All Contributors

Alan is the Marketing Campaigns Manager for Laya Healthcare and Laya Life. His career spans over a decade of Marketing Communications experience in the banking, insurance and construction sectors. Although his primary focus is on all types of advertising he enjoys work on other elements of marketing including research, sponsorship activation and event management.

Annmarie is an award-winning fashion writer, stylist and founder of The Happy Closet - a lifestyle decluttering service which balances well-being with being well-dressed. Her editorial and styling work has appeared in publications such as the Irish Examiner, Sunday Times Style magazine, The Irish Times, Irish Tatler, Image and The Gloss. On air she is a regular contributor to The Dave Fanning Show, The Ryan Tubridy Show; TV3′s Xposé, Ireland AM and RTÉ’s Today show.

Aodan Enright is a coach, facilitator and founder of Smarter Egg, a growing business that helps professionals express themselves fully in their work, while developing their working wisdom. He works with organisations and individuals (business owners, freelancers and professionals) in a coaching capacity and regularly gives talks to events and corporate audiences. Aodan is also well known for his interviews with high-performing people, some of which are available to view at smarteregg.com

Professor Vaughan is currently a Consultant Cardiologist at the Mercy University/Cork University Hospital in Cork. He earned his medical degree from University College Cork in 1989 and did his early medical training in Cork. He then began training in Cardiology in Cork and pursued an MD degree in University College Cork before moving for further training to Cornell Medical Centre in New York in 1996. There he pursued fellowship training in Cardiology and participated in research on the molecular genetic basis of cardiovascular disease. He joined the faculty at Cornell Medical Centre in 2001 and returned to Cork in 2004. Prof Vaughan has published widely on many aspects of cardiovascular disease including studies on the molecular genetic basis of inherited heart disease and dyslipidaemia.

Carla Bredin is a Nutritionist and owner of Wild Healthy Nutrition in South Dublin. She is undertaking her MSc in Nutritional Medicine at the University of Surrey, specialising in Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Nutritional Medicine investigates the role of diet and lifestyle in the development of acute and chronic disease, and follows the best-practice for treating or reversing the disease through nutritional intervention. As a nutritionist, Carla utilises this evidence-based scientific research to successfully work with her clients in areas such as; high cholesterol, hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, overweight, obesity and IBS. She is also an endurance runner and indoor cycling instructor, and works with clients on nutrition for exercise. She consults for Laya Health and Wellness, offering corporate seminars on healthy eating and optimum nutrition. Log on to www.wildhealthy.com for further information.

Dr. Malie Coyne is an experienced Clinical Child Psychologist and Lecturer with the NUI Galway. Clinical Psychology Doctoral programme. She is very passionate about promoting wellbeing and increasing awareness of mental health issues, which she achieves through her contributions for national newspapers; radio & TV appearances; public speaking events; and advocacy work with the A Lust for Life “movement for wellbeing”. She recently hosted her radio show “Mental Health Laid Bare” on Dublin City FM, which provided a platform for health professionals and personal experience guests to share their stories of mental health and tools for wellbeing. She was expert contributor for Caroline Foran’s bestseller “Owning it: Your Bullsh*t-Free Guide to Living with Anxiety”. Malie believes that the solid foundations for emotional and mental wellbeing begin in childhood and that staying well involves looking after your mind on a daily basis. Malie is a mum to two daughters so she understands the many pressures of peoples’ daily lives, in trying to juggle the responsibilities of family life and the workplace: “My daughters teach me things and keep me grounded and grateful”. You can see more of her work on www.drmaliecoyne.ie.

Grainne Ryan is a Midwife, Public Health Nurse and a Parenting Coach who graduated from UCC with an MSc in Health Services Management. Grainne presented ‘Baby on Board’ RTE 1, a lifestyle programme which focused on the everyday problems in family life and offered solutions to difficult situations in their own homes. She was the Parenting Coach on RTE’s Afternoon show and RTE’s Today and is a regular columnist with Irish Independent and Sunday World. Grainne delivers parenting programmes for 0-1 and 1-5 years. Grainne’s areas of interest are Post Natal Depression, Ante Natal Care, Post Natal Care, Child development and all aspects of Parenting.

