2022 winners

The Management Undergraduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Lidl

Jessica Turner

Jessica Turner, South East Technological University, Carlow, Sports Coaching & Business Management.

A 25-year-old student in her third year of studies in South East Technological University, Carlow, studying Sports Coaching & Business Management. She previously completed a HND in Leisure Management in ICFE. She is an avid sports person having previously played in the Women’s National League and has won 2 All Ireland Titles playing for her club and county, which she captained. Jessica pays close attention to detail and has an innate ability to lead. She does so in her role as Supervisor and Class Rep in college. People management and operations are her main passion, and she would one day love to open her own small food business.

Finalists:

The Undergraduate of the Year Awards for Innovation, sponsored by Jameson International Graduate Programme

Alana Neenan

Alana Neenan, Munster Technological University, International Business

Alana Neenan is 20 years old studying International Business with French in Munster Technological University. Alana has work tirelessly over the year within her role as Marketing Officer for Enactus MTU. She showcases her entrepreneurial mind set through promoting the goal of ‘Creating sustainable change through the power of entrepreneurship’. She successfully tripled the following account of her society’s LinkedIn page and helped create sustainable entrepreneurial mindsets within the society and those that follow the account. In her words ‘I am extremely proud of this result as it helps with sparking innovative and proactive ideas among students which in turn allows business ideas to grow and develop within our society and our community’.

Finalists:

The Female Undergraduate of the Year Award, Sponsored by Diageo

Katie McNicholas

Katie McNicholas, University of Limerick, International Business

Katie studies International Business at the University of Limerick. As Team Lead of Enactus UL in 2021, she supported 143 members across 6 social enterprise projects. She led Enactus UL to win the Enactus Ireland National Championship for the first time in the society’s history. She was a founding member of Anytime Of The Month, an organisation which strives for period justice and has completed donations of period products to homeless shelters and direct provision centres. Katie has received two Presidents Volunteer Awards in recognition of her volunteering hours outside of college, with organisations such as the Share a Dream foundation. She has been formally commended by UL on four occasions, in recognition of the exceptional grades she has maintained throughout her time in college.

Finalists:

Bronagh Cassidy | University College Dublin
Caoimhe Molloy | Trinity College Dublin
Ciara Martin | Letterkenny Institute of Technology
Ciara Saunders | Dublin City University
Dawn Attride | Trinity College Dublin
Edima Oku | South East Technological University, Carlow
Eva O’Beirne | Trinity College Dublin
Makalea Cooney | Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, Athlone
Roisin Farrelly | Trinity College Dublin

The Future Business Leader of the Year Award, sponsored by Aldi Ireland

Denis O’Sullivan

Denis O’Sullivan, University College Cork (UCC), Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship.

Denis is a final year BSc. (Hons) Food Marketing and Entrepreneurship student from University College Cork. Denis’s true passion for community stems from his involvement from a young age in his home village Whitechurch, on the outskirts of Cork City. His varied experience spans over agri-business, real estate, and the food industry. Denis previously worked in Musgrave’s Food Academy department, supporting small food and drink suppliers in Ireland. Denis has also worked in Bandon Vale Fine Cheese as project management intern and also attained a diploma in Project Management from University College Dublin.

Finalists: