SIMI

Women@SIMI 2026

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), in partnership with Bank of Ireland, looks forward to hosting the 11th Women@SIMI event!.

Women@SIMI continues to offer a valued platform for professionals across our industry to connect, share insights, and build lasting relationships. The event is also a celebration of the extensive contributions made by women across the Motor Industry in Ireland.

This event aims to provide a platform for professionals within our industry to come together to network, exchange experiences, and create business contacts. SIMI remains committed to promoting inclusion and empowerment within the Motor Industry.

The 2026 programme features inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, valuable networking opportunities, and recognition of the exceptional talent and leadership driving our industry forward.

Whether you're looking to expand your professional network, gain fresh insights, or celebrate the successes of colleagues and peers, Women@SIMI 2026 promises to be an inspiring and memorable event.

With thanks to our event sponsor, Bank of Ireland, for their valued support.

We look forward to welcoming you to Women@SIMI 2026.

Our Guest Speakers

Breda McCague is an energetic, driven, impressive Transformation Specialist whose passion is motivating and Engaging people. She delivers authentic keynote presentations on Motivation, Leadership, Empowerment, Emotional Intelligence, Branding and Networking, as well as talks on Culture Change, Diversity and Inclusion.

Breda is a TED.com speaker published on the Global TED platform in 2022 and co-founded and leads the Lean-In-Ireland, an international organisation, founded by Sheryl Sandberg COO of Facebook. She has successfully created a number of peer mentoring networks across large corporates, industries and communities.

Joanne Somers is Managing Director of Johnson Service Group Irish Division and former CEO of Celtic Linen, where she successfully led the business through the challenges of the pandemic before overseeing its acquisition by Johnson Service Group in 2023. With nearly 30 years' experience in the linen rental industry and a career spanning finance operations, customer service and strategic leadership, Joanne is recognised for her people-first approach to driving growth and managing change.

Áine is an entrepreneur, business leader, and former founder of Altify, the Irish technology company she helped grow into a global business before its successful acquisition. With an impressive career spanning technology, business development, and executive leadership, she is passionate about helping leaders and organisations unlock their full potential.

Event Details

Registration / Networking: 12.00 noon
Followed by Guest Speakers & Lunch: 1.00pm
Finishes approximately: 4.30pm


Bookings email: Jane O’Sullivan: josullivan@simi.ie
Cost: €150 per person including VAT (€121.95 + €28.05 VAT 23%)
For further information, Tel: 01 6761690

Previous Women@SIMI Events

Previous Guest Speakers

Our Previous guest speakers have come from a variety of backgrounds to share their own personal stories and insights as to how they became leaders within their chosen profession.

2025 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Dr. Maureen Gaffney, Psychologist, Speaker & Bestselling, Panel Discussion with Susan Russell, CEO of Retail Bank of Ireland, Helen Westby, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland and Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor & Columnist
2024 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Sharon O’Buachalla, Managing Director of Ayvens and Aoife O’Grady, Head of Zero Emission Vehicles Ireland (ZEVI)
2023 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Louise Grubb CEO TriviumVet, Norah Casey Broadcaster, entrepreneur and human rights campaigner
2022 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Sharon Keegan, founder of Peachylean Athleisure wear, Lucy Gaffney, founding director of the Digicel Group
2019 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Breege O’ Donoghue Executive Director, Penneys, Alison Comyn , Award Winning Journalist
2018 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Francesca McDonagh, Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland, Geraldine Herbert, Editor & Motoring Journalist, Gerry Hussey, Performance Psychology Consultant
2017 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Anna May McHugh, Managing Director National Ploughing Association (NPA), Paula Fitzsimons, Managing Director of Fitzsimons Consulting, Michelle Spillane, Director of Global Marketing, RTÉ.
2016 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Moyagh Murdock CEO of the Road Safety Authority, Penny Ferguson, Founder of the Living Leader and Regina Doherty, Government Chief Whip, and Minister of State in the Department of An Taoiseach.
2015 Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Louise Phelan, Business Speaker, PayPal VP Global Operations EMEA, Mary O’Rourke, Former Government Minister and writer, Gráinne Cronin Former Aer Lingus Pilot.
2014 Inaugural Women@SIMI Guest Speakers; Katie Taylor, Olympic Gold Medalist, Nicola Byrne, CEO and Founder of Cloud 90, 11890 and Stenics Media, Lynne Cantwell, Ireland's most capped women's rugby player, Aifric Campbell, Novelist and former MD of the trading floor at Morgan Stanley, Rosemary Smith, the legendary rally ace and SIMI Irish Motor Industry Award Winner.