Jessica Bressan is a graduate from IADT, Dun Laoghaire where she spent four years studying Business and Arts Management. She has been passionate about working in the festival and events industry since a young age and working with Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular has been a major building block for her future in the industry. Her plans now are to travel through China and South East Asia and finally plant her feet in Australia, where she can get stuck into the fun and sun of the festivals down under!

Jess Hatchett qualified as a yoga teacher in 2004 with Contemporary Yoga Cork. Following this her training at the Active Birth Centre in London led to a 10 year focus on teaching Yoga for Pregnancy, Birth and early parenting. During this time Jess began working with clients on a one to one basis and after more training at the biomedical centre in London, she now also works as a yoga therapist. Receiving clinical psychotherapy supervision and a number of trainings in the mind/body connection, has led to Jess’s unique and holistic approach to teaching yoga for the whole person, body, mind and spirit.

Joe Sherlock is National Corporate Sales Manager with Laya Healthcare. He has over 14 years consultative sales and management experience and works with some of our largest strategic accounts. An undeniable passion for health and wellness is not only exhibited through the medium of our ‘Thrive’ health and wellness programme, where he helps companies bring their wellness strategy to life, but it is also reflected in his personal interests which include marathon running, mountain climbing and practicing mindfulness. He holds a degree in Business Studies from C.I.T where he guest lectures from time to time. He also has a Graduate Diploma in Computing from the University of Limerick, a Diploma in Private Medical Insurance and various certificates in People Management and Personal Development.

Dr John Gallagher is a Medical doctor specialising in Occupational Medicine. He graduated in 1985 at University College Cork (UCC), attained his Membership of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine in 1992 and Fellowship in 1997. He completed a Masters degree at the Institute of Occupational Health, University of Birmingham in 1991 and was the winner of the inaugural John Darwall Prize. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland since 2005. He is the Occupational Physician and Head of the Occupational Health Department for HSE South, based at Cork University Hospital. He is a Clinical Senior Lecturer in Occupational Medicine at UCC and the academic director of the Diploma in Safety, Health & Welfare at Work at UCC. He is also an examiner, trainer and past Dean of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. John is Managing Director of Cognate Health Ltd.

Julie Cobbe is the owner of Stylefish,a fashion,training and events company she set up in 2009. Before fashion, Julie worked in the corporate world and she holds a Commerce Degree majoring in Law & Marketing. Julie has taught over 3,500 women with her Stylefish program. She launched her business on the back of a successful appearance on RTE’s Dragons Den and she now sits on the board of the Federation of Image Professionals International in the UK, the governing body for style professionals. Log onto www.stylefish.ie for more information.

Kate McSweeney is the Marketing and Communications Manager for the College of Medicine and Health, University College Cork (UCC). She leads a wide-portfolio of marketing and communications strategies across the Schools of Clinical Therapies, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing & Midwifery and Pharmacy. Her role also includes promoting health research and advocacy, as well as promoting proficiency based training for health practitioners and University wide health-focused initiatives.

Laura de Puis works in our Health and Wellness team at laya healthcare and has worked with laya since 2007. She holds a degree in Business Studies and has been awarded a Professional Diploma in Insurance (CIP) by the Insurance Institute of Ireland. Laura’s role is to manage Health & Wellness client accounts by providing an in–depth consultancy service, to design and deliver bespoke Health & Wellness programmes across all our corporate clients, which has positioned Laya as the market leader in Health & Wellness in Ireland.

Margaret Cleary is the HR Manager at Laya Healthcare with over 20 years’ experience at Laya. She holds a Higher Diploma in Personnel Management from UCC and her expertise includes employee wellness, engagement, coaching, and leadership and HR policies.

