2026-2027 Emerging Leaders Cohort

DCU Alumni Emerging Leaders Programme Opening Ceremony 2026/27

The 2026-2027 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 and DCU Graduate Eoghan Carroll, 27 new participants were greeted with refreshments and structured networking before introductory sessions and panel discussions within the Accenture Offices. These 27 new participants span all five faculties and currently work in both private and public sector. You can read about this year's cohort here. 

After a gracious welcome by Derek McGrath, Managing Director of The Dock, the cohort heard from Accenture's Liam Connolly on the future of AI and how to reframe your thinking on AI in industry. This was followed by panel conversations with ELP Steering Committee Members Grainne Fitzgerald and Andrew McGrane, and a final conversation with President Dáire Keough. 

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.