Emma Hassard is a communications professional with experience across the charity and education sectors in Northern Ireland. As Communications Manager at the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), she leads strategic messaging to support the growth and development of Integrated Education. A passion close to her heart, Emma previously worked at the Council for Integrated Education and was a Governor at an Integrated Primary School. Before joining the IEF, Emma spent nearly a decade working in International Development with Concern Worldwide, coordinating public engagement and managing the Concern Debates. In 2022/23 Emma chaired CADA NI, the Coalition of Aid and Development Agencies. Emma holds a MA (Honours) degree in English Literature and Italian from the University of St Andrews.

Paul McGarrity is Managing Director of Octave Digital – an agency specialising in marketing campaigns, advertising, and digital upskilling. Paul has over 24 years of experience in the UK and Ireland marketing delivering highly impactful campaigns for brands and organisations including: Cavan Tourism, Waterways Ireland, and ERP Ireland. He also operates a specialist Linkedin Training and Content service via PaulMcGarrity.com

Amy Lynch O’Connor is a seasoned social media strategist and content leader with extensive experience driving engagement and brand growth for major companies including in her previous role as Social Media Lead for Ryanair and in her current role managing the Digital and Content team in Aldi. Renowned for her creative storytelling and data-driven approach, Amy has led viral campaigns, built thriving online communities, and developed impactful multi-platform strategies. Passionate about innovation in digital communication, she continues to help brands connect with audiences and stay ahead in the fast-evolving world of social media.

Chiara Pullo started her career at ByteDance before TikTok became the platform we know today. Over more than seven years at the company, she’s worked across trust and safety, content moderation, quality assurance and operations, giving her a strong foundation in how platforms actually function behind the scenes. She later moved into content, creators and partnerships, where she was part of the early development of TikTok LIVE. Today, she specialises in content strategy, short-form video and live streaming, working closely with creators and brands to build content that connects and drives real engagement.

Catherine is a Digital Marketing Manager with over a decade of experience, predominantly within agency environments. She has worked in Belfast, Sydney and London, delivering award-winning, high-impact campaigns for a range of high-profile brands. After 13 years living away, Catherine returned home and rediscovered Northern Ireland as a tourist herself, bringing a global perspective and a results-driven mindset to her role at Tourism Northern Ireland. Catherine is passionate about creating consumer and channel-centric content, underpinned by trends and audience insights. Known for her collaborative approach and attention to detail, she consistently delivers effective, impactful marketing.

Cara has over 10 years of marketing experience, specialising in social media and influencer partnerships across both in-house and agency roles. She currently works with the UK & Ireland’s largest food influencers through Bored of Lunch, delivering impactful campaigns that connect brands with highly engaged audiences. Alongside her professional role, Cara is the creator behind NI Food Reviews, a platform with over 100,000 followers. Combining her passion for food with a strong understanding of what drives results on social media.