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Judging Panel
An independent panel of recognised and expert judges, representing the operational discipline, will determine the winners of the Operational Excellence Awards.
Our focus is to deliver a balanced judging assessment from seasoned practitioners who will bring their extensive knowledge, enthusiasm and expertise to the judging process ensuring that the winning entries are truly outstanding and worthy of receiving an Operational Excellence Awards.
The panel is carefully selected to ensure the Awards' judging process is fair and objective. The judges are bound by a strict confidentiality agreement and are required to declare any conflict of interest in entries over which they deliberate, in which case that entry will be reallocated. The integrity of this process lies at the very heart of all that we do.
We recognise and respect the sensitive nature of the information submitted in the entries. Submissions are not disclosed or discussed outside the judging process. We do not publish the names of companies, organisations or individuals that have not been shortlisted for an Award, nor will we reproduce any information from your entry unless prior permission is given.
A comprehensive judging process has been developed to decide the worthy winners of the Operational Excellence Awards.
2023 Judging Panel
Brian Coll (Judging Co-ordinator)
Lecturer, Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo
Brian is a lecturer at Atlantic Technological University, Sligo which is Ireland’s largest online provider of accredited Lean Six Sigma & OpEx programmes. He has over 20 years of experience in Operational Excellence and has held senior positions at Director and VP level in Ireland, USA, & Mexico.
Pauline Found
Emeritus Professor, Lean Operations Management, University of Buckingham & Lecturer, Logistics and Operations Management, Cardiff University
Pauline Found is an Emeritus Professor of Lean Operations Management at the University of Buckingham and a Lecturer in Logistics and operations Management at Cardiff University.
Miriam Keogh
Head of Supply Chain, Lean & HR, Dawn Farm Foods Ltd
Miriam sits on the Leadership team in Dawn Farm Foods and is Head of Supply Chain, HR and Lean Continuous Improvement. She has an MSC in Supply Chain and a Lean Black Belt and believes passionately in the power of great team work and sustainable long term solutions.
Jessica Minghinelli
Director, Partner Operations, Salesforce
Certified Customer Experience Performance Leader (COPC), Jessica has 15 years of experience in SaaS business operations. In her role as Director of Partner Operations at Salesforce, Jessica is a global functional leader that supports the light-speed rapid growth of Salesforce's Channel Business.
Patrick Quinn
Head of Operations, Cheshire Ireland
The focus of Patrick’s work is the support Cheshire Ireland in their vision “to support people to live their best possible life”. As the Head of Operations, he aims to support their staff to work in line with the values of the organisation while always keeping the needs of their service users at the heart of everything they do.
Darren Woods
CEO, WD Excellence
Darren Woods is the CEO of WD Excellence. Darren holds an MBS in Business Practice, an honours degree in Manufacturing Engineering, and is a certified LSS Black belt. Specialising in Lean & Operational Excellence, Darren has over 15 years experience leading Business Improvement Transformations.