I studied Environmental Science at NUIG, graduating in 2018, and shortly after moved to New Zealand. After about a year there, I began my career in green tech with an Australian company called Eco Detection, where I worked as a Business Development Manager in New Zealand. 

Eco Detection, backed by Grey Innovation, adapted technology originally used for airport security (bomb detection) to measure nitrogen levels in freshwater. This led to the development of real-time water monitoring sensors, combining both hardware and software. During my time there, I worked on developing projects and partnerships to install these sensors in rivers across New Zealand. 

Following this, I joined Adroit IoT as the South Island Business Development Manager, where I spent nearly four years. This role was incredibly transformative for me. Adroit IoT specialises in integrating environmental sensors—measuring water, air, soil, weather, and more—with data loggers and software platforms, allowing clients to access real-time environmental data and reporting. We worked across a wide range of industries including construction, aquaculture, horticulture, and agriculture. 

The technology was truly disrupting traditional approaches—moving away from manual, time-consuming sampling to real-time insights, which is particularly important for environmental compliance and resource consents. 

In total, I’ve been working in the green tech and IoT space for over five years. What drew me to this sector initially was somewhat accidental, but once I was in it, I knew it was the right fit. It allowed me to combine my environmental background with a more dynamic, people-focused role. I was never suited to a traditional

lab-based career, so this felt like the perfect balance between science, technology, and business. 

I was deeply motivated not just by the career progression, but by the impact of the work itself. I genuinely believed in the technology and what it could achieve for environmental monitoring and protection. The variety in the role—working with different industries, traveling across New Zealand, attending events and building relationships—was a huge part of what I loved. 

Green tech and IoT are going to play a critical role in how we understand and protect our environment in the future, and I feel very fortunate to have built my career in this space. I do believe there is still significant opportunity for growth in Ireland, particularly as current regulations can sometimes lag behind technological advancements, but that also presents an exciting opportunity for change. 

Info on the company I worked for: 

Adroit IoT (Spark Business Group) 

Adroit IoT is a New Zealand-based technology company specialising in real-time environmental monitoring and intelligence. As part of the Spark Business Group, Adroit designs and deploys IoT solutions that combine environmental sensors, data loggers, and software platforms to deliver continuous, real-time insights across industries such as agriculture, aquaculture, construction, and infrastructure. 

Their solutions enable organisations to monitor water, air, soil, and weather conditions, improving compliance, operational efficiency, and sustainability outcomes. By turning environmental data into actionable insights, Adroit supports businesses, councils, and communities to make more informed, data-driven decisions.

One of the biggest challenges I faced in my career was entering a very male-dominated industry. Early on, I was very aware of the divide at times and had to learn how to navigate that environment with confidence. Over time, I developed the ability to hold my own, communicate clearly, and earn respect through knowledge and consistency. 

Another important challenge for me was learning how to work as part of a team. From a young age, I found group environments difficult, so adjusting to a collaborative, corporate setting—particularly within a sales team—took time. While I was based in the South Island and often worked independently or from home, I still needed to be fully integrated into a wider, fast-paced and competitive sales environment. Learning how to communicate effectively, contribute to a team, and balance independence with collaboration was a significant area of growth for me. 

Sales environments are naturally competitive, and that brought its own challenges. I also recognised in myself that I could be quite defensive, so learning how to accept feedback, take criticism constructively, and understand that I wasn’t always right was a very humbling but necessary lesson. It’s something I had to actively work on, and it ultimately made me more self-aware and easier to work with. I believe everyone has something they need to overcome, and being willing to face that is key to personal and professional growth. 

Another key learning curve was around boundaries and professionalism. In many workplaces, relationships can become quite close, and it’s easy for lines between colleagues and friendships to blur. I had to learn the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and recognising that knowledge and credibility are a form of power. 

I also found aspects of competitiveness, particularly among women in corporate environments, to be challenging initially. However, this was balanced by the incredible role models I encountered, especially among my clients, who were supportive and inspiring. 

Working in sales also meant managing pressure and avoiding burnout. The “always on” nature of the role meant I had to learn how to manage my energy, set boundaries, and take time for myself. Passion plays a huge role here—if you don’t believe in what you’re doing, it’s very difficult to sustain the level of resilience required. 

Confidence was another major hurdle in the early stages of my career. I used to feel extremely anxious speaking in meetings or presenting, often becoming overwhelmed. The only way I overcame this was through consistent exposure—pushing myself into those situations, learning my material inside out, and building confidence over time. Eventually, I became comfortable presenting to rooms of senior stakeholders and handling challenging conversations. I also learned that honesty is key—if you don’t know an answer, it’s far better to say you’ll follow up than to guess.

In terms of career growth, it took time to build consistency, particularly in sales. It took me several years to consistently meet targets, and that came through continuous learning, resilience, and a genuine belief in the product and its value. 

Overall, these challenges shaped my career in a very positive way. They pushed me to grow both professionally and personally, and reinforced the importance of resilience, self-awareness, and passion. You truly get out what you put in. 

I strongly believe that green tech and IoT will play a critical role in the future of environmental monitoring. While Ireland still has some catching up to do—particularly in terms of regulation keeping pace with innovation—this presents a real opportunity for growth and change in the sector. 

Another important insight into the green tech industry is its global nature—these skills are highly transferable and can open opportunities to work and travel internationally. The core technologies and challenges are similar worldwide, which means experience in one country can often be applied in another. 

