Griffith College Cork Hosts Financial Confidence Event in Partnership with Network Cork

Network Cork, AIB and Griffith College representatives with Financial Advisor Kel Galavan

Griffith College Cork Hosts Financial Confidence Event in Partnership with Network Cork

Griffith College Cork, in partnership with Network Cork Ireland, hosted a well-attended networking and educational event on Wednesday, 6 May, bringing together professionals from across the region for an evening focused on financial confidence and career advancement.

The event reflected Network Cork’s ongoing commitment, under the leadership of its President, to support and empower women in business through connection, education, and opportunity.

Titled “Smart Money Skills for Women Who Want to Get Ahead,” the event featured keynote speaker Kel Galavan, who delivered an engaging and insightful session on building financial confidence and taking control of personal financial futures.

The event was proudly sponsored by AIB, with Oonagh Connolly, Regional Manager and Customer Financial Planner, providing attendees with a valuable overview of AIB’s savings and investment options. Her contribution brought practical, real-world financial guidance, complementing the broader themes of the evening.

Together, the speakers highlighted the importance of financial literacy as a key driver of career growth, entrepreneurship, and long-term financial security.

Acknowledgements were extended to Diane Higgins and the Network Cork committee, whose collaboration was central to the event’s success, as well as to Marion Courtney, who served as MC and guided the evening’s programme.

A highlight of the event was the Pitch in Person (PIP) segment, showcasing three local entrepreneurs:

  • Amelia McNamara, Graceful Accounting Ltd – supporting small businesses with clear, practical accounting solutions.
  • Louise Kane Buckley, Loula Natural – producing eco-conscious, natural skincare products rooted in sustainability.
  • Maura Mackey, Maura Mackey Design – creating bespoke interior design solutions that balance style and functionality.
     

The event underscored the growing importance of accessible financial education, with strong engagement from attendees signalling continued demand for initiatives that equip women with the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions and advance their careers.