It’s a busy June morning, and Karen Ronan is already deep into a full day of meetings when we sit down to chat in the heart of Galway City. The moment she arrives, her energy is palpable—an infectious blend of determination and enthusiasm that has clearly set the tone since she stepped into the role of CEO of Galway Chamber.
“I just spent the first number of weeks getting to know everybody,” she begins, smiling. “The council in the Chamber, which is like our Board of Directors, the team, and of course, our key strategic partners—local authorities, businesses, institutions. I’ve been bowled over by how welcoming everyone has been. It’s really helped me hit the ground running.”
It is no surprise to hear that Ms Ronan hasn’t wasted a moment. Her career trajectory—most recently at the helm of Limerick’s conference, sports tourism and events strategy—has been marked by drive and clarity of purpose. Now, she brings that same energy to Galway, a city she long admired, even from across the Shannon.
“There’s always that saying, the grass is greener on the other side,” she laughs. “And from my Limerick days, I often looked to Galway with a little bit of envy. Particularly around business events—I worked closely with the Galway Convention Bureau and always thought, ‘Wow, look at the facilities, look at the capacity.’”
That external viewpoint, she believes, is a strength she brings into her new role.
“When you’re not from Galway, you bring a fresh lens. I see both the issues and the incredible opportunities. Yes, there are infrastructure constraints and congestion problems. But then I’ll stand on Quay Street or Shop Street, and just soak in the atmosphere—the buzz, the culture, the vibrancy. That’s special. And that’s the story we have to tell more.”
Perception is a key part of Ms Ronan's belief — stemming from time spent as a student on placement in the Bord Failte office in New York, learning about how the country was perceived, and working to alter that perception. Such experience will be beneficial when she heads to Chicago this summer as part of the Sister Cities programme. Creating relationships that will benefit this region.
Galway’s voice on the national stage
It is clear that Ms Ronan sees the Chamber as more than just a business organisation — and more a platform to amplify Galway’s voice on the national and international stage.
“We just made a submission to the National Development Plan last week,” she says. “It was about more than infrastructure—it was about accountability. Because right now, Galway and the northwest region rank as the least competitive in Europe, according to the European Commission. That’s a travesty.”
She doesn’t mince words. “We’ve seen decades of underinvestment. The people of Galway and the Oireachtas members have been calling out for change for years. It’s not just about the ring road anymore—it’s about a complete rethink. We need a multi-modal, sustainable transport model. Active travel, public transport, strategic roads—yes, all of it. But we need a joined-up vision. Galway deserves that.”
Her belief is that Galway can, and must, be more than just a beautiful city. It must be a hub of innovation, culture, and commerce. “This is about shaping Galway as a viable, sustainable city of the future,” she insists.
Karen Ronan’s leadership style is rooted in collaboration. She lights up when talking about the “Greater Galway Forum,” a cross-sector initiative that she sees as vital.
“It’s everybody around the same table—local authorities, IDA, Enterprise Ireland, the Chamber, the universities, industry leaders. We’re all sharing issues, surfacing opportunities, and trying to figure out how we can work together more effectively. There’s such synergy in that approach. That’s the kind of platform where you build real momentum.”
And momentum, in her view, is everything.
“One of the challenges Galway has had is fragmentation—lots of voices, but not always singing the same tune. The Chamber’s job is to help unify that. We amplify all of Galway’s voices and ambitions, from business to academia to community. And we make sure those voices are heard where they need to be heard—whether it’s in Leinster House or in Brussels.”
Her Network Ireland Journey
One of the most personal parts of Ms Ronan’s leadership story involves her own journey with networking—a skill she says didn’t always come naturally.
“I’m a huge advocate for networking,” she says candidly. “But it wasn’t always easy for me. Early in my career, I’d often sign up for things and then not go to the events. There was fear around walking into a room, not knowing anyone.”
That all changed when she joined Network Ireland, the professional women’s organisation that supports and connects female leaders across the country.
