Winners announced for IOB Future of Finance Awards 2025

The winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards 2025 were announced at a special ceremony held at the Dublin Convention Centre on Friday 21 March. The IOB Future of Finance Awards is IOB’s flagship initiative to recognise financial services professionals who are leading innovative and impactful projects.

IOB Future of Finance Awards nominees discuss the role of innovation in the financial services sector.

Speaking at the event, Mary O’Dea, CEO of IOB, said “The winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards 2025 are ambassadors for the financial services industry – demonstrating how the sector is innovating in support of customers, clients and our society. From sustainable finance to digital, compliance, culture, risk and DEI, we are proud to recognise the incredible contributions from our 2025 winners.”

This year IOB has established a new award to honour the late Eimear McBride, IOB’s former Chief Sustainability and Communications Officer who passed away in 2024 and who was a passionate champion of inclusion throughout her life. The Eimear McBride Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award will celebrate leaders who are creating a more inclusive and equitable financial services industry and society.

Mary O’Dea said “Eimear McBride made a remarkable impact throughout her life and her 16-year career with IOB. To honour Eimear’s legacy – we are proud to announce this new IOB Future of Finance Award which is being named in her memory.”

Pictured with IOB CEO, (l-r) the winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards 2025, Dervilla Kenny, Sharon Murphy, Paul Harris, Mary O'Dea, Norma Conway, Eben Serfontein, Lisseth Burgos and Catherine Cunningham.

IOB Future of Finance Award Winners

Pictured with Dr Margaret Fitzsimons, Dean & Chief Learning Officer with IOB and Chair of the Judging Committee, the winners of the IOB Future of Finance Awards are:

Digital Innovation - Catherine Cunningham, Bank of Ireland  

Catherine played a pivotal role in building an AI-powered system that could be used to detect early patterns of human trafficking. Working closely with Gardai and the charity Stop the Traffik, Catherine has improved existing AML processes in her organisation and created a model that could lead to prosecutions of criminal gangs and individuals undertaking human trafficking. Catherine volunteered to work extra hours and days to build a Minimum Viable Product that could make her bank the first in the world to deploy such a solution.

Compliance Champion - Dervilla Kenny, PTSB  

Dervilla led the re-design of a model for managing Regulatory Change within her organisation. The new Regulatory Change Lifecycle Model has resulted in more clarity for stakeholders and more efficient reporting and tracking of regulatory change across the bank. Her work has led to improved integration of regulatory change in their organisation’s strategic planning process.

Culture Champion - Lisseth Burgos, Bank of Ireland 

Lisseth developed the “Our values in action” initiative, which has helped colleagues build a real connection with their roles and Bank of Ireland’s values. In Lisseth’s role, she addresses the human aspects of transformation – helping teams to navigate uncertainty with resilience, ensuring they feel valued and equipped for the future. Lisseth was described by her nominator as a real leader inside and outside their role with their bank.

Joint Winner Risk Management - Sharon Murphy, AIB  

Sharon developed and mentored a team of risk management subject matter experts in AIB. Her leadership has transformed risk reporting and the organisation’s ability to identify and mitigate financial crime risks, helping to safeguard individuals and businesses from financial harm.

Joint Winner Risk Management - Eben Serfontein, U.S. Bank   

Drawing on his deep understanding of artificial intelligence and data, Eben led the design and development of an innovative risk measurement model to predict credit and debit card chargeback likelihood that has transformed how U.S. Bank measures liabilities across its payment’s portfolio.

Positive Impact on Sustainability - Paul Harris, Bank of Ireland  

Paul has delivered ground-breaking ESG products and has played a key role in the development of renewable energy, social finance and biodiversity finance products. He established and ran Bank of Ireland's carbon capability, designing the first corporate emissions-linked derivative and Ireland's first carbon-linked investment product. A recent project he devised and delivered led to the planting of 1.8 million new native trees as part of a first-of-its-kind initiative that delivers private funding into public natural capital projects. Paul’s nominator said that he has exhibited “exemplary leadership in sustainability for over 20 years”.

Eimear McBride Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award - Norma Conway, PTSB  

Since joining PTSB in 2022, Norma has led the evolution of DEI across the bank, including the refresh of a DEI strategy, the development of a DEI online course and disability awareness training. Through her work, Nora has increased accessibility and embraced initiatives that positively impact all communities. Norma has led extensive projects to improve accessibility and inclusion in her organisation. She supported the development of four autism friendly bank branches and spearheaded a female mentoring programme for over 400 colleagues. Her nominator said that her work has fostered greater allyship and awareness to create deeper understanding of intersectionality.