Carrie Hanley, national sales manager at Kilkenny loan broker Loanitt, has been named overall winner at the inaugural Women in Finance Awards. The awards programme aims to not only celebrate success but also inspire the next generation of women leaders to push boundaries and drive positive change across the financial ecosystem.The awards, held at the Crowne Plaza Santry in Dublin, celebrated the remarkable achievements of women in Ireland’s financial sector, spotlighting visionary leaders and change makers who are redefining the finance landscape across banking, fintech, insurance, asset management and accounting.Hosted by leadership coach Fiona Buckley, the ceremony saw 150 attendees who gathered to recognise excellence across 14 award categories. The event attracted 55 entries from 25 companies, reflecting strong engagement across the sector. Loanitt compares car finance, mortgages, agricultural and commercial finance, personal loans and credit cards from Ireland’s leading lenders. Carrie Hanley was selected for the sales and commercial leadership award category, and the judging panel noted that under her leadership Loanitt has delivered consistent results while building trust across clients and partners.“Carrie has been at the centre of this success thanks to her strategic judgment, technical depth and calm authority,” the award citation said. “Her ability to balance innovation with accountability has shaped both performance and culture. Through her influence, the business continues to raise the bar for excellence across the sector.” Accepting the award, Hanley said: “It has been great to meet all the other women at the awards and see all the other companies that are so pro-women in finance.”The award for the best female-led team was presented to Ciara McKenna at BNP Paribas, and the company also won the award in the workplace category. “As one of the original signatories of the Women in Finance Charter, BNP Paribas is proud to accept these awards. It is a testament to the inclusive and diverse culture we continue to embed throughout our organisation,” said the company’s chief executive, Derek Kehoe.Naazneen Moosa, a director in KPMG‘s accounting advisory unit, received the accounting award, in recognition for delivering complex accounting advisory projects and building client relationships. “Working in this profession has reinforced the importance of continuously adapting by embracing technology, navigating complex requirements and developing others,” Moosa said. “Awards like this recognise how women are shaping a profession that strengthens trust, resilience and long-term value.”Aoife Woulfe, chief underwriting officer at Fidelis Insurance Group Ireland, was presented with a senior leadership award, with the company noting that Woulfe inspires teams, promotes diversity and exemplifies excellence across strategy, innovation and leadership. She said that “women bring something different to the table. You see that here tonight in everyone who has accepted an award. It comes from a vast, diverse range of experience.” Niamh Cunningham at Block also received a senior leadership award, in recognition of devising frameworks that combine finance and operations to deliver sustainable growth across international markets. The rising star award was presented to Fenergo’s Nifemi Ogunbiyi, a chartered accountant with a background in biochemistry. “It’s just great to see how you can put in a lot of work and have it recognised,” she said. In the operations leadership category, Susan Bainbridge of Equifax Commercial Services was selected as the award winner. “Listening to all the nominations and the information that was given for each one was so insightful,” Bainbridge said. “It gives us a view of what the best of the best is doing and how we can continue to develop and make sure we’re back here next year winning more awards.”Judging coordinator Amanda Carter said a clear trend across award nominations was a strong focus on innovation, inclusion and measurable impact. “The Women in Finance Awards showcase exceptional talent, innovation and leadership across the industry,” she said. “Many entrants demonstrated tangible progress in leadership, mentoring and driving cultural change across their organisations. I also noticed increased representation from emerging leaders and firms embracing flexible working practices. It’s fantastic to see such amazing female talent across the industry.”Neil Wall, community director at awards organiser Business River, said: “Events like this are made possible through the support of our partners. I want to recognise our media partner, The Irish Times, as well as our supporter, Amárach Research. Their investment in the awards underlines their commitment and support of this key business area.”Awards judgesAmanda Carter (judging coordinator) – director of financial services, Morgan McKinleyAnnemarie Britz – chief financial officer, Central Bank of IrelandThomas Conlon – professor of finance, University College DublinKarena Duane – director of financial planning, Fenero Financial AdvisorsJuracy Junyor – career coach at GetHired.ieCaroline McGroary – chartered accountant, lecturer in accounting and Fulbright scholar at Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin City University and Boston CollegeOrla Mitton – chief finance officer EMEA & APAC, Cantor FitzgeraldOlivia Smith – corporate sustainability adviser, Corporate Sustainability PartnersAndrea Waldron – lecturer in accounting and PhD researcher, University of Galway IrelandAward winnersOverall winnerWinner: Carrie Hanley – LoanittAnnemarie Britz, awards judge, presents the overall winner award to Carrie Hanley, Loanitt Excellence in senior leadership – largeWinner: Niamh Cunningham – BlockAnnemarie Britz, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership award to Niamh Cunningham, Block Excellence in senior leadershipWinner: Aoife Woulfe – Fidelis Insurance GroupAnnemarie Britz, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership award to Aoife Woulfe, Fidelis Insurance Group Excellence in accountingWinner: Naazneen Moosa – KPMG Andrea Waldron, awards judge, presents the excellence in accounting award to Naazneen Moosa, KPMG Excellence in fintechWinner: Joanna Murphy – SprintaxAndrea Waldron, awards judge, presents the excellence in fintech award to Joanna Murphy, Sprintax Diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the yearWinner: CubeMatchKarena Duane, awards judge, presents the diversity, equality and inclusion strategy of the year award to Bernie Chamberlaine, CubeMatch Best female-led teamWinner: BNP Paribas – Transfer Agency/Investor Services OperationsAmanda Carter, awards judging coordinator, presents the best female-led team award to Ciara McKenna, BNP Paribas Best operations leadershipWinner: Susan Bainbridge – Equifax Commercial Services Karena Duane, awards judge, presents the best operations leadership award to Susan Bainbridge, Equifax Commercial Services Best ESG leadershipWinner: Inma Conde – Mediolanum International Funds Orla Mitton, awards judge, presents the best ESG leadership award to Inma Conde, Mediolanum International Funds Best sales and commercial leadershipWinner: Carrie Hanley – LoanittOrla Mitton, awards judge, presents the best sales and commercial leadership award to Carrie Hanley, Loanitt Best client & customer service leadershipWinner: Michelle Farrell – Citco Fund Services IrelandJuracy Junyor, awards judge, presents the best client & customer leadership award to Michelle Farrell, Citco Fund Services Ireland Best HR & people leadershipWinner: Ciara Heslin – Carne GroupJuracy Junyor, awards judge, presents the best HR & people leadership award to Muriel Richardson on behalf of Ciara Heslin, Carne Group Workplace of the yearWinner: BNP ParibasOlivia Smith FCCA, awards judge, presents the workplace of the year award to Carlota Bessa, BNP Paribas Rising star of the yearWinner: Nifemi Ogunbiyi – FenergoOlivia Smith FCCA, awards judge, presents the rising star of the year award to Nifemi Ogunbiyi, Fenergo