From the Pitch to the Boardroom: A Journey of Resilience, Reinvention and Growth
Asmaa Lawlor - ICM
When I arrived in Ireland 14 years ago, I was not simply relocating — I was starting over. A new country, a new culture, and a new language meant that every step forward required courage, humility, and determination. What sustained me was a deep belief that growth is earned through persistence and a willingness to adapt.
I hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration, but my journey into leadership did not follow a conventional path. Long before I stepped into executive roles, I was shaped on the football pitch. Sport instilled in me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the understanding that success is built through consistency and accountability. It taught me how to stay focused under pressure and how to rise stronger after setbacks.
My career later led me into restaurant management — an environment that demanded operational precision, quick decision-making, and strong people leadership. Managing teams and daily operations strengthened my ability to lead with clarity and confidence. It was there that I truly understood the importance of responsibility, structure, and creating an environment where individuals can perform at their best.
Transitioning into the technology sector marked a defining chapter in my professional life. I became Company Director at ICM Computer Systems during a challenging period for the business. The company required strategic restructuring, renewed direction, and steady leadership. Stepping into a technology-driven environment required continuous learning and adaptability. Yet every previous chapter of my life had prepared me for that responsibility — the resilience from sport, the operational discipline from hospitality, and the strategic foundation from my academic background.
Building a career as a woman in a new country while mastering a second language brought its own challenges. There were moments of doubt, but I chose to see them as opportunities to grow. Over time, I learned that leadership is not about having all the answers; it is about integrity, persistence, and investing in people — especially during demanding times.
The theme “Give to Gain” reflects my professional philosophy. Ireland gave me opportunity, and in return I committed to delivering value. At ICM Computer Systems, that commitment means strengthening the organisation, supporting our team, and fostering a culture built on trust, accountability, and long-term growth. Sustainable success is achieved when leaders invest in people first — because when people grow, businesses grow.
No success story is built alone.
I would not have reached this stage without the unwavering support of my husband — my partner in every sense. From the beginning, his priority was to see me move forward. He believed in my potential, often before I fully recognised it myself. True partnership creates stability and confidence, and that support has been instrumental in my journey.
On International Women’s Day, I reflect not only on professional milestones but on the mindset that shaped my path. I have always been ambitious. Each time I achieved a goal, I immediately focused on the next one. I was constantly striving, constantly pushing, constantly aiming higher.
There were moments when my husband would gently remind me, “An ambitious person will never truly be happy if they forget to appreciate how far they have already come.” That perspective stayed with me.
I came to understand that while ambition drives progress, gratitude sustains fulfillment. Success is not only about reaching the next milestone — it is also about recognising the journey, the resilience, and the people who walked it with you.
From Egypt to Ireland, from the football pitch to leading a technology-focused company, my path has reinforced one powerful truth: success is rarely linear. Every experience — whether in sport, hospitality, or technology — contributes to leadership. When we commit to growth, adapt with courage, support one another, and lead with purpose, we gain far more than professional success — we build impact, legacy, and meaning.
Asmaa Lawlor Nee Abdelwahab
