Michelle McDaid is the founder of The Leading Place, a leadership consultancy helping organisations build high-performing, people-first cultures. With more than 25 years in technology leadership, including as Senior Director of Engineering at Workhuman, she has extensive experience leading global teams, scaling organisations, and navigating complex change.
Michelle combines practical leadership expertise with evidence-based research, holding an MSc (Hons) in Work & Organisational Behaviour from DCU, where she studied trust in remote and hybrid teams. A qualified executive coach and Associate Member of CIPD, she advises organisations on leadership, culture, communication, and organisational change, with a particular focus on trust, psychological safety, and inclusive leadership.
A passionate advocate for women in technology, Michelle mentors through Growth Guild EU/UK and serves on the board of North Dublin Citizens Information Service. She has been recognised in the Everywoman in Tech Awards, Women in Tech Awards, Diversein’s 133 Women Who Change the World, and the CTO Craft 100. Her insights have been featured by CTO Craft, Silicon Republic, Business Post, and the Irish Examiner, and she is a regular conference speaker.