By Business & Finance 
Maura Quinn, CEO, Institute of Directors in Ireland
Maura Quinn, CEO, Institute of Directors in Ireland, takes on the Business & Finance 60-second interview challenge.
Q. What was your first job? I had lots of part-time jobs when in college with many summers spent waitressing both in Dublin and New York. My first job, post college, was with a firm of forensic engineers as part of an Irish Goods Council Graduate Programme. Q. What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date? In my career, I worked as Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland for eleven years and during that time I initiated a global UN focus on HIV/AIDS on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. With the Institute of Directors, I spearheaded the introduction of the Chartered Director Programme in Ireland which is now in its tenth year and is the leading director development programme in the country. On a personal note, I am the mother of two really great sons who make me proud every day. Q. In three words or less, how do you define success? Getting results. Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? “You can be anything you want to be, the only limits are those you set for yourself.” Advice from my late father. Q. How do you motivate yourself and your staff? For myself, it’s always about doing better. For staff, it’s about collaborating and empowering my team to be the best they can be. Q. How do you relax? I really enjoy reformer pilates, having taken it up a couple of years ago. Plus lots of dog walking and time with my family. Q. What’s your motto? Learn from mistakes and move on. Q. What are your aspirations for the future of the business? To ensure that the Institute of Directors is a relevant and dynamic organisation that adds value for our 2,700 members and for the wider business community in Ireland.
For myself, it’s always about doing better. For staff, it’s about collaborating and empowering my team to be the best they can be.
The Institute of Directors (IoD) in Ireland is a dynamic network of 2,700 business leaders drawn from companies large and small in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. As the leading voice in the debate on improving corporate governance standards, IoD’s key focus is on the personal and professional development of our members with online resources, workshops, specialist courses and inspirational events.
