Philanthropy in Action: Achieving Social Impact


How to achieve impactful Corporate Philanthropy? Community Foundation Ireland and Business in the Community Ireland will bring together leaders from business, philanthropy, and academia to reflect on the past, examine current trends, and look ahead to the future of giving.

This special event in Dublin on 14th May comes as both organisation’s mark their 25th anniversary. Highlights will include keynote contributions from Minister of State, Jerry Buttimer, TD as well as Danny McCoy, CEO of IBEC, James Murphy, Founder of Lifes2Good and the Lifes2Good Foundation, and Beth Breeze, University of Kent, a leading voice in global philanthropy.

Dynamic panel discussions facilitated by broadcaster Mandy Johnston will provide insights from corporate, community, and voluntary perspectives, along with reflections on future developments from the Chief Executives of both host organisations.

Discover how strategic giving can meet corporate commitments, align with reporting requirements, and most importantly—deliver meaningful social impact.

Conference / Agenda

  • Registration

  • Welcome by MC: Mandy Johnston, Newstalk

  • Introduction by Mike Gaffney (Foundation for Investing in Communities)

  • Minister for Rural and Community Development, Jerry Buttimer

  • Keynote address – Beth Breeze, Director of Philanthropy Centre in Kent, UK

    Followed by Panel Discussion – reflecting on keynote address

    • Beth Breeze, Director of Philanthropy Centre in Kent, UK
    • James Murphy, Lifes2Good Foundation
    • Danny McCoy, IBEC

  • Demonstrating Impact –

    • Paula Murphy, Bank of Ireland
    • Jenny Courtney, Belvedere Youth Club
    • Linda O’Sullivan – Business In The Community Ireland
    • Sinead Kilkelly, ESB

  • Tomás Sercovich, CEO Business in the Community Ireland

    Denise Charlton, CEO Community Foundation Ireland

  • Close

Jerry Buttimer
Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport

Jerry Buttimer is the Minister of State for Charities, Gaeltacht and the Islands & Rural Transport. He was elected as a member of Dáil Éireann...

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Denise Charlton
Chief Executive

Denise is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives and communities. She is presently the Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland - the nation’s leading...

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Denise Charlton

Chief Executive

Denise is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives and communities. She is presently the Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland - the nation’s leading philanthropic hub. Her professional journey has seen her work with several philanthropic organisations, including Tomar Trust, Social Change Initiative and Unbound Philanthropy. She currently serves on the board of ‘Friends of the Earth’ and ‘CUAN’ - the state's first sexual and gender-based violence statutory agency. Her exceptional track record includes her role as CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Women's Aid, where she championed vital causes. Denise also has expertise that spans a wide spectrum, from championing gender equality and combating gender-based violence to addressing the climate & housing crisis, children's, migrants', LGBTQ+ rights, as well as reproductive rights. Denise is not just a leader; she's a trailblazer. She was a founder for Marriage Equality and played a pivotal role on the advisory committee for the Together For Yes Campaign. Her influence extends to public service as a former member of the Press Council, a government appointee to the Crime Council, and a task force dedicated to ending violence against women.

Tomás Sercovich
CEO, Business in the Community

Tomás was appointed CEO of Business in the Community Ireland in January 2018. Previously, he was with Spain’s largest sustainability network, Forética as Director of...

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Tomás Sercovich

CEO, Business in the Community

Tomás was appointed CEO of Business in the Community Ireland in January 2018. Previously, he was with Spain’s largest sustainability network, Forética as Director of External Affairs, where he increased the international profile of the organisation and its external reputation and impact. Between 2002 and 2012 he held several positions with Business in the Community Ireland, among them Manager of the Membership Services Team. He is a member of the Board of Young Social Innovators and the Irish Association for Social inclusion Opportunities (IASIO). Tomás holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations from Universidad de Belgrano in Argentina and a Master’s degree in International Relations and International Management from the Università di Bologna in Italy. He also holds a Certificate in Management from DIT.

Danny McCoy
CEO, IBEC

Danny McCoy is Chief Executive Officer of Ibec since 2009. Ibec is Ireland’s largest business representative organisation and the country’s largest lobbying group. It has...

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Paula Murphy
Group Director Brand & Sponsorship Brand & Sponsorship, Bank of Ireland

Paula Murphy is Group Director of Brand and Sponsorship at Bank of Ireland, where she leads major partnerships in Irish rugby. Since joining in 2019,...

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Paula Murphy

Group Director Brand & Sponsorship Brand & Sponsorship, Bank of Ireland

Paula Murphy is Group Director of Brand and Sponsorship at Bank of Ireland, where she leads major partnerships in Irish rugby. Since joining in 2019, she has expanded the bank’s community impact through initiatives like the Begin Together Arts Fund. Previously, she held a senior roles at Vodafone.

Professor Beth Breeze
Director, Centre for Philanthropy, University of Kent

Beth Breeze is Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the University of Kent, and the founding Director of the Centre for Philanthropy. Following a career as...

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James Murphy
Founder and CEO, Lifes2good Foundation

James is the Founder and CEO of Lifes2good, having set-up the company in 1997. Born in Galway, he attended St.Jarlath’s College in Tuam and then...

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Jenny Courtney
Belvedere Youth Club, CEO

With a solid foundation in business management, Jenny brings over 15 years of leadership experience to the nonprofit sector, driving impactful change and ensuring organisational...

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Linda O'Sullivan
Head of Social Inclusion, Business in the Community Ireland

Linda O’Sullivan is Head of Social Inclusion at Business in the Community Ireland where she leads the agenda on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working with...

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Sinead Kilkelly
Executive Director, People and Sustainability, ESB

Sinéad Kilkelly joined ESB in April 2022 as Executive Director, People and Sustainability. Prior to this, Sinéad was Chief People Officer with Bus Éireann, a...

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Mandy Johnston
CEO of Blue Yard Ltd

Mandy Johnston is the CEO of Blue Yard Ltd, a strategic public affairs and management consultancy advising Irish businesses and multinational corporations at C-Suite and...

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Mike Gaffney
Foundation for Investing in Communities
  • May 14, 2025
  • 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Richmond Education and Event Centre, North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7

Email: info@foundation.ie
Phone: +353 01 8747354

30 Merrion Square North
Dublin
D02 VE40

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Company Registration No: 338427 Charity No: CHY 13967 Registered Charity Number (RCN): 20044886