2023 Judges

Brendan Ring

Digital Engagement Lead, National Cyber Security Centre

Brendan Ring is the Digital Engagement Lead in the National Cyber Security Centre, a part of the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. Prior to taking up this role, Brendan has worked in a number of government departments, including the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform where he worked on a number of public service reform projects in Shared Services, Public Procurement and Organisational Capability Reviews of Government Departments, and holds relevant qualifications in the areas of innovation and digital policy. He is a qualified barrister and is a graduate of NUI and UWE Bristol.

Carole Ann Clarke

Organisation Development and Culture Transformation Consultant

Carole Ann has over 20 years experience in the world of marketing and digital transformation agencies, working on some of the biggest brands/companies in the world such as Coca-Cola, Diageo, Intel Pfizer, BIC, Mars and Unilever.
Carole Ann works with local and global Clients in the area of Organisation Development, Culture development, the future of work and digital transformation. This includes Leadership programmes and individual coaching, Line Manager coaching, Vision, Purpose & Philanthropy, Resilience coaching and company wide mental health and wellbeing integration. Over the last 4 years she has dedicated herself to changing culture around mental health and wellbeing in the construction, utilities, steel and mining industries.
Carole Ann is an Avid sports person, having captained the Irish Women’s Rugby team for several years, was President of the IWRFU and Chair of Blackrock College RFC Minis and Youths. She was an interprovincial hockey player and Senior Gaelic footballer. Carole Ann has also completed an all-female expedition to the Arctic in 2018 for Debra Ireland. She coaches Rugby in her free time and has recently taken up league hockey again after a 24-year break.

Colin Mac Hale

Colin has significant experience of selling and making technology markets across all of EMEA. He is an expert in building and leading multi-national, culturally attuned sales teams deployed across EMEA.

He and his teams have sold cutting edge solutions to customers in a myriad of industry verticals. He has experience of selling into the Health, Life Sciences, Education, Government, Enterprise, Telco, Financial Services and SME verticals. He has teamed with ISVs, OEMs, SIs, and ODMs to provide industry wide eco-system solutions to customers. On a personal level he is a excellent networker with sophisticated emotional intelligence, who successfully motivates large teams. He has C level leadership experience based on his role as Chief of Staff to the EMEA General Manager. He is a trained and experienced spokesperson and influencer to and for the industry to the media, government and industry bodies. He is as comfortable asking for an order to hit a sale, as he is in presenting to an audience of hundreds at industry events.

Emmet Ryan

Emmet Ryan is an experienced and respected Irish journalist, currently serving as business and technology correspondent at the Business Post. With an impressive two-decade-long career in journalism, Emmet has established himself as a leading authority in his field.
Emmet’s breadth of experience is truly remarkable. He has covered major tech stories both on the Irish and international fronts, providing insightful analysis and shedding light on the ever-evolving world of technology. His ability to grasp complex concepts and distil them into compelling narratives has garnered him a loyal following of readers.
Beyond his written work, Emmet has extensive broadcast experience as a pundit and commentator. His expertise spans across the realms of technology, business, and even sports, allowing him to engage with audiences through multiple media channels. His veteran nous and breadth of knowledge makes him a sought-after voice in the industry.
In addition to his expertise in business and technology journalism, Emmet is also an accomplished author in the sports field. His diverse range of talents and passion for storytelling continue to elevate his profile and make him a prominent figure in Irish journalism.

Mary Cleary

Secretary General of the Irish Computer Society (ICS)

Mary Cleary is Secretary General of the Irish Computer Society (ICS) and Chair of the CEN TC 428, ICT Professionalism and Digital Competences, and Coordinator of the Irish Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition. She has extensive expertise in and experience of representing the IT profession in Ireland, Europe and globally. She oversees ICT professionalism and digital inclusion policy for ICS, briefing on European and national skills policy, and advising the ICS CIO Network on standards, professionalism and continuous professional development (CPD) for all domains, with particular emphasis on eHealth. She holds a Master’s Degree in Education, and has extensive experience of ICT professional programme design and implementation. She has worked on several national education initiatives, promoting ICT as a teaching and learning tool, as well as being a partner in numerous EU funded projects. She supports the professional and advocacy activities of the ICS. She is a delegate to the NSAI (National Standards Authority of Ireland) ICT SCC. She was recently elected to the Board of the Council of European Professional Informatics Societies (CEPIS).

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