Chamber Council

Gemma Costello has over 20 years Banking experience and has embraced many successful roles throughout her career in Bank of Ireland. 

Gemma is currently Bank Manager of the Bank of Ireland Salthill Cluster which includes the branches of Salthill and Clifden, managing a dynamic team of colleagues and a large customer base. Gemma works closely with many small businesses throughout this geography and possesses an in-depth understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that exist for businesses in Galway. Gemma holds a key role on the Bank of Ireland Leadership team across Galway and collectively this team strives to serve customers and communities in an exemplar way. 

Gemma is a graduate of NUI Galway and UCD through her continuous education with The Institute of Bankers in Ireland. 

Gemma is married with 2 children and enjoys all sports but particularly GAA & Rugby and loves the outdoors. 

Eveanna has over 20 years’ experience within the hospitality and tourism industry, She is currently operating as the Group Commercial  Manager for Connacht Hospitality Group, managing the sales and marketing for 13 of the groups brands.

Eveanna is the chair of the local NTE stakeholders group and the recently appointed co Chair of the Galway DEDP.  She was awarded “Sales and Marketing Manager of the year” by the Irish Hospitality institute in 2019.

A Galway native, Eveanna has been a member of Galway Chamber since relocating back to Galway from Dublin in 2014. Eveanna is passionate about promoting Galway as a region to both the domestic and international traveller.

Sinead is the Head of Enterprise within Údarás na Gaeltachta and has over 30 years’ experience in Economic Development in the Gaeltacht areas. She managed an internet community project, worked as a European Liaison Officer in Brussels and as a development executive in the Connacht Regional office of ÚnaG prior to moving to the Enterprise and Employment Division to work with HPSUs.

As Head of Enterprise she works with promoters/investors to develop and grow companies in the Gaeltacht areas. Sinead is a qualified CIMA accountant, and she holds an MBA honours degree from NUI Galway. She has Diploma (Level 8) through the International Chartered Director programme, passed with distinction, and currently in the process to becoming a Chartered Director with the Institute of Directors Ireland.

She has completed a 5-year term on the Governing body of National University of Ireland Galway, where she was Chairwoman of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee; Chairwoman of two+ Appeals Boards; Cathaoirleach ar fhochoiste Straitéis Gaeilge: Vice-chairwoman of the Finance Committee; Member of the Audit and the Standing & Strategic Planning Committees. Sinead was reappointed on the Governing body in May 2021. She is currently Chair and Board member of Westbic. 

Trevor is Director of Operations & HR with TG4, having previously worked as their Communications Manager. Before that he served as a Senator for 7 years.

While studying for a B.Comm in the University of Galway, he set up Irish language theatre company, Na Fánaithe and then worked as Artistic Director of An Taibhdhearc, before training as a TV Producer/Director.

Central to the setting up of the drama series ‘Ros na Rún’, he has also worked on other TV productions for TG4 and RTÉ.

Trevor transitioned into community development, managing a social inclusion, education and economic development company, Cumas teo., before his election to parliament.

He is a voluntary director on the boards of Youthwork Ireland Galway and Comhar Naíonraí na Gaeltachta.

He holds an MBS in Leadership, Organisational Development, Strategy & Innovation from the Irish Management Institute/UCC.

Paul is an Advisory Director at Grant Thornton having joined the firm in 2016. A native of Salthill, Paul is a Chartered Accountant with over 15 years’ experience in private practice. Paul is a graduate of the University of Galway having completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree (BComm) and a Masters of Accounting (MAcc). Prior to joining Grant Thornton, Paul began his career as an auditor with another large accounting firm. 

Paul is married with two kids and resides in Knocknacarra. He has a keen interest in all things sport and fitness and enjoys spending time in the beautiful surroundings of Lough Corrib and Connemara. 

Gavin is a Galway native and is a partner in Browne Jacobson’s Irish corporate team. Gavin advises established businesses, early stage and high growth companies across a variety of sectors and industries, including technology, med-tech, healthcare, retail, hospitality, construction and manufacturing.

Outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and playing golf very poorly. Gavin is also the current chairperson of Galway Theatre Festival.

Rachael is Business Development Director with Stewart Construction, a fourth generation construction company established in Salthill, Galway in 1902. She has been a key player in the growth and development of the family business for the past 25 years, focusing on collaboration and innovation to translate client’s bespoke needs into quality buildings and appealing spaces that promote business evolution. 

A graduate of NUIG (BA & MBA), Rachael has been involved with many networks on a local and national level, both industry based and community based. She was a founding member of Construction Professionals Skillnet and is currently involved in the CIF Regional and Infrastructural Forum. 

Rachael is committed to supporting the arts and community based projects and groups that bring practical benefit locally. She is actively involved with Architecture at the Edge (AATE), and also supports a number of varying local groups, charities and initiatives. 

In her spare time Rachael loves family, food, good coffee, the arts and the sea.

Gerry is a graduate of NUI Galway and a Chartered Civil Engineer. Gerry joined the Shannon Group in early 2014 as Operations and Development Director for Commercial Property and was appointed as Managing Director of Shannon Commercial Properties( previously known as Shannon Development) in 2019 .

Gerry now holds the role of Shannon Airport Group Property Director and is responsible for delivery of all Commercial Property investments for the group. Prior to this, Gerry worked across a range of sectors including Local Authority ,Civil Engineering infrastructure projects and large mixed use residential and commercial developments including healthcare and hotel projects in Ireland, Africa, Asia and the USA. 