Event Information

Contact: Jane O'Sullivan

Gallery

Women@SIMI2025: (L-R) Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Editor & Columnist, Mary Kennedy MC of the event, Dr. Maureen Gaffney, Psychologist, Speaker & Bestselling Author, Susan Russell, CEO of Retail Bank of Ireland and Helen Westby, Managing Director, BMW Group Ireland.

Dr. Maureen Gaffney

(L-R) Audrey, Bernie, Roisin, Georgina, Dearbhla, Chloe - EP Mooney

Guest Panel

(L-R) Jill Corbally - Service Stop, Celine May - First Stop, Sue O’Neill ITIA, Jackie Wherity - Bridgestone, Sue O’Reilly - Ashbourne Tyre Centre

Women@SIMI 2024

Michelle Smith, Nicole Smith, Madeline McGovern, Ayvens

Amanda Tavares, Rachel Fogarty, Megan Barry, Niamh Chinchen, Aisling McCabe, Amy O’Brien, Tara Byrne, Aoife Darby, Niamh Donovan, Tegan O’Reilly, Enterprise

Nicola Dandy, Valerie Leonard, Grainne Donnelly, Michele O Brien, LKQ UK And Ireland

Caroline Whelan, Paula Murray, Dearbhla Havelin, Bernie Clare, Roisin Welsh, Mooney’s Hyundai and Koping Motors

Martina Clinton, Zoe Bradley, Roisin Walsh, Alex Lunch, Sara Woulfe, Toyota Ireland

Caroline Heathcote, Carol Ivers, Debbie Gleeson, Lynn Mchugh, Kim Kilduff, Michaela Cullen, Natasha Byrne, Volkswagen Group Ireland

Women@SIMI 2023

Women@SIMI 2019

Rita Keane from Kia Liffey Valley, Cathy Comerford from Carzone, Xiao Ting from Kia Motors Ireland

Pamela Dempsey, Nicola Feehan, Dolores Tobin from Hugh Boggan Motors Wexford

Louise McDonnell, Sharon Hendron, Orla McGuinness of M50 Truck & Van Centre

Mary Kennedy, Master of Cermonies

Leanne Geraghty CDK Global and Elaine O'Rourke TPI

Volkswagen Group Ireland

Guest Speaker Alison Comyn Award Winning Journalist, Broadcaster and Communications Consultant

Mary Kennedy interviews Guest Speaker Breege O'Donoghue

2018 Women@SIMI

2018 Guest Speakers (L-R): Francesca McDonagh, Chief Executive, Bank of Ireland, Geraldine Herbert, Motoring Journalist and Editor, Gerry Hussey, Performance Psychology Consultant & Motivational speaker, Anne Cassin Master of Ceremonies

Pictured L to R: Antonia Hendron M50 Truck & Van Centre and Lauren O’Flaherty, MSL

Pictured L to R: Roseita Burke - Mitsubishi and Kelly Berkely, MMC Commercials

Pictured L to R: Aoibhin Kiely, Emma Regan and Debora Machado, Kevin Egan Cars, Sligo

Pictured L to R: Rosemary Smith and Geraldine Herbert Motoring Journalist and Guest Speaker

Pictured L to R: Sinead McCann and Shauna Mulholland, Cars Ireland.ie.

2017 Women@SIMI

Guest Speakers (l-r): Mary Kennedy MC, Anna May McHugh, Managing Director National Ploughing Association, Gavin Hydes President of SIMI, Michelle Spillane, Director of Global Marketing, RTÉ, Paula Fitzsimons, Managing Director of Fitzsimons Consulting.