Imelda Hurley Receives IMI’s Highest Honour
CEO of Coillte awarded Irish Management Institute’s Life Fellowship
Friday, 25th September 2026: The Irish Management Institute (IMI) today awarded Imelda Hurley, Chief Executive of Coillte with a Life Fellowship, in recognition of her contribution to leadership, business and public life in Ireland. She received the honour today at the IMI’s autumn graduation ceremony in Dublin alongside fellow recipient Terence O’Rourke, Chair of ESB and RTÉ.
Life Fellowship is the highest honour bestowed by IMI. Since 1961, it has recognised senior leaders whose work has made a significant contribution to management and business leadership in Ireland. Previous recipients include TK Whitaker, Peter Drucker, Peter Sutherland, Feargal Quinn, David McRedmond, Siobhán Talbot, Anne O’Leary and Ann Kelleher.
Shane O’Sullivan, Chief Executive of IMI, said:
“Life Fellowship recognises leadership effectively practised and highlights the positive difference this skill makes to organisations, their strategies and their people. Imelda Hurley and Terence O’Rourke have each combined professional distinction with an exemplary personal commitment to service. Across different careers, both have raised standards, strengthened important Irish institutions and created significant opportunities for organisations and people to reach their potential and to succeed.”
Accepting the Fellowship, Imelda paid tribute to the many colleagues, mentors and teams she has worked with throughout her career, and gave special recognition to Team Coillte for their professionalism, resilience and commitment to delivering the multiple benefits of forests for climate, nature, wood and people.
Imelda Hurley, CEO of Coillte said:
“It is a great honour to receive an IMI Life Fellowship. Leadership is never an individual achievement: it depends on the people who challenge us, support us and work alongside us. I am very grateful to IMI for this recognition, which I share with the many colleagues and teams from whom I have learned so much.”
