Faculty of Business Executive Education Team

The MBS team are experts in their field with experience leading, guiding and supporting participants to achieve their professional and personal goals.

Dr Meadbh Ruane

Meadbh Ruane has lectured in the Faculty of Business Studies since 2002. She lectures in the areas of digital business, organisational change, managing people and reflective practice. Meadbh is an Action Learning facilitator with extensive experience in the area. In her role as a lecturer and facilitator, Meadbh has a strong belief in practice-based education and continuing professional development where participants are at the centre of their own learning.

She incorporates pedagogy that links real-world and practitioner experience to academic theory. Before joining ATU, Meadbh worked both nationally and internationally as a project manager and business analyst facilitating teams in developing software solutions that addressed business challenges. Meadbh holds a DBA from the University of Northumbria and was awarded a B.Comm and MBS from NUI Galway. She is currently programme director on the MBS in Innovation and Leadership and leads the Organisational Context and Managing Change & People modules.

Dr Vicky O’Rourke

Dr Vicky O’Rourke is a Senior Lecturer for Research Development at the Faculty of Business, Atlantic Technological University, Donegal. She is joint Programme Director for a unique cross border Executive Education Masters programme, delivered jointly by Atlantic Technological University and Ulster University: the MSc in Leadership and Innovation in the Public Sector.

Vicky received her Doctorate in Education from Queen’s University; Belfast and she also holds a Masters by Research from ATU. Vicky is a qualified Action Learning Set Facilitator, learning by doing and critical reflection underpin her approaches to education. Dr O’Rourke leads the Innovation module.

Paul McGuckin

As a lecturer at ATU, Paul brings a wide range of skills, with extensive experience in leadership, sales, marketing, and consulting. With a proven track record of success, Paul has the necessary expertise to deliver an exciting and challenging learning experience to his participants.

A background in sales with leading brands such as Nike, coupled with experience in software consulting, allows Paul to offer a truly unique perspective on business, management and leadership that is invaluable in today’s rapidly changing world. Paul leads
the Leadership module.

Dr Isobel Cunningham

Dr Isobel Cunningham is a lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and has been teaching at ATU since 2015. Previously Isobel taught at Dublin City University, Ulster University and University of Derby. Isobel returned to full time education after spending 5 years performing with Riverdance – The Show throughout Europe and Asia.

She completed a BA Hons and MSc in International Business at Ulster University. Isobel completed her Ph.D. in 2013 again at Ulster University. Her Ph.D. title is “Evolution and Formation of Entrepreneurial Founding Teams in the Video Games Industry”. Isobel collaborates with local businesses and has a particular interest in female entrepreneurs and creative entrepreneurs. Dr Cunningham leads the Professional Development module.

Michael Margey

As a lecturer and Head of Faculty, Michael’s academic career has largely spanned the domains of executive education and leadership roles across department, school, faculty, and board levels. Throughout his career, he has gained wide-ranging experience in academic enterprise, including spin-in and spin-out ventures across various sectors such as technology, private banking and property, tier 2 automotive industries, online retail and digital media.

His educational background spans business, computing, information systems, leadership, innovation, and fintech, with studies at institutions including Galway, Ulster, Atlantic, Oxford, Sheffield, and Northumbria universities. Michael’s current interests lie in talent development and advancing innovation ecosystems for knowledge exchange and regional development. Michael currently leads the Learning Organisation Module.