About
The Leading Place founder, Michelle McDaid brings her vast experience and progressive thinking to bear in supporting businesses in creating workplace environments which empower high performance and great outcomes. Michelle has extensive experience in leading global distributed product development teams in the delivery of innovative high-quality solutions that drive exceptional results. Michelle has led software engineering teams across Fintech and HR tech, most recently as Senior Director of Engineering at Workhuman, and previously at Fidelity Investments and AIB.
Experience
An advocate for lifelong learning, Michelle is currently undertaking an MSc in Work & Organisational Behaviour at DCU. A qualified coach and experienced people leader, Michelle thrives on building authentic relationships that foster collaboration and innovation.
Through multiple tech leadership roles and starting and running her own business, Michelle has deep experience in influencing cultural change through strategic consulting and coaching, designing and rolling out workshops.
Michelle is passionate about DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging), with a special interest in Gender Equity and Women in STEM. Through her senior roles in technology, Michelle has championed ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) and has led many initiatives which delivered tangible DEIB results.
Michelle is an active member of WITS (Women in Technology & Science), has mentored on STEM Passport for Inclusion programme with NUI Maynooth, and TU Dublin Saer Mentorship Programme.
Michelle completed the Board Ready programme 2023 run by 30% Club Ireland and Deloitte. A finalist in ‘Leaders’ category in Everywoman in Technology Awards 2022 and in Trailblazer category in the 2019 Women in Tech Awards.
Michelle is a regular speaker on podcasts, panels and webinars. You can check out some of Michelle’s podcast interviews here
What’s Different?
With our Founder Michelle McDaid’s lived experience of 25+ years of leading successful global distributed product development teams, she brings together her tech experience, coaching background, extensive people leadership insights, progressive thinking and a collaborative approach to enable your success.
Through her tech leadership roles, and setting up and running her own business, Michelle has experience of designing, creating and leading workshops that lead to impactful change. In The Leading Place, Michelle will partner with you to achieve successful outcomes.