Our City.
Our University.
Our Future.
Thursday 26th March
9am - 1:30pm
Be part of the conversation at Ulster University’s Magee Campus, where global and local experts come together to discuss new thinking, ignite bold ideas, and build a city and University for all.
This event is supported by:
Keynote Speakers
Pierre Laconte
In 1968, Pierre Laconte was appointed one of three planners tasked with shaping Louvain-la-Neuve — a bold new university town built on 900 hectares of farmland south of Brussels. The project became an international benchmark in urban planning and received the UIA Abercrombie Award in 1982.
He went on to become Honorary Secretary-General of the International Association of Public Transport (1984–99), influencing global thinking on urban mobility, and was elected to the German Academy of Arts in 1995.
A prolific author and editor, his work spans urban planning, sustainability and mobility, most recently Oser la transition(2024), showcasing 22 inspiring Belgian examples of environmental transition.
Urban Planner, Economic & Acedemic
Shona McCarthy
Shona McCarthy was appointed in March 2025 as the first female Chair of the International Fund for Ireland, established in 1986 to support peace-building across Northern Ireland and the border counties.
She previously served nine years as Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, championing the Fringe as the world’s leading performing arts festival. She also led Derry’s transformative year as UK City of Culture (2013) and has held senior roles with the British Council Northern Ireland, Imagine Belfast, Cinemagic, and the Foyle Film Festival.
With more than 35 years in cultural leadership, she is an Eisenhower Fellow, holds an Honorary Doctorate from Queen Margaret University, and is an Honorary Fellow and Visiting Professor across several UK institutions.
Chair, International Fund for Ireland
Jennifer Neff
Jennifer Neff is an award-winning entrepreneur, communicator, and changemaker from Derry~Londonderry who has built a career out of turning ideas into impact.
As co-founder of Elemental Software — a pioneering health tech company that scaled internationally before being acquired — Jennifer proved that you can build something world-class from right here in Northern Ireland.
Today, through her newest venture, HighTop, she helps young people and innovators bring their ideas to life, blending entrepreneurship, creativity, and real-world problem-solving.
In 2024, Jennifer won Tech UK’s President’s Award and now serves as Entrepreneur in Residence at The Amp Growth Incubator and Founder Labs, mentoring start-ups and young innovators.
Co-Founder, Elemental Software
Panellists
Aoife Warren
Aoife played an instrumental role in EY’s strategic decision to establish its new North West hub in Derry, part of the firm’s commitment to creating 1,000 new jobs across Northern Ireland and tapping into the region’s strong talent pool. She has worked closely with EY leadership and local partners to develop and drive the strategy behind the hub, helping accelerate its launch and ensuring it becomes a key centre for high‑value roles in consulting, technology, data and advisory services.
Consulting Partner, EY NI
Clare Magee
CEO & Co-Founder, AwakenHub
From Derry, Clare is a leading advocate for women-led startups across Ireland. As CEO and co-founder of AwakenHub and AwakenAngels, she is reshaping access to early-stage investment for women founders. Awakenhub has a community of 3000 women founders and have over the last 24 months grown the first and only women led angel syndicate and have educated 116 novice angels and have a syndicate of 141 angel investors (90% women) and a portfolio of 9 companies and growing..
Steven Lindsay
Steven Lindsay is co-founder of McHughLindsay, which provides bespoke governance, risk and consulting support to clients across the public, private and voluntary sectors. A Chartered Accountant and Chartered Internal Auditor, he has held senior leadership roles in health and social care, including Director of Finance and Chief Executive, and has extensive experience as a partner in private accounting practices advising organisations on governance, strategy and transformation. Steven is an executive coach and active in civic and community leadership. He currently serves as President of Londonderry Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the Ulster University Magee Expansion Taskforce.
President, Londonderry Chamber
Anna Doherty
Anna was appointed Chief Executive of the Londonderry Chamber in March 2022.
She previously worked with Chamber as Events Manager from April 2013 to July 2015 and spent the intervening years working in various membership, trade and awarding bodies, including BritishAmerican Business, the American Chamber in London.
Prior to 2013 Anna ran her own food business producing delicious ready-made cooking sauces for sale throughout Donegal and owned the award-winning Rusty Nail Pub and Restaurant in Clonmany for some years with her husband.
Chief Executive, Londonderry Chamber
John Kelpie is the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council. Established in April 2015 as a result of a programme of local government reform in Northern Ireland, this new Council serves a larger geographical area and has a range of additional powers, functions and responsibilities than its predecessor councils.
John led on the creation of the new organisation designing an innovative, flexible and responsive staffing structure with a clear vision and purpose to develop a thriving, prosperous and sustainable City and Region with equality of opportunity for all.
John Kelpie
CHIEF EXECUTIVE, DERRY CITY & STRABANE DISTRICT COUNCIL
Duncan Morrow
Duncan Morrow is a Lecturer in politics where he has published widely in the fields of conflict resolution, Northern Ireland politics and the relationship between religion and politics.
He is currently the Director of Community Engagement at Ulster University developing relationships with groups and organisations across the community.
His research interests include Conflict and Religion, Ethnic Conflict, Northern Ireland Politics and the work of Rene Girard.
Director of Community Engagement, Ulster University