“I joined before COVID, and it felt like I’d found my tribe. The members were so supportive, so welcoming. There’s real diversity across the 17 branches—and now there’s even a virtual branch. When I moved to Galway, some of the first people I reconnected with were from Network Ireland. It’s had such a powerful impact on me.”
So much so, that next year, she will become the national president of Network Ireland, a role she’s genuinely excited about.
“My ambition is to bring one of Network Ireland’s two major national events to Galway,” she reveals. “It’s about showing off everything Galway has to offer—from its business community to its energy and creativity. It’s another way to amplify Galway’s story.”
She also wants to use her platform to help others overcome the same networking anxieties she once had.
“I always tell people: networking can be daunting—absolutely daunting—but it’s incredibly valuable. When I’ve shared my own experience, people have come up to me afterward and said, ‘Thank you for saying that—it gave me the courage to show up.’ Knowing that someone in leadership also once found it hard makes a difference.”
She believes networking is a skill—and like any skill, it can be learned and developed.
“There are actually people who teach networking now—networking architects! I didn’t even know they existed until recently,” she laughs. “But seriously, the Chamber, too, is rooted in that same idea. If you want to be part of a global business community, if you want to learn and grow, networking is essential.”
The Power of Positivity—and PR
But Ronan also cautions against allowing the challenges of the role to dominate the narrative.
“I’m a huge believer in the power of PR,” she says. “Sometimes, we focus so much on the problems, and yes, we need to be vocal. We need to shout to be heard. But we also need to profile the positives. Galway is buzzing. The culture, the creativity, the entrepreneurship—it’s all happening. We need to tell that story, loudly and proudly.”
She has seen firsthand the impact that positive storytelling can have—not just in attracting investment or talent, but in shifting perception.
“It’s a mindset. If we constantly talk about what we’re lacking, we lose sight of what we have. And Galway has so much to offer.”
Karen’s previous role, promoting Limerick as a destination for business tourism, has shaped how she sees city development.
“In Limerick, we were constantly lobbying for infrastructure like a convention centre,” she recalls. “Here in Galway, the foundations are already there. The challenge is to make sure we don’t take that for granted—that we keep building, keep pushing forward," she said, adding that she is excited about the possibilities of Dexcom Stadium as a venue.
Her experience also sharpened her skills in stakeholder management and strategic planning—skills she’s now deploying to full effect in Galway.
“Strategy is key,” she says. “But it’s nothing without delivery. That’s what I want the Chamber to be known for: action. Not just talking, but making real progress.”
As the interview draws to a close, it’s clear that Karen Ronan’s passion for Galway is already deeply personal. She speaks about walking through the streets, meeting business owners, listening to people.
“You learn so much just by being out in the city. That energy—I love it. Galway people are warm, straight-talking, and full of ideas. And there’s this incredible sense of ambition bubbling under the surface.”
It’s this ambition she wants to harness and elevate.
“The Chamber has to be the engine that pulls it all together. We’re not just reacting—we’re leading. We’re out in front, saying, ‘Here’s what Galway needs. Here’s what we’re going to fight for. Here’s the future we’re building.’”
What does success look like for the new Chamber CEO?
“Success is Galway reaching its potential,” she says, without hesitation. “That means a city and county that works for everyone—a place where infrastructure enables growth, where businesses thrive, where students stay and build their lives, where innovation is constant, and where culture isn’t just celebrated, but woven into everyday life.”
“Galway has all the ingredients. What we need now is the right recipe—and the right people stirring the pot. That’s what we’re doing at the Chamber. We’re not waiting. We’re moving.”
As she returns to her packed schedule, it’s easy to see why Karen Ronan has made such a strong start. She’s energetic, yes—but also razor-sharp, pragmatic, and deeply driven by the idea of impact. For Galway, her leadership could be a turning point—an era of clarity, connection, and concrete progress.
In her own words: “Galway has a voice. It’s time the country started listening.”
