Niamh Gallagher is Director, Infrastructure Public Policy EMEA at AWS, a cloud platform providing scalable computing, storage, and AI solutions. It helps businesses build, deploy, and manage applications efficiently.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a lounge girl at the Botanic House pub in Glasnevin. It was like doing a practical Diploma in Customer Service. It gave me an early appreciation for good service and the value of money.
What pushed you to pursue a career in this field?
My background in political science (Master’s) and business administration (MBA) led me to seek out opportunities that would combine policy and commercial interests. I was drawn to roles where I could use both skill sets.
What would you regard as your greatest achievement to date?
From a professional point of view, founding Women for Election stands out as my proudest accomplishment. When we set up in 2012, women made up 16% of parliamentarians in Ireland; now it’s 23%, still not close to where it should be but an improvement; and the topic of women’s political representation is now mainstream. I’m proud that by setting up Women for Election I did something practical to try and solve this problem.
Career wise, would you do anything differently?
I would encourage myself to focus more on understanding the importance of culture in an organisation and matching that to your own style. Culture matters hugely in organisations and is one of the main reasons I enjoy working at AWS.
In one sentence, how would you define success?
Having a spring in your step in the morning!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
I’ve found that success often comes from thoughtfully managing workplace relationships and being selective about when and how to share perspectives. Finding a good mentor is also key.
How do you motivate yourself and your team?
I try to lead by example, approaching work with genuine enthusiasm while staying honest about my limitations.
How do you handle adversity?
By leaning on good friends and mentors as listeners and advisors, and, often, with a healthy sense of humour! But seriously, I’ve learned that most corporate “catastrophes” often look pretty minor in hindsight.
How do you relax?
I make time to read, every day – preferably fiction!
What is your favourite (non-business) book?
Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan quartet, particularly ‘My Brilliant Friend’. I recommend it to everyone.
What are your aspirations for the future of the business?
My goal is to embed AWS’s position in Ireland and Europe, as the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform, while ensuring we support sustainable energy solutions and critical digital infrastructure development. I want to deepen our engagement with European policymakers on energy efficiency and strengthening infrastructure resilience, so that every business – from startups to enterprises – can fully unlock the power of cloud technology.
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