You may not have noticed but  Monday 8th March was International Women Day. This day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

I admit that I may not have been aware of this upcoming day if I had not signed up to attend the March DCEB Network for Women event. The night was a much larger event than expected with 250 in attendance. Speakers for the evening were Mary Anne O’Brien, founder and MD of Lily O’Brien’s and Lucy Gaffney Chairperson of Communicorp Group Ltd. Nicola Byrne, Managing Director of Call 11890 acted as MC on the evening.

The night kicked of with both Mary Anne O'Brien and Lucy Gaffney giving us all 'the story' behind how they got to where they are now. What made their stories interesting were the insights into their personal lives as well as their routes to success.

Both of them had unconventional pathways to their current careers. Mary Anne first realised her passion for chocolate on a trip to Africa for some much needed rest. She happened upon a local who was making chocolates and let Mary Anne try her hand at it. On returning to Ireland the dream developed into her establishing the now internationally successful brand by beginning in her home kitchen. 

Lucy Gaffney worked in various jobs after repeating her Leaving Cert. She chopped and changed, realising many of the jobs her parents would like to see her in were not for her. The turning point was getting a secretarial role with Bell Advertising. From here she worked her way up to Account Director.

Lucy Gaffney is now Chairperson of Communicorp Group Limited an expanding communications group whose portfolio includes national radio stations Newstalk 106-108 and Today FM along with Dublin stations Dublin’s 98 and Spin 103.8. 

Open networking afterwards was a great opportunity to exchange business cards over a glass of wine. All in all, a great event and thanks to the organisers for the effort involved.