Emma Callinan
Emma Callinan, Senior Principal Scientific Officer of Spinouts & Research Commercialisation, Enterprise Ireland
Emma Callinan joined Enterprise Ireland in January 2023 as Director of Manufacturing Technology, where she led the development and promotion of the agency’s manufacturing technology strategy. Her role involved fostering early engagement with emerging technologies, advocating for their adoption across sectors, and working directly with key clients to support the evolution of their manufacturing strategies. She also represents Enterprise Ireland at public events to promote innovation in manufacturing.
Emma brings over 15 years of international industrial operations experience, primarily in the Life Sciences sector. Before joining Enterprise Ireland, she spent nearly six years at FIRE1, a Dublin-based MedTech start-up, as Director of Manufacturing and Supply Chain. There, she led the design and implementation of a manufacturing and supply chain strategy, guiding the company from its foundation through early scaling. Her achievements include the successful development and qualification of internal and external process technologies to ensure reliable product supply for testing and clinical trials.
Earlier in her career, Emma held operational management roles at Boston Scientific, Abbott, Cadburys, and Cochlear, with experience across Ireland, Australia, and the U.S. This diverse background has equipped her with strong technical expertise and a proven ability to lead transformative projects. She also has a deep understanding of the interpersonal and cultural dynamics required to implement change across global teams.
Emma holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick and has earned professional certifications in Leadership, Project Management, Six Sigma, and Lean practices. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
Beyond her professional roles, Emma actively contributes to industry development. She has participated in the IBEC MTE Leadership Development Taskforce, supported the IBEC Women’s Relaunch Program, and mentors through the European STRADA’s Women in Manufacturing initiative. Her leadership has been recognized through her inclusion in IBEC’s Recognition of Women in Technology and her participation in the Women in STEM Panel 2025.