Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, drawn from academia, business and broader related sectors will determine the winners of the Diversity in Business Awards.
Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from industry leaders who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving a trophy.
The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.
A comprehensive judging process has been developed to decide the winners of the Diversity in Business Awards.
If you are interested in joining the judging panel, please email your details to our team: judges@businessriver.com
2025 Judging Panel
Edel Conway (Judging Coordinator)
Professor of HRM, Dublin City University
Professor Edel Conway (Dublin City University) is a Full Professor of HRM and Organisational Psychology at DCU Business School. Edel is an organisational psychologist with expertise in employee engagement, well-being, and organisational change. VIEW MORE
Sile Walsh (Judging Coordinator)
Founder, ELIS Advantage LTD (Dublin Office)
Sile Walsh is a leadership specialist, award-winning author, global Inclusion Co-lead for the Association of Coaching, PhD candidate research Inclusive Leadership, and founder of ELIS Advantage. VIEW MORE
Mark Fenton
CEO & Founder, MASF Consulting Ltd
Mark has 30+ years experience with domestic and international businesses and has lived/worked 18 years outside Ireland. A qualified accountant and Executive Coach, Mark established MASF Consulting (www.masf.ie) in 2016, a specialised consultancy firm on Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging. VIEW MORE
Leyla Karaha
Founder, YourY Network
Leyla F Karaha is a founder of YourY Network, a grassroot global community of social entrepreneurs and changemakers. VIEW MORE
Lorraine McIlrath
Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Interculturalism, Mary Immaculate College
Professor Lorraine McIlrath joined MIC in January 2022 as the inaugural Director of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Interculturalism (EDII). VIEW MORE
Margot Slattery
Global Group Head of Social Sustainability, ISS World Services
Margot Slattery is the Global Group Head of Social Sustainability at ISS World Services, headquartered in Denmark. She leads the company's efforts to become a global leader in social sustainability, implementing and aligning social initiatives that fall under the ESG agenda and beyond, applying social impact to employees and a wider society. She also promotes diversity and inclusion across cultures, ethnicities, abilities, gender, sexual orientation/LGBTQ+, and generations. Margot is dedicated to promoting social and climate justice, both within ISS and through her roles on various boards and NGOs. She is proud to represent ISS World Services in 'The Valuable 500' movement, advocating for disability inclusion on board agendas. VIEW MORE
Barry Walsh
Founder, Focusondiversity.ie
Barry is the Founder of Focusondiversity.ie, a Diversity and Inclusion advocate, freelancer, a Neurodiversity Awareness Champion and One Young World Ambassador 2019&2023 VIEW MORE
Megan Wilkinson
Diversity & Inclusion Manager, BAM UK & Ireland
Megan Wilkinson, Diversity & Inclusion Manager at BAM UK & Ireland, is honoured to serve on the judging panel. With a deep-rooted passion for equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), Megan is eager to evaluate submissions and celebrate the outstanding D&I initiatives in Irish organisations. VIEW MORE
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