Kennedy Summer School’s Economic and Trade Forum: The Game-Changing Event Top Investors Are Quietly Eyeing

Ever wondered what happens when some of the sharpest minds in politics, business, and economics gather to untangle the knottiest global and Irish trade puzzles? Well, the Kennedy Summer School’s 2025 programme is about to dish out exactly that, with a high-profile Economic and Trade Forum that promises to challenge, inspire, and maybe even shake up conventional thinking. Chaired by Mark Redmond — a true trailblazer who’s steered both coaching and commerce at the highest levels — this isn’t your run-of-the-mill talk shop. Picture former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, a Marine Corps vet who swapped battlefield strategy for clean energy and tech innovation in city leadership. Alongside him, heavyweights like Barry Doyle, the youngest-ever president of Chartered Accountants Ireland, plus top economists and political analysts, are queued up to cut through the noise and serve real insights on a rapidly shifting economic landscape. Curious how these minds will tackle the future of trade and opportunities in an ever-evolving world? This is where you want to be. LEARN MORE

The Kennedy Summer School will host a high-profile Economic and Trade Forum as part of its 2025 programme.

The event will be chaired by Mark Redmond, CEO and founder of Redmond Coaching for Impact and former CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland.

The forum will bring together distinguished leaders in politics, business and economics to examine global and Irish economic challenges as well as discussing opportunities in a rapidly changing world.

Among the panellists is Greg Ballard, former Mayor of Indianapolis.

Following a 23-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, Ballard was elected Mayor in 2007 and served two terms.

His leadership was marked by initiatives in clean energy, water and infrastructure, and he expanded the city’s sister city partnerships.

He also initiated the VEX Robotics Championship in Indianapolis, now the largest state robotics competition in the United States.

Ballard has served on numerous boards, co-founded Indy Women in Tech, and is the author of several books, including Urban Republican Mayor: My Story.

Joining him is Barry Doyle, Chief Financial and Operating Officer of Johnson Hana, an augmented intelligence legal solutions provider within the AI technology company Eudia.

Doyle is the Immediate Past President of Chartered Accountants Ireland, becoming the youngest president in the organisation’s 136-year history.

His career includes leadership roles in early-stage technology companies, such as Storyful, where he oversaw its acquisition by News Corp, as well as senior positions in investment and business scaling.

He is a director of Republic of Work and an independent director of Parkrun Ireland.

Stephen Kinsella, Professor of Economics at the University of Limerick and Economic Advisor to the Tánaiste, will also take part.

Kinsella is a leading commentator on the Irish economy, a regular contributor to The Currency.

He is also the author of several books and is widely recognised for making complex economic issues accessible to the public.

Dr Emma Howard, Economist and Lecturer at TU Dublin, will contribute her expertise.

She is Chair of the Irish Society for Women in Economics, a member of UCD’s Behavioural Science and Policy Group, the Irish Behavioural Science and Policy Network, and the External Advisory Group for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service.

Prior to her role at TU Dublin, she was an Economics Fellow at the University of Oxford and Mansfield College.

Also participating is Gerard Arthurs, Lecturer in International Relations and Politics at South East Technological University.

Arthurs has previously lectured at Dublin City University, NUI Maynooth and the Irish School of Ecumenics, as well as in France and Spain, and was a Visiting Scholar at the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at George Washington University in Washington DC.

He has contributed extensively to national and international political debate through public forums, radio, and print media.

Entrepreneurs, policymakers and members of the business community are invited to attend what promises to be a timely and thought-provoking discussion on the future of trade and the economy.

Business Plus was recently announced as the official media partner for the Kennedy Summer School.

The event will take place at the Brandon House Hotel in New Ross at 6.00 pm on Wednesday, September 27, 2025.

Admission is free, but tickets must be reserved in advance by contacting the Kennedy Summer School team via email at [email protected]For further details, see www.kennedysummerschool.ie.