Alumni Awards Recipients

Below are the past recipients of the ATU Alumni Awards whose outstanding achievements and contributions exemplify the values and excellence of our alumni community. Their remarkable journeys reflect the impact and influence of ATU alumni across diverse fields and sectors.

2026 Winners

Caragh Maxwell

Writer and Author 

Bachelor of Arts, Writing and Literature, 2021  

Emerging Alumnus Award

Caragh Maxwell is a writer based in Sligo whose essays, poems and short stories have appeared in The Irish Times, The Cormorant and other publications. 

In 2018, she began a Bachelor of Arts in Writing and Literature at ATU. During her first year of study, Caragh wrote a deeply personal essay about her experience undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma, which was published in The Irish Times in 2019. The piece went on to become the most-read essay on the newspaper’s website that year. 

She later continued her studies at Trinity College Dublin, completing an MPhil in Creative Writing. Throughout her postgraduate studies, Caragh worked on the manuscript that would become her debut novel, using her Master’s thesis to develop her work. 

Sugartown, Caraghs’s first novel, was published by Oneworld in September 2025 and was shortlisted for Newcomer of the Year at the 2025 An Post Irish Book Awards. 

Caroline Faulkner

Integrative Mind & Performance Coach | Former CEO, CIO, COO, SVP in Fortune 50 organisations 

Master of Science, Leadership and Innovation, 2010 

Alumni Award in Business 

Caroline has built a distinguished global career spanning more than 35 years in Fortune 50 companies across the pharmaceutical, technology and financial sectors. She has held senior leadership roles including Chief Information Officer and Chief Executive Officer, and in 2014 was recognised as one of Computerworld’s Top 100 IT Premier Leaders in the United States. 

Caroline served as Managing Director of Pramerica Ireland in Letterkenny, where she helped grow the organisation from a start-up in 2000 to over 1,500 professionals. In 2016 she moved to Prudential’s headquarters in New Jersey as Senior Vice President, leading major organisational transformation initiatives. 

Having returned to Ireland in 2023, Caroline now runs her own leadership coaching and strategic advisory business. 

Fergus Grimes

Founder of Score Beo 

Bachelor of Business, Business with Entrepreneurship, 2020 

Emerging Alumnus Award 

Fergus was studying Business with Entrepreneurship at ATU when he first conceived the idea for Score Beo, a live GAA scores platform designed to help supporters follow matches across the country. The app provides real-time updates from club and county games in football, hurling, and camogie, covering both men’s and women’s competitions. In his final year at ATU, Fergus developed and completed the business plan for Score Beo as part of his degree. 

Graduating during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic and facing a challenging job market, Fergus was motivated to pursue the venture, officially launching Score Beo in 2021. The platform quickly gained traction, building a global audience and surpassing 350,000 downloads across more than 110 countries. 

This success led to a landmark acquisition by The Irish Times Group in 2024, only the seventh in the organisation’s 140-year history. Fergus has also been named in the Irish Independent’s 30 Under 30 and continues to support ATU Galway through sponsorship of the Ladies GAA team.

Georgia MacMillan

Mayo Dark Sky Park Development Officer 

Bachelor of Arts, Outdoor Education, 2015 

Alumni Award in Design, Education and Social Science 

Georgia is an environmental advocate whose pioneering work has positioned Mayo as a global leader in dark sky conservation. In 2013, her research into light pollution in the West of Ireland led her to establish the Mayo Dark Skies community group and spearhead the successful application for international recognition of Mayo Dark Sky Park at Wild Nephin National Park. In 2016 the park was awarded the prestigious Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park status, the highest possible accolade, placing Mayo among the best locations in the world to experience the night sky. 

Georgia’s work has helped create a new tourism sector in the region of ‘dark sky tourism’ and inspired educational programmes for schools and communities. She co-founded Terra Firma Ireland, a social enterprise promoting sustainable dark sky tourism and outdoor education.  Georgia is currently completing a PhD scholarship from Research Ireland on dark skies as a form of regenerative tourism via her work in Mayo Dark Sky Park.  

Her leadership continues at national and international level through research, policy engagement, and participation in global dark sky initiatives. 

Joe Dunleavy

Regional CTO for Europe and Global Head of Dava.X AI Group at Endava 

• Master of Arts, User Experience Design and Applied Innovation, 2022
• Master of Business, Innovation and Leadership, 2012
• Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, 2002

Alumni Award in Engineering and Computing  

Joe Dunleavy is a technology and innovation leader with more than 25 years’ experience across AI, software delivery, product development and business transformation. Joe currently serves as European Chief Technology Officer and Global Senior Vice President, Head of the Dava.X AI Group at Endava (NYSE: DAVA), where he leads global AI and innovation initiatives. 

Prior to this, Joe spent 16 years with Prudential Financial / Pramerica, working in both Ireland and the United States. During this time he held several senior leadership roles including Regional CTO, Global SVP, Global Head of Innovation and Interim US CIO. Earlier in his career, he worked with Microsoft at its European Development Centre in Dublin and with the Sligo-based start-up Nooked. 

