Put Who First

22/05/2026

22/05/2026

Last Friday was one of those moments I know I will carry with me for a very long time.

To stand in a room filled with people who have supported, encouraged, challenged, taught, and believed in me throughout my journey was incredibly special. The launch of Put Who First was far more than a book event. It felt like a celebration of connection, conversation, and the people who have shaped both my life and work.

Writing this book asked a lot of me. There were moments of excitement, doubt, vulnerability, and deep reflection along the way. So to finally hold the book in my hands and share that moment with so many wonderful people was genuinely emotional.

Thank you to everyone who came along, sent messages, supported the book, shared kind words, or simply cheered me on from afar. I am deeply grateful.

And thank you to everyone who continues to believe that leadership can still be deeply human.
Because who we are is how we lead.

20/04/2026

Who you are is how you lead.

How you’re thinking.
How you’re feeling.
How you show up when things get busy or under pressure.

And then … how you show up in conversations.

Staying grounded, composed and connected to your true self isn’t always easy. But it is in that connection that everything shifts.

Your tone.
Your presence.
The relationship.
The outcome.

That’s why I wrote Put Who First.

It’s there to help you:
• Be in wiser relationship with yourself
• Show up with intention and clarity
• Lead the conversations that shape performance and connection

The book will be live on the 5th of May. And I am a nervous wreck I don't mind telling you!

But I will keep you all posted.

And if all things leading yourself and others interests you, subscribe to my Monday Pause community for weekly short reflections to set you up for the week! You'll find it here:

https://www.maryannmcgowan.com/Monday-Pause-Registration

30/01/2026

WHO you are is how you lead.

That belief has shaped my work with leaders for over thirty years.
And now, it’s becoming a book! Put Who First, is making its way into the world. And even as I say this, I kinda want to hide 🫣

For a long time, my work lived in the comfort of face to face spaces.
In leadership programmes.
In coaching conversations.
In moments where shaping the right language helped leaders create clarity and connection at the same time.

These moments are what shaped this book.

Put Who First is a human-centred guide to leading yourself and others. It honours both who you are and how you lead. Filled with practical tools, everyday conversational frameworks, and personal reflection, it will help you navigate complexity, pressure, and change without losing the human connection.

As the book moves closer to publication, I’m inviting you to join my Put Who First community.

By joining, you’ll receive:
* Early access to the book
* Short weekly reflections
* Practical questions to pause with at the start of the week
* Insights drawn from over thirty years of working with leaders, teams, and organisations

Each week, it offers a moment to slow down and reflect on how you are showing up.

To yourself.
To others.
To the conversations that shape culture every day.

If this feels supportive, I would love to have you with me. Join here: https://lnkd.in/d6QgVSRz

And if this work resonates with you, you may know others who would like to be part of this conversation too. Any share, comment, or like is deeply appreciated!

Thank you! Mary Ann

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12/12/2025

Today was a special one.

We launched NOVA! A Women in Tech Leadership Programme at the IBEC Academy offices in Dublin, and you could feel the promise in the room — a sense that something important is beginning.

NOVA is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to redefine how Ireland develops high-performing women leaders in tech. Created by Technology Ireland Digital Skillnet in partnership with Connecting Women in Tech, Nova will focus on human-centred leadership with the advanced strategic technology and AI-enabled capabilities expected of senior leaders in the decades ahead.

I’m delighted to be contributing to the delivery of this programme as part of the Genos International Europe team.

Today offered a glimpse of what’s possible when thoughtful leadership development meets real ambition. Representatives from some of the world’s most influential organisations joined us to celebrate the launch and champion the next generation of female tech leaders.

What struck me most was the shared commitment in the room: a belief that leadership isn’t just about expertise or strategy, but about how we show up. When we get that right, everything else amplifies.

I’m really looking forward to working with this inspiring first cohort when the programme commences in January.

14/11/2025

What a privilege to be part of this year’s Employer Excellence Exchange with the brilliant Fáilte Ireland team. Over the last four months, I’ve had the joy of working alongside a team who care deeply about elevating the Tourism and Hospitality industry and celebrating what great culture truly looks like.

Anna Geary set the tone from the moment the doors opened, bringing energy, heart, and seamless flow as MC. Our keynote, Christine Armstrong commanded the stage with sharp insights on what makes for a 'good job'. Notice strengths, make space for people to speak, and bring your best weather are messages that sit firmly at the centre of my own work.

