ESG Forum
2025

Kevin O’Sullivan is Environment and Science Editor and lead journalist reporting on climate change with The Irish Times. He served as Editor of the paper from 2011 to 2017. He joined The Irish Times in 1997 as Environmental and Food Science Correspondent. In his current role, he has a particular interest in climate solutions (especially nature-based actions); sustainability (including the pursuit of the UN SDGs), renewable energy and restoring biodiversity.

Nessa Whelan, serving as Country Manager for Ireland at the UN Global Compact, has been actively laying the groundwork for the establishment of the UN Global Compact Local Network in Ireland since assuming the role in November 2023. Anticipated to launch by the end of 2024, the Local Network endeavors to amplify and promote responsible corporate conduct while mobilizing business action in Ireland to address global challenges. With over 20 years of experience at the UN Global Compact Office in New York, Nessa is committed to driving positive change, and fostering a more sustainable future for Ireland and the broader global community.

Orla Coyle is Head of Energy and Sustainability within Savills, working with clients to develop ESG strategies and deliver buildings to the highest sustainability standards. She is a Chartered Engineer and a seasoned Sustainability professional with over 20 years’ experience in the built environment with a track record of delivering energy efficient and sustainable buildings. Orla is also a board member of the Irish Green Building Council and on the committee of Engineers Ireland Energy, Environment and Climate Action Division.

She joined Savills from the SEAI (Sustainable Authority of Ireland) where she was programme manager for the Project Support Unit which was responsible for developing and implementing pathways to decarbonise the public sector buildings stock. She was also Programme Manager for NZEB and High Performance Retrofit with SEAI providing advice and support on the implementation of policy and regulations for government departments.

Prior to SEAI, Orla was lead director in her own engineering consultancy company which specialised in sustainability.

Patrick Paul Walsh is the Vice President of Education and Director of the SDG Academy at the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN). He is on secondment from University College Dublin where he remains a Full Professor of International Development Studies and Director of the UCD M.Sc. in Sustainable Development in partnership with the SDG Academy. He is currently the President of the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society (SSISI) of Ireland. He received a Ph.D. in Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He has held academic positions in Trinity College Dublin, K.U. Leuven, Harvard University and Columbia University. He has also held positions in the United Nations, European Commission, IMF and World Bank. His current focus is on Sustainable Development Education and ESG Professional Training.

Simona Herbaj leads the ESG & Sustainability division at Nucleo, bringing over six years of experience in aligning ESG strategies with business requirements. With a rich background in engineering and a keen understanding of commercial strategy, Simona ensures that both technical and commercial aspects are seamlessly integrated. Simona's expertise lies in identifying and leveraging ESG opportunities to create market advantage and drive long-term value. Her comprehensive approach helps companies navigate the complexities of ESG, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

Lisa-Nicole Dunne is the founder of Mantra Strategy, an impact creation consultancy dedicated to aligning leadership, culture, and purpose in brands and teams. Lisa-Nicole and Mantra have become trusted advisors to senior leaders across diverse sectors, including charities, social enterprises SMEs, B-Corps, and public organisations and clients include UNHCR, Goal Global, Ecocem, Motability, Vision Green, Vodafone Foundation, Rethink Ireland, PJ Hegarty, Eir, and Comcast. Lisa-Nicole has a BA, MBA, Diploma in Psychology and recently added a Diploma in DEIB. She is judge on the Business and Finance ESG awards, Spiders and Diversity in Tech awards and active volunteer for WorkEqual.

Meaghan Carmody is Senior Sustainability Adviser with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI). Passionate about all things climate and nature, and the potential for business to lead on the crucial changes we need, she leads on BITCI’s climate service offering and the ambitious Accelerate Pact campaign which seeks to develop an Irish Centre of Excellence for business Climate Transition Plans. Prior to BITCI, Meaghan led a multisectoral coalition on SDG engagement and advocacy, Coalition 2030, putting the concept of a Future Generations Commissioner on the Irish political agenda and raising public and political awareness of the SDGs. She also ran a suite of campaigns and initiatives in Friends of the Earth Ireland where she worked for just under five years. She has a Masters in International Political Economy from UCD.

Mona Costelloe is a Partner in the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Litigation, Disputes and Regulatory Affairs Department and is Chair of the Byrne Wallace Shields LLP Sustainability & ESG Group as well as Chair of the firm’s own Sustainability Committee. She advises public body and private clients on their ESG obligations, governing regulations and EU Directives, reporting obligations, energy performance rules, green procurement requirements, the circular economy and the management of ESG risks. She also acts for a number of clients in planning and environmental disputes including complex judicial review matters.

Dr. Louise Gorman is an Assistant Professor at Trinity College Dublin and has lectured and researched in the areas of accounting, finance, corporate governance and sustainability reporting up to professional and executive levels. She is a non-executive director and regularly contributes to publications and events in the areas of corporate governance and sustainability at national and international level in the academic and professional communities.

Susan Rossney is Sustainability Advocacy Manager with the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland. A sustainability leader and project manager with 20+ years’ experience building networks and delivering projects, Susan leads a large number of sustainability initiatives for Chartered Accountants Ireland and regularly writes and speaks on sustainability. She is on the interim board of the Advisory Steering Group of the UN Global Compact Network in Ireland and is Board Chair of Business for Biodiversity Ireland. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, and with post-graduate qualifications from IoB, Smurfit Business School, Oxford Brooks University, Dublin Institute of Technology, and the Institute of Project Management Ireland, Susan most recently completed a MsC in Climate: Policy, Media and Society in DCU.

Kathleen O’Regan is a Senior Executive in Enterprise Ireland. Kathleen works in the Sustainability Solutions Department helping companies implement sustainability best practice through a range of supports which support a range of activities from initial planning and capability building to investment, research and innovation to develop more sustainable products, processes, and business models.

Niamh Duddy is a Council Member with the Chartered Governance Institute UK and Ireland. With over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector in Ireland and the UK, Niamh is a trusted advisor to Boards and Senior Management. She has extensive knowledge and insight into the dynamics and behaviours of boards, and how to implement corporate governance frameworks and practices that enhance performance, accountability and decision making. Niamh is Head of Board Governance & Secretariat at Permanent TSB plc as well as serving as a Council Member of the Chartered Governance Institute – Irish Region. Niamh has a Degree in Business & Law, Diploma in Corporate Governance and Certificate in Responsible & Sustainable Finance.