Warrior T here is an undeniable thread that runs through Lauren McKenna's life and career: a curiosity that has steered her in, o entimes, unexpected directions. None more so than the Portstewart native's decision to attend Trinity in 2019. ‘I was initially planning to study in Scotland,’ she explains. ‘An acquaintance mentioned, in passing, that she was a student at Trinity and was really enjoying it. I have family in Greystones, and I remember thinking it would be worth visiting them and popping into the Trinity Open Day just to check it out. I can’t explain why, but I immediately fell in love with the campus. I felt very connected to it. My decision was made.’ Six years later, as Head of Product for Positive Carbon, the Trinity alumnus is leading the global expansion of the fast-growing food waste start-up. McKenna, brimming with enthusiasm, has found her groove. Not only is she working in a field she’s passionate about (more on that later), she recently received the 2024 Compass Women Mean Business Rising Star Award, which recognises female entrepreneurs and businesswomen’s contribution to the Irish economy and society. So, how did an English and Philosophy student become a green tech maverick? ‘When you’re working towards a degree, it’s easy to have a narrow focus,’ McKenna reflects. ‘Using your time at university to meet di erent people, try di erent things and explore the opportunities that excite you will ultimately help you uncover what you want to do in life.’ McKenna is speaking from experience. During her four years studying for a Bachelor of Arts she took advantage of her access to Trinity Business School, attending events and enrolling in Women Who Wow, a mentorship program for students interested in setting up a business or social enterprise. ‘I had always been fascinated with the tech industry and had an idea that at some point, somehow, I would like to work in that field. Women Who Wow was a turning point for me. I was paired with a brilliant mentor from HubSpot who had segued from a Bachelor of Arts into the tech sphere. It made me realise I could consider possibilities beyond my course.’ A pivotal moment for McKenna came when Bread 41, the bakery where she worked, decided to pursue B Corp status, a prestigious certification acknowledging a company's commitment to environmental and social progress. ‘We were working on all these di erent projects, from introducing an anaerobic digester on-site to being one of the first food businesses in the country to eliminate single-use co ee cups. We needed a framework to support and validate these initiatives, help us build on our achievements, and find new ways to improve. I trained as a B Leader, which helped me get our B Corp certification over the line. Being the first bakery in Ireland to be certified was gratifying and connected me with a community of like-minded, supportive people and businesses.’ With her degree completed and a wealth of experience accumulated at Bread 41, when an opportunity to work at Positive Carbon arose, it felt like the culmination of McKenna’s studies, work experience and passion for business and tech aligning. She joined the start-up as a Product Manager in February 2023 and was promoted to Head of Product by July 2024.
Download PDF file