In 2025, Joe was recognised on Fast Company Middle East’s AI 50 list, a list highlighting the leaders driving real-world AI transformation. 

Michael Lally

Broadcaster and Journalist | Former Head of Nuacht and RTÉ Regional Projects Leader  

• Honours Diploma, Business Studies, 1975
• Master of Arts, Creative Practice, 2019 
• Master by Research, 2025 

Alumni Award in Design, Education and Social Science 

Michael is a distinguished journalist and broadcasting leader whose career has made a significant contribution to public service broadcasting in Ireland. He joined RTÉ in 1978 as a news reporter and went on to serve as Agriculture and Food Correspondent, Mid-West Correspondent, Industry and Employment Correspondent, and South East Correspondent. His reporting also included major international assignments covering humanitarian crises in Ethiopia, Somalia and Rwanda. 

In 1996, Michael joined the establishment executive of TG4 in Connemara, becoming the founding editor and producer of Nuacht TG4 and leading the development of Irish language television news. He later oversaw the relocation and integration of RTÉ’s Irish language news operations in Baile na hAbhann. 

Michael also served as President of CIRCOM (2008 – 2012), representing regional broadcasters across Europe. After retiring from RTÉ, he returned to ATU to complete two master’s degrees examining the relationship between public service journalism and democracy. 

Michael Vaughan

Former President of Irish Hotels Federation and Hotelier  

Bachelor of Arts, Hotel and Catering Management, 1986

Alumni Award in Business

Michael is the fourth generation of a long-established family of hoteliers in Lahinch, Co. Clare. Following his studies in Galway, he spent over a decade with the Jurys Hotel Group in senior roles including General Manager and Group Sales Manager, gaining valuable international experience in Ireland, the UK and France. He also held positions at the five-star Dromoland Castle and later worked in hospitality consultancy. 

In 2005, Michael and his wife Maria established Vaughan Lodge in Lahinch, a four-star family-run property that has become a cornerstone of the local tourism sector. 

A respected leader within the Irish hospitality industry, Michael has played a significant role in shaping tourism and training policy. He served as President of the Irish Hotels Federation (2012–2014) and has contributed to numerous national initiatives focused on education, skills development and the future of Ireland’s tourism industry. 

Patrick Keady

Experienced Director and Senior Manager in the National Health Service (NHS) of England  

• Graduate Membership of the Royal Society of Chemistry, 1988
• National Diploma in Fine Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, 1986  
• National Certificate in Applied Chemistry, 1984 

Alumni Award in Science and Health 

Patrick is a former Director and senior manager in England’s NHS, where he worked for 26 years, in primary and pre-hospital care, community services and mental health, acute care and commissioning.  

As Head of Healthcare Governance, he led major improvement programmes that strengthened patient-centred behaviours among 40,000 healthcare workers serving a population of 1.5 million. He was recognised as a “new breed of NHS manager” during the NHS 60th anniversary celebrations in 2008.   

In 1995 Patrick launched Risk Reduction in Healthcare, the first risk management publication circulated to all NHS organisations in the UK. He served for 10 years on the Editorial Board of the peer-reviewed RSPH Perspectives in Public Health.  

Patrick is a professional member of four Royal Societies and three professional Institutes. He served as a Non-Executive Director at the Institute of Risk Management and as Chair of the Board of Trustees at IOSH. 

Patrick now lives in Edinburgh, where he writes, mentors and contributes to community initiatives. 

Sara McFadden

Partnerships and Operations Coordinator at Vision Sports Ireland 

Bachelor of Business, Sport with Business, 2022 

President’s Alumni Award  

Sara is a graduate of the Sport with Business programme, where she achieved first class honours and distinguished herself through her determination, leadership, and commitment to sport. Living with a visual impairment, she embraced every aspect of student life and demonstrated a strong “can do” attitude that continues to inspire others. 

Sara joined Vision Sports Ireland through her ATU work placement and has since progressed to her current role as Partnerships and Operations Coordinator. In this position, she leads programmes, events, and training initiatives that expand access to sport and physical activity for people who are blind or vision impaired across Ireland. Notably, Sara has played a key role in partnering with the IRFU to establish and grow Vision Impaired Rugby nationwide. 

Sara made history as the first person with a vision impairment to compete in Irish motorsport. She is also an active volunteer with Motorsport Ireland, contributing across multiple areas, where her dedication has been recognised with the prestigious J.C. Millard Irish Clubman of the Year Award. In 2025, Sara was named on the Sport for Business PwC 30 Under 30, a list that recognises emerging talent in and around the business of sport. 

2025 Winners

Breege Conroy Walsh

Founder & Managing Director, BWC MedTech Consulting

Alumni Award in Science and Health

Breege is the founder and managing director of BWC MedTech Consulting, specialising in transforming quality management systems and operational processes for medical device and technology companies. She advises Life Sciences organisations and contributes to ATU’s Strategic Development subcommittee.

