ISME - Key Persons


Adam Weatherley

Job Titles:
  • Learning & Development Manager
Adam is an experienced Business / HR Executive having worked internationally in the Business Consulting Services, Executive Search and Technology sectors. His previous roles include Financial Services Team Manager with Gartner, Director of an International Executive Search firm and Senior Project Executive with Skillnet Ireland. He enjoys creating strong relationships with business leaders, and the challenges of providing effective solutions to their organisations.

Damien Heffernan

Job Titles:
  • Marketing & Partnerships Manager
Damien has many years of experience across a broad range of sectors including retails, logistics and distribution. He comes from a family business background, has a Degree in Business & Marketing and ran his own businesses in the past. Most recently he worked in a leading Irish Fintech providing funding to businesses before moving to ISME. Damien is a passionate

Gopika Murali

Job Titles:
  • Digital Marketing Executive

Jane Heffernan

Job Titles:
  • Administration & Accounts Manager
Jane is an experienced Administration & Accounts Manager with a strong background in office and sales management for SMEs. Prior to joining ISME, Jane worked with the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman and over a long career, has held various roles at all levels in a variety of sectors.

Maeve Whooley - CMO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Marketing Officer

Michelle Ellis

Job Titles:
  • HR Advisor

Neil McDonnell - CEO

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • Chief Executive
  • for Media Queries Please Contact
Neil joined ISME as Chief Executive in 2016. He previously served as an infantry officer in the Irish Defence Forces, as a staff officer in Defence Forces HQ, and in operational roles in Lebanon and Cyprus. Neil managed petroleum distribution operations for 12 years in Ireland for ExxonMobil, Topaz and smaller domestic customers. He joined FTA Ireland as country general manager in 2013, and was instrumental in the forcing the (then) Department of Jobs and Enterprise, against trade union opposition, to introduce S.I. 342 of 2015. This enforced the application of EU rules on working time for mobile workers. He also managed the co-funding of the DPP-v-Perennial Freight appeal to the Court of Appeal in 2015. This overturned the State's interpretation of the Finance (Excise Duties) (Vehicles) Act 1952, resulting in a reduction in road tax for articulated vehicles from an average of 3,500 per annum to 500. Since joining ISME, Neil has been especially active on the issues of insurance costs for small business, the introduction of a perjury act to tackle white collar crime, and the need for a comprehensive reform of Irish indigenous industrial policy.

Ronan Rigney

Job Titles:
  • Membership Account Manager

Ruth Connolly

Job Titles:
  • Learning and Development Executive
  • Project Management Office Administrator
Ruth is an experienced project management office administrator with over 20 years' experience in Banking and Financial Services sector. Prior to joining ISME she was a member of the award-winning Clear Customs programme team that was part of the "Getting Ireland Brexit Ready campaign" run in partnership with Skillnet Ireland. Ruth has held various roles at all levels and enjoys creating solid relationships with trainers, trainees, and business owners, and providing them with the best level of service to accommodate their business requirements .

Sinead Byrne

Job Titles:
  • HR Advisor
Sinead is a HR Professional with over fifteen years of experience to date. Her previous roles include Senior HR Specialist with Europcar, HR Manager with Tesco Ireland and HR Consultant with Graphite Ireland. She holds a Business degree along with post grad qualification in Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

Thomas Corcoran

Job Titles:
  • Sales Manager