Mary Forde is an Occupational Health Manager within laya healthcare with over 15 years working in the area of Occupational and Employee Health. Mary works with clients in devising and recommending tailored and bespoke occupational healthcare solutions. Our Occupational Health services provide independent, impartial and expert advice to support employees in their work and assists employers support health at work for all employees. Mary is a registered Nurse and Midwife practitioner and recently completed her MSc in Occupational Health with NUI Galway. Mary also holds a BA Degree in Healthcare Management with the IPA Institute in Dublin.

Maureen is a Forensic Psychologist who specialised in the assessment of internet sex offenders. Maureen lectures on Forensic Psychology and Criminal Behaviour courses in Universities across Ireland and has delivered lectures on Detective and Sergeant Training Courses in An Garda Síochána and on national and international Military Police Courses with the Irish Defence Forces. She has visited over 600 schools across Ireland speaking with students, staff and parents regarding social media and online safety. Maureen regularly contributes to local and national media and presents at child protection and mental health conferences across Ireland. For more information see www.mgmstraining.ie.

Orla Dolan is a graduate of University College Cork and University of Limerick’s Kemmy Business School. She started her career as a scientist and then went on to work in Human Resources specifically in Workforce Development and HR systems in the Social and Health Sectors in the United States. While in Delta-T Group, a Mental Health, Behavioural Health, Social Service and Non Profit staffing agency, she developed and enforced standards for the front-end processes of the business in all States. She is HR accredited in both the US (SPHR) and Ireland (CIPD). On her return to Ireland in 2005 she was appointed Director of External Affairs for Cork Cancer Research Centre (CCRC). In 2011 she launched the charity Breakthrough Cancer Research which fundraises for CCRC of which she is now Head of Fundraising. She is a board member of the National Cancer Registry of Ireland.

Orla O'Callaghan

Orla O’ Callaghan is the Occupational Health Advisor on the laya healthcare health and wellness team. She qualified as a Registered General Nurse from the National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) in 2009 and worked in London for three years. She graduated with MSc in Occupational Health from NUIG in 2012 and completed a traineeship with the European Agency for Safety and Health at work following this. She has a keen interest in workplace health promotion and in particular mental health awareness. She is currently studying counselling and psychotherapy in CIT. Although she lives in Cork her heart belongs to Co. Clare!

Paula McGovern is the PR Brand Manager. She is a creative and analytical communications professional with 15 years' experience in organisational strategy development, communications, publishing, journalism and research.

BSc., Dip Dietetics., MSc in Health Sciences., Dip Allergy, M.I.N.D.I.

I am a current member and a past president of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), the professional body for dietitians in Ireland.

In 2004 I set up my own consultancy and provide an extensive range of services in clinical nutrition, corporate wellness, marketing communications and new product development. I have a comprehensive portfolio of clients from the food and pharmaceutical industry, educational establishments, catering & retail sector, the corporate world, food industry & with groups of health professionals.

Selda is the Sponsorship Brand Manager for Laya Healthcare. With a wealth of knowledge in the Sports and events industry, Selda’s career has spanned across, marketing, sponsorship, events, PR and internal communications over the past 12 years. With her experience both at home and abroad she has worked for leading brands and their partners such as Virgin Mobile Australia, The Cancer Council NSW, Leinster Rugby, Bank of Ireland, Guinness, Life Style Sports and many more. Leaning on her creative flair, Selda has a keen interest in photography and design. She’s also an advocate of CSR and a keen jellybean on the importance of brand culture and engagement.

Sinead Hamill is the author of two published novels, Scumbags & Handbags and more recently Smiling Vendetta. You can follow her on Facebook/Sineadhamillauthor or read some of her ditties on www.sineadhamill.com.

Stephanie Lynch Stephanie is the founder of OnTheQT.ie. A travel blogger, worldwide content creator and globe trotter. Her background is within the TV industry but she decided to push outside her comfort zone and create a career that she is passionate about. OnTheQT allows her to combine a love of content creation and travelling. Stephanie launched OnTheQT in 2013 to showcase the local gems from locations around the world. OnTheQT’s most recent achievements include winning Ireland's Best Vlog 2016 at the Blog Ireland Awards and winning not one but two awards in the Digital Marketing Awards 2016.