Summit Theme: Leading for Good in Sport and Business
Leaders, elite athletes, and academics came together at the Trinity Business Summit last week to explore how sport can inspire business to be a force for good. The stories, insights, and personal journeys shared were thought-provoking.
Former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, reflected on her Camogie days in a divided Belfast—on sport as a force for identity and unity—and on the ongoing challenge of unifying the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie associations.
International rugby legends and investors Jamie Heaslip and Benjamin Kayser, founder of Teampact.ventures VC, explained how team values, trust, and long-term thinking drive their investment philosophy and business growth.
Ryan Baird and Joe McCarthy shared powerful accounts of leadership on the pitch and in the dressing room. Despite Grand Slam and Triple Crown victories, recent Leinster setbacks have only deepened their hunger to lift this year’s Heineken Cup.
Annalise Murphy shared how plastic pollution in Rio cost her a podium finish and opened her eyes to the urgent need for sustainability in sport.
Peter Sherrard, CEO of the Olympic Federation of Ireland, and Colin O'Brien of Croke Park discussed actionable steps toward making sport more sustainable—for the planet and future generations.
Diane Marie-Hardy (Heptathlon & Rugby 7s, JP Morgan), Emma K Merriweather (Trinity Meteors), and Kevin McLaughlin (Kitman Labs & former Leinster player) spoke candidly about the hardships of sport—and how resilience, adaptability, and mindset have helped them grow in life and career.
The event also celebrated the incredible achievements of Ireland’s Special Olympics team, represented by Lorraine Whelan and Donal Brennan who recently returned from the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games with a fantastic medal haul.
Provost Linda Doyle and Dean Laurent Muzellec opened the event with a visionary and inspiring address that set the tone for the day. The panels were expertly facilitated by Trinity Business School faculty: Dr. Eimear Nolan, Professor Andrew Burke, Dr. Sinéad Monaghan, Professor David Collings, and Dr Wladislaw Rivkin, whose academic leadership shaped every discussion.
The event raised over €12,000, which will be donated to the Trinity Access Program: Pathway to Business, an initiative to support financial, academic, and career support for Trinity Access business undergraduates and inspire future business leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.
Further information on the Trinity Business Summit 2025 is available on the Trinity Business School website.
