Tara D.

Co-Founder

Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland26 yrs 3 mos experience
Highly Stable

Key Highlights

  • 25+ years in culture and employee engagement.
  • Led global initiatives across multiple organizations.
  • Recognized as a top Irish woman in tech.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a Culture and Employee Engagement Specialist with a focus on SaaS and community-driven initiatives.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Organizational CultureInternal CommunicationsEmployee EngagementProject ManagementMarketing StrategyCommunity ManagementStartup DevelopmentCommunity Building

Other Skills

AdministrationAdministrative SupportAnalytical SkillsB2BBloggingBrand MarketingBrand StrategyBrandingBranding & IdentityBudget ManagementBudgetingCampaignsCommunicationContent ManagementCopywriting

About

With 25+ years of experience spanning culture, communications, events, and employee engagement, I believe that people and purpose are at the heart of every thriving workplace. I specialise in building human-centric, high-impact environments where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to do their best work. I recently joined Bentley Systems as Senior Manager, Culture & Communications (Product & Technology), where I partner with our CTO and global leadership teams to strengthen connection, alignment, and culture across a distributed organisation. My focus is on creating meaningful communications, shared experiences, and storytelling that bring our values to life and elevate engagement at every level. Experience & Impact Global Workplace Manager, Genesys – Led global engagement and culture programs across 30+ sites, shaping strategies that enhanced belonging, recognition, and collaboration in hybrid environments. Senior Employee Experience Advocate, Electronic Arts (EA) – Built engagement frameworks, recognition programs, and strategic communications that scaled globally and improved employee satisfaction. Entrepreneur & Founder – Launched two tech startups and a consultancy, gaining hands-on expertise in brand storytelling, innovation, and community building. Recognitions & Highlights Featured on Dragons’ Den Ireland Top 38 Irish Women in Tech – Silicon Republic Vodafone World of Difference Winner Enterprise Ireland New Frontiers Graduate SCCUL ICT Enterprise Award – One to Watch IEDR Optimise Award Recipient I thrive at the intersection of culture, communication, and strategy—helping teams connect to purpose and build workplaces that truly matter. “Culture is not just one aspect of the game – it is the game.” – Lou Gerstner Let’s connect! I’m always open to sharing ideas and best practices on culture, communication, and the future of work.

Experience

26 yrs 3 mos
Total Experience
2 yrs 7 mos
Average Tenure
8 mos
Current Experience

Bentley systems

Senior Manager, Culture and Communications, Product & Technology

Oct 2025Present · 8 mos · Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland · Hybrid

  • I lead global culture and communications across the Product & Technology organisation at Bentley Systems — a community of more than 1,600 innovators driving the future of infrastructure engineering.
  • My focus is on creating meaningful connections across regions, ensuring our people feel informed, inspired, and aligned with our shared mission.
  • Partnering closely with our CTO, leadership team, and global stakeholders, I develop and deliver strategies that strengthen engagement, amplify voices, and bring our values to life in every interaction.
  • Designing and leading the global internal communications strategy for Product & Technology, ensuring clarity and alignment across time zones.
  • Building an inclusive, connected culture that celebrates innovation, collaboration, and shared purpose.
  • Driving storytelling and recognition initiatives that spotlight team successes and elevate visibility for key programs.
  • Supporting leadership visibility through global all-hands, AMAs, newsletters, and storytelling campaigns.
  • Embedding metrics and feedback loops to continuously measure and enhance engagement impact.
Culture ChangeOrganizational CultureInternal CommunicationsCommunity ManagementEmployee Engagement

Career break

Career transition

Aug 2025Oct 2025 · 2 mos · Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland

  • After over a decade of leading award-winning initiatives in employee engagement, culture strategy, internal communications, DEI, and brand experience, I’m now seeking a new challenge where I can bring this expertise to a company or consultancy ready to evolve its approach to connecting with its people.
  • My career spans founding two companies, driving employee experience in global tech and gaming, and leading hybrid workplace culture programs at scale. From building global recognition frameworks and rolling out Great Place to Work across multiple regions, to shaping DEI roadmaps and designing campaigns that boost pride and belonging — I’ve consistently delivered programs that align people with purpose and culture with strategy.
  • I’ve worked cross-functionally across marketing, HR, sustainability, events, and communications. I’ve partnered with leadership teams to shape values-driven workplaces, built community strategies from the ground up, and crafted stories that elevate employer brand from the inside out.
  • Now, I’m looking to apply this breadth in a senior culture, brand experience, or employee engagement role — or partner with companies as a consultant to shape future-forward, inclusive, human-centric cultures.
  • If your organisation is at an inflexion point — navigating growth, change, or needing a cultural refresh — I bring both strategic thinking and human insight to help move it forward.
  • Let’s connect.

