Digital Irish Podcast

In this episode of The Digital Irish Podcast, we sit down with Alan Costello, one of the earliest employees at Afterpay, to uncover the inside story of its incredible journey from a small startup to a publicly listed, multinational business. Alan shares his firsthand experiences navigating the highs and lows of startup life, the challenges of rapid scaling, and the near-shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reflects on the pressures of going public, the shift from acquisition to retention, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned about resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Join us as we explore the remarkable growth of Afterpay and what the future holds for Alan.

Okay, here are comprehensive show notes for your podcast episode featuring Alan Costello and his journey with Afterpay:

Episode Title: From Startup to Public Listing: Alan Costello's Inside Story of Afterpay's Explosive Growth

Episode Description:

In this episode of The Digital Irish Podcast, we sit down with Alan Costello, one of the earliest employees at Afterpay, to uncover the inside story of its incredible journey from a small startup to a publicly listed, multinational business. Alan shares his firsthand experiences navigating the highs and lows of startup life, the challenges of rapid scaling, and the near-shutdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also reflects on the pressures of going public, the shift from acquisition to retention, and the invaluable lessons he’s learned about resilience, adaptability, and leadership. Join us as we explore the remarkable growth of Afterpay and what the future holds for Alan.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of resilience and adaptability in startup life.

• The challenges and rewards of rapid scaling and going public.

• The impact of external factors, like COVID-19, on a growing business.

• The importance of agility and pivoting during times of rapid change.

Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

This week we chat with John Hill, VP of Story at Whop (whop.com), about building community and driving impact at scale. We explore his journey from LinkedIn and Techstars to Whop, and the personal influences behind his drive.

Key Discussion Points:

• Whop's Mission & Impact: John shares his excitement about Whop's mission to enable sustainable income and discusses the company's rapid growth. He highlights success stories and the long-term vision.
• The Drive for Impact: We delve into the personal influences behind John's passion for large-scale impact, including his family history and upbringing.

• Irish Citizenship: We discuss John's exploration of Irish citizenship, what it means to him, and how the Digital Irish community can support him in this process. He shares his next steps and what connections would be most helpful.

Connect with John: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msuaajohn/

• www.irishyank.com

  Join us as we sit down with Daniel McKenna, the charismatic Irish Yank, to uncover the incredible journey that transformed him into a renowned fitness expert and app creator.

• Discover how a chance encounter led to a career shift, and how Daniel's unwavering determination helped him overcome challenges to build a thriving fitness community. We delve into his experiences in the demanding New York City fitness scene, exploring how his Irish roots shaped his unique approach to training.

• Daniel shares insights into the creation of his fitness app, designed to empower individuals to achieve their health goals. Learn about the inspiration behind the app, the challenges faced, and the exciting future it holds.

• Get ready to be motivated as Daniel shares his inspiring message and encourages listeners to embark on their own fitness journeys. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable tips, laughter, and a whole lot of Irish charm!

• Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

• This episode dives into the fascinating career journey of Sarah Surgenor, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

• Sarah Surgenor is passionate about changing how behavioral healthcare is accessed and discussed. A communications expert with 20 years of national and international experience, Sarah began her career working in television production and program development for Ireland’s national television station, before moving to healthcare communications. 

• As Head of Communications and Fundraising for St. Patrick’s Mental Health Services, Sarah created the communications and marketing department and spent a decade establishing the service as Ireland’s foremost mental healthcare provider. In the US, Sarah has been a communications leader in the for profit and not-for-profit sectors. 

• In her current position as the Vice President of Marketing Communications, Sarah defines and develops strategic marketing communications for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing.

• We explore:

• Her surprising pivot from Irish television production to mental health communications.

• The contrasting landscapes of mental health support in Ireland vs. the US.

• Promising practices and trends emerging in mental healthcare.

• Sarah's vision for the future of mental health and her own aspirations within the field.

• Join us for an insightful conversation that breaks down barriers and sheds light on the ever-evolving world of mental health!

• Want to get in contact? Email us at podcast@digitalirish.com

On March 26th 2024, we hosted “From Northern Ireland to the C-Suite of Silicon Valley: A Discussion With Sarah Friar” in New York City.

​Sarah Friar is Chief Executive Officer of Nextdoor where she leads a team that revolutionizes the way people connect and build community. Before joining Nextdoor, Sarah served as CFO at Square, SVP of Finance & Strategy at Salesforce, and lead software analyst and Business Unit Leader at Goldman Sachs. 

​While serving as CFO at Square, Sarah launched its initial public offering in 2015 and added $30B in market cap. She sits on the boards of directors of Walmart and ConsenSys, as well as the advisory boards of HOPE Global and the Blavatnik School of Government. She is the co-founder of Ladies Who Launch, a nonprofit that celebrates and empowers women and non-binary entrepreneurs. Sarah earned her MEng in Metallurgy, Economics, and Management from the University of Oxford and her MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she graduated as an Arjay Miller scholar. She holds an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and in 2019 was granted an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to entrepreneurship. 

