Inspirational Story: Fiona Flynn – A Leadership Journey Grounded in Values and Community

Growing up in County Monaghan in the 1970s and 80s as the eldest of four (with three younger brothers), I was shaped by a strong sense of inclusion, fairness, authenticity, and community. These became the core values that have guided me throughout my life and leadership journey. 

My mother still reminds me of how I used to create chore rotas to ensure gender balance in the household! Even then, I was aware of fairness and the importance of giving everyone a voice and role. 

The early lessons I learned about responsibility, equity, and community have stayed with me, becoming the foundation of how I lead and connect with others. We lived in a community with a strong sense of belonging where everyone looked out for each other. 

Career Foundations and the Birth of Montauk Consulting 

Having worked in the US and with eircom.net for many years, I founded Montauk Consulting in 2011. Our mission is simple yet powerful: to inspire business results through the power of human connection. 

Montauk Consulting is named after the iconic Long Island lighthouse in New York, where I worked on my J1 visa in the 90s. That experience profoundly influenced me. I was struck by the ambition, optimism, and entrepreneurial mindset that permeated American culture. That can-do, anything-is-possible attitude sparked something within me. The lighthouse became a symbol of guidance, perspective, and resilience. 

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to meet mentors who stretched my thinking, supported my development, and guided me much like that lighthouse, helping me navigate my professional journey and arrive at safe harbours during challenging tides. 

Joining PWN Dublin 

In 2018, I was invited to speak on Leading with Emotional Intelligence at a PWN Dublin event. That evening changed everything. I found myself welcomed into a vibrant, energetic, and inclusive network that felt like home from the outset. 

Soon after, I joined the leadership team, working with Carina Furlong as Co-President, and transitioned to the role of President in 2019. 

As I prepare to step down in November this year, I’ve taken time to reflect on the powerful journey we’ve had together, what we’ve learned, created, and transformed. 

PWN Dublin’s mission is to empower women to aspire, believe, and achieve, and it has always resonated deeply with me. Through events, mentoring, role models, and networking, we’ve worked to foster gender-balanced leadership in a truly impactful way. My reflections from this time are shared below. I hope they resonate with others who may like to stretch their leadership and carry the torch for PWN in years to come.

Key Learnings from the Journey

• Patience and reflection matter
• Diverse perspectives are a strength
• Clear purpose aligns and empowers
• Collaboration is essential but takes time
• Resilience and pacing are key, especially in leadership
• Opportunities often come disguised; be ready to seize them. 

Core Strengths That Drove Our Progress 

• Relationship-building and connection 
• Aligning the team around a shared purpose 
• Fostering an inclusive, empowered community 
• Creating a safe space for innovation and growth 
• Recognising and nurturing hidden talent in others 
• Supporting continuous development and curiosity

What Brings Me Joy 

• Hearing the stories of our members and their growth 
• Seeing career updates and advancements on LinkedIn 
• Feeling the incredible energy at our in-person events 
• Watching the mentoring programme transform lives 
• Knowing our network is growing, thriving, and sustainable.

Highlights and Achievements 

• Hosting 30 City Presidents in Dublin (2019) 
• Interviewing Mary Robinson at a PWN Global event 
• Collaborating with over 30 volunteers over 7 years 
• Building strong partnerships across the network 
• Mentoring event hosted in the Mansion House by the Lord Mayor 
• Steering the network through COVID—and emerging stronger 
• Representing PWN Dublin at the EU Parliament City Presidents Offsite 
• Serving as NED for PWN Dublin and Chair of the PWN Global Nominations Committee 
• Leading a strong, dynamic, and talented team 
• Intentionally creating a succession plan 

Looking Ahead: A Sustainable Transition 

I’m delighted to be passing the baton to Maria, with a six-month handover ensuring a smooth transition and empowering her to bring her ideas, energy and fresh thinking to the team. 

This is not just a goodbye; it’s the next step in a shared journey focused on long-term impact and sustainability.