Outstanding talent and leadership across Ireland’s pharmaceutical and life sciences sector was celebrated at the Women in Pharma Awards 2026, with 20 trophies presented at a gala ceremony hosted by Fiona Buckley at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. Now in its second year, the awards programme attracted 63 entries and drew 200 guests to the event, underlining the growing recognition of women’s contribution to a sector at the heart of Ireland’s economy.Judging co-ordinator Aoife Callan said the awards demonstrated an exceptionally high level of leadership, impact and achievement across a wide variety of roles delivering for patients, science and innovation. “As well as recognising individual excellence, these awards provide a platform for fostering mentorship and collaboration while strengthening professional networks that champion innovation across the sector,” she said.Emma Kilgallon, HR director at West Pharmaceutical Services, won the overall leader award after winning in the HR leadership category. She spoke of her pride in her team’s performance and she highlighted the high calibre of the shortlisted finalists, adding that recognition for women in an industry still largely male-dominated is important. “It’s great to see such a diverse range of pharma companies represented,” she said. “If women aren’t visible in spaces like this we’re not seen and we’re not given the platform.”The senior leadership award was presented to Dr Gemma Robinson, founder and managing director of Acorn Regulatory Consulting Services in Tipperary. She said the awards programme underlined the strength of Ireland’s life sciences sector. “We have a small team and the award is amazing for our company,” she said.The start-up team at Cancer Trials Ireland was named best female-led team. Established in December 2024, the team delivered a 46 per cent reduction in contract timelines and a 26 per cent reduction to site activation. “It’s brilliant to be in a room full of talented people,” said team lead Olivia McLoughlin. “Dedication to bringing medicines to patients in Ireland is one of the goals we all share.”Liz Allan, vice president of engineering & design, biopharma & life sciences at Exyte, reflected on her career working across complex, fast-paced pharmaceutical projects, and on the impact diverse teams have on delivery and innovation. She welcomed the growing number of women moving into leadership roles across the industry. “The Women in Pharma Awards are an important way to recognise that progress and inspire the next generation to follow,” she said.Jean Casey of Eli Lilly was honoured with the legacy award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the sector. Casey said that the company’s leadership team is 60 per cent women across the board. “Working for Eli Lilly I’ve seen that gender doesn’t matter at all – it’s all about ability and capability to do the job. We’ve created something amazing here in Ireland in the pharma industry, and women have played an incredible role in that. It’s something for us all to be proud of.”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 judges Aoife Callan (judging co-ordinator), head of access & external affairs, Takeda Products IrelandKatarina Antill, chief executive, BonafiHarriet Bennett-Lenane, lecturer in clinical pharmaceutics, University College CorkCatriona Bradley, executive director, Irish Institute of PharmacyJane English, senior lecturer and principal investigator, University College CorkSarah Hayes, chief operations officer, SSPCDeclan Kelly, vice president, global quality, Jazz PharmaceuticalsEmma Lynch, co-founder and chief executive, Q2MedGraham McCarthy, commercial director, MIAS PharmaMatt Moran, chief executive, Matt Moran ConsultingDarrin Morrissey, chief executive, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and TrainingYvonne Nolan, professor, University College CorkSweta Rani, lecturer, South East Technological UniversityAlice Redmond, chief risk and quality officer, CAISreeja Varghese, director of medical sciences & therapeutic Strategy, Veeda LifesciencesBernadette Whelan – lecturer in pharmaceutical science, South East Technological University WaterfordAward winnersOverall leader awardWinner: Emma Kilgallon – West Pharmaceutical Services Aoife Callan, awards judging co-ordinator, presents the overall leader award to Emma Kilgallon, West Pharmaceutical Services Excellence in pharma & life sciencesWinner: Alette Ramos Hunt – NovartisAoife Callan, awards judging co-ordinator, presents the excellence in pharma & life sciences award to Alette Ramos Hunt, Novartis Best female-led team – largeWinner: AbbVie – affiliate leadership teamAlice Redmond, awards judge, presents the best female-led team - large to Dana Kendall, AbbVie Best female-led teamWinner: Cancer Trials Ireland – start-up teamAlice Redmond, awards judge, presents the best female-led team award to Olivia McLoughlin and Emer Mulvaney, Cancer Trials Ireland Excellence in senior leadership – life sciencesWinner: Rose Kidd – IconDarrin Morrissey, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership - life sciences award to Rose Kidd, Icon Excellence in senior leadership – pharmaWinner: Deirdre Connaughton – Takeda IrelandDarrin Morrissey, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership - pharma award to Deirdre Connaughton, Takeda Ireland Workplace of the yearWinner: BioMarin, CorkEmma Lynch, awards judge, presents the workplace of the year award to Ger Cregan, BioMarin, Cork Best sales & commercial leadershipWinner: Lisa Mullaney – Medguard HealthcareEmma Lynch, awards judge, presents the best sales & commercial leadership award to Lisa Mullaney, Medguard Healthcare Best site leadershipWinner: Mary Moran – AbbVieSreeja Varghese, awards judge, presents the best site leadership award to Amy O'Keeffe, on behalf of Mary Moran, AbbVie Best clinical operations leadershipWinner: Marie Smith – Takeda IrelandSreeja Varghese, awards judge, presents the best clinical operations leadership award to Marie Smith, Takeda Ireland Excellence in senior leadership – contract servicesWinner: Gemma Robinson – Acorn Regulatory Consulting ServicesEmma Lynch, awards judge, presents the excellence in senior leadership - contract services award to Gemma Robinson, Acorn Regulatory Consulting Services Best engineering & manufacturing operations leadershipWinner: Liz Allan – Exyte Emma Lynch, awards judge, presents the best engineering & manufacturing operations leadership award to Liz Allan, Exyte Best supply chain/logistics leadershipWinner: Flavia Baccaro – AbbVie Catriona Bradley, awards judge, presents the best supply chain/logistics leadership award to Flavia Baccaro, AbbVie Best HR leadershipWinner: Emma Kilgallon – West Pharmaceutical ServicesCatriona Bradley, awards judge, presents the best HR leadership award to Emma Kilgallon, West Pharmaceutical Services Best finance leadershipWinner: Victoria Ramos – GrifolsCatriona Bradley, awards judge, presents the best finance leadership award to Victoria Ramos, Grifols Rising star of the yearWinner: Rachel Torreggiani – Takeda IrelandAlice Redmond, awards judge, presents the rising star of the year award to Rachel Torreggiani, Takeda Ireland Best quality leadershipWinner: Áine Hopkins – PTC Therapeutics Sarah Hayes, awards judge, presents the best quality leadership award to Áine Hopkins, PTC Therapeutics Best education & mentoring leadershipWinner: Nicola Rice – Innopharma Technical Services Sarah Hayes, awards judge, presents the best education & mentoring leadership award to Nicola Rice, Innopharma Technical Services Best marketing & communications leadershipWinner: Victoria Hampson – Takeda IrelandSarah Hayes, awards judge, presents the best marketing & communications leadership award to Victoria Hampson, Takeda Ireland Legacy awardWinner: Jean CaseyAoife Callan, awards judging co-ordinator, presents the legacy award to Jean Casey