Genesys

2 roles

Global Workplace Community and Culture Manager

Promoted

Sep 2023Jul 2025 · 1 yr 10 mos · Galway, County Galway, Ireland · Hybrid

  • At Genesys, I led the global strategy for Workplace Community & Culture—driving initiatives that connected, inspired, and reflected our One Genesys values across every region, office, and time zone.
  • I designed and delivered global and regional programmes that fostered belonging, pride, and purpose. From hybrid and on-site flagship events to employee recognition and cultural activations, I created high-impact experiences that elevated connection—wherever work happened.
  • My role spanned:
  • Cultural programme ownership: Ensured our values came to life globally in ways that reflected local nuance and diverse voices
  • Event design & execution: Led immersive all-hands, leadership offsites, and region-specific “moments that matter,” with an eye for impact, storytelling, and inclusion
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Partnered with Talent, DEI, CSR, and Sustainability to amplify key initiatives through thoughtful campaigns and meaningful employee engagement
  • Sponsorship & brand activation: Managed our Connacht Rugby partnership in collaboration with Brand & Social Media—crafting matchday experiences, creative AMAs, and employee-hosted events that sparked pride and community
  • I also managed a global budget with strategic precision, ensuring all efforts scaled with intention while maintaining cultural authenticity.
  • Whether collaborating with senior stakeholders or boots-on-the-ground teams, my focus was clear: building a workplace where people felt seen, valued, and connected—and where culture was more than words on a wall, but something employees experienced every day.
InspirationGoogle WorkspaceCorporate Social ResponsibilityPresentationsEmployee RecognitionMarket Planning+46

Regional Employee Engagement Manager EMEA

Jan 2021Sep 2023 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Galway, County Galway, Ireland · Hybrid

  • In this role, I partnered with Site Leads and HR teams across Ireland and EMEA to deliver strategic employee engagement, event planning, and culture-building initiatives that enhanced the workplace experience across multiple sites and hybrid teams.
  • Key responsibilities and achievements:
  • Designed and delivered high-impact internal events including site-wide all-hands, team-building activities, DEI celebrations, CSR initiatives, and volunteer programs—driving participation, connection, and brand pride.
  • Localized global engagement programs to reflect regional and cultural nuances, ensuring relevance and resonance across diverse teams.
  • Collaborated cross-functionally with Talent, HR, and Communications to align engagement efforts with broader company goals, including recruitment, onboarding, and employee development.
  • Built and nurtured strong stakeholder relationships to support program buy-in and long-term impact, leveraging data and feedback to iterate and improve.
  • Supported internal communications and change management efforts, ensuring smooth execution of site-wide updates, campaigns, and strategic announcements.
  • This role sat at the intersection of internal marketing, employee experience, and community building—blending operational excellence with creative strategy to foster a culture of belonging, recognition, and engagement.
InspirationGoogle WorkspaceCorporate Social ResponsibilityPresentationsEmployee RecognitionMarket Planning+46

Career break

Full-time parenting

Jul 2020Jan 2021 · 6 mos · Galway, County Galway, Ireland

Electronic arts (ea)

Senior Employee Experience Advocate

Oct 2017Jun 2020 · 2 yrs 8 mos · Galway Metropolitan Area · Hybrid

  • Developed and implemented comprehensive frameworks to enhance the employee experience, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. This included creating effective methods to measure engagement, such as conducting focus groups, administering surveys, and setting up feedback stations. This helped build an employee-centric culture where feedback was encouraged and valued.
  • Led strategic communication initiatives that amplified employee voices, ensuring their viewpoints were heard and integrated into decision-making processes. I conducted thorough reviews of management practices to assess their impact on employee satisfaction, identifying critical areas for improvement and driving continuous optimisation of the employee experience.
  • Pioneered proactive strategies to promote holistic well-being, with a strong focus on physical and mental health, contributing to improved overall well-being across the organisation. Additionally, I played a crucial role in enhancing the employer brand, projecting a positive and inclusive image that attracted and retained top-tier talent.
InspirationGoogle WorkspaceCorporate Social ResponsibilityPresentationsEmployee RecognitionMarket Planning+44

Siteminder

Operations Manager

Jul 2016Sep 2017 · 1 yr 2 mos · Galway · Hybrid

  • I managed the project to establish EMEA offices, working closely with a global internal team. One of my key achievements was leading the setup over six months. This involved coordinating various aspects of the office development to meet the project’s timeline and objectives.
  • I played a critical role in managing the official launch of the Galway office in partnership with the IDA, ensuring the event's success. In addition, I implemented a robust Health and Safety program, chairing the Safety Committee, providing Manual Handling training, conducting Workstation Ergonomic assessments, and overseeing fire safety as Chief Fire Warden and Occupational First aid. I enhanced the employee experience by leading the sports and social committee, organising events, managing employee rewards, and fostering community-driven initiatives to create a positive and inclusive work environment.
InspirationGoogle WorkspacePresentationsMarket PlanningCustomer SatisfactionStrategy+41