It’s also crucial to understand the quality and suitability of different technologies. Not all solutions are created equal—there are lower-cost options that may be quicker to deploy but can lack durability and require frequent replacement, and there are more robust, higher-quality technologies that involve a greater upfront investment but provide long-term reliability and accuracy. 

Understanding the specific use case is key. This includes the environment the technology will be deployed in, the client’s needs, and the desired outcomes. Choosing the right solution requires balancing cost, performance, and longevity to ensure the technology delivers real value over time.

Overcoming challenges in my career came down to a combination of mindset, self-development, and consistency. One of the biggest things I learned early on is that you truly get out what you put in. You have to be willing to put in the effort, stay passionate about what you do, and remain open-minded, curious, and patient with yourself. Growth doesn’t happen overnight—every day is a learning opportunity. 

A big part of my personal development happened outside of work. I invested time in practices like yoga, therapy, and general self-care, which helped me build confidence, manage stress, and improve my ability to communicate and present. That said, a lot of growth also came from simply pushing myself into uncomfortable situations—speaking up in meetings, presenting, and learning by doing. Confidence really comes from repetition and experience. 

Maintaining a healthy routine also played an important role. Prioritising sleep, eating well, and staying active helped me manage the demands of a high-pressure sales environment and avoid burnout. 

I was very fortunate to have strong mentors and role models throughout my career. My manager, Guy, at Adroit IoT was a key influence, and we built a strong working relationship—particularly during COVID, where we worked tirelessly together through back-to-back virtual meetings to keep the business performing. Alongside this, many of my clients became unexpected mentors. I had the opportunity to work with scientists, government professionals, and inspiring business leaders, particularly women who demonstrated incredible work ethic, authenticity, and leadership. Those experiences had a lasting impact on me. 

I also actively sought out opportunities to grow. I attended women in business and tech events, participated in sales training, and continuously learned about the products and technologies I was working with. Developing a deep understanding of what I was selling gave me confidence and credibility. 

Finally, I learned to embrace failure as part of the process. In sales and in any career, setbacks are inevitable. When things didn’t go to plan, I focused on learning from the experience rather than dwelling on it. Every challenge, mistake, or rejection became an opportunity to improve. 

Overall, overcoming these challenges was about showing up consistently, being willing to learn, and backing myself—even when it felt uncomfortable.

One of the key successes in my career was building and managing a client base of over 40 organisations across New Zealand. Through this, I was involved in a wide range of collaborative projects that led to the installation of hundreds of environmental sensors across rivers, coastal areas, land, and construction sites nationwide. These projects enabled real-time environmental monitoring and significantly improved how organisations could manage compliance, risk, and sustainability outcomes. 

I am particularly proud of the role I played in helping local councils and organisations transition from manual sampling methods to real-time data solutions. This not only saved time and operational costs but also allowed for more accurate and proactive environmental decision-making—ultimately contributing to better environmental protection. 

During my time at Adroit IoT, I also contributed to nationwide industry engagement through conferences, presentations, and client workshops, helping to raise awareness of how IoT technology can transform environmental monitoring across multiple sectors. 

From a commercial perspective, I generated over €4 million in project sales, which reflected both the demand for the technology and the strong relationships I built with clients. While financial success was a milestone, what mattered most to me was genuinely believing in the value of the solutions I was delivering and seeing their real-world impact. 

One of the most meaningful aspects of my work was collaborating with Māori iwi (indigenous communities). Supporting these groups in implementing environmental monitoring solutions was incredibly rewarding, as it aligned closely with their deep connection to the land and water (kaitiakitanga – guardianship of the environment). 

A standout project for me was working with an iwi to install a network of sensors across their land to provide clear, data-driven evidence of water quality issues. This project was particularly powerful because it enabled the community to access reliable, real-time data to support their environmental concerns and decision-making. Being part of work that helped give visibility and voice through data was something I found deeply meaningful. 

Overall, my contributions sat at the intersection of technology, environment, and people—helping organisations make more informed, sustainable decisions while driving the adoption of innovative green technologies.

Helping clients move from manual to automatic was a big win for me, as the world needs to catch up with the innovation of technology and start to utilise it and throw the old school mentality out now. Data is key without the real time data – we cant work fast enough,

My biggest advice for anyone entering the green tech industry is to find your niche and follow what genuinely interests you. It’s a broad and fast-moving space, so taking the time to understand where your strengths and passions lie will help you build a career that is both sustainable and fulfilling. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to pivot—there’s no benefit in staying in a role or path that doesn’t align with you. 

Be curious and never be afraid to ask questions. No question is a stupid question, especially in an industry that is constantly evolving. The more you learn, the more confident and capable you will become. At the same time, stay open-minded and willing to learn from others—regardless of their role or experience. 

Building strong relationships is key. Be genuine, be kind, and treat everyone with respect. The green tech space, like many industries, can feel small, and your reputation matters. Being someone who is approachable, reliable, and easy to work with will open far more doors than you might expect. 

It’s also important to maintain clear boundaries and professionalism. While workplaces can be social environments, understanding the difference between colleagues and close friendships is important for long-term success and respect. 

Stay informed on global trends, environmental challenges, and emerging technologies. This industry is heavily shaped by policy, innovation, and global agendas, so having a broad awareness will help you stay relevant and identify opportunities. 

If you’re unsure of your direction early on, that’s completely okay. Taking time to figure things out—whether that’s a gap year, travel, or exploring different roles—can be incredibly valuable. What matters is that you are intentional about your path and willing to put in the effort to grow. 

Ultimately, you get out what you put in. If you are open, honest, hardworking, and willing to build genuine connections, opportunities will come.