UCD Business Impact

S6 Ep13: Inside healthcare giant CVS

10 June 2026 - BComm alumnus Larry McGrath shares his journey from a career in investment analysis to moving to one of the companies he assessed, where he could see science and innovation in real time and have a positive impact on people’s lives. A fascination with healthcare led Larry to steer investor relations at CVS Health, which includes a portfolio that ranges from stores to health insurance to in-home healthcare delivery. He reveals how turning strategic insights into numbers and strong communication skills can transform an industry facing infinite demand, and outlines the skills today’s business students need to lead the future of healthcare finance. With nearly one-fifth of the US economy in healthcare, Larry discusses if, and how, the industry can keep growing.

S6 Ep12: Building Ireland's First Luxury Group: VYKO Strategy

Ashley McDonnell | CEO of VYKO, Ireland’s First Luxury Group 4 June 2026 - What does it take to scale Irish heritage into a global luxury powerhouse? UCD CEMS Masters in Management alumna Ashley McDonnell built an elite career with LVMH, Dior and Puig before returning home to found VYKO, Ireland’s first luxury group. In this conversation, she breaks down how she is applying international brand strategy to elevate local design, bridge the gap between emotional desirability and commercial viability, and capture the global luxury traveller market. Listen now to discover how Ireland is redefining its position in the premium global marketplace.

S6 Ep11: Energy Shock

Why did the world’s most sophisticated risk managers miss the warning signs of a multi-billion dollar commodity shock? Professor of Finance, Valerio Poti joins us to dissect the abrupt end of market calm following the escalation in the Middle East.

S6 Ep10: Global Turmoil and the Greatest Oil Shock: The Future of Aviation Finance

Is the aviation industry prepared for potentially the greatest oil shock in history? As jet fuel costs soar amid geopolitical conflict, former GECAS CEO Norm Liu joins us to analyze the resilience of aircraft leasing. We explore why regional risk assessment and airline consolidation are now critical survival strategies. Beyond the hangar, Liu discusses the urgent energy demands of AI and why he is interested in the energy transition, in particular nuclear, as an option as the next frontier for infrastructure finance. For students and professionals alike, this is a masterclass in navigating a global economy in flux. Listen now for a definitive look at the future of flight and finance.

S6 Ep9: Mastering Global Leadership: Inside the Top-Ranked CEMS Programme

In this episode, we step into the world of the elite global business programme, the CEMS Master in International Management at UCD Smurfit School. As Ireland’s only member of this prestigious 33-school global alliance, the programme is consistently top-ranked by the Financial Times. Each year, the multilingual cohort of 15+ nationalities takes a deep dive into modules around global leadership, strategy, and management consulting. From intensive international exchanges to a powerful alumni network, the programme transforms high-achieving students into fluent, future-ready leaders. Tune in to see how CEMS opens doors to opportunities that simply don't exist anywhere else.

S6 Ep8: Season 6 Episode 8 – Cracking Cartels: Competition Economics and Market Regulation

S6 Ep7: Cpl CEO Lorna Conn on navigating AI transformation and the skills gap

How can leaders navigate the tension between AI automation and developing core critical human skills? In our latest episode, Lorna Conn, CEO of Cpl, explores the evolution of the global labour market. Managing a workforce of 14,000, Lorna argues that while AI fluency is non-negotiable, the future belongs to those who master "deep human skills"—creativity, compassionate leadership, and critical oversight. Discover why lifelong learning is the ultimate competitive advantage in a tech-enabled world and how forward-thinking companies are upskilling for the AI era.

S6 Ep6: 2025 Year in Review - From tariffs to AI bubbles

Donal O’Donovan, Business Editor at the Irish Independent and Chair of the Business Journalists Association of Ireland, and Kathleen Gallagher, journalist with the Business Post and winner of the Women in Business Journalism Award Category at the 2025 UCD Smurfit School Business Journalist Awards, look back over the stories that hit the headlines.

S6 Ep5: The Pivot and the Payoff: Siobhán Talbot on Strategy, Growth and Earning the Right to Grow

UCD BComm alumna Siobhán Talbot is one of Ireland's most accomplished and widely respected business leaders. Join us as she discusses her remarkable career journey, which she describes as a "baptism of fire" from the hard graft of PwC to her rise to Group Managing Director of Glanbia. Siobhán shares how the massive risk of strategically pivoting Glanbia away from purely food production into global nutrition, supplements and health paid off. She discusses her passion for company culture, the relentless pace of change and what it truly takes to “earn the right to grow” in today’s dynamic global market.

S6 Ep4: The Art of the Possible: AI and the Future of Work

UCD BComm alumna, Fiona Carney, explores one of the biggest transformations reshaping the world of work, AI. A leader at Microsoft, she draws on her expertise to explain how AI is enhancing productivity, enabling higher-value work, accelerating innovation, and transforming how companies engage with customers. But, she explains how technology alone isn’t enough; people, skills, and change management matter more than ever.

S6 Ep3: Financing Flight: Professor Tom Conlon on decarbonising the skies

Aviation could account for up to 20% of global carbon emissions by 2050, but as Professor Tom Conlon explains, the real barrier to change isn’t technology, it’s finance. He believes that if the sector is to grow, it has to decarbonise, but to do so, bold investor actions are required. Tom’s recent research, featured in Science, one of the world’s leading academic journals, explores how new financial models can drive deep decarbonisation in aviation.

S6 Ep2: The Long Lens: Dr Emmet Oliver on the lessons to be learned from Ireland’s economic past

Dr Emmet Oliver, Lecturer at UCD College of Business, takes a deep dive into the pivotal decades that shaped modern Ireland, drawing on insights from his new book, Irish Nation Building: Government, Business and Power, 1922–1958.

S6 Ep1: Leading for High Performance: Lessons from Leinster Rugby with Leo Cullen

What does it take to build and sustain a culture of excellence under relentless pressure? Leinster Rugby Head Coach Leo Cullen joins us to explore the leadership lessons from one of the most successful professional rugby organisations in the world.

S5 Ep10: Proving them wrong: How an Executive MBA became Eamon Fennell’s career game-changer

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Eamon Fennell, former GAA Champion turned Salesforce professional, about his leap into education through Ireland’s top Executive MBA programme. With a background rooted in sport, now thriving in a global tech company, he shares his unusual career journey and how the MBA gave him the tools to transition into a strategic, business-focused role. Whether you're contemplating a career pivot, returning to education later in life, or simply seeking growth, Eamon’s story proves that it’s never too late — and you don’t need to have all the answers to begin.

S5 Ep9: Bitcoin in the White House – How Crypto Currencies went Mainstream

Assistant Professor Paul Dylan-Ennis of UCD Smurfit School dives into the evolving world of cryptocurrencies— where rebellion meets regulation. From Bitcoin’s libertarian roots and links to MAGA culture, to Ethereum’s resistance to mainstream finance, this discussion tackles the tough questions.

S5 Ep8: Top Soft Skills Employers Want in 2025—and How to Showcase Them in the Age of AI

In a rapidly changing job market, the traditional CV just doesn’t cut it anymore. In this episode, Louise Campbell, Senior Manager of Smurfit Careers Network, shares essential insights on the evolving recruitment landscape—and what graduates need to know to stand out.

S5 Ep7: Explaining AI: Building Smarter, More Transparent Technology for Business

How can biologically inspired computing shape the future of AI in business? In this episode, Assistant Professor Miguel Nicolau, Business Analytics and Computer Science at UCD College of Business, explores how nature’s principles help evolve better technological solutions, the role of explainable AI, and the growing challenge of trusting machine-generated decisions in business. Join us as we discuss the balance between AI’s immense power and understanding real-world applications with insights from a computer scientist in a business school.

S5 Ep6: Morality, Bias, and the Future of AI: How Technology Shapes—and Reflects—Society

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Marius Claudy, Associate Professor of Marketing, to explore the profound ways morality influences our relationship with technology. He discusses the ethical dilemmas of algorithmic bias and unpacks the nuances of how political views, social conditioning, and human psychology shape our trust in emerging tech. As regulation looms on the horizon, we ask: How can we design technology to foster fairness rather than reinforce bias? And what lessons can we learn to ensure AI serves society equitably?

S5 Ep5: Stronger Boards, Smarter Decisions: The Power of Purpose and Cognitive Diversity

Governance expert Dr Margaret Cullen explores the biggest challenges facing corporate boards and shares actionable solutions to navigate uncertainty. She highlights the power of a clear corporate purpose in fostering collaboration between the board, CEO, and executive team and explains why cognitive diversity is key to driving success.

S5 Ep4: Turning Waste into Wealth: Sadhbh Wood’s Sustainable Start-up Story

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with UCD Quinn School alumna Sadhbh Wood, a trailblazing entrepreneur who turned recycled coffee grounds into a thriving skincare business. Hear how she became the first Irish finalist in the International Hult Prize, the world’s largest social entrepreneurship competition for students. Sadhbh shares her start-up story, the challenges of building a sustainable brand, and her ambitious plans to take her company global. Plus, we chat with UCD’s Hult Prize Committee to uncover how students can enter this year’s competition and turn their innovative ideas into real-world impact.