Caroline Dunlea

Caroline Dunlea is the CEO and Co-Founder of Core Optimisation, one of Ireland’s leading digital growth and transformation agencies. With almost 20 years of experience in digital, particularly in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Caroline has become a key figure in supporting the industry’. As Programme Director for Fáilte Ireland’s “Digital That Delivers” and Just Transition programmes, she oversees the digital transformation of over 700 businesses, driving their digital maturity forward, along with delivering digital growth for a number of DMOs in Ireland. 

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Under her leadership, Core has grown to a team of 55, serving clients across Ireland and the UK, and has been recognised as a Deloitte Fast 50 company in 2022 and 2023. Her entrepreneurial spirit was further acknowledged when she was named an EY Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist in 2022, following earlier recognition with the Entrepreneur Award at Dublin Tech Summit’s Women in Tech event in 2019.

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In addition to leading Core, Caroline is Chairperson for Digital Business Ireland and sits on the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Board. A regular speaker and panellist at major events such as Google, the Irish Hotels Federation, and Retail Excellence, Caroline’s insights into digital transformation and leadership have made her a prominent voice in the industry, as a leader driving change in the digital landscape.