Louise McCleery

Louise McCleery has made a strong impact as an Account Manager at Wilson Hartnell, where she has combined strategic thinking, creative flair and sharp execution across some of the most prominent campaigns linking sport and business in Ireland.

Over the past three years, she has played an important role in major projects including the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, helping to shape communications, activations and talent-led storytelling around one of the most distinctive events on the sporting calendar.

She has also helped lead work for key clients across influencer strategy, content creation and digital activation, delivering campaigns that extend well beyond traditional media and into platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and branded WhatsApp channels. Her work has helped clients communicate in more relevant, engaging and modern ways.

Among the standout campaigns she has contributed to are AIB’s The Toughest Traits with Kieran Read and Player Cam during the AIB Club Championships, both of which have earned recognition through nominations at the ESA, Sabre, AIM and PRCA awards.

Louise’s influence is not limited to client work. Internally, she is part of Wilson Hartnell’s social team, helping to spot trends and shape thinking around culture, sponsorship and creative communications. She has also been selected as part of the Ogilvy xCHANGERs, a group drawn from across EMEA that acts as an internal advisory board and cultural ambassador network.

Her leadership also extends beyond the office. As one of the captains of the women’s senior team at Balbriggan RFC, she demonstrates the same resilience, teamwork and commitment in sport that she brings to her professional role.

Her academic background reflects this strong foundation in communications and strategy. She holds a Master’s Degree in Public Relations from Technological University Dublin, building on a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Politics from Dublin City University, where she graduated with a 2:1. During her time at DCU, she was actively involved in student life as a player and representative with the DCU Ladies Rugby Club, as well as serving as Public Relations Officer on the Club Life Committee – early indicators of her leadership and interest in sport and communications.

Louise McCleery stands out as a talented and modern communications professional, already leaving her mark on Irish sport and sponsorship, with all the qualities to shape the sector even further in the years ahead.

 

Already Appearing on the 2026 List

Sarah Redmond, Connor Ellis, Garry Kehoe, Yvonne Hedigan Conor Keenan Roman Uzun

 

Nominations for 2026

So, who do you work with that has shone over the past twelve months or more and is deserving of recognition as they rise through their career?

It could be someone you work alongside, or in another area that you have admired or been impressed by.

Now is your chance to do something special for them. Nominations wil remain open until we hit number 20 of our 30 in the listsings, and will reopen again in February 2027.

Criteria

The criteria for submission is that the person should be working within the sports industry, or in a sponsorship or agency capacity that is bringing sport to life, and that they should be born in or after 1996.

You are invited to submit names and a short summary of why an individual deserves to be recognised below.

Our ambition from the start has been to create a network of people making a real difference within our industry.

Who should we be looking to for the next wave of excellence?

Over the coming weeks we will feature a run of interviews with those who have gone before, and we will continue to highlight some of those that have taken on a new role in the past year or two.

Then in June we will gather once more in the offices of PwC to meet in person, share experience and forge connections that will be of real value.

And we will also be looking at additional ways in which we can help those nominated to enhance their career and build strong friendships across the sector, particularly in this the tenth year of the list.

 

If you, like PwC, would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.

 

Image Credit: Sport for Business

 

ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS

Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies and public institutions through high-quality content, events and insight. Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.

Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practice and make better-informed decisions. Its work positions sport not just as entertainment, but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our twice-daily bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.

Upcoming Events