Emerging Leaders Opening Ceremony 2025-2026

The 2025-2026 Cohort of the award-winning Dublin City University Emerging Leaders Programme met mid September for their opening ceremony at Accenture in Dublin City Centre. 

Hosted by Alumni Council Member, Brian Smyth, 28 new participants were greeted with refreshments and structured networking before introductory sessions and panel discussions within the Accenture Offices. The first of which was led by Dr. Kenneth McKenzie, former lecturer at DCU and now head of research at Accenture, he discussed various leadership types and approaches to successful workplaces. After various structure networking sessions, the participants heard from a panel comprised of DCU President Dáire Keogh, Catherine Keogh, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Kerry, and Alumni Council Member Brian Smyth about their professional journeys and their leadership styles.

The Emerging Leaders Programme aims to introduce newer members of the professional world to leadership development, emphasizing that you do not need to explicitly be in a position of leadership to lead where you are. The cohort is also composed of graduates from all five faculties at Dublin City University, introducing participants to various industries, backgrounds, and leadership styles. 

Throughout the programme, participants will meet for 12 sessions in a mix of virtual and in-person sessions. At these sessions, they will have the opportunity to speak with leaders in various industries, experts in their respective fields, and engage in coaching and mentoring sessions. 

To learn more about the DCU Emerging Leaders Programme, visit the main Emerging Leaders Page.