BiG* Leaders Summit

Marie Gleeson is a former Irish Navy Ships Captain and Founder of NavMar Leadership, with over twenty years’ experience leading teams in high-risk, high-pressure environments. Rising from naval cadet to Captain of the LE AOIFE, Marie developed a leadership style rooted in resilience, service, and decisive action in the face of uncertainty.

Bassam Aramin is a Palestinian peace activist, international speaker, and leading voice for reconciliation in conflict transformation. A former Palestinian activist who spent seven years in an Israeli prison as a teenager, he later became a founding member of Combatants for Peace and an international spokesperson for The Parents Circle–Families Forum.

Following the death of his 10-year-old daughter Abir in 2007, Bassam transformed personal tragedy into a lifelong mission to advance human understanding across divides. He has since addressed global audiences, including governments, universities, NGOs, and leadership forums, sharing lessons on resilience, coexistence, and the power of dialogue in deeply polarised environments. With academic studies in history and Holocaust studies, Bassam brings a rare perspective that combines lived experience, moral leadership, and cross-cultural bridge-building.

His vision is rooted in the belief that sustainable peace is built through recognition of shared humanity, courageous listening, and collaborative leadership.

Willie Ruane is a Ballina native, former Connacht Rugby player, and one of Irish sport’s most respected sporting executives. After a successful career in elite rugby, Willie spent a number of years as a Director with Ulster Bank, developing deep expertise in governance, strategy, and organisational leadership.

Appointed CEO of Connacht Rugby in 2014, Willie has been the driving force behind the province’s on‑ and off‑field transformation. Under his leadership, Connacht achieved the historic PRO12 Championship win in 2016, a landmark moment that reshaped the identity and ambition of the organisation.

Willie has played a central role in the sustained growth and professionalisation of Connacht Rugby, culminating in the delivery and opening of the Dexcom Stadium. His leadership journey offers powerful insights into high performance, culture change, stakeholder alignment, and building resilient organisations capable of competing at the highest level.

Karen Ronan is a dynamic and highly regarded leader with a proven track record in business, tourism, stakeholder engagement, and economic development.

As CEO of Galway Chamber and President of Network Ireland, she plays a key role in shaping business networks and supporting enterprise growth. She has been instrumental in driving national and regional strategies, with a strong focus on ESG and sustainable work practices.

Her extensive background in project management and governance has helped foster valuable connections at local, national, and international levels.

Gerry Barrett is a prominent Galway-based developer and entrepreneur, best known as managing director of Edward Holdings, which he built into a major force in Ireland’s real estate and hospitality sectors.
He has led large-scale mixed-use developments, including shopping centres, cinemas, and waterfront regeneration projects, that have revitalised urban areas and created employment.
His work is defined by a focus on design quality, long-term value, and ambitious, often unconventional projects.
This is exemplified by the transformative impact of Bonham Quay on Galway Harbour.
His latest focus is the redevelopment of Ceannt Station as a gateway to the city.

Our BiG* events are perfect for that catch-up chat with your colleagues and friends. Bring your team, make introductions, share insights, and enjoy the show.

To stay ahead in business, we all need to adapt to change. The BiG* Leaders Summit delivers new thoughts on existing challenges and gives you the chance to reflect on your successes and build for the future.