Superpixel ltd

Community Manager & Customer Experience

Feb 2016Jul 2016 · 5 mos · Galway · On-site

  • I specialised in developing and executing marketing strategies that generated new business opportunities and consistently exceeded targets. I played a key role in event planning, organising meetups and participating in industry events to build a vibrant, engaged community. I also handled public relations, managing media inquiries and executing successful campaigns while building solid relationships with industry journalists. I delivered top-tier support through customer relations and managed feedback channels, leveraging analytics tools like Google Analytics to refine strategies and optimise results.
Google WorkspacePresentationsMentoringMarket PlanningCustomer SatisfactionStrategy+40

Galway startup weekend

Organiser 1st Galway Startup Weekend in NUI Galway

Sep 2014Nov 2014 · 2 mos · NUIG

  • Organiser of the first successful Galway Startup Weekend in November 2014 along with John Breslin (NUI Galway Senior Lecturer, boards.ie/adverts.ie Co-Founder, Startup Advisor, ACE Fitness/WestBIC Boards), Mic FitzGerald (OnePageCRM), Michael Campion (NUI Galway) and Paul Killoran (ExOrdo).

Feelsright

Founder: Award Winning Reward & Recognition Platform | Featured on Dragons Den

Nov 2012Jan 2016 · 3 yrs 2 mos · Galway · On-site

  • As the founder of Feelsright, I developed a SAAS platform dedicated to rewards, compensation, and recognition. We partnered with companies to boost employee health and wellness initiatives. Our platform is focused on creating a supportive work environment and helping organisations nurture a thriving workforce.
  • Our mission was to address the rigidity in the job market by encouraging local communities to engage in diverse projects, thereby injecting flexibility and opportunity into the workforce. We aimed to empower individuals to work smarter, not harder, advocating for a balanced and practical work-life approach prioritising efficiency.
  • We also sought to revitalise local communities by fostering knowledge-sharing and collaboration, allowing people to control their work schedules. Our vision was to grant individuals greater flexibility in choosing when and how much they worked, contributing to personal and professional growth. Feelsright received significant recognition throughout this journey, including awards such as the Top 20 Tech Startup to Watch in 2015, the IEDR Optimise Award, and participation in notable programs like the StartX6 Incubator and Microsoft BizSpark.
Google WorkspacePresentationsEmployee RecognitionMarket PlanningCustomer SatisfactionStrategy+29

Cancer care west

Social Media and Website Manager

Jan 2011Jun 2012 · 1 yr 5 mos · Galway Metropolitan Area

  • I developed and executed a comprehensive social media strategy to increase brand visibility and engagement.I planned and scheduled content using tools like Hootsuite, Buffer, Tweetdeck, and Asana, optimising the management of multiple channels. I also designed and launched tailored campaigns to promote CCW, its events, and its overall brand while contributing to thought leadership through blog posts, articles, and engaging multimedia content like videos and slide shares.
  • In addition to managing a vibrant social media community, I monitored performance metrics across platforms, continuously refining strategies based on insights. I also provided training to colleagues, improving their social media skills and advocating for its effective internal use.

Busy lizzie

Founder BusyLizzie.ie - Tech PR, Community Building, Marketing, Content Creation & Social Media

Aug 2003Jan 2016 · 12 yrs 5 mos · Galway · On-site

  • As the founder, I managed and nurtured multiple key accounts, building strong client relationships that drove business growth. I effectively oversaw significant marketing budgets, ensuring the execution of high-impact marketing campaigns that aligned with client goals and maximized ROI.
  • I also generated detailed forecasts and reports, providing clients with critical insights and fostering a culture of transparent communication. My role involved optimizing new business development processes to enhance operational efficiency and capitalize on growth opportunities while conducting thorough reviews of financial and budget data to identify potential areas for sales growth.
  • In addition to client relations, I facilitated team-building and mentoring sessions, cultivating a collaborative and motivated work environment that boosted productivity. I also contributed as a feature writer for the "Business Brain" segment in the Business Supplement of the Irish Independent, sharing industry insights and business expertise.
Google WorkspacePresentationsMarket PlanningCustomer SatisfactionStrategyWritten Communication+27

