For Mairead McIlkenny, joining the Institute of Directors (IoD) Ireland in 2014 marked a pivotal step in her leadership journey. “As soon as I reached senior director level at PayPal, I joined IoD Ireland to deepen my understanding of directorship and good governance,” she says. “The education, mentoring and peer support the institute provides are second to none. That foundation gave me the confidence and capability to take on board roles, including my position on the board of Fiserv’s European entity.”
Today McIlkenny is a passionate advocate for integrity, openness and diversity in boardrooms – qualities she believes are critical for effective governance. “The best non-executive directors (NEDs) are those who support the organisation while challenging the status quo. They ask the hard questions that prevent groupthink and lead to better decisions.”
From Galway to global: A career in transformation
A commerce graduate from the University of Galway, McIlkenny began her career with Overture in 2002, helping to set up the internet search company’s EMEA shared services centre in Dublin. Shortly after, Overture was acquired by Yahoo, where she played a key role in scaling up shared services operations. “We were determined to show Yahoo that Ireland could be a centre of excellence – and we did,” she recalls. “I had a phenomenal eight years building out services and travelling between the US and Europe.”
Next came a big career leap when she was headhunted by PayPal to help establish its shared services centre in Ballycoolin, Co Dublin. Spending more than a decade there, she rose through senior leadership roles including head of global product integration and senior director of global enterprise services. “It was an incredibly mission-driven environment,” she says. “Our work impacted businesses of every size, from sole traders to big enterprises like Ryanair.”
That customer-first ethos helped shape her leadership style. “My biggest ‘aha’ moment was realising that true leadership is about empowering your team. It’s about servant leadership – supporting people to do their best work while keeping the organisation’s mission front and centre.”
Early champion of inclusion
Both Yahoo and PayPal also influenced her thinking on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). “Yahoo had employee resource groups as far back as 2000 and PayPal was also ahead of the curve. That environment helped me thrive and I saw first-hand how diverse perspectives drive stronger outcomes.”
Later, at Fiserv, she served as vice president of international banking and fintech product solutions, leading global strategy across fintech and banking. “We were helping financial institutions modernise, leveraging AI and cloud technologies, and addressing regulatory challenges. The pace of change in payments post-Covid was extraordinary.”
McIlkenny was appointed to the Fiserv board in June 2024, where she guided strategic planning and oversaw financial performance until leaving the company in early 2025.
Giving back through board service
Now, she’s broadening her focus as an NED, recently joining the board of the Dublin Rural Fingal Leader Partnership. “I’m passionate about rural development and supporting local communities, so this role is a perfect fit. It allows me to apply my industry experience to a cause I truly care about – from shaping long-term strategy to exploring new funding opportunities. While the organisation is called Fingal, its remit actually covers south, west and north Dublin as well. As someone from Galway, the focus on rural impact really resonates with me. I want to make a meaningful difference for these communities.”
She has also joined the board of the Money Advice and Budgetary Service (MABS), which supports people experiencing financial distress through confidential, independent advice. “In a world of instant credit and AI-driven personalisation, financial literacy has never been more important,” she says. “MABS empowers individuals to take control of their finances and avoid the cycle of debt – which is vital for long-term wellbeing and inclusion. I’m honoured to support that mission and bring my experience to help strengthen this essential service.”
She credits IoD Ireland with helping her prepare for these roles. “Having that backing when I stepped into board responsibilities was hugely valuable. And now, as I build a portfolio career, I’m excited about the networking, learning, and peer support that IoD membership continues to offer.”
Diversity and the future of the boardroom
She’s also clear on the importance of diversity in the boardroom. “We can’t afford to go backwards on DEI. We need boards made up of people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to tackle today’s complex challenges – whether it’s geopolitics, emerging technologies or sustainability.”
Artificial intelligence is one such challenge. “AI has been around for a while, but it’s now front and centre. Boards shouldn’t fear AI – they need to understand it. And that takes diverse thinking to navigate both its risks and opportunities.”
Purpose-driven boards can transform the future
Looking ahead, McIlkenny is optimistic – and focused. “There’s no room for passengers on boards. Every member has to earn their seat and contribute fully. With the right people around the table, aligned in purpose and committed to good governance, boards can have a truly transformational impact.”
Her advice to aspiring NEDs? “Make sure the organisation’s mission aligns with your values. That’s how you bring your best self to the table. Integrity, honesty and transparency are non-negotiable. While governance may seem like paperwork, it’s what creates the audit trail that protects everyone and underpins trust.”
Here to support your director journey
Membership of IoD Ireland helps to empower, inform and support its members by providing access to a network of pioneering directors.
To learn more about how IoD Ireland can support your director career, visit iodireland.ie
