IoD Chartered Director Programme Alumni Event

Chris is the CEO of the Irish Social Enterprise Network (Socent.ie), Managing Partner of Collaboration Ireland, and a Teaching Fellow at Trinity Business School. He also volunteers as Chair of EnergyCloud Foundation and is a B Leader from B Lab Europe, as well as an Ambassador for the European Commission's WeBuySocialEU initiative. His work involves managing European and national projects on Social Enterprise, Corporate Responsibility, SMEs, and startups. He contributes to national policy, engages in media, and has authored reports for political parties. Chris is a Fellow of several international leadership programmes and has been recognised with awards for his work in social enterprise and community development. He holds degrees in Theoretical Physics and Business, along with various other professional qualifications including a Diploma in Company Direction with the Institute of Directors Ireland.

Victoria is Director of Corporate Affairs & Operations with Workday, an American on demand (cloud-based) financial management, human capital management, and student information system software vendor. She is a member of the Workday Ireland site leadership council. Prior to joining Workday, Victoria spent nearly 10 years with IDA Ireland, where she was responsible for enterprise technology investment from US and led the women in technology effort. She is committed to driving meaningful change for women in STEM and she is a member of Workday’s employee belonging council, Women at Workday.

Anne-Marie is Managing Director of Drury since June 2010. She has over 20 years’ experience in the public relations industry. Anne-Marie combines her management role with strategic client support across a range of corporate, multinational and public sector clients, not-for-profits and publicly quoted companies. She specialises in strategic counsel, reputation management, change management, employer brand, leading campaigns and partnerships’, achieving thought leadership through strategic media relations, targeted digital and social media engagement, and has extensive crisis management experience. Anne-Marie is a graduate of University College Dublin (U.C.D) with a B.A. International in French and German. She subsequently obtained an MA in Public Relations, has studied law at the Honourable Society of King’s Inns and is a qualified executive and business coach. She recently completed diplomas in Corporate Governance with the Institute of Directors and in Digital Marketing strategy with the Marketing Institute. She is currently studying Cyber Psychology. Anne-Marie serves on the boards of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, the Gate Theatre, and the advisory council of the RDI Hub. She is a former trustee of the Irish Heritage Trust and board member of the Dublin International Film Festival. Anne-Marie was the Runner-up in the CEO category of the Image Businesswoman of the Year Awards 2016. She is a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

Sandra Thorpe is a senior HR Director with expertise in organisational development strategy gained across multinational and public companies including Microsoft, Citigroup, PaddyPower, Cairn Homes PLC, and Korn Ferry. Sandra is currently Chief People Officer of Superbet.

Caroline Spillane CDir is Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Directors Ireland. She commenced the role in July 2022. Caroline has held several senior leadership roles including most recently as Director General of Engineers Ireland, the all-Ireland professional body for engineers, CEO of the Medical Council of Ireland, the independent statutory regulator of over 25,000 medical practitioners and Assistant National Director of the Health Services Executive. Caroline is an experienced Non-Executive Director serving as a board member of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), ESB Networks and Irish Manufacturing Research. She is also a member of the Advisory Group to Balance for Better Business, an independent business-led Review Group established by the government to improve gender balance in senior leadership in Ireland. Caroline's qualifications include a BA from UCC and an MA from TUD. She is currently undertaking a Doctoral programme with SETU.