​Sarah is from Northern Ireland, has lived in South Africa, and now lives in Northern California with her husband and two children.

This episode is a live-recording of the event with Sarah, in conversation with Digital Irish and CNN Underscored's Rachel Quigley.

In this episode, we delve into the thriving Irish startup scene and the role of alternative investments in fueling its growth. We're joined by Alan Merriman, the Co-Founder and CEO of Elkstone, Ireland's alternative investment specialists, who leads a team of over 60 professionals dedicated to crafting bespoke investment solutions for diverse clientele, including entrepreneurs, executives, institutions, and, crucially, the Irish Diaspora.

Unpacking the Irish Advantage:

• We explore the key factors that led Elkstone to broaden its focus on the Irish market, capitalizing on its unique position and expertise.

• Alan elaborates on the strategic decision to expand across all three of Elkstone's business lines, venturing beyond a single focus. We delve into specific sectors within the alternative investment landscape that hold promise and align with Elkstone's mission.

Bridging the Gap: Empowering the Diaspora:

• We unpack Elkstone's commitment to forging a stronger connection with the Irish Diaspora, fostering their involvement in alternative investments.

• Alan sheds light on how Elkstone measures the impact of its investments, not just in terms of economic value but also on the overall well-being of Ireland and its broader mission of enabling impactful investments.

Join us for an insightful conversation that sheds light on:

• The evolving Irish alternative investment landscape and its exciting potential.

• How Elkstone tailors investments for diverse clients, including the Irish Diaspora.

• Elkstone's approach to measuring the impact of its investments beyond just financial returns.

Tune in and discover how Ireland is becoming a hub for innovation and how you can be part of its journey!

Have you ever wondered what it's like to leave the fast-paced world of the private sector for the impactful, yet complex, realm of public service? In this episode, we chat with Niall Brennan, the Senior Advisor for Data Strategy to the CDC Director, who made exactly that switch. We delve into their motivations for this career shift, and explore their experience in Washington DC.

In his role, Niall provides guidance to the CDC Director on the multi-billion dollar CDC Data Modernization Initiative (DMI), as well as working directly with CDC Centers and Offices to accelerate implementation of the DMI.

Prior to coming to CDC, Brennan was Chief Analytics and Privacy Officer at Clarify Health, where he led Clarify’s analytics and informatics strategy. He joined Clarify following his role as president and CEO of the Health Care Cost Institute, from 2017–2022, and previously served as the Chief Data Officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid, from 2010–2017, where he led the Obama administration’s healthcare transparency efforts, built an advanced analytics enterprise, and played a key role in implementing numerous Affordable Care Act provisions, including the Qualified Entity Program and the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. He has also worked for numerous leading think tanks and Congressional advisory bodies.

Brennan is a graduate of Georgetown University’s MPP program and has an undergraduate degree from University College Dublin.

Join us for a fascinating conversation that explores leadership, purpose, and the power of making a difference, all through the lens of a remarkable individual's journey.

• www.mediahq.com

• In this episode of the Digital Irish Podcast, join us in a captivating conversation with Jack Murray, the visionary CEO and Founder of MediaHQ. From the charming landscapes of Ireland to the forefront of media innovation, Jack shares his journey and the profound impact his Irish roots had on shaping his love for storytelling.

• As we delve into the roots of his passion, Jack unveils the inspiration behind establishing MediaHQ and how this platform is revolutionizing the way stories are told in the digital age. Discover the challenges he faced, the milestones he conquered, and the invaluable lessons learned on his entrepreneurial journey.

• Whether you're a seasoned storyteller or just embarking on your narrative journey, this episode is packed with wisdom and inspiration. Join us for a conversation that transcends borders and explores the boundless possibilities of storytelling in the digital era.

• Buy your copy of The Magic Slice here: https://www.amazon.com/Magic-Slice-Master-Storytelling-Business-ebook/dp/B09HZFKYKY/

This episode is brought to you in partnership with www.enterprise-ireland.com

Cybersecurity is a complex and ever-evolving field, but one thing remains constant: people are the most important element. In this podcast panel episode, we discuss the importance of collaboration and keeping people as the focus of cybersecurity work.

Our panelists are experts in the field, and they share their insights on how to build a strong cybersecurity culture, how to effectively communicate cybersecurity risks to employees, and how to create a more inclusive and diverse cybersecurity workforce.

