Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group Shared Purpose-Driven Insights at Griffith College Cork

On May 7th, Griffith College Cork hosted an inspiring evening with Oonagh O’Hagan, Managing Director of Meaghers Pharmacy Group, at the stunning Isabella Honan Chapel. Oonagh delivered the keynote address at a special event in collaboration with Network Ireland Cork. Themed ‘Unlocking the Butterfly Effect in Business: The Key to Sustainable Success’, the event explored how small, intentional actions can lead to transformative outcomes. 

Oonagh O’Hagan’s message was clear and powerful: follow your purpose. She shared how her journey into pharmacy was never driven by a desire to run a business, but by a deep commitment to providing access to pharmacy services in communities where there were none. Her mission was to shift the focus of pharmacy from simply treating illness to promoting long-term wellness—an approach that was considered revolutionary when she introduced it in 2009.

Throughout her address, O’Hagan highlighted the values that have consistently guided her work: courage to challenge industry norms, clarity of communication to lead with transparency and conviction, and commitment to improving lives through meaningful service. She spoke about the importance of building a strong organisational culture, remaining customer-centric, and always acting with care.

Her leadership philosophy also emphasised collaboration across sectors, curiosity to stay open to new ideas, and critical thinking to solve complex challenges with purpose and precision.

“There is nothing more certain than change in this unpredictable world,” she reflected. “But when you are clear on your purpose, that clarity becomes your anchor.” O’Hagan encouraged the audience to trust in their deeper ‘why’—as she had done when choosing to enter pharmacy not for profit, but to serve communities and shift the industry’s focus from sickness to wellness. Her story illustrated how purpose can guide bold, pioneering decisions—even when they challenge the status quo. Oonagh’s talk also demonstrated how every bad situation can be turned into a positive one with the right mindsight.

Sinéad O’Dea, Deputy Head of Campus at Griffith College Cork was the event MC. O’Hagan was introduced by Cathy Fitzgibbon—also known as The Culinary Celt and President of Network Ireland Cork—who praised her as “a true embodiment of what it means to lead with purpose,” commending her authenticity, humility, and impact.

The event drew a diverse audience of entrepreneurs, professionals, and students, all inspired by O’Hagan’s people-first approach to business. It marked the sixth annual collaboration between Griffith College Cork and Network Ireland Cork.