Future In Pharmaceuticals Ireland 2025 Speakers
Gerry Shannon - Director - Shannon Energy Corp.
Gerry is Chairman of Shannon Energy Corporation, a leading solar developer in Ireland for Utility Scale solar together with Commercial Rooftops and Carparks delivered over the last six years. Concentrating on the ESG issues for the Pharmaceutical Industry, Gerry has led Shannon to success in three sites for rooftop and solar, two Pharma and one Datacentre, where the clients embraced the opportunity to leverage their site-assets on a Corporate Power Purchase Agreement over 20 years, thus Hedging their energy Supply and securing their Guarantees of Origin for the overall contribution to Carbon reduction, with no Capex cost.
Kedar Apte - Energy & Sustainability Engineer - AbbVie
Kedar is the Energy & Sustainability Lead at AbbVie Manorhamilton Road, where he is dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions and effective energy management. In this role, Kedar leads the site's "Mission C Zero" initiative, which focuses on achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions.
He is responsible for managing engineering projects within the Strategic Initiatives Group, ensuring they align with Project Management Office processes and comply with ISO50001 energy standards. Kedar's expertise encompasses energy analysis, project management, and technical evaluations, enabling him to oversee projects from conception through to successful completion.
Kedar plays a crucial role in driving energy efficiency, facilitating LPG reduction across the site and sustainability awareness initiatives. In his previous position as a Project Engineer, he led process improvement initiatives and ensured adherence to engineering and safety policies.
Kedar holds a Master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from NUI Galway and Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering from Mumbai University.
Kieran Ryan - Energy Manager - MSD (Ballydine)
Kieran is a manufacturing engineer with over 25 years of experience across different industries. He has worked in heavy manufacturing facilities, medical devices and currently works in pharmaceuticals. He has held the role of Energy Lead for over 15 years in various companies. As the MSD Ballydine Environmental Sustainability program lead, Kieran is responsible for delivering the site Energy Program which currently includes, ISO50001, Heat Pumps, Electric Boilers (DS3), Solar PV Roof, Ground & Solar thermal…etc. He is also responsible for leading the All Ireland MSD Carbon Transition Work Strand and responsible for leading and providing hands on support for the site Water, Waste & Biodiversity work strands ensuring all achieve targets.
Lorna McDowell - CEO - Xenergie
Lorna McDowell, founder and CEO of Xenergie, an organisation that “harnesses the power of human connection” in driving performance and innovation through the social energy within an organisation. She brings over 30 year’s experience in developing and consulting senior leaders in organisation development and culture, notably for multinational/global organisations in Ireland and globally, including C-Suite advisory.
A multiple award winner/finalist (CIPD and Business & Finance ESG Awards) , Xenergie’s approach has generated ground-breaking success where Ireland-based leaders have influenced thinking globally about how to work more systemically and with a stakeholder-led mindset, experiencing more influence and business impact as a result. Programmes with Boston Scientific and Merit Medical, for example, were acknowledged by Skillnet Ireland as a case studies of excellence at a national level in 2022/3.
Meaghan Carmody - Senior Sustainability Adviser - Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI)
Meaghan serves as a Senior Sustainability Adviser with Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI), where she leads the ambitious Accelerate Pact campaign. This initiative aims to establish an Irish Centre of Excellence dedicated to developing corporate Climate Transition Plans. These comprehensive, whole-of-business strategies guide organizations in transitioning their business models, processes, and operations to align with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions pathways consistent with achieving net zero by 2050 at the latest.
Meaghan brings extensive experience in fostering engagement for climate action, gained through her leadership roles in Coalition 2030, a multisectoral alliance advocating for Ireland's achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as her work with Friends of the Earth Ireland, the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition, and the UCD School of Social Work, Social Policy, and Social Justice. She holds a Master’s degree in International Political Economy from University College Dublin (UCD).
Sergio Contreras - Senior Energy Engineer - Boston Scientific
Sergio Contreras is a Senior Engineer at Boston Scientific Corporation, where he is responsible for leading the decarbonisation efforts within the company's real estate. This involves implementing the company's energy strategy C3: Cut energy use, Convert to renewable sources, and Compensate for unavoidable carbon emissions. Sergio is a Certified Energy Manager accredited by the Association of Energy Engineers and has prior experience working with pharmaceutical companies in Ireland, as well as Oil & Gas engineering and construction firms in Europe and South America. He holds a Master's degree in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Galway and a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the National University of Colombia.
