Denis Doolan

Strategic Head of Culture, Inclusion & Diversity at AIB

Denis has over 25 years’ experience in national, international and global roles, connecting teams with strategic initiatives to drive alignment, engagement, and social impact.  He joined AIB as Strategic Head of Inclusion & Diversity in June 2021, working across the business to advance an inclusive culture and working environment, and he took on responsibility for AIB’s Culture programme in June 2023. 

Since joining AIB, Denis helped establish an ambition to achieve Universal Inclusion, where every colleague feels a sense of belonging in an organisation where everyone can reach their full potential. In recognition of progress made on that journey, AIB achieved Gold Investors in Diversity accreditation from the Irish Centre for Diversity in July 2022.

During his career Denis’s thought leadership work on Inclusion & Diversity has featured in Authority Magazine, Campaign, HR.com and on LinkedIn, as well as in numerous podcasts and conferences. He was a keynote speaker at the 2021 Global Inclusion Online Forum.

Prior to AIB, Denis was Chief of Organizational Excellence at Special Olympics International, where he led strategy, learning & development, the PMO and partnerships with American Express Foundation, CEB, Kerry Group and Skillsoft.  He was also a member of the Advisory Group to the Irish Government Taskforce on Personal Budgets for People with Disabilities (2016-2018).

Denis’s previous experience includes delivery of learning & development programmes for clients including Allianz Care, Credit Agricole, Elavon, ITAA, Amrop and Fexco.  His early career included consultancy work in Public Relations and Event Management, including the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and 2006 Torino, 2010 Vancouver and 2012 London Olympic Games. 

Denis has lectured in event management and marketing at UCD, DIT and Dublin Business School.  He holds a BA in Communication Studies from Dublin City University, a MSc. in PR from the University of Stirling, a Certificate in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge, and a Non-profit Management Executive Certificate from Georgetown University.