Inspirational Story: Leda Connaughton-Deeny - Coming Home

Leda Connaughton-Deeny is an established accountant with years of experience in what can only be described as some of the most exciting organisations recognised in households around the world. 

After two decades of working at breakneck speed, she has returned to her native Ireland, and joined PWN Dublin to define the next stage of her career. 

In a recent interview, as part of the PWN Dublin Inspirational Stories Series, here’s what Leda told us:

I am an accountant with over twenty years of global experience in the media and entertainment sector, across different business functions and international regions. 

Where did it all start?

I began my working life at a small, independent production company in Dublin, where I trained to be a TV commercial producer and learned to balance creative and financial objectives from the outset of my career. 

In search of broader horizons, I moved to Sydney where I took a chance on a junior finance role at MTV Australia, a subsidiary of Paramount Global, the media conglomerate which owns networks such as CBS, Nickelodeon, and Comedy Central. 

At that time, the channel was in its start-up phase, and the environment was excitingly chaotic, creative, and challenging. I was able to quickly gain experience and responsibility while I worked to establish the finance function for a growing cable channel business, supporting expansion into New Zealand.

After 4 years “down under”, I decided to relocate to the UK to be closer to home, where I moved into the international consumer products and content distribution part of Paramount’s business. These lines of business are responsible for monetising content beyond Paramount’s own channels, through licensing and merchandising around the world. The role brought me much closer to the corporate heart of the organisation. I spent the next 15 years in that part of the business, working my way up to the role of CFO and head of business strategy for the global function. During that time, I spent 3 years working in the corporate headquarters in New York and travelling extensively around the world. 

My final role with Paramount was back in London where I returned to the broadcast function as CFO for the Television business in the UK, Australia, and Canada - a portfolio which includes Channel 5 in the UK, Network 10 in Australia, and drove over $1Bn of annual revenue. 

After two great decades, last year, I decided to leave Paramount and return to Ireland, with my family. I felt nervous leaving Paramount, having spent most of my working life within one institution. But also excited to move home and put down permanent roots and have a chance to reinvent myself a little to start the second half of my career journey.

Why did you decide to join PWN Dublin? 

After taking some time off to manage the transition, I took up a temporary contract role with Ticketmaster Ireland, where I focused on financial and strategic planning. 

It was at this time that I joined PWN Dublin to work on my networking skills and start to establish a professional network in Ireland. 

I have always tried to prioritise learning and development - earning three master’s degrees and building my adaptability and resilience by moving between countries and roles as much as possible. 

At the start of this year, I took the plunge and applied to join the PWN Dublin Group Mentoring Programme - I was drawn to Maria Souza’s group, which I knew would help me to gain insights and accountability in support of evolving my personal brand for the next chapter of my career. 

What was your experience of the PWN Dublin Group Mentoring Programme?

My experience of the mentorship program has been very impactful this year, going much deeper than I had initially expected and helping to shape my future plans. 

The group mentorship structure was very helpful in challenging assumptions through discussion and maintaining momentum and ensuring follow through for the actions.

In our mentorship programme Maria took us through a process of building an authentic personal brand from the bottom up, including a focus on our deeply held values. 

This programme gave me a safe space to to reframe my approach to seeking a permanent role in Ireland by defining more clearly what was important to me in the next phase of my life. It enabled me to really understand the type of role and organisation that will bring me personal and professional satisfaction for the next phase of my career. The process has led me to shift away from my previous corporate environment and take on a role in a non-profit theatre venue - Head of Finance and Compliance at Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire

I am excited to shift my focus to the local scale and away from profit maximisation to the delivery of creative ambitions and community development. 
 
In addition to the Mentoring Programme, PWN Dublin has offered me the chance to enrich my network by spending time in a supportive group of ambitious women, who bring diverse experiences and perspectives, and are all seeking engagement and personal growth.

We asked Leda to leave us with her favourite quote, and here’s what she shared:

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult"

Seneca, Stoic philosopher

Published: July 2025

Collaboration: Leda Connagughton-Deeny and Rebecca Fountain