Alumni Testimonials
Lifelong learning is the cornerstone of UCD Smurfit Executive Development’s approach. No matter how far you have advanced in your career, there are always new insights to uncover, different mind-sets to explore and more opportunities for growth. Smurfit Executive Development’s transformational experience has made an impact on executives around the globe. Here are a few stories from participants who embraced their Diploma in Corporate Governance journeys and emerged equipped to grow themselves, their teams and their organisations.
Cora Sutton-Smith, Director of Cronin and Sutton Consulting Engineers
"The Diploma in Corporate Governance gave me great confidence to fulfil my current role and the roles that I want to purse in the future. The breadth of what you will learn on this course is vast - from codes of governance to good practice to behaviour and ethics."
Lucy Masterson, Chief Executive at Irish Youth Foundation
“I loved the diversity of people coming from completely different backgrounds. I met people working in totally different sectors, who have become confidantes and friends. The teamwork really brought forward each individual’s strengths including my own. There were different skill sets, thought processes and different approaches to problem solving but we worked respectfully and constructively with each other. I couldn't recommend it highly enough, especially for our not-for-profit sector. Governance in our sector has improved dramatically but there is still more work to be done. I would love to see more people from the charity, not-for-profit sector, investing in themselves and investing in the sector by doing this course. Believe me, you will learn so much.”
Stephanie Manahan, Former CEO of the Central Remedial Clinic. Now CEO of Pieta.
"I would genuinely say that this program changed my life. It added incredible value to my role as newly appointed CRO of the Central Remedial Clinic. I recall seeing the Diploma in Corporate Governance online and it read like a textbook for the job that I had in front of me. As I progressed, it gave me phenomenal confidence in the task that I had before me. The skills I learned were phenomenal as an executive leader in a very challenging time and a very challenging environment."
Ronan Horgan, CEO at Capitalflow
"You join a group of executives from completely different backgrounds from commercial to public service. Each is mature and experienced enough to leave their ego at the door and be open to listening to one another. You learn as much from your peers as from the faculty. The range of different topics and subjects covered; all taught by different expert lecturers with unique styles, I thought was brilliant. It was thoroughly engaging, and learned a lot from the working group that I was assigned to during the programme who were a great help.”
Fiona Naughton, Supervisory Board Member at Glen Dimplex
"I realised I needed to improve my skillset and to learn more about being on a board. I wanted to make sure I was actually qualified to be on the board of Glen Dimplex and wasn’t just there because I was a family member. I really enjoyed the programme. We were given so much valuable information on all the different aspects of being on a board. We covered a broader range of subjects and in much more depth than I expected. It was a big time commitment but it was definitely worth it."
Ian Drennan, Director of Corporate Enforcement at the ODCE
"While I have a large degree of exposure to the legal aspects of company directors’ obligations, I have had less contact with some of the other areas covered by the diploma – particularly around the more psychological and behavioural aspects of boards. And I found that particularly interesting and very beneficial in giving a better understanding around the many multi-faceted and multi-dimensional layers to boards and how they operate and their power dynamics. That was probably the part that I found most interesting."
Brian Murphy, Non-Executive Director & Advisor
"The diploma is an excellent offering and very well executed. The content of the course and the quality of the lectures and workshops were superb. There was also great diversity within the student class – we had people from the voluntary, public and private sectors; male and female; old and young. Having that range of perspectives was hugely beneficial – the debates and arguments we had in class were fantastic and were a big part of the learning experience. There was a great ambience about the programme and it created a huge esprit du corps. A lot of us within the class still stay in touch and we have formed a bit of a network out of it. Overall, it was a great experience.”
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