James O'Connor Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice President for Microsoft Global Operations Service Center
James holds responsibility for Operations teams globally which includes supporting sales enablement, regional revenue processing, launch of products and services and optimizing internal processes. James’ leadership is focused on driving end-to-end Customer and Partner experience, aligned with the mission to make doing business with Microsoft easy. James currently plays a pivotal role in leading Microsoft’s internal digital transformation of Operations.
James has worked in Microsoft’s HQ in Redmond, Seattle and has held a variety of regional and global leadership positions across the IT and Operations organizations, including leading Global Operations for Microsoft's Enterprise Services business and Microsoft's Dynamics Business Division.
As a former President and board member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland, James currently leads the Cyber Security work group. James is a Chair and a Board Member of Junior Achievement and ADAPT (The Global Centre of Excellence for Digital Content and Media Innovation).
A Computer Science graduate, James is a regular industry speaker on topics including Customer Experience, Digital Transformation, AI, Education and Digital Skills.
Joanne Morrissey HR Director Microsoft Ireland
Joanne Morrissey (McCrohan) is currently the HR Director for Microsoft Ireland. Since joining Microsoft in 2013, Joanne has overseen the growth of the employee footprint in Microsoft Ireland, supporting the expansion of business units such as Operations, Field and Digital Sales, Software Engineering and Data Centre Operations. She leads the HR function and is driven to create the conditions for people to love what they do.
Prior to joining Microsoft, she held several HR positions at Kellogg Europe, Standard Life, Telefonica O2 and Diageo Ireland. While at Diageo Joanne worked in a variety of HR roles in both the corporate head office in London and at a local subsidiary level in Dublin and Belfast, covering areas such as HR business partnering, organization development and HR service delivery.
Joanne has a master’s degree in Organizational & Business Psychology from Queen’s University Belfast and is a graduate from University College Dublin. In addition, to her role at Microsoft Joanne is a member of the Board of Directors for FIT (Fast Track to Information Technology) an organization that is committed to developing Ireland’s technical talent pipeline by creating routes and training options for job seekers and career changers wishing to pursue opportunities in Ireland’s digital economy.
Joanne is a mum of three children and enjoys swimming in her free time.
Dr. Frank O'Donnell Public Sector Lead
Dr Frank O' Donnell leads the Public Sector business for Microsoft Ireland focusing on Health, Education and Government sectors across the island of Ireland. Frank joined Microsoft from senior roles in Management Consulting to focus on transforming the Public Sector business to drive more strategic engagement with customers and partners, and to secure a position as a trusted partner in Digital Transformation.
Frank has over 20 years’ experience across the education and skills, health and economic development areas in Ireland, the UK and the Middle East working within the public sector as a senior director and partner in a number of high-profile management consulting firms. Throughout his career, Frank’s work has been focused on the development of strategy and policy for the transformation of government and public services using technology.
Frank holds a PhD in Engineering from the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, as well as an MSc and BTech Degree.
John O’Doherty Enterprise Commercial Director
As Enterprise Commercial Director, John is responsible for Microsoft enterprise commercial business across the island of Ireland.
He has 25 years’ experience in the communications and hi-tech industries in Ireland and across Western Europe, working in the electronics, management consulting and software development, focused on helping customers digitally transform their businesses empower their employees and engage their customers to optimise operations and transform their products and services.
John is a B Comm. graduate of University College Cork and has a post-graduate diploma from the Irish Law Society.
Peter Lougheed Small Medium and Corporate Sales Lead
Peter Lougheed is the Small Medium and Corporate Sales Lead for Microsoft in Ireland, and is responsible for helping businesses achieve their digital transformation goals by matching customer challenges with Microsoft solutions.
Peter joined Microsoft in 2004 and held a number of positions in Operations and Finance before moving to the Sales Subsidiary in 2013.
Peter holds a Masters in Economic Science from University College Dublin in addition to a BA in Economics and Politics.
Peter is married to Claire and has three children and in his spare time loves to play and coach soccer.
Martina Naughton Global Parter Solutions Lead
Martina leads Microsoft Ireland’s Global Partner Solutions Team supporting all Microsoft Ireland customers including Enterprise, Public Sector, Corporate and Small Medium Businesses.
Martina joined Microsoft in 2022 from IBM where she held a number of senior positions in IBM including EMEA HPC & AI Leader, Global Business Development HPC & AI Leader, Global Sales Leader Watson Group and Head of Services for the BCRS business in Ireland.
Her long career in the IT Industry has always been inspired by her passion for finding technology solutions for the most pressing challenges facing business and society. Leveraging the expertise of the partner network, Martina is committed to helping customers transform their businesses and to finding new growth opportunities and embedding sustainable business practices.
Martina’s interests include environmental sustainability and human rights. She holds a Masters in International Human Rights from the National University of Ireland, Galway and a Masters of International Relations from Dublin City University.
Ronan Geraghty Marketing & Operations Lead
Ronan is the Marketing and Operations Lead (COO) for Microsoft Ireland, responsible for the commercial operations of the subsidiary, including marketing, budgeting, planning and business strategy.
Ronan joined Microsoft in 2007, holding various roles in the subsidiary before moving to Microsoft Western Europe in 2013, as a Director in the Azure Business Group, responsible for Azure Sales and Marketing across 12 subsidiaries / 14 countries.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Ronan had extensive experience in engineering and consulting roles, working with Manufacturing, FSI and Telco customers worldwide.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Engineering and an MSc in Computer Science, both from Trinity College Dublin, and is married with three children.
Hugh Dawson Director Specialist Technical Unit
As Director for Microsoft’s Specialist and Technical Sales teams, Hugh is responsible for driving new business opportunities and solution sales growth, providing leadership to the solution sales and technical sales teams enabling them to thrive and perform at their best.
Hugh also leads our Microsoft Technology Centre in Dublin where alongside his team, he works with customers and partners to understand their key challenges, empowering them to digitally transform and stay relevant within a rapidly changing technological landscape.
Having joined Microsoft in November 2022, Hugh brings over 25 years’ experience in IT, with a track record of building, developing, and growing strategic business units in Ireland and overseas. Before joining Microsoft, Hugh spent 15 years as the service director in the Microsoft partner community.
Personally, Hugh is passionate about working shoulder to shoulder with great people and teams, collaborating, learning in a supportive environment. He is committed to maintaining a strong and passionate work ethic and thought leadership in all engagements and interactions. Hugh is a business graduate of Dundalk Institute of Technology.
Michael McGrath Customer Success Lead
Michael joined Microsoft Ireland in March 2020, he is responsible for cloud adoption, supporting enterprise customers through their digital transformation journey, and realising the value of their investment in technology.
He is an experienced leader with a broad commercial and Information Technology background, having worked in both SME and multi-national size organisations. Prior to joining Microsoft, Michael worked for Eircom and most recently with Dell Technologies, where he was Services Director, managing a specialist sales and services team in the Western Europe & Russia region.
Michael holds a master’s in Business Administration, specialising in technology, change management and corporate governance from the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from University College Dublin.
Michael is from Wicklow, married with four children and when he does have spare time, is a keen sportsman. Michael enjoys running, swimming, cycling and volunteers as a rugby coach and referee with his local club. He’s passionate about technology, coaching and developing people, music and current affairs.