Trinity’s Business Student of the Year 2019
Posted on: 10 April 2019
Final year Business and French student, Marie-Louise O’Callaghan, is this year’s winner of the Trinity Business Student of the Year Award.
The announcement was made on the 25th anniversary of the award programme, one of the most sustained and successful of all student awards in Ireland supported by Bank of Ireland and the Trinity Business Alumni. A special event hosted in the historic House of Lords marked the occasion.
The Award recognises and celebrates undergraduate final year students who have achieved excellence in a number of categories, including academic, athletic, entrepreneurial, and social engagement.
The winner of this year’s Award, Marie-Louise O’Callaghan, has played a pivotal role in promoting female leadership within Trinity College Dublin.
As the first female president of the Trinity Student Managed Fund, a student-run organisation with over 1000 members that operates a real-life financial portfolio under the guidance of industry experts, she has more than doubled female participation.
She is also the founder of the Women in Leadership conference that brings together industry experts in support of a gender balanced workplace. The conference has grown into a mentoring programme designed to inspire and support the next generation of business leaders. Continuing her leadership excellence, Mary Louise was also captain of the Trinity Ladies Tennis team.
The Bank of Ireland Gold Medal was presented to the winner by Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast.
Commenting on the award, Provost, Dr Prendergast said:“I would like to pay tribute to the important role that this Award has played over 25 years in creating today’s successful Trinity Business School and the culture of entrepreneurship and social engagement which we enjoy on campus. Two and a half decades ago Trinity alumni came together with academic staff and corporate sponsors to find a way to incentivise students to develop their skills and broaden their scope. As we embark on an exciting new phase of innovative business education with the opening of our new building for the Trinity Business School next month, we celebrate those awardees who are at heart of it.”
Commenting on her win, awardee Marie-Louise O’Callaghan said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be the recipient of this prestigious award and join the 24 former recipients, who I have long admired and respected. Thank you to the Trinity Business School, Bank of Ireland and the Trinity Business Alumni for making this event possible.”
“It warms my heart to think that I have been able to make some sort of contribution to this fantastic university. I never thought four years ago that I would be in the position I am today. I’ve had the best four years of my life to date and I very much look forward to staying connected to the university through the alumni network and the Business School in the years ahead.”
Six exceptional undergraduate finalists were also honoured on the evening: Fiona Stinson, Kate Whyte, David Wacks, Aisling Dooley, and Paul Allan. Between them they have engaged in a remarkable range of activities outside of their core studies.
Speaking at the awards, Provincial Director Bank of Ireland Dublin, Joann Hosey commented: “Bank of Ireland is proud to support the Trinity Business Student of the Year Awards, showcasing the outstanding achievements of this year’s graduating students. This year’s winner will join a prestigious list of young innovators really making their mark on Irish society and shaking up the business world. We wish them the best of luck with their achievements going forward.”