Some of the minds behind the mission

Our leadership team has worked in fast-growing, ambitious businesses in the tech and SaaS industries.

Stride brings together expertise from the worlds of event management, project management office (PMO), branding, marketing, internal comms, HR and people leadership, strategic operations, diversity, equity and  inclusion (DE&I).

GET TO KNOW ME

Get To Know Me

Barry (he/him) is passionate about creating meaningful impact through his work, partnering with companies to improve how people collaborate and make decisions at work. With a strong belief in the power of teams over individuals, Barry co-founded Stride to empower people to do their best work. Committed to a global perspective and human-centred approach, he values collaboration, both internally and with partners. Outside of work, Barry enjoys travel, which fuels his curiosity about people.

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Get To Know Me

Imer (she/her) is a versatile leader with a rich blend of experience across the SaaS, Tech, Digital and PR & Communications sectors, having guided companies from Series A to post-IPO. Recently pivoting to Chief Operating Officer after 20+ years as an HR and people leader, Imer excels in cross-functional roles, driving growth and championing equality in the workplace. Guided by values of integrity, she brings a people-first approach to every challenge. Beyond work, Imer enjoys live music, fashion, travel, and is an advocate for feminist beliefs.

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Get To Know Me

Ashley (she/her) is a dynamic experience designer, employee engagement nerd, and co-founder of The Optimist Collective. With over a decade in tech at companies like Uber and Asana, she creates innovative spaces for connection, from brand events to company kickoffs. Driven by a commitment to fostering authentic experiences, she weaves purpose and delight into every interaction. A matcha enthusiast and avid traveller, she makes ordinary magical, one thoughtfully curated moment at a time.

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Get To Know Me

Jane (she/her) is a seasoned communications leader and brand strategist with a strong background in people engagement, marketing, event management, and experience design. Jane brings a unique blend of strategic vision and creative execution to her work, crafting dynamic experiences that inspire connection and engagement. When she’s not curating unforgettable experiences, Jane loves exploring different parts of the world, adding to her long list of favourite restaurants and spending quality time with family and her dogs.

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Get To Know Me

Thais (She/her) is an Experience Partner at Stride with a passion for events and fostering meaningful connections across the globe. With experience delivering impactful events across EMEA, AMER, and APAC, she excels at creating spaces where people come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Having moved from Brazil to Ireland seven years ago, Thais deeply values the power of connection and belonging. In her free time, Thais enjoys cold sea swims and discovering new coffee shops.

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Debby thrives on producing events that inspire people to be the best version of themselves. In her role as Lead Experience Partner at Stride, she combines 25+ years of event production expertise with a passion for leading creative teams that love connecting people in impactful ways. Outside of work, Debby enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and enjoying live music with her family and lifelong friends.

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Get To Know Me

Niall has a deep passion for events, fuelled by nearly 20 years in the industry. He thrives on creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow together. As an Experience Partner at Stride, Niall combines his expertise with a people-first approach to deliver impactful results. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated sports enthusiast and loves sharing his passion with his kids, building memories one game at a time.

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Carla (she/her) is a numbers enthusiast with nearly 10 years of accounting experience spanning various industries. She brings a positive, can-do attitude to her role as Accounts Assistant while supporting Stride’s mission to build meaningful connections and deliver memorable and impactful experiences. When Carla's not working, you’ll find her playing tennis, at live gigs with her friends, or exploring new walking spots with her dog.

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Get To Know Me

Joe is a creative storyteller who brings ideas to life through unforgettable experiences. He channels 12+ years of developing conferences, activations, and festivals into experiences that connect, inspire, and deliver impact. With a foundation in scenic design and an MBA in marketing, he merges creative vision with strategic execution. When he’s not crafting experiences, Joe can be found exploring the globe, hunting down the perfect bite, or scouting design inspiration in unexpected places.

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Kelsey is an event producer who turns complex logistics into seamless, engaging experiences. With a background in event production, project management, event technology, and on-site execution, she’s known for her calm, solutions-focused approach and her ability to anticipate every detail. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, hosting blind wine tastings, and making memories with her family.

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

A strategic and calm thinker, Hattie has a proven track record of managing high-stakes projects, including playing a key role in the NYSE listing for FARFETCH and working on initiatives at Google DeepMind. She is passionate about shaping the future of work through people-centric projects. Outside of the office, Hattie enjoys playing golf and tennis, hiking in amazing locations, and exploring her interest in interior design.

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Get To Know Me

Ursula is an experienced Account Payable Specialist with a commitment to processing payments on time and accurately, ensuring seamless financial operations. She aligns with the business’s goals in terms of exceeding customer satisfaction by building strong vendor relationships. Outside of work Ursula enjoys stepping off the treadmill, keeping things simple and making the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

The minds behind the mission

Our leadership team has worked in fast-growing, ambitious businesses in the tech and SaaS industries.

Stride brings together  expertise from the worlds of event management, project management office (PMO), branding, marketing, internal comms, HR and people leadership, strategic operations, diversity, equity and  inclusion (DE&I).

GET TO KNOW ME

Get To Know Me

Barry (he/him) is passionate about creating meaningful impact through his work, partnering with companies to improve how people collaborate and make decisions at work. With a strong belief in the power of teams over individuals, Barry co-founded Stride to empower people to do their best work. Committed to a global perspective and human-centred approach, he values collaboration, both internally and with partners. Outside of work, Barry enjoys travel, which fuels his curiosity about people.

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Get To Know Me

Imer (she/her) is a versatile leader with a rich blend of experience across the SaaS, Tech, Digital and PR & Communications sectors, having guided companies from Series A to post-IPO. Recently pivoting to Chief Operating Officer after 20+ years as an HR and people leader, Imer excels in cross-functional roles, driving growth and championing equality in the workplace. Guided by values of integrity, she brings a people-first approach to every challenge. Beyond work, Imer enjoys live music, fