Leona Carroll, Learning & Development Manager at the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), joins the judging panel for the HR Leadership & Management Awards 2026, bringing over 20 years of experience in strategic L&D, leadership development, and diversity and inclusion across diverse industries.

As a qualified Executive, Leadership, and Personal Coach, member of the Association for Coaching, and co-founder of The Coaching Network, she brings expertise in empowering individuals and teams while integrating inclusive, high-performance culture principles into organisational learning strategy.

At HPRA, Leona has developed and implemented strategic L&D frameworks that align with organisational goals whilst embedding diversity and inclusion initiatives to foster inclusive, high-performance cultures. Her approach combines evidence-based learning design with coaching-led development, ensuring individuals and teams move from capability building to sustained performance improvement and cultural shift.

Her credentials span Master in Business Management from Smurfit School of Business, UCD; CIPD qualification in HR Management; and Professional Diploma in Change Management from UCD. This blend of academic rigour and applied expertise positions her to evaluate L&D initiatives that deliver both immediate performance gains and sustainable organisational transformation.

Leona's strategic impact is validated through measurable achievements. She led HPRA to secure top ratings of Excellence in the Training, Support & Development category and Inclusion and Belonging category of the IBEC Keep Well Mark. The organisation's recognition at the 2025 IBEC Awards further demonstrates the tangible business impact of her integrated L&D and inclusion strategy.

Her passion for enhancing organisational development capabilities through innovative learning strategies extends beyond her core role. Through The Coaching Network, she actively contributes to advancing coaching practice within the Irish HR and development community, positioning coaching as a strategic lever for culture and capability transformation.

As an awards judge, Leona evaluates submissions through the lens of strategic L&D integration, inclusive culture building, and coaching-enabled development. Her assessment focuses on learning initiatives that demonstrate clear alignment with business objectives, embed diversity and inclusion authentically, and deliver measurable impact on individual, team, and organisational performance.

The HR Leadership & Management Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 15th, 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry.

Visit the official HR Leadership & Management Awards website to review award categories, access entry guidance, and explore past winners. Subscribe to the newsletter for updates on judging panel announcements, category insights, and exclusive event coverage.