TWIG Announces May Event Lineup
12th March 2025
Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG), a subcommittee of the Irish Grocers’ Benevolent Fund (IGBF), recently announced the speakers for its highly anticipated and ‘sold out’ networking fundraiser event on Friday, May 2nd, at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre. Now in its 9th year, the annual TWIG event connects professionals in the grocery, food and retail sector.
Sonya Lennon returns as the MC and will host a panel discussion with bold and inspiring leaders addressing an audience of key figures in Ireland’s grocery sector. These distinguished industry leaders come from various backgrounds and include:
•Mandy Hennebry, Commercial Director, Green Isle Foods
•Ciara Foxton, Managing Director, Circle K Ireland
•Aaron Crinion, Managing Director, Kraft Heinz Ireland
•Fiona Uyema, CEO & Founder, Fused by Fiona
•Caoimhe McCabe, Commercial Director Take Home Trade, Revenue & Category, Diageo IOI
This year’s theme, “Courageous Conversations”, will invite the panel speakers to engage in discussions around the challenges and opportunities that have shaped them into the leaders they are today and what it means for the future of women in grocery. “Courageous Conversations” will also focus on the barriers that need to be broken to drive innovation and foster inclusivity and leadership in an evolving industry.
Last year, the TWIG networking event raised over €100,000, helping to support the charitable work of the Irish Grocers’ Benevolent Fund (IGBF).
Welcoming the event, Frances Higgins, Chair of the IGBF and TWIG committee member, said:
“The annual TWIG fundraising event is a crucial date in our calendar and is vital in raising funds for the important work that the Irish Grocers’ Benevolent Fund carries out. This event holds great importance in the grocery industry as it empowers and supports women who are making a mark in the industry. By connecting inspiring women through engagement and shared learning, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive industry all while championing the charitable mission of the Irish Grocers Benevolent Fund”.
Now in her second year as Chairperson of Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG), Mary McBride, Head of Retail at Richmond Marketing, welcomed the return of the event:
“We are delighted to see this important event return for its 9th year. It’s wonderful to have such an esteemed panel of speakers join us for the annual event and take part in engaging conversations that look at the past challenges and future opportunities for this exciting sector. It is always rewarding to see so many women come together each year and champion each other in their career paths.”
The Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG) networking event will, for the third year in a row, award the TWIG Person of the Year Award. Nominations are NOW OPEN for this year’s award, proudly sponsored by CPM Ireland. This award recognises the unsung heroes of our industry, who are instrumental in delivering success behind the scenes but whose contributions may not always be visible to the wider industry.
TWIG is encouraging organisations to put forward their nominations for this award before April 16th. Nominations can be made via the IGBF website: www.IGBF.ie/TWIG
The Today’s Women in Grocery (TWIG) networking event is sponsored by Musgrave’s Donnybrook Fair, Diageo, CPM and Suntory Beverage and Food Ireland. All funds raised from the TWIG luncheon enable the IGBF to continue supporting fellow colleagues across the trade who have experienced loss, or unexpected personal/financial difficulties. Due to phenomenal support, this event is now sold out.
Pictured: TWIG Committee (L-R) Michelle Darlington, Lorraine Butler, Jenny Eustace, Brigid O’Neill, Eilis Tobin, Mary McBride, Sharon Doherty, Siobhan Drummond, Sharon Yourell Lawlor, Alison O’Doherty, Frances Higgins.
