Lisa Clancy, elected President of Paralympics Ireland in May 2025, brings a wealth of experience from senior roles across Irish sport and the public sector, positioning her as a transformative leader for the organisation as it builds toward the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Before stepping into the presidency, Lisa served as Vice-President of Paralympics Ireland from 2021, contributing to strategic planning, athlete support structures, governance reform, and the growth of Para-sport visibility nationwide. Her leadership style is grounded in collaboration, strong communication, and a deep commitment to equality and inclusion.
A significant part of Lisa’s credibility stems from her background in major national institutions, including both the GAA and the HSE.
At the GAA, she held a senior strategic and communications role, working across organisational change, stakeholder engagement, and the development of national programmes. She played an essential role in modernising communications and supporting initiatives that strengthened the Association’s connection to its communities.
At the Health Service Executive (HSE), Lisa contributed to public-facing health initiatives and internal organisational communications, developing skills in leadership, public service delivery, crisis response and nationwide programme coordination — experience that now informs her approach to athlete welfare, safeguarding and national advocacy in Paralympics Ireland.
Her cross-sectoral experience has given her a rare blend of strategic insight, governance expertise and people-centred leadership. She is known for championing athlete voice, strengthening pathways for emerging Para athletes, and building partnerships that support long-term growth of disability sport in Ireland.
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Previously Listed
Dr Una May, Moira Aston, Mary O’Connor, Michelle Carpenter, Brenda O’Donnell, Sarah Keane, Karen Coventry, Michelle Tanner, Mary McAleese, Rosie Barry, Sinead Hosey, Laura Heffernan, Jacqui Hurley, Aoife Lane, Tracy Bunyan
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This is the 13th edition of the Sport for Business listing of 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport in partnership once more with our friends at AIG.
We began this journey in 2013, when we were challenged to produce a list of 20 Influential Women in Irish Sport. The 20 stretched to 30, then 40 and 50, and it still does not do justice to the talent out there.
Substantial progress has been made during this time. The Government, mindful of the importance and need for gender equity, challenged Irish sporting bodies to achieve a 60/40 gender split on their main boards or leadership entities by the end of 2023
Internationally, the gender split in doctors ranges from 46 per cent female in New Zealand to 48 per cent in the UK, 52 per cent in France, and 54 per cent in the United States. Sport has, for too long, lagged.
The gender gap in participation is targeted to be non-existent by 2027, and the profile of our elite athletes is as high for Katie Taylor, Katie McCabe, Rhasidat Adeleke and Leona Maguire as it is for the best of our men.
We are nearing the point where sport is sport regardless of gender.
The gap remains too big in media, sponsorship, attendance, and funding, but it is only by highlighting the wrongs that we can make them right.
This year’s list will again draw from all the multiple areas that make up sport. From the fields of play to the corridors of power, from the boardroom to the studio, and from every corner of the country.
We will divide the list into the CEO Club, the Influencers, and the Sponsors Lounge. the Administrators and others
This year, once again, we will challenge ourselves to generate at least 40 per cent of new entrants to ensure that fresh recognition is given to those making a mark.
This will mean some who fully deserve to remain stepping aside but that is part of what influence and leadership is about and they are in no way diminished by their not being on the list this year.
The list we will build over the coming weeks is a snapshot of women who are changing the way sport is played, consumed, grown, and delivered.
They are part of making the role of women in sport unexceptional by being exceptional in what they do.
Recognition of their contribution is rarely asked for but is entirely deserved, and we want your help in identifying those who you feel should be among them.
So, who else do you think should be on the list for 2025?
Image Credit: Sport for Business
Further Reading for Sport for Business members:
Read our Sport for Business Coverage of Women in Sport
SPORT FOR BUSINESS Upcoming Events
November 20th – Playing for the Planet – A new event focused on Sustainability in Sport with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
December 9th – Our 12th Annual Women in Sport Conference in partnership with Lidl.
January – The Sporting Year Ahead 2026 in partnership with Teneo.
Sport for Business Podcasts
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