One of my highlights was hosting Elaine O'Brien, CFO of Woodie’s, for a fireside chat on career pathways and culture. Elaine brought such clarity and conviction—“cut the fat, never the muscle”—and shared practical, people-centred ideas that show exactly why Woodie’s continues to shine as a hashtag .

Our panel rounded out the day beautifully, with leaders across tourism and hospitality sharing honest stories of how they’re creating meaningful work, building belonging, and delivering high-performing cultures. Neil Hughes of Grant Thornton moderated with ease, linking the big messages from the morning with the lived experiences shared by the panel.

And finally, I loved helping the room make sense of it all. We connected ideas, surfaced insights, and leaned into that shared hum of possibility. (Yes Christine … I may have got them humming. 😊)

A heartfelt thank you to Amanda Horan, Silvia Guglielmini, Mark McGovern, Clarissa Delap and the entire Fáilte Ireland team for trusting me with my part in the day. Days like this remind me why human-centred leadership matters and why your industry is full of people who care enough to do it well.

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15/01/2025

🌟 The Power of Mentorship: Growing Together 🌟

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that mentorship is not just a one-way street—it’s a shared journey of growth and connection. I’ve been fortunate to belong to several communities and relationships that have profoundly shaped my life and work:

✨ Significant Lives Group
For years, I’ve gathered with a group of incredible individuals to share perspectives, ideas, and wisdom. These sessions have enriched my life and fueled my growth in ways I never imagined.

✨ The Atlantic Way Coaching Group
This coaching community is built on generosity and collaboration. Our conversations revolve around sharing ideas, supporting one another’s development, and ensuring that when one of us grows, we all grow.

✨ Mary T. Tierney
For over 10 years, I’ve met with Mary T. three times a year. We both work in leadership development, and our meetups are powerful exchanges of resources, ideas, and solutions. In the strictest sense, we could be seen as competitors, but what I know for sure is this: we grow more when we grow together. Ultimately, this collaboration allows us to bring the very best of ourselves to our clients, which is what it’s all about.

Reflecting on these experiences, I’ve noticed some key truths:

1. Asking for input feels very different from unsolicited advice. When you actively seek mentorship, you’re open to receiving wisdom in a way that allows it to truly land. You maintain the freedom to choose what aligns with you.

2. Sharing your own experiences and perspectives is a gift. It’s deeply rewarding and serves everyone’s success when done freely and generously. But there’s also a hidden gem—you learn through the act of sharing. Digging into your own experiences to find what might help others creates new layers of understanding for yourself.

3. Mentorship fosters connection and combats isolation. As entrepreneurs and leaders, it’s easy to feel stuck or alone. A circle of mentorship creates a space for growth, connection, and belonging, helping us all move forward together.When you ask for input, it feels empowering. Actively seeking mentorship opens you to wisdom and insights while leaving you free to choose what resonates.

We are mentors and mentees at the same time, creating ripples of growth and transformation for ourselves and others.

💡 What about you? Have you experienced the power of mentorship in your life or work? I’d love to hear your story in the comments!

09/10/2024

I had the privilege of speaking at Fáilte Ireland's event at the lovely Hyatt Centric Hotel in Dublin, meeting with nearly 100 supervisors and team leaders from tourism businesses on the Employer Excellence Programme. I led an interactive session on how to Lead our Multigenerational teams through connection, belonging and accountability. Next event takes place in Cork tomorrow and Galway on the 22nd of October. Bring it on!!

27/09/2024

In the work that I do, there is no greater reward than knowing that I’ve been able to make a meaningful difference, both professionally and personally.

Leadership is more than just skills and strategies—it’s about being present, being human, and walking alongside others as they navigate their own journeys.
Whether we are facilitating important conversations, establishing working agreements, or turning difficult dialogues into productive outcomes, the heart of it all is connection.

If you're navigating challenges in leadership, communication, or team dynamics, I’d love to connect and explore how we might work together.

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30/04/2024

My favourite thing about my work is the connection in the room, the depth of the conversations and the vulnerability to share. Delighted to be part of the Supervisory Development Programme at Guinness Store House. We covered all the essential leadership conversations. Their future leadership is in very capable hands. What a talented bunch!