Gleeson - Irish Entrepreneur - WowWee
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Alison Roddy - Operations Manager - Seating Matters
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Brendan Hogan - Senior Vice President of Engineering & Operations - Aerogen Ltd.
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Gene Leonard - CEO - LBSPartners
Gene is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of LBS Partners where he drives the development of new services and leads fresh and innovative strategic thinking organisation wide. He is also a Co-Founder of Lean Business Ireland.
Gene is an expert in multi sectoral Business Transformation and Leadership Development where his skills in strategy and operations have transformed client companies from great to exceptional.
Gene established LBS after holding positions in leading multinational IT and manufacturing companies. He spent 11 years with Dell. Inc where he championed a number of large-scale turnaround and performance-improvement projects.
Throughout his career, Gene has led dozens of large-scale transformation programmes. He has helped clients all over the world define their strategic positioning and build the capabilities needed to deliver real change and growth.
Glen Winn - Director of Service Operations - Virgin Media Ireland
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Hari Pesala - Specialist, Vice President - Northern Trust Corporation
Hari Pesala is working as a Change Specialist, Vice President at Northern Trust. Hari has overall 19+ years of process improvement expertise to deliver operational excellence in the banking and financial services sector. Its been 6 years Hari moved to Limerick Office, prior to moving here Hari was managing Process Excellence team at Bangalore Office within Northern Trust. Hari had worked with ‘Bank Of America’ prior to joining Northern Trust.
Hari is Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt from QAI, Black Belt from Indian Statistical Institute & he holds ‘Bachelor of Commerce’ Degree from S.V. University, India & Diploma in ‘Digital Product Management’ from Institute of Banking, Dublin.
James Martin – CI Facilitator – Atlantic Aviation Group
James has over 35 years’ experience in the aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul sector and is currently a continuous improvement facilitator at Atlantic Aviation Group. Transitioning from licenced aircraft engineer into the continuous improvement field 15 years ago, James has extensive knowledge and experience of Lean tools and implementation. James developed the Lufthansa Technik global standard Visual Management System and has led the evolution of Visual Management in aviation MRO in Europe, America, and China.
In addition to his full-time employment at Atlantic Aviation Group, James is expected to graduate with a Masters in Lean Sigma from University of Limerick in 2025.
Jennifer Stratton - Continuous Improvement Engineer - Cook Medical
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Julie Dickerson - Chief Executive Officer - Shannon Engine Support Ltd
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Martin Cahill - Senior Buyer Planner - Chemifloc Ltd.
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Dr. Paul Gadie - Managing Director - Gift Innovations
I am Paul, the Managing Director of Gift Innovations, a Lean, dynamic B2B corporate gifting company. We provide creative corporate gifting solutions that help organisations to recognise, reward, and retain employees while also building strong customer loyalty.
Before this, I worked in academia in the UK and Ireland, focusing on the fields of Theology and Religious Studies. During that time, I taught, conducted research, and published academic work. I also managed partner programs and developed BA and MA courses across Europe and Africa.
On weekends, you'll likely find me hiking up a mountain, cycling along quiet country lanes, or enjoying a round of golf.
Richard Park - Engineering Manager - Element Six
Originating from South Africa his family emigrated to Ireland in 1977 where he finished off his schooling at Villiers School in Limerick, completed his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at NIHE (UL) and later completing a master’s in advanced manufacturing technology also at UL. Living in Shannon Richard is married and has three sons and one daughter and has now worked for Element Six for the last 40 years. In that time, he has held multiple positions in several departments within the company, these have included international assignments to Sweden, South Africa, Isle of man and the UK. His interest in Lean manufacturing started around 2005 with the re organising of factory floor layouts from a traditional functional layout to Cellular layouts, linear layouts and understanding “Flow”. This was very soon followed by the introduction of Standard work, practical problem solving and the use of Data to analyse performance and problems. Outside of work, manufacturing, and all things Mechanical his interests include 4x4 off-roading, scouting, photography and running.
Robert Hernan - Senior Lean Advisor - Enterprise Ireland
Senior Lean advisor in Enterprise Ireland's Lean / Operational Excellence team. Currently supporting Enterprise Ireland's food companies in implementing Lean transforms having previously managed Lean Start and Plus business offers. Managed the successful Lean for Micro (LEOs) pilot in 2015, supported the roll out of the IDA Lean initiative, 2016 and Lean Business Ireland’s roll out of regional lean networks, 2018.
Member of Lean Business Ireland and West-Northwest Lean network committees.
Previously was the technical manager in Eolas accredited ecotoxicity laboratory.
Stacy Franklin - Module Leader - Teaching Fellow (S&E) - Lean Systems - University of Limerick
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Teresa Prendergast - Director of Continuous Improvement and Business Operations - Cook Medical
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Tom O'Carroll - Director Manufacturing, Ireland -
An experienced & inclusive Leader, with a demonstrated track record of implementing change and delivering results through people & process, I am committed to the guiding principles of integrity, accountability and developing talent to strengthen the organisation.
I continually seek out value propositions to both organisation and customer and through engagement, collaboration & innovation, I deliver results that facilitate growth and foster a winning culture.
Vicky Howard - Country Manager - Ireland - Reagecon
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Willie John Burke - Director of Quality - Edwards Lifesciences
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