Voices 2025: A Voice for Philanthropy
Ultan Doyle
Ultan Doyle graduated from DCU Business School in 2001. Since then, he has enjoyed a successful career in banking and finance, but his passion lies in volunteering and raising money for charity. Currently a Programme Manager at global power management company Eaton, Ultan supports the DCU Excellence and Opportunity Fund – which helps the university create new research opportunities and support transformative student scholarships - through monthly giving.
He has also advocated for his employer to take part in the DCU Access To The Workplace Programme, a professional summer internship programme for Access and neurodivergent students: “As a proud DCU alumnus I know firsthand the impact that access to education and opportunity can have. Every donation – big or small – plays a big part in creating a more inclusive, supportive environment for the next generation of DCU graduates.”
Talking about his own experience at DCU, Ultan notes: “I loved my time at DCU – I found the course excellent, the facilities were great and I made so many friends on campus. I transferred from Carlow in second year, as I thought some of the subjects being offered in DCU were more relevant to what I wanted to do, and everyone was so welcoming: I remember one of my lecturers bringing all of the transfer students out for tea and coffee so we could get to know each other. It was so thoughtful.”
Having set up his own business after leaving college, Ultan went on to work for Bank of Ireland and then Eaton. At Eaton, he has become centrally involved in driving the company’s charitable work, specifically for Dublin Simon Community: “I helped start the first community support committee in Eaton’s World Headquarters in Ireland and in 2018 we started the relationship with Dublin Simon Community. We have a ‘bring centre’ where staff can donate clothing or items that could be sold in charity shops and we have lots of fundraising activities. For example, we arranged for all the electrics to be done by Eaton at a new 100-bed facility for Dublin Simon Community.”
This drive to give back has also led Ultan to set up monthly donation to his alma mater. “It is so easy to set up a monthly donation – it doesn’t matter how small it is; the cumulative effect of a small amount on a regular basis can make a real difference.
"I think it is incumbent on me to do something for DCU as I feel that I was really lucky to get the opportunity to study there. I know the people that this helps will be contributing to this country in the future, economically, for sure, but also socially to the community. I suspect, because they were given help themselves, there will be a snowball effect. It grows legs, it builds and gets bigger. I would encourage other alumni to get involved and help the DCU students of the future.”
Carol Grewal
Carol Grewal, originally from Dublin, is living in San Francisco and working as Associate Superintendent for Governance and Operational Vitality for the Department of Catholic Schools of the Archdiocese of San Francisco. Carol moved to the US in 1994 after completing her B.Ed in DCU.
“It was a great place for education rather than teaching: I grew intellectually and in all other areas. I came from a school that had previously spoon-fed me and did not encourage critical thinking. But at DCU I was forced to think critically and creatively and that stood me in good stead when I came to the US, as there is a huge emphasis on that here. I was very involved in the drama programme, where I made lifelong friends: it was a big part of my growth.”
This positive experience, which she notes gave her a great foundation to pursue her teaching career in America and led to a successful and enriching career, was part of the decision-making around becoming a donor to the University.
“I was principal at a former school and I was involved in cultivating philanthropic relationships. I am a big believer in giving back to your alma mater. When my nephew started attending DCU, I got in touch and signed up to donating on a monthly basis. I firmly believe that these funds help people who might otherwise not have access to a college education. I don’t see it as transactional – I see it as transformative. It is about paying it forward.”