Eighty business people from across Donegal, Sligo and Northern Ireland gathered at Century Complex for the “Strategies to Thrive in 2026” business breakfast, hosted by Letterkenny Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Donegal ETB.
The event aimed to equip business leaders with tools to strengthen resilience, look at their achievements and challenges and plan with clarity for the year ahead.
The breakfast started with an engaging and practical workshop led by coaching psychologist Anna Marie Brosi, who shared ‘people centred, science led’ techniques to help business owners and managers enhance resilience, refine priorities, and embrace a growth-mindset in the face of ongoing challenges.
Anna Marie emphasised that in today’s workplace,
“Business owners and Managers face the reality that to succeed in business today, they have to offer much more to staff and prospective employees. To do that they need to know their own goals and be in a position to share that vision. Crisis situations and disruptive events are inevitable; however, as leaders, when we respond through structured reflection and build our own resilience, we are best placed to lead our people and organisations effectively.”
Cieran Kelly and Annette Houston at the Letterkenny Chamber & Donegal ETB Strategies to Thrive Leadership Breakfast at Century Complex.
Cieran Kelly being interviewed by Annette Houston.
Andrea Devins, Cieran Kelly and Annette Houston.
Anna Marie Brosi, Leadership Coach and Jimmy Stafford, Chamber President.
Through reflective exercises, attendees explored ways to overcome challenges, harness their strengths, and direct their energy toward what they can control.
In order to hear from experienced business leaders there followed a conversation with Cieran Kelly of Kelco Vodafone and Annette Houston of FM Services Group. Both have been running businesses for over 30 years and they gave valuable insights of what successful leadership looks like for them.
Cieran has been through many ups and downs over the years and said of his experience, “I realised that I didn’t need to do everything myself just because I was the business owner. I would advise anyone to hire the right people, help them develop their skills and let them do their job.”
Annette echoed this challenge to business owners, “It is difficult but as a leader I had to learn to step back, trust my own judgement and let employees do the job I employed them to do”.
Ivor Goudie, Eamonn Doherty and David McKelvey.
Adrian Boyle and John Mahon.
Kuba Blaszczok, Catherine Hannon and John Graham.
Jonathan Doherty, Paddy Callaghan, Christy Lynch and Pascal Curran.
Shane McGee and Dearbhla Kelly.
Chantel Grant and Toni Forrester.
Skills development, investment in staff, and a strong focus on employee growth emerged as key themes. This was reiterated by Dearbhla Kelly, Enterprise Engagement Officer with Donegal ETB and event sponsors, who outlined a range of business-focused courses provided by Donegal ETB, including those referenced by Cieran during his interview.
Commenting on the event, Letterkenny Chamber President, Jimmy Stafford said:
“In a rapidly changing economic landscape, taking time to reflect, reset and equip ourselves with practical strategies for overcoming challenges and focusing on our strengths is invaluable. Today’s event has given us momentum and clarity as we step into 2026.”
“As a Chamber we speak to businesses on a daily basis and it is clear that staff retention has become a massive challenge in the last number of years. Organising today, we wanted to provide tools to businesses for the year ahead and offer guidance from some well-seasoned business owners”.
The ‘Leadership Breakfast’ is part of Letterkenny Chamber’s ongoing programme of events designed to support local enterprise, strengthen networks, and foster leadership skills among the business community.
Anna Marie Borsi, Guest Speaker, Jimmy Stafford, Chamber President Dearbhla Kelly, Enterprise Engagement Officer Donegla ETB. Back from left Vinny McGrory, Area Training Manager ETB, Annette Houston, FM Services Letterkenny Chamber, Cieran Kelly, Kelco Vodafone Guest Speaker, Karoline Sweeney, Chamber Vice- President, and Colm Richardson, Assistant Training Centre Manager Donegal ETB.
The packed room at the Letterkenny Chamber & Donegal ETB Business & Leadership Breakfast at Century Complex.
Business leaders at the Letterkenny Chamber & Donegal ETB Business & Leadership Breakfast at Century Complex.
