Ciara Crossan

Focus Areas

Ciara is an award-winning entrepreneur from Cork, Ireland and is single mother to 8 year old twin boys.

Ciara worked in Australia, Ghana and USA before starting her software business, WeddingDates in 2008, at age 25. She’s been shortlisted as “Outstanding Entrepreneur in UK”, awarded  “Business Woman of the Year” and “Accredited Thought Leader in International Hospitality Marketing” by various organizations. In 2018 she was a mentee of Vital Voices Global Ambassadors Program.

A well-known hospitality Industry Leader, She is an evangelist for technology, young entrepreneurship and women in business. She is an expert in sales, marketing & PR and a regular contributor to industry events.  She has spoken at prestigious conferences such as Hotel Insights Forum and the National Hotel Marketing Conference in London. She is a regular presence on regional and national media.

An avid lifelong learner, Ciara attained a Degree in Business Information Systems from University College Cork and a Post Graduate Diploma in International Selling from TU Dublin. An esteemed international hospitality trainer, working with clients such as Red Carnation, Marriott, Four Seasons, Radisson Blu and Best Western to deliver programs and workshops on events strategy and online & social media marketing.

Ciara supports local business through mentorship with Cork Local Enterprise Office, the Small Firms Association and Rubicon PINC programs. She regularly supports her alma mater with talks and workshops. A trained Facilitator and founding partner at LIFT Ireland whose focus is Leadership development for individuals and organizations internationally.

When not growing the business, she is often found hiking, cycling or sea swimming with her boys. She recently completed the 7 week online program Vital Voices Leadership Journey to develop her new social initiative – Boys4Better, encouraging allyship in young boys aged 7-14.