The subjects I enjoyed most during my school days

I graduated from Loreto College in 1994. I always loved maths, science and art.  I was naturally drawn to anything that combined science with real life. Looking back now, that probably makes perfect sense given the career path I eventually took. I was also very interested in people in general — how we think and how we connect. I realise that curiosity began long before I could have articulated it. School for me was as much about friendships and finding your place as it was about academics.

My favourite memory from Loreto College

It’s hard to narrow it down to one specific memory, but I have one from 2nd year, outside by the big tree with my pals Sarah and Jude, laughing at something we found hilarious. TY was also a very happy time when our friendship circle broadened. I suppose my favourite memories are the friendships and that sense of belonging. I still see these friends as often as possible. Some of my happiest memories are probably the ordinary, everyday ones that didn’t feel significant at the time but, in hindsight, were the moments that shaped me most.

The teachers who most influenced me

Several teachers influenced me, and what I appreciated most was those who made me think, challenged me, and made me feel seen. Mr Campbell (Art) , Ms Kavanagh (Home Economics), Ms O Connor (French), and Ms Tierney (Maths) definitely stand out for me. The teachers you remember most are often not just the ones who taught the curriculum well, but the ones who gave you confidence, perspective and belief in yourself. That can stay with you for years. I always loved class with these teachers and always felt heard and encouraged. It is amazing how a teacher can have such an impact on you as a teen.

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

My journey since school has definitely been following my passion for nutrition and health promotion.  I’ve always been fascinated by the connections between food, health, behaviour and wellbeing, and have wanted to be a dietitian since the age of 16. Careers are rarely linear. Mine certainly wasn’t. It developed through study, working experience, stepping outside my comfort zone and saying yes to things that felt interesting, even if they felt a little daunting at the time. I always thought I would stay in a hospital setting, but in 2003, I decided to go out on my own and set up the first independent dietetic clinic in Ireland. It was a scary decision at the time, but one I never regretted, and it has taken my career in directions I never thought possible.

My current role’s most and least interesting parts

My work now is a mix of nutrition, communication, media, and public engagement, which means it is nice and varied, and that's what I enjoy most about it. I always have my weekly clinics, where I work one-on-one with individuals. Then my work also involves contributing to media, creating content, speaking publicly, and helping make health information feel more accessible and less overwhelming. I love being able to take evidence-based information and translate it into something practical, relatable and useful in real life. The most interesting part is definitely the people and the variety. The least interesting part, unsurprisingly, is the admin. Like any job, there’s always a lot happening behind the scenes that people don’t necessarily see, but it all comes with the territory.

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

Remember that you really do not need to have it all figured out straight away; give yourself a couple of years’ experience to see what areas interest you most. I think when you’re starting, there can be so much pressure to have a very clear plan and to get everything “right” immediately. But the reality is that most careers are built gradually, and often in directions you couldn’t have predicted at the start. Also, confidence is often something you build by doing, not something you wait to feel before you begin. I wish I had known this earlier!

The best career advice I have ever received

One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was to “follow what you love”. And I think what I learned from my Dad and his work ethic was that it is always important to be curious, optimistic, and kind. Curious enough to keep learning, optimism not to stop at the first hurdle, and always be kind. My parents were great supporters of me and encouraged all of us to do what we wanted. When I suggested going out on my own, they were the first to say, ‘Go for it.’I think particularly for women, there can sometimes be a tendency to wait until you feel overqualified, overprepared or completely certain before putting yourself forward. But so often growth happens when you step into something before you feel fully ready.

The person who taught me my most important values

Kindness is the most important value, along with integrity, empathy, hard work, curiosity, and balance. As you get older, you become much clearer on what matters to you and how important it is to build a life and career that aligns with those things. I look to those ahead of me and learn from them. I would rather be remembered or recognised for kindness than for any business success. A lot of those values came from a mix of family, school, friends and life experience. School gives you more than education — it gives you a framework for how you move through the world, how you treat people, and how you carry yourself. I think Loreto definitely played a role in shaping that for me.

Role models I look up to

I really admire people who are highly capable, but still warm, grounded and human. My grandmother and my father are two people who have stood out to me as having these qualities. I’m always drawn to people who communicate well, listen, make others feel at ease, and use their voice or expertise in a positive and meaningful way. I think the people I admire most are often those who have found a way to be successful without losing themselves in the process.

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

Adaptability, communication, human connection, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and resilience are going to be essential, particularly as we move towards a world of AI. The world of work is changing so quickly, and technical skills will always matter, of course. Still, the ability to communicate clearly, work well with people, think independently, and navigate uncertainty will be hugely valuable. I also think the ability to filter information well — and know what’s credible and what isn’t — is becoming more important than ever.

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

I would love to spend an hour having a really honest conversation with students about confidence, pressure, self-belief, career paths and the fact that very few people have life neatly figured out at 18 or 19. Also, to tell them to look around at their friends, value them, and treasure them. School is about learning and making lifelong friends. I think there’s huge value in hearing from people who are a little bit further down the road and realising that uncertainty is normal, change is normal, and success doesn’t have to look one particular way. If I could leave students with one message, it would probably be to stay curious, trust themselves, and not underestimate how much can change in a few years.

Oh and I might have lunch in a classroom and walk up the brown stairs and down the green!

Plans for the future

What’s next for me is really more of what I’m passionate about — continuing to work in a space that combines health, communication, and practically helping people. I often wonder whether I would enjoy lecturing or perhaps writing a book. I am currently exploring the idea of starting a podcast.  I’m always interested in opportunities that allow me to connect with wider audiences, contribute meaningfully and keep evolving professionally. At this stage, “what’s next” is less about a fixed destination and more about continuing to grow, staying open, and keeping doing work that feels aligned and worthwhile. And I have Loreto to thank for getting me started.

If you know someone who should be featured in a past pupil spotlight please contact headofdevelopment@loretothegreen.ie