Seamus is a VP of Engineering at Genesys. A graduate of the University of Limerick with a BEng in Computer Engineering, Seamus has over 20 years’ experience in telecoms and software engineering. 

At Genesys, Seamus leads the research and development of core routing applications on Genesys’ market-leading cloud-based customer experience platform. 

Declan Slemon has been with Aerogen, a Galway based indigenous Medtech in the Respiratory space, since 2011. He is currently responsible for Business and Sales Operations, Drug-Device partnering, OEM partnering with respiratory equipment manufacturers, Homecare device programmes and Sustainability/ESG. 
Among Declan’s recent achievements at Aerogen are implementation of Direct to hospital distribution in France, establishing the Aerogen Shannon manufacturing operation and business transformation through the implementation of ERP systems throughout Aerogen’s manufacturing & commercial operations. 
He previously had responsibility for Research and Product Development at Aerogen. Declan is a keen practitioner of lean and agile methods in business, technical project management and product development. 
Prior to joining Aerogen, Declan has twenty years of medical device industry experience in the disciplines of Research and Development, Marketing, Manufacturing Operations and Quality Assurance at Boston Scientific, Stryker, Corin Medical and Pfizer Howmedica. 
Declan holds Master of Engineering and Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degrees from the University of Limerick. He has journal publications and patents related to medical device design and manufacture. Declan is a member of the Irish MedTech Association’s R&D working group. 
He is a Presidential Fellow of the Institute of Engineers of Ireland. 

Philip is the Head of Commercial & Marketing at Connacht Rugby and has over 20 years experience in the Marketing industry, within brand, sport ,and event marketing; where he has created and implemented successful marketing strategies and campaigns for many high-profile global brands.

He has led the marketing on brands such as Pepsi, Robinsons, and Ballygowan, as well as run agency teams in the UK and US, advising brands and working with properties including The Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, Super Bow,l and The UEFA Champions League for clients including, British Airways, BMW, Coca-Cola, Mastercard and Visa. 

As the Manager of AIB’s flagship business in Galway City, I have the privilege of working closely with the local business community and supporting their growth and success. With a strong track record in retail banking and a deep commitment to fostering economic development, I am passionate about the future of Galway’s business landscape.

I am honoured to continue AIB’s longstanding association with the Galway Chamber. My role at AIB has given me a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing businesses in Galway City and County.

As a member of the Galway Chamber Council, I will leverage my experience to further strengthen the Chamber’s efforts in representing and advocating for the interests of our diverse business community.

Gemma is a Salthill native and graduate of University of Galway (B.Corp Law & French) and UCD (LLM Commercial Law). She is partner and head of Byrne Wallace Shields Galway office, which serves the Firm’s clients in the West of Ireland.

Gemma has 20 years experience in Real Estate, Finance and Corporate Law working with landlords and tenants, finance partners and developers as well as businesses across a wide variety of sectors having worked in a boutique commercial law Firm in Galway for many years prior to joining Byrne Wallace Shields. Gemma enjoys reading, walking and open water swimming and also is a keen supporter of Galway’s thriving theatre, arts and music scene.

Dorothy McDonagh is the founder of Sidekick Media, a data-driven, people-focused digital agency headquartered in Galway. With a career spanning over 15 years, Dorothy is a passionate Digital Marketing Specialist who excels at crafting innovative strategies to help businesses thrive, grow online sales and attract qualified leads.

Dorothy is an active committee member with Network Ireland – Galway and an elected member of the Galway Chamber Council. Holding a Master’s Degree in Marketing from the University of Galway, she and her expert team have helped many well-known businesses and brands across Ireland succeed in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

Her contributions to the field have been recognised with accolades such as ‘Outstanding Achievement in Marketing Award 2024’ and ‘One to Watch in 2025’. Looking for a strategic partner to give you total clarity and a better return on your marketing investment? Get in touch on dorothy@sidekickmedia.ie

Conor Moran is a corporate lawyer with the law firm RDJ.  He has over ten years’ experience advising a broad range of clients on corporate transactions including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings and private equity investments. Prior to joining RDJ, Conor  worked in the corporate teams of a top tier Irish law firm and a top tier international law firm in Dublin. Conor is a graduate of the University of Galway and University College Dublin.

Conor is passionate about the opportunities for start-up/scaling business in the Galway region.

Professor Alma McCarthy is Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law and Professor of Public Sector Management at University of Galway. Her research interests include public sector leadership, management development, and remote working. Her work appears in leading international peer-reviewed journals such as Public Management Review, Public Administration Review, Human Resource Management Journal, and International Journal of Human Resource Management. She is regularly invited to speak at conferences, has written commissioned reports, and co-authored books and several chapters in edited books.

Her research has influenced national civil service talent development policy and the Government’s national remote working strategy. She was recently conferred a Fellow of the IAM for her service to the academy.  She is an accredited member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and certified to administer a broad range of cognitive ability, personality and occupational interest psychometric assessments.

Caitriona Morgan is a highly experienced manager with over 20 years of distinguished service in local government. She has played a key role in shaping and advancing Economic and Community Development, demonstrating expertise in strategic planning and implementation in these areas. With strong leadership abilities, Caitriona has successfully guided and motivated multidisciplinary teams across all levels of the organisation.

Her extensive experience includes building and managing strategic partnerships across public, private, and community sectors at local, regional, and EU levels. She also played a crucial role in a major local government reform initiative, overseeing the dissolution of Ballinasloe Town Council and serving as Chief Officer for the Galway City Local Community Development Committee for five years.

Caitriona holds a BBS in Business Studies and a Postgraduate Diploma in Quality and is a graduate of both universities in Galway city.