AI and innovation: Irish women leading in the USA
Ireland’s strong culture of leadership and innovation has passed down through generations. From patron saints to modern female leaders, creativity, ambition and forward thinking have been integral parts of the impact of the Irish at home and abroad.
To celebrate the achievements of the Irish and Irish American women leading in technology and business, Digital Irish in collaboration with the Irish Embassy in Washington coordinated a discussion amongst some of these industry leaders.
Nicole McNamara of Catalyst Innovation, Niamh Donnelly from Akara Robotics, and Jane McCooey of Morgan Stanley shared their experiences in leadership, creativity, and the future of innovation through an Irish lens.
Meet some of the Irish leaders in the United States
Nicole McNamara: building bridges between technology and humanity
Nicole McNamara is the Founder and CEO of Catalyst Innovation, a boutique strategy and implementation consultancy that helps companies love their technology.
A former executive at Salesforce, McNamara led the Global Innovation team, ‘Ignite’, helping organisations including OpenAI, Marriott, the PGA Tour, and Samsung translate complex technology investments into real outcomes.
McNamara also hosts the podcast, Who Moved My Career?! and serves on several non-profit and community boards focused on women’s leadership, social impact, and youth development.
The role of Irish heritage leadership
“What I find most compelling about [Irish patron saint] St Brigid isn't just her creativity or courage, though those are certainly important, it's that she was a bridge builder. She found ways to connect worlds that weren't supposed to connect.
That's the leadership quality I work hardest to embody. My job has never been to be the smartest person in the room; it's been to understand what each person needs, and then architect the environment where those different strengths can actually find each other. A strategist who can't execute needs a counterpart who can. A high performer who's invisible needs someone to say their name out loud. A team that's siloed needs a shared language before they can collaborate.
St Brigid didn't erase the differences between the worlds she was bridging. She honoured them and found the place where they could coexist and create something stronger. That's what I try to do as a leader.”
Advice for the next generation of young women
“I've worked in non-profit, in entertainment, in enterprise technology, in consulting. Each time I moved, someone probably wondered if I knew what I was doing. But every single one of those experiences made me better at the next thing.
The skills that made me effective at United Way made me exceptional at Salesforce. The discipline of a startup made me a better executive. Your career doesn't have to be a straight line to be a powerful one.”
My advice would be to never limit yourself. I've learned that the richest careers, the most rewarding experiences, come when you open yourself up to the possibilities in front of you, driven by a healthy intellectual curiosity.
Jane McCooey: creating a ‘kaleidoscope of perspectives’
An Armagh native, Jane McCooey is Executive Director and Chief of Staff to the Chief Information Officer of Enterprise Technology & Services at Morgan Stanley, and former COO for Global Technology and Data Legal at the firm.
McCooey is Founder and CEO of Women with Ambition (WWA), a professional network for Irish and Irish-American women, and Global Ambassador for AwakenAngels, the first all-island women-led investment syndicate.
McCooey also serves on several Irish and Irish-American boards and is a Fellow of the Centre for Democracy & Peace Building Leadership Fellowship in Northern Ireland.
How diversity powers innovation
“I truly believe diversity is the ultimate engine of innovation because it prevents the stagnation of safe thinking and enhances the quality of decisions and outcomes. My own journey, from the lecture halls of Dublin and Cambridge to the high-stakes antitrust hub of Brussels, to Big Law and Technology at Morgan Stanley in New York, has been a series of twists and pivots. My experiences have taught me that innovation is not just about a new piece of code or a legal framework; it is about the strength and vision we unveil when we expand our network of shared experiences.
Innovation is born when we create collaborative environments where people feel empowered to support and celebrate each other, including sharing their mistakes to amplify others and enhance results.
Whether through the professional network I established called Women with Ambition, or the Centre for Democracy and Peace Fellowship in Northern Ireland, I have seen that community-driven diversity allows us to overcome barriers and the unknown. In today's ever-changing business and geopolitical landscape, we do not just need a seat at the table; we need a kaleidoscope of perspectives to ensure the future we are building is as dynamic and vibrant as the people it is supposed to serve.
Pivoting, networking, and giving back
“My primary piece of advice [to young people] is to embrace "itchy feet" and to be unafraid of the unconventional path. My career has been a series of pivots from antitrust law into the ever-changing world of technology, across many geographies. Do not feel restricted by your initial degree or job title, and instead look for fields that are dynamic and modern—these are the areas where the rules are still being written.
Secondly, understand that vision requires significant strength to execute. It is one thing to have a great idea, but it takes grit and resilience to navigate the barriers, rejections, and the unknowns to see your idea through to execution.
Thirdly, build your network early and use it as a resource. Whether it is through involvement in networks and organisations like Women with Ambition, or finding a mentor in your current firm, find people who will amplify your voice.
Finally, remember the value of generosity. As you climb, reach back and pull others up, sharing your time, expertise and resources. Nothing has brought me more fulfilment than giving back to the Irish diaspora in New York.
Sharing your network and your mistakes does not just help the next generation, but it builds a stronger, more resilient industry for everyone. Importantly for all women, be unapologetic about your ambition, it is a label you should wear with pride.”
Niamh Donnelly: bridging research and impact
Niamh Donnelly is Co-Founder and CTO of Akara Robotics, a company developing autonomous technologies that improve healthcare outcomes and transform hospital efficiency.
Recognised as one of Europe’s top emerging tech leaders, Donnelly has been awarded the European Rising Innovator Award by the European Commission and is a laureate of the European Innovation Council (EIC).
Under her leadership, Akara’s robots have received international acclaim, including being named among TIME magazine’s Best Inventions of the Year (2025). With deep expertise in machine learning, robotics, and applied AI in healthcare, Donnelly has built and scaled technical teams across Europe and the U.S., bridging the gap between research and real-world clinical impact.
On falling in love with engineering — the whole process
I don’t think I knew it was “engineering” at the time, but when I was 7 or 8, my father and I used to build little projects from scratch. That was the first time I’d gone from an idea, to a plan, to an actual end “product” - and I completely fell in love with the whole process.
My mother was also very creative, and we’d do arts projects together too. I honestly think it’s so important for kids to go through those creativity and problem-solving steps as they grow up, and that every child should get the chance to explore them.”
Importance of young women in engineering and computer science
“I think engineering and computer science really need you. They’re still heavily male-dominated fields, and that’s a problem, when products are being built for everyone, you need input from everyone.
A degree in engineering can feel intimidating, and it is challenging at times, but it also opens up a huge range of opportunities and gives you a foundation you can use in so many directions.
And we absolutely need more female entrepreneurs too. Coding has become much more accessible with AI tooling, so if you want to go down that route, you can absolutely get started without a formal degree.”
