Naomh Mcelhatton, Founder, She Said Club
Naomh Mcelhatton
Founder, She Said Club
Tell us about your career journey so far – was there a defining moment or decision that set you on this path?
I always knew I was a hustler; I started my first company when I was 16. I then went on to launch DANI, a first to market online advertising network which evolved into the DANI Awards. My second company was Rua Digital (a full-service digital marketing agency). I scaled that company to an acquisition with House of Comms in the Middle East in 2014. I’ve always been fuelled by a passion to bridge digital knowledge gaps. A defining decision was choosing to leave Dubai and return to Northern Ireland, prioritising stability so I could build a sustainable business while raising my two daughters.
Reflecting on your career to date, which success has meant the most to you, personally or professionally?
Professionally, founding the DANI Awards, the first of its kind celebrating Northern Ireland’s digital and creative talent, and launching the She Said Club to support and empower women have been standout moments. Being named one of Ireland’s Top 5 Entrepreneurs to Watch by the Irish Times was brilliant, and I was then awarded Northern Ireland’s Most Inspirational Woman in STEM in 2024, these are recognitions I’m really proud of.
What unique strengths or opportunities do you think women bring to business?
Women often bring holistic perspectives, balancing empathy, collaboration, and strategic thinking. In my work with Women in AI and the She Said Club, I’ve seen first-hand how women drive inclusive innovation by grounding technology in real-world human experience.
Who are the women who have influenced your thinking or supported your growth, and how have they impacted you?
I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible women: my mum, sister, aunts, former bosses, and an amazing peer network who inspire and challenge me daily. Through Women in AI and my network, I’ve met countless trailblazers who’ve shaped my thinking. But the greatest inspiration comes from my daughters, watching them grow, question, and dream fills me with awe and reminds me why I do what I do!
Could you share a setback or challenge that turned out to be unexpectedly valuable for your career or personal development?
I went through a period where I literally lost everything: my marriage ended and I had to file for bankruptcy. I had to completely rebuild everything. Those experiences, though incredibly tough, lit a fi re in my belly and sharpened my resolve. It taught me the true meaning of resilience, pushing me to restructure everything, and instilled a mindset to never give up.
What have you learned about how to achieve balance between work and home, and do you have any measures or structures in place to achieve this?
Balance, for me, comes from structure and the ability to switch off guilt-free. Self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential. I schedule work time, personal time, and downtime with equal importance, and I stick to those boundaries. Whether it’s going for a run with the pup, enjoying a quiet coffee, or just stepping away from the screen, switching off makes me more present when I switch back on.
What do you wish you’d known when you started out?
That asking for help and being vulnerable don’t make you weak, they make you stronger. Sharing challenges builds support, not shame. I believe I’d have saved myself a lot of heartache earlier on… Oh, and learning the art of saying NO! It’s liberating.
Looking ahead, what does the next chapter hold for you?
One thing I’ve learned is that change is always guaranteed. I’ve got a few exciting irons in the fi re, continuing my work with Women in AI, I am developing a new layer of compassionate tech with DCU for the She Said Club, focused on utilising AI to support women through emotional overload. I’m also proud to be sitting on the boards of Queen’s University, Young Social Innovators, and a biodiversity tech start-up, NBS. The future’s wide open, and I’m ready for it.