Marks & spencer

Licensing Assistant

Sep 2002Sep 2004 · 2 yrs · Baker Street, London

  • In this role, I spearheaded collaboration with Watermelon, Marks & Spencer's design and licensing agency, managing negotiations, property selection, deal memos, trend research, and product approvals.
  • I conducted trend forecasting through CIU and participated in key trade fairs, such as Petit Bimbo, Tissu Premier, and Premier Vision, to stay ahead of market trends.
  • As a project manager, I successfully organized corporate events for client entertainment and internal company-wide functions while managing risk and project timelines using Microsoft Project. I was responsible for ensuring all aspects adhered to critical path deadlines. Additionally, I coordinated communication with newswires, agencies, and media, managing interviews and photo shoots to elevate brand visibility.
  • Notable achievements include contributing to the DB07 team, which oversaw the exclusive David Beckham license for M&S. This project earned the LIMA Celebrity/Personality License of the Year award in 2002/2003. I also pioneered the role of M&S licensing liaison, improving communication across Legal, PR/Marketing, agencies, and licensors, significantly enhancing collaboration within the licensing committee. I developed a critical licensing path to streamline processes and mentored an assistant, fostering their professional growth within a structured three-month period.

Lepus

IT Consultant To Banking Industry

Oct 2000Oct 2001 · 1 yr · London Area, United Kingdom

  • In this role, I demonstrated expertise in producing comprehensive technological reports on various subjects, including Wireless, ASP, Data Warehousing, Information and Content Management, B2B, P2P, C2C, Java, FpML, XML, and IT Security. My deep understanding of these topics allowed me to deliver insightful, data-driven analyses to inform business strategies.
  • I specialized in crafting bespoke and legacy consultancy reports and contributed expert articles to leading trade publications such as Risk and Risk Magazine.
  • As a project manager, I consistently excelled in managing finance-related reports, ensuring flawless execution and on-time delivery. My strong organizational skills and attention to detail helped drive successful outcomes for internal projects and client-facing deliverables.

Financial dynamics

Financial PR to Tech Industry

Jan 2000Jan 2000 · 0 mo · Chancery Lane, London

  • I managed internet and technological accounts for prominent companies such as 365 Corporation, Dimension Data, Merant, Eyretel, Royal Blue, Sage, QXL.com, Morse, Lastminute.com, Nomura, and Clubhaus. My work involved overseeing these accounts, focusing on delivering exceptional service and ensuring successful outcomes.
  • I was responsible for managing financial results and creating presentations for analysts and the London Stock Exchange (LSE), ensuring clear and effective communication of financial performance. Additionally, I served as the primary point of contact for media outlets, photo desks, and newswires, consistently generating positive media coverage and enhancing brand reputation.
  • I conducted in-depth financial research, particularly within the TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) sector, providing valuable insights that supported strategic business decisions.

Dorling kindersley

PR and Marketing Assistant

Jan 1999Jan 2000 · 1 yr · Covent Garden, London · On-site

  • I led the planning, organization, and promotion of national and international events, ensuring their success and recognition. I conducted detailed client and event delegate feedback analyses, generating comprehensive reports to drive improvements for future events. Additionally, I performed in-depth secondary research and produced well-structured briefing documents for clients and internal teams, supporting informed decision-making.
  • I pioneered the development of an in-house handwriting style guide, marketing brochures, and materials, managing their production to ensure consistency and quality. I also produced engaging content for a global trade magazine, online newsletters, and articles while communicating effectively with partners. My role involved ongoing research in staying ahead of industry trends, identifying growth opportunities, and managing national and international press inquiries to protect and enhance the company’s public image.
  • Among my key achievements, I collaborated with Managing Director Peter Kindersley to create compelling sales presentations, contributing to business growth. I took responsibility for preparing, editing, and maintaining content for the company’s internet and intranet sites, ensuring accurate and timely updates. I built strong relationships with international marketing teams across India, Australia, America, and Canada, fostering successful global partnerships. Additionally, I contributed to drafting sales and advertising performance reports and monitoring the success of new products and marketing campaigns.

Staniforth pr

PR Assistant (B2B and B2C)

Jan 1998Jan 1999 · 1 yr · Bermondsey, London

  • I worked on key business client accounts, including well-known brands M&S, BSkyB, Red Square, and Volvic.
  • I facilitated effective communication and coordination with national territory branches, ensuring seamless operations and optimal client satisfaction. As a point of contact for national press interactions, I helped enhance brand visibility and foster positive media relations.
  • In addition, I demonstrated proficiency in budget and P&L analysis, supporting informed decision-making and contributing to cost-optimization strategies. I also utilized my expertise in creating direct marketing lists using Mediadisk, streamlining targeted marketing campaigns and maximizing the company’s outreach efforts.

Education

Dublin City University

Female High Fliers Accelerator - Ryan Academy

Jan 2015Jul 2015

Atlantic Technological University

Enterprise Ireland: New Frontiers Business Development Programme — Innovation

Oct 2015Jan 2016

University of Gloucestershire

BA Hons — Human Geography and Business Information Studies

Jan 1995Jan 1999

Dunottar School for Girls

Sep 1987Jun 1993

Reigate Sixth Form College

Sep 1993Jun 1995

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