Karen Furlong

Karen Furlong is an experienced leader with a track record of success over 25 years. Her specialty is in strategy and change and helping organisations find their focus and enabling their growth. She has worked in most sectors but has deep experience in financial services, particularly fintech, having worked in Fineos and been part of the First-e team to build the first full stack internet bank. She is currently assisting Allianz with their digital transformation agenda. She has held various change and CEO roles in financial services organisations including board roles in Ireland and the UK with pre-approved control functions with the Central Bank and the Financial Conduct Authority. She is experienced in leading organisations through business change whether it is fitness and probity and regulatory requirements or more fundamental business transformation. Her professional experience has included working for organisations such as Standard Life, Friends First, Educational Building Society and Cuna Mutual.

Karen currently sits on the board of NCAD and was tasked by the Minister for Education in 2015 to assist the college in remediating significant internal control deficiencies. She chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of the college and works closely with the C&AG and the HEA. She has also held chair and INED roles with Eco Unesco, Dublin Dunlaoghaire Education Training Board and Capital Credit Union where she chaired the Audit Committee and the Strategy & Merger Committee.

Karen most recently worked in Leinster House acting as advisor to Green Party TD Deputy Catherine Martin and was involved in the negotiation of the programme for government in 2016. She also sits on the Health Committee of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) where she presides over enquiries relating to a pharmacist’s ability to practice. These Committees of Inquiry have all of the powers, rights, privileges and duties of the High Court or a Judge of the High Court. 

Karen holds a BA in English and French literature and a Diploma in Business from UCD as well as an IBEC diploma in leadership and a diploma in corporate governance from the Institute of Directors.