Our panel includes:

• Ryan Lasmaili, CEO and Co-Founder of Vaultree, has built his career on a profound fascination for groundbreaking technology. His journey, marked by over a decade of experience in tech startups, is distinguished by strategic problem-solving, analytical insights, and forward-thinking solutions.
• Dennis Dayman is a Resident CISO for Proofpoint with more than 30 years of experience as a leader in security and privacy with a focus on information security and data privacy, data governance issues, protecting and improving data through industry policy, regulatory policy relations, and technical solutions. He is the co-author of Startup CXO: A Field Guide to Scaling Up Your Company’s Critical Functions and Teams at StartupCXO.com. He has also held leadership roles in privacy and security at several other organizations, including Maropost, Return Path, and Eloqua. Dennis was appointed Advisor to the Data Privacy and Integrity Committee by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary.
• Brian Honan is CEO of BH Consulting an independent cybersecurity and data protection advisory firm based in Dublin, Ireland. Brian is an internationally recognised expert on cybersecurity. He is a member of the Advisory Group of the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA). Brian has previously acted as a special advisor to Europol’s Cybercrime Centre (EC3), and is the founder of Ireland’s first Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Our guest cohost is:

• Claire Walsh - who is currently a Senior Market Advisor for Cybersecurity in the Enterprise Ireland New York office, Claire’s role is to support Irish cybersecurity companies to start and scale their businesses in the USA

• On this episode of the Digital Irish Podcast, we delve into the world of Life Sciences and the impact Irish Businesses are having in the field. To help us understand this space, we speak with John Power.

• Serial Entrepreneur and former European Entrepreneur of the Year, John leads Aerogen, Irelands largest indigenous Med-tech company and the world leader in Acute Care aerosol drug delivery. Aerogen’s award-winning products have to date helped treat 14 million critically ill patients in more than 80 countries globally. 

• John is recognized as both a technology and business innovator, credited with many commercialized international patents. His company was at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic response, developing the World’s First Aerosol Vaccine Delivery System used to vaccinate over 50 million subjects. 

• He is an investor and Board member of several Irish and US based Med-tech companies and in his extensive career he has ‘run the gauntlet’ of corporate transactions from Boot-strap start-up, through In /Out Licensing to IPO and Leveraged MBO. A founder faculty member of the National University of Ireland Galway Bio-Innovate program, he has actively mentored many indigenous early stage Irish companies. 

• A Chartered Engineer and FIEI, he holds an MBA from Oxford Brookes University, is an Adjunct Professor at NUIG where in 2016 in recognition of his contribution to the development of the Irish Medical Device sector John was conferred with an Honorary Doctorate. John is the current chair of Connacht Rugby.

Please join our last Digital Irish event before the summer break on Thursday, June 16th from 6pm at the Irish Consulate, where we are delighted to host a special panel with Glamour’s Samantha Barry, Newswhip’s Paul Quigley and Malachy Browne from the New York Times, moderated by Conde Nast’s Rachel Quigley.

The problem of misinformation — and the right approach to it for regulators and social media platforms — is turning into one of the most divisive political issues of the 2020s. Every major news story brings a swarm of counter stories — from covid to the capitol riot, the Ukraine invasion to vaccines. Can measures like the Disinformation Governance Board (suspended after just three weeks) and the Digital Services Act actually foster much-needed transparency? Or will the rising power of deep fake video and niche platforms see us all disappearing into our own “truths”?  All this and more will be discussed by our expert panel.

Get your tickets: https://digitalirish.com/from-fake-news-to-deep-fakes/

2017 Event Details: https://digitalirish.com/icymi-the-rise-of-fake-news-leading-irish-professionals-have-their-say/

Please join us for our next Digital Irish event at Bank of Ireland NYC Hub, where we’ll host Aidan O’Sullivan of Shapeways, to discuss the past, present and future of 3D printing - more details here: https://digitalirish.com/from-novelty-to-supply-chain-game-changer-the-evolution-of-3d-printing/

During the event, we will be fundraising for Rapid Response Ukraine - rapidresponseukraine.com

They can get the most urgently required medicines to battlefield hospitals when the larger organisations cannot.

100% of their funds, go toward purchasing and supplying these medicines to where they are most needed.

On Monday, February 14th at 12pm (New York, 5pm Ireland) we’re delighted to welcome a panelist of tech sales experts to discuss their views on the evolving sales landscape post-COVID.

Joining the Zoom panel:

• Sarah-Anne Collins – Director, LinkedIn
• Darragh Fitzpatrick – SVP, Rollworks
• Shane Murphy-Reuter – CMO, ZoomInfo
• Debbie Wogan – CRO, TVSquared

Recently appointed Digital Irish board member Brian O’Reilly (VP of Sales, Customer Success & Operations at Melio) will lead the discussion.

RSVP HERE: https://app.glueup.com/event/life-after-covid-how-tech-sales-is-evolving-37779/

MORE INFORMATION: https://digitalirish.com/life-after-covid-how-tech-sales-is-evolving/