Network Ireland Waterford Branch has officially welcomed its new President for 2026, Claire Mooney, Director of ReduceCosts, following the AGM and presidential handover held on December 19th, 2025.
Based in Waterford City, Claire and her husband Mick run ReduceCosts, a consultancy focused on helping businesses better manage and reduce their commercial energy costs. Through complimentary annual energy reviews and access to a wide range of suppliers, ReduceCosts helps organisations make informed energy decisions while saving both time and money.
Claire joined Network Ireland Waterford in spring 2022 at the outset of her journey with ReduceCosts. Her achievements were recognised in 2024 when she received the Emerging Businesswoman of the Year award at the Network Ireland Waterford Branch Businesswoman of the Year Awards and represented the branch at the National Awards.
In her inaugural address, Claire introduced “Believe” as the guiding theme for her presidency, encouraging members to back themselves, their businesses, and the strength of the Network Ireland community.
Speaking on the day Claire said “Stepping into this role is a real honour. I joined Network Ireland at a time when I was still finding my footing in business, and the confidence and support I gained made a lasting difference. My focus for 2026 is on helping more women build that same belief in themselves and their businesses.”
Reflecting on her own journey from uncertainty to confidence, Claire highlighted the role Network Ireland Waterford Branch played in her development and reaffirmed her commitment to empowering the branch members.
Outgoing President Ann Marie Shannon, Director of Veritas Chartered Accountants & Registered Auditors was thanked for her leadership and for her theme, Collaborate to Elevate, which encouraged members to support one another both professionally and personally.
Looking back on the year Ann Marie said "2025 was a year of incredible growth and impact for the Network Ireland Waterford Branch. Under the theme, ‘Collaborate to Elevate,’ we focused on building strong partnerships with the wider business community and providing a platform to increase member visibility on both the local and national stage. I was particularly proud to see our membership base become even more diverse this year, with our numbers growing as we fostered new learning and networking opportunities for women across all sectors. A personal highlight was our commitment to our 2025 charity partner, Solas Cancer Support Centre. Through our flagship events and the generosity of our members, we were able to provide vital support to a cause so close to our community. Successes like these are only possible with strong backing, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to our 2025 Corporate Sponsors and our Hotel Partner for their unwavering support and commitment throughout my term. It has been a privilege to lead this branch through such a successful awards season and a year of transformative events. As I step into the role of Ex-Officio, I look forward to supporting Claire Mooney and the incoming committee as they continue to drive the network forward in 2026."
At the AGM, Kelly Han, Chief Operations Officer at Supplement Certified, was elected as Vice President of Network Ireland for 2026 and shared her enthusiasm for supporting members and working closely with the incoming President in the year ahead.
“I’m really proud to step into the role of Vice President for Network Ireland Waterford and excited to support our President in the year ahead. I’m looking forward to playing my part in strengthening our network and supporting our members.”
The first event of 2026, Work Smarter — Building a Foundation in Workflows, AI, and Boundaries, will take place on January 29th, both in person and online, focusing on practical tools to help members use technology effectively, protect their time, and work with greater clarity.
If you would like to attend the next Network Ireland Waterford Event or learn more, please contact waterford@networkireland.ie or check out the National Website https://networkireland.ie/