With over 30 years’ experience globally, Breege’s expertise spans product transfers, M&A integrations, supplier optimisation, and implementing digitalisation and Industry 4.0 programmes. Previously, she was VP of Global Quality Engineering and Services at Medtronic Inc., leading teams across Europe, the US, and Asia. Breege is passionate about organisational transformation, leveraging strategy, vision, and people engagement to drive results. She is active in MDIC, AdvaMed, and the FDA’s CfQ.

Dr Shane Loughlin

Founder and President, ESE Academy

Alumni Award in Engineering & Computing

Shane is a pioneering engineer and mentor driving Industry 5.0 in the life sciences sector. Founder of the ESE Academy, he helps engineers develop AI-ready, modular, and scalable equipment solutions for next-generation therapies, including personalised oncology, cardiac care, and biofabricated organs.

With over three decades of experience in automation and systems integration, Shane collaborates globally with corporations, startups, and academia. He developed the Industry 4.0 Equipment Procurement Process (I4.0-EPP) and DiVOM/OSE models, now part of CPD and postgraduate programmes in Ireland.

As an adjunct university Professor, Shane empowers engineers through mentorship, Creative Commons licensing, and digital credentials, promoting safer, smarter, and sustainable systems.

Evelyn O’Toole

Founder and CEO, Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS)

Alumni Award in Science & Health

A native of Clifden, Co Galway, Evelyn is Founder & CEO of Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS), a company she established in 1994 that now employs 260 people.

Complete Laboratory Solutions (CLS) is the highest accredited Irish led contract laboratory, which is GMP licensed by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) and the U.S. Food and Drug (FDA).

CLS clients are global leaders in the MedTech, Pharmaceutical, Environmental, Food and Beverage industries. CLS delivers comprehensive microbiological and analytical sample management, testing, training and resourcing, providing clients with a reliable and efficient partner. Leveraging expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, CLS deliver accurate, timely results that meet the highest quality and regulatory standards.

Evelyn is a member of the Irish Medtech Association Board and a support centre committee member for Cancer Care West.

Other accolades include – fellowship from GMIT in 2019; Honorary Degree from NUI Galway in 2020; winning Industry EY Entrepreneur of the Year and Irish Tatler Businesswoman of the Year awards in 2017; awarded 2016 Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year by Network Galway and named 2016 WMB Businesswoman of the Year.

Enda Mc Guane

Head of Asset Management, Land Development Agency

Alumni Award in Business

Enda leads the Cost Rental portfolio and strategic management of LDA’s expanding land, sites, and estates portfolio. A former army officer, he has vast experience across public and private sectors as a senior manager and Chartered Surveyor.

Enda is a dual-status Chartered Surveyor, a RICS Red Book valuer, and the immediate Past President of SCSI. He serves on the SCSI Board, ULI Ireland Council, and the Housing Investment Advisory Hub in the Czech Republic.

Enda has contributed to multiple industry and community boards, including COPE Homeless Services and Co-Operative Housing Ireland. A native of Clare and former inter-county footballer, he is also an active underage GAA coach with Kilmacud Crokes.

Lauren Cadden

Record-Breaking Irish Sprinter and Irish Olympian 2024

President’s Alumni Award

Lauren earned a sports scholarship at ATU, studying Health Science and Physical Activity while excelling in athletics. She broke the Irish Juvenile 200m record in 2018, won her first senior 200m title in 2022, and in 2024 broke the 400m record at the Irish Universities Championships.

She debuted internationally at the World Athletics Relays, helping Ireland’s 4x400m relay team qualify for Paris 2024, and won silver at the 2024 European Athletics Championships.

Lauren made her individual senior debut at the 2025 European Athletics Indoor Championships. A dedicated member of Sligo Athletics Club, she continues to inspire the next generation of Irish athletes with her drive and achievements.

Lisa Lynch

Senior Manager R&D, Boston Scientific

Alumni Award in Science & Health

Lisa leads a 20-person R&D team at Boston Scientific, collaborating with global cardiologists on 3D printing, heart valve case support, and physician education.

Committed to DE&I, she co-founded the award-winning Migrant Collective Galway and has moderated International Women’s Day events while contributing to industry discussions on women in STEM.

Lisa serves on the ATU chemistry interview board and advises on course development. Her accolades include the Boston Scientific Global Excellence Award and the Galway Mayor Awards for Community Services and Social Inclusion.

Through her professional work and volunteer initiatives, Lisa drives innovation, patient care, and positive social impact.

Pat McArt

Journalist, Author, Former Editor Derry Journal

Alumni Award in Design, Education & Social Sciences

Pat McArt significantly shaped Northern Irish media as editor of the Derry Journal for over two decades, navigating the newspaper through the Troubles while maintaining journalistic integrity.

He advised leaders including Martin McGuinness and John Hume, doubled the Journal’s circulation, and helped acquire the Donegal Democrat and Donegal People’s Press.

Since retiring in 2006, Pat continues contributing through columns, podcasts, and his 2023 memoir, War, Peace, and the Derry Journal.

His career is celebrated for dedication to free press, integrity, and impactful storytelling, earning him a civic reception at the Guildhall in Derry in 2023.