Enterprise Ireland Celebrates Female Leadership This International Women’s Day

On the eve of International Women’s Day, we are proud to highlight four exceptional female leaders redefining success in their fields: Swoop’s Cynthia De Vera, Easydry’s Anne Butterly, Zarasyl’s Adrienne Magnier, and Abbey Machinery’s Clodagh Cavanagh.

As Head of Australia at Swoop , Cynthia D. is driving the success of a global funding marketplace that empowers small and medium-sized enterprises with access to debt, grants, equity, and savings solutions.

Meanwhile, Anne Butterly , founder and CEO of Easydry Australia & New Zealand , has revolutionised the textiles industry with sustainable, disposable alternatives that replace traditional cotton-based products. Easydry, a B Corp Certified company, has just been honoured with the Green Technology Award at the Green Awards 2025—marking its fifth Green Award win. This recognition reinforces Anne’s leadership in sustainability, helping businesses across hairdressing, beauty, hospitality, healthcare, and fitness significantly reduce water consumption, carbon emissions, and energy use.

Similarly, Adrienne Magnier , founder and CEO of Zarasyl , is making a mark in the veterinary dermatology with high-quality solutions for skin and wound care in the animal health industry. The company’s objective is to enhance the lives of the animals and the veterinarians and owners who are caring for them.??

And in agribusiness, Clodagh Cavanagh , Managing Director of Abbey Machinery Machinery, is leading one of Ireland’s most established agricultural engineering firms. With over 75 years of history, Abbey Machinery has grown into a global leader in ag tech machinery, pioneering slurry management solutions and expanding into markets like Australia and New Zealand. Under Clodagh’s leadership, the company remains at the forefront of innovation and sustainability in modern farming.

Overcoming Challenges in Male-Dominated Fields

Cynthia, Anne and Clodagh have all navigated traditionally male-dominated industries, paving the way for more women in leadership.

Reflecting on her journey, Anne recalls instances where, in meetings, questions were directed at male colleagues instead of her. She stresses the importance of mentorship programmes like Vital Voices and Ernst & Young’s Winning Women in connecting and supporting female leaders.

For Cynthia, success has come from focusing on results. Her advice to young women: “Ignore the noise, focus on the work, and keep showing up.” In industries where female leaders remain underrepresented, demonstrating capability and delivering value is key.

Meanwhile, Clodagh has carved out a leadership role in agriculture. She believes that success in this space requires a deep understanding of both the technical aspects of farming and the evolving needs of global markets. “Innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about understanding the needs of farmers, staying ahead of change, and delivering solutions that make a real difference.”

?Adrienne cites a different experience coming from a background in software tech—an industry she found to be largely merit-based with many female leaders to learn from. “Veterinary medicine is a field where women lead—around 70% of U.S. veterinarians are female. I’ve found women in leadership roles in this industry to be incredibly supportive and encouraging of others."

What Motivates these Women?

For Anne, sustainability is her biggest motivator. Seeing businesses in 25 countries adopt Easydry’s eco-friendly solutions fuels her passion for innovation and environmental change. Winning the Green Technology Award for a second time is a milestone moment, proving the impact of Easydry’s commitment to sustainability. Anne also draws inspiration from trailblazing women like Melanie Perkins (Canva), Jacinda Ardern, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Anne has a proactive mindset, believing, "If you don’t ask, you don’t get." As a business leader, she embraces risk-taking, persistence, and continuous learning, knowing that resilience is key to growth and success.

Cynthia finds motivation in creating meaningful impact for businesses and shareholders. She credits one of the best career lessons she has learned: “If you’re not replaceable, you’re not promotable.” This mindset has helped her build long-lasting solutions that drive sustainable growth.

For Adrienne, innovation and impact drive her forward. Seeing veterinarians and pet owners describe Zarasyl products as "magic" and "life-changing" reaffirms her mission to provide safe, effective solutions that improve animal care worldwide. Leaving a secure corporate career to set up Zarasyl was her biggest career risk, but she has no regrets, embracing the daily highs and lows as opportunities for learning and growth.

Clodagh is driven by the opportunity to bridge agriculture and technology, helping farmers embrace sustainable, efficient solutions. The expansion of Abbey Machinery into international markets has reinforced her belief in continuous adaptation and customer-focused innovation.

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Accelerating Action for Women in Leadership

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘Accelerate Action’—so what does that mean for these leaders?

For Anne, “Businesses must accelerate gender equality through mentorship programs, flexible work policies, and a commitment to pay equity.”

Cynthia highlights the need for inclusive workplaces that support women at every life stage. Under Andrea Reynolds’ leadership, Swoop fosters an environment where women thrive. “While maternity leave is crucial, workplaces should expand their support beyond motherhood, including financial independence and career growth. Swoop excels in these areas.”

Adrienne champions inclusivity by advocating for equal access to leadership, mentoring the next generation, and supporting work-life balance. She actively mentors young women and advocates for policies that empower women in veterinary and entrepreneurial spaces. “Empowering women at all levels helps build stronger, more inclusive teams and industries.”

?And for Clodagh, "Accelerating action means ensuring women in agribusiness have access to leadership opportunities. Increased visibility of female leaders is key to breaking barriers."

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we hope these stories inspire more women to challenge barriers and shape a future where leadership knows no gender.

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