CPDStore Ireland

Chantal Cornelius left the corporate world in 2000 to set up Appletree Marketing. It was the second best decision she’s ever made. Since then, she’s filled her time helping hundreds of service businesses, including accountancy firms, to grow their businesses. Her marketing advice is straight forward, practical and down to earth. She’s written three books and the third one all about StandOut Strategies – how to really outshine your competitors – was published in October 2024. Chantal is a Fellow of the PSA UK where she was National President for 2023-24. When she’s not speaking, training or handing out marketing advice, you’ll find her riding her horse, growing vegetables in her garden, or whizzing down a ski slope – but not all at the same time!

Liam has over 30 years of experience working in IT, originally as a programmer way back in the 80s before moving into networking, infrastructure and security in the 90s. He has worked with people at all levels and has the ability to explain scary technical topics and boring legal subjects in a language that most people can relate to and understand.

Liam founded L2 Cyber Security Solutions in 2016 and it's maxim is #SecuritySimplified. This matches Liam's desire to bring easy to comprehend, cyber security awareness to everyone. Liam specialises in helping micro, small and medium businesses, and charities, as they usually don't have the in-house IT or cyber security support which larger corporates do.

L2 Cyber Security offers up-to-date, fun and easy to follow cyber security awareness training and GDPR awareness training. Since the HSE incident in May 2021, our cyber security assessment service has been very popular. We can also help organisations plan and prepare for the worst with our business resiliency planning.

Marie Toft is a pioneering AI innovator, founder, strategist, and communications expert, bringing a rare cross-disciplinary perspective to AI education. As CEO and Founder of Emotionise AI, one of Ireland’s first startups to work with OpenAI in 2021, Marie has hands-on experience building AI models, including leading the creation of the world’s first domain model trained with emotional intelligence at its core.

With over four years of experience building and leading AI engineering teams, Marie combines technical expertise with her background in journalism and communications—having worked with BBC, RTE, and SBS Australia—and her training in psychotherapy. This unique combination enables her to translate complex AI concepts into clear, actionable insights that are accessible to leaders, non-technical professionals, and policy influencers.

Marie’s work focuses on human-centered, emotionally intelligent approaches to AI adoption, strategy, and leadership. She specializes in making AI engaging and actionable, helping organizations implement AI responsibly while navigating its ethical and societal implications.

What if Lean wasn’t just for factories?

Stacy Franklin has built her career answering that question—demonstrating how Lean can simplify and improve the way people and teams work across healthcare, tech, retail, and other service-based sectors. As the Founder and CEO of Kanso —named for the Japanese concept of “simplicity”—she redefines what Lean can do by focusing on the people behind every process.

Raised in a family business, Stacy learned early how clear, intentional processes empower organisations and fuel real growth, especially when focused on their most valuable asset - people. After earning her Lean Black Belt at the University of Limerick, she applied those principles to leadership and frontline roles across the service industry. Throughout her career, Stacy has helped organisations save millions in the cost of resources —and she’s just getting started.

A recognised expert voice in Ireland’s Lean community, Stacy speaks at industry events, guides companies in adopting a Lean mindset, and lectures on the University of Limerick’s Master Black Belt programme. Clients value her fresh approach, meticulous eye for detail, and her habit of challenging assumptions or outdated processes by asking “Why?”—to reveal untapped opportunities.

Through tailored Lean training and consultancy, Stacy shows individuals and organisations how Lean can truly transform the way they work—creating clarity, uniting teams, and driving people-focused, measurable progress. Whether fostering a culture of continuous improvement, streamlining workflows or boosting customer satisfaction, she brings Lean to life in ways that truly resonate with today’s workplace.

www.kanso.ie

Laura Reidy leads a team of experienced HR Consultants at NFP HR Solutions offering specialist, tailored and effective human resources solutions to over 500 clients throughout Ireland.

Laura and the team at NFP HR Solutions provide a full spectrum of HR, employment law, and workplace solutions designed to support your organisation at every stage of the employee journey. From shaping HR strategy and managing change, to ensuring compliance and navigating workplace disputes, we provide practical, results-focused guidance combining legal knowledge with people-centred solutions Laura and the team provide a range of services for clients from drafting of employment contracts and employee handbooks, conducting compliance audits and assisting with all employee relations issues including absence management, performance management and investigations.

NFP HR Solutions also provide relevant, accessible, and interactive training solutions, covering all aspects of people management.

Laura and her team regularly attend Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court hearings on behalf of their clients and are experienced in all aspects of employment law.

Laura has a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resource Management from the University of Limerick and a Higher Certificate in Hotel & Catering Management from Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology.

Prior to joining the company in 2016 Laura worked in various operational management roles in the hotel industry, before specialising in HR Management.

Edel Walsh is the owner of Edel Walsh Coaching and Consulting.

She specialises in mental health and well-being coaching and workplace well-being coaching.
Edel is also a student mentor and coach supporting professional accountancy students through their exams. Edel supports her student clients get their exams as quickly as possible while maintaining balance and prioritizing their well-being.

Her corporate career started in KPMG where qualified as a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser. From there, Edel moved into professional education where she held senior lecturer and examinership roles within the professional accountancy bodies.