Give To Gain – International Women’s Day 2026
We’ve partnered with Café Vergnano to celebrate International Women’s Day and call out the great work being done through their Women in Coffee initiative.
Women in Coffee
Women in Coffee is Caffè Vergnano’s women-focused social sustainability initiative created by CEO Carolina Vergnano, and launched in 2018.
Women in Coffee, in collaboration with the International Women’s Coffee Alliance, was founded with the aim of supporting women working in small coffee plantations.
Each year, Caffè Vergnano select a concrete project to support, a new chapter of a story where coffee is at the forefront. But not only, Women in Coffee, today also embraces other projects in support of women, thus becoming a broader path of social sustainability, a meeting of shared values that speak of female empowerment, inclusion and sustainability.
More on this project here Caffè Vergnano goes Pink: the coffee dedicated to women | Caffè Vergnano
Hospitality is one of the most dynamic industries in the world. At Café en Seine, behind every service, every meal and every guest experience, women are shaping the energy of the venue in very different ways.
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, we are placing the focus where it belongs, on the women themselves. Seven voices from across our organisation share their experiences, their growth and their advice for anyone considering a future in hospitality. In their own words, they reflect what ‘Give To Gain’ means to them and why hospitality continues to be an industry full of opportunity for women willing to step into it.
Each of them also speaks about a woman who has inspired them, someone who led the way, challenged expectations or quietly showed what strength looks like. Because progress does not happen in isolation. Women inspire women. When one woman steps forward, she creates space for another to follow.
The International Women’s Day 2026 theme, ‘Give To Gain’, is a global call to action rooted in generosity, collaboration and visibility. When we give knowledge, mentorship, time and opportunity, we multiply impact. When we recognise the women who shaped us, and when we choose to support those coming after us, that impact grows even further. In hospitality, that mindset is everything.
Emma - HR Manager
Emma joined the organisation as an HR Executive after beginning her own career in hospitality at supervisor and management level. Since then, she has completed a HR Diploma and a Master’s in Organisational Psychology, deepening her expertise in workplace culture and wellbeing. She is particularly passionate about mental health and holistic wellbeing in the workplace and has played a key role in implementing initiatives such as access to online counselling supports across the organisation.
I was initially drawn to hospitality because of its pace and its people. Early in my career, I worked at management level and saw first-hand how much of an impact leadership and culture can have on teams. What has kept me here is the opportunity to shape that culture more intentionally through HR. Hospitality is uniquely people-centric, and research from organisations such as the CIPD consistently shows that employee wellbeing and engagement directly influence performance and retention. Being able to contribute to that in a meaningful way is both professionally and personally fulfilling.
To me, it reflects the importance of investing in people. When organisations give access to education, development and wellbeing supports, they strengthen both the individual and the business. Introducing initiatives such as mental health resources and wellbeing supports is not simply a benefit, it signals that employees are valued as whole people. When individuals feel supported, they are more confident, more engaged and more likely to grow within the organisation.
Hospitality develops leadership, emotional intelligence and resilience at a remarkable pace. It is also an industry with diverse career pathways beyond what many initially see. For women in particular, there are opportunities in operations, HR, finance, marketing and culinary leadership. I would encourage women to view hospitality not as a temporary role, but as a sector where long-term, meaningful careers can be built.
Marian O'Callaghan - Cleaning Manager
Marian O’Callaghan has over 40 years of experience, 15 within a wider organisation and has worked in Café en Seine for over 7 years. Leading a dedicated team who begin work at 6 am each day, she ensures the venue is transformed and ready to welcome hundreds of guests. With decades of experience, strong problem-solving skills and a deep sense of pride in her work, Marian plays an essential role in maintaining the standards Café en Seine is known for.
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here?
I started in hospitality many years ago and quickly realised I enjoyed being part of a team that creates something special for guests. What has kept me here is the sense of pride. Every morning we come in and transform the space so it is ready for the day ahead. Knowing that our work behind the scenes allows the venue to shine is something I am very proud of.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality?
For me, it means giving your best every day. We give our time, our effort and our attention to detail. In return, we gain respect, teamwork and a sense of achievement. I also think hospitality gives people opportunities. I work with a diverse team from many different backgrounds, ethnicities and languages, and I have seen people grow in confidence and skill over the years.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality?
Don’t be afraid of hard work. Hospitality teaches you independence, resilience and confidence. I have worked in this industry for decades, and it has supported me and my family. There is always room to learn and grow, no matter where you start.
Tell us about a woman that inspired or has inspired you on your personal or professional life and why?
The woman who inspires me most is my own mother. She worked hard her entire life and never complained, she was a widow and actually ran a bed and breakfast in Gardener Street. I used to go down and help her when I was only 14 and she taught me that pride in your work matters, no matter what the task at hand may be. That has stayed with me throughout my career in hospitality.
Laura Connolly - Assistant General Manager
Laura Connolly is the assistant general manager. She is a champion of LGBTQ+ rights in our venues, and has been a pillar of our management team for 2 years. With over 10 years of experience, across Europe, she helps to lead a dedicated team who great thousands of guests each week.
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here?
Hospitality appealed to me because it’s such a vibrant, people-focused industry. Every day is different, and you get the chance to create memorable experiences for guests. Working at Café en Seine really highlights that , it’s a place where atmosphere, service, and teamwork all come together. What’s kept me in hospitality is the energy of the environment and the sense of pride that comes from delivering a great night out for people.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality?
To me, it reflects how important teamwork is in hospitality. In a busy venues, everyone relies on each other, from the floor team to the bar to management. Sometimes you’re the one stepping in to support someone else, and other times you’re the one who needs help. When people are willing to share knowledge, support colleagues, and lift each other up, the whole team benefits.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality?
I’d say absolutely go for it. Hospitality offers so many different career paths, whether that’s operations, events, marketing, finance, or management. It’s a fantastic industry if you enjoy working with people and thrive in a fast-paced environment. It also offers real opportunities to grow, take on responsibility, and develop leadership skills.
Tell us about a woman that has inspired you in your personal or professional life and why.
I’m inspired by the women I work alongside in hospitality every day. It’s an industry that can be fast-paced and demanding, but I’ve seen so many women lead with confidence, support their teams, and balance creativity with strong leadership. Seeing that resilience and collaboration firsthand is incredibly motivating.
Laura Shanahan - Accounts Assistant
Laura joined the organisation with a passion fro accounts, that started with her older sister who worked for the family business. Laura constantly strives to improve, doing different courses and exams and increasing her knowledge for the past 7 years.
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here?
While working in an accounting practice with a wide range of clients, I always found myself most excited to work on accounts within the hospitality sector. There’s something really dynamic about the industry, it’s fast-paced, people-focused and constantly evolving. That interest eventually led me to take the leap from practice into industry, where I could work more closely with hospitality businesses and see the impact of my work more directly. That connection to the people and energy of the sector is what’s kept me here.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality?
Hospitality is such a team-driven industry. Not every day runs smoothly, and there are always moments when someone needs a bit of support or guidance. ‘Give To Gain’ really reflects that, when you help your colleagues, share knowledge, or step in when someone needs a hand, it strengthens the whole team. In hospitality, success often comes from supporting each other and working together.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality?
Do it! Go for it! Hospitality isn’t just about front-of-house roles, there are so many career paths within the industry, from accounting and finance to marketing, social media, sales, operations, and events. It’s an exciting sector with lots of opportunities to grow and develop your skills, and there’s space for so many different talents.
Tell us about a woman that inspired or has inspired you on your personal or professional life and why?
I think women inspire each other every day, often in ways that go unnoticed. Whether it’s colleagues, friends, or mentors, seeing women support each other, work hard, and build successful careers is really motivating. It’s a reminder of how powerful collaboration and encouragement between women can be.
Cathy Blake - Duty Manager
With an incredible 40 year career in the industry, Cathy Blake is the heart of Café en Seine. After starting at the pioneering Belgard and moving through Savanagh, Cathy joined our team over 30 years ago and has been a staple of the building ever since. In 2023, her dedication was celebrated with a well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award.
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here?
I started at The Belgard, which back then was one of the first ‘super pubs’ of its kind. It was an exciting time to enter the industry. I eventually joined the Café en Seine team over 30 years ago, and it’s been my home ever since. What keeps me here is the connection, being a constant part of this building’s history and seeing how it has evolved over the decades.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality?
It means making the time to lift other women up. I want our industry to be a place where women share their knowledge and help each other reach the top. I often think of my own daughter and the young girls starting their careers in our venues; I want to set a good example for them. I always ask myself: ‘How would I want my daughter to be supported?’ We gain so much more when we give our support to the next generation.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality?
It is an incredibly rewarding industry where you truly make friends for life. You get to be part of people’s most special occasions and help create lasting memories. My advice is to work hard, stay open to learning, and always remember to ‘give to gain’ by supporting those around you.
Tell us about a woman that inspired or has inspired you in your personal or professional life and why?
I’ve always been inspired by the resilient women I’ve worked with over the last 40 years, those who balanced the fast pace of this industry with family life, showing me that you can lead with both strength and kindness.
Amy Byrne - Business Development Manager
Amy joined the organisation as a sales executive, and has made we way to Business Development manager in her time here. Amy has a deep rooted passion for networking and personal connections, and is a champion for inclusivity in the workspace. CH
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here? I fell into hospitality by accident, I actually came in on a short term basis and I am still here! What kept me here is the different types of opportunities that came down along the road. No day is the same, no inquiry is the same and no client is the same. It is very colourful and there are so many interesting things that are going on in the industry. You can learn so much from everyone around you and there are so many good networking opportunities.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality? When I came into this industry I had nothing to give but I had everything to gain. I had lots of people mentoring me throughout my journey. Now I am at the stage where I am experienced and I have a lot of people coming in that are a lot younger. It’s great to be able to pass the knowledge and support on that was given to me. To me, it means mentorship, opportunities and helping people to connect with others through my network.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality? If you are considering a career in hospitality, is you are as good as how organised you are. That routine is so important. Also Ireland is a very small place so always be mindful of how you treat others.
Tell us about a woman that inspired or has inspired you in your personal or professional life and why? I don’t have one women in particular, but I do a lot of networking. Very early on I realised I get a lot more out of the female only networking groups. Not just about business, but when I was younger is pick a coupe pf people, see how they presented themselves and then kid of “mimic” them. One woman in particular is Michelin Corr, she is a very highly esteemed hospitality recruiter. The way she presents herself and conducts herself is very professional and lady like and I found I took a leaf out of her book every now and then.
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Carrieanne O'Neill - Sales and Reservations Executive
I would say go for it. Hospitality offers so many different career paths, from operations and events to sales and management. It’s an industry where hard work, personality, and dedication can really help you progress, and you gain valuable skills that stay with you for life.
Charlotte Fevre - Bar Supervisor
Originally from France, Charlotte, also known as Charlie, has been bringing her creativity and enthusiasm to the bar team since 2023. After working as both a bartender, and security personnel in The George Bar, Charlie found that bartending was a great way for her to gain confidence and is now completing an apprenticeship in bar management.
What first drew you to hospitality, and what has kept you here? I started working in bars as a student and I found it gave me so much confidence. I was always so shy and then having to talk to people in work, I just began to have so much more confidence in myself. It brought a lot to me personally, and it changed me I think. I became a lot brighter, that’s the way I like to see it. I don’t think I will ever get bored of it, and we always learn new things. I am so grateful as the company is sponsoring my apprenticeship in bar management. I am so appreciative of my career here.
The 2026 International Women’s Day theme is ‘Give To Gain.’ What does that idea mean to you in hospitality? Give to gain means if you don’t try you don’t get. We can’t always give 100% of yourself, but if you don’t at least try to give as much as you can, you won’t get support. My team know I give as much as I can, but sometimes I need to look at them and tell them I need support and I know they will help. On the other side, I will always support anyone who needs it because they show up for me. You have to give a part of yourself to your team to get that back from them.
What would you say to a woman considering a career in hospitality? I would say it can be tough, it’s a really physical job, especially if you’re behind the bar or on the floor. Mentally, there’s always a lot going on as well. From my experience working behind the bar, you’re remembering recipes, taking orders, managing multiple customers at once, and I mostly work nights, which adds another layer to it. But I think the biggest thing you gain from it is confidence, and in the end it’s completely worth it.
Tell us about a woman that inspired or has inspired you on your personal or professional life and why? I have two really inspirational woman who I think of. My old boss, Cecile, is just an icon. She is a mother, she looks after so many things in her venue all day, and she puts in so much hard work. I think she is so impressive and I really hope that I can manage my life as well as her one day. My current boss Laura and I used to work in another company, and I she is just so calm and the way she handles situations is amazing. I wish I could be that composed. She is my mentor in college and she looks after me and gives me so much advice. On a personal and professional level, she always listens. I really want to be like these two women in the future.
