My journey since leaving Loreto College, St Stephen's Green

When I left Loreto, I wasn’t entirely sure what career path I wanted to follow, so I chose to study Business at DCU as it offered a broad range of options and allowed me to keep my future open. During my third year, I completed a year-long internship at Coty, a global beauty company, in their marketing department. That experience sparked my interest in marketing and helped shape the direction of my career.

Over the following years, I worked in marketing across a number of beauty brands, including Rimmel, L’Oréal and Clarins. I also spent some time working in the UK, which was a valuable experience both professionally and personally. When I returned to Ireland, I moved into retail marketing, working with Arnott’s and later ARI, the duty free company. These roles gave me the opportunity to travel and work with teams across the UK, Europe, North America and the Middle East, which was incredibly rewarding. I’m currently Head of Marketing at Kilkenny Design, where I feel very fortunate to work with and support such talented Irish brands and businesses. It’s especially meaningful to be part of promoting and championing home-grown creativity.

My current role’s most interesting parts

One of the most interesting parts of my career so far has been the opportunity to meet such a wide range of people and learn about the different disciplines they work in. I’ve been very fortunate to work alongside incredibly creative colleagues from around the world, which has broadened my perspective and challenged me to think in new ways. Every day brings something different, which makes the job continually interesting, it's never boring.

The best career advice I have ever received

I would encourage students to put their hand up for opportunities, even if they don’t feel completely ready. Stepping outside your comfort zone can help you grow, build confidence, and discover new strengths. You never know where an opportunity might lead or what it could open up for you.

The person who taught me my most important values

From my family and especially my Mum.

My favourite memory from Loreto College

There are so many memories that it’s hard to choose just one, as my time at Loreto College was such a happy and special period in my life. I have fond memories from my very first day right through to our Leaving Assembly. Christmas was always a particularly lovely time in the school, with festive activities and the carol service.

The teacher who most influenced me

“Ms Barrett, my history teacher, was a truly engaging and inspiring teacher who brought the subject to life and made a lasting impression on me.”

The one thing I wish someone told me at the early stage of my career

I think it’s really important to believe in yourself and have confidence in your ideas. When you’re starting out, it can sometimes feel difficult to find your voice, but your perspective and contributions are valuable and deserve to be heard. Learning to trust yourself over time can make a big difference.

The skills I think will be most important in the future work environment

I think being flexible, open to new opportunities, and having a willingness to learn will be very important in the future work environment. Careers are always evolving, so it’s valuable to stay open-minded and continue developing your skills over time. Being adaptable helps you grow in confidence and allows you to embrace new opportunities as they come along.

The one thing I would do if I could come back to Loreto College for an hour

I would spend the hour with my friends in the common room.

Catch up with Nicola Lindsay at our International Women's Day Brunch on Sat March 7th. Click here to RSVP