Women in Leadership: Jackie Carroll Promoting Laois as a Place to Work and Thrive
Jackie Carroll
A proud native of County Laois, Jackie returned to live in the county in 2009 and has since played an active role in supporting local economic and community development. With a background as a career management consultant, she established her own business consultancy practice in 2018, bringing her expertise in strategy, collaboration and organisational development to a wide range of projects across the region.
That same year, Jackie was appointed to help animate and drive the implementation of the Laois Tourism Strategy, a role that allowed her to combine her professional skills with a long-standing passion for promoting her home county. A strong advocate for the potential of Laois as a vibrant destination to live, work and visit, she has consistently championed local enterprise and tourism, helping to showcase the county’s strengths to wider audiences.
Through her work, Jackie has focused on building connections between businesses, communities and stakeholders. Her approach recognises that collaboration and communication are key to creating thriving local economies, particularly in counties like Laois where small and medium enterprises form the backbone of economic life.
Working closely with the board of the Chamber Alliance, Jackie’s plans centre on ensuring that members are actively consulted and engaged so that the organisation delivers real and meaningful value for businesses across the county. By listening to members and understanding their priorities, she aims to shape initiatives that respond directly to the needs of the local business community.
Drawing on her strong networking and facilitation skills, Jackie is committed to further developing a platform where local businesses and stakeholders can connect, share ideas and work together to shape the future of enterprise in Laois.
Her strategy focuses on three key areas. The first is gathering meaningful feedback from members in order to understand their concerns, challenges and opportunities. The second involves creating a series of events and discussions that explore topics of real value to businesses, providing space for learning, collaboration and growth. The third is the development of engaging online and social media content that highlights opportunities for Laois and promotes the county as a place to work, live, visit and—most importantly—do business.
As we mark International Women’s Day, Jackie’s work reflects the important role women continue to play in shaping the economic and social fabric of their communities. Through leadership, collaboration and a commitment to supporting others, she is helping to create new opportunities for businesses and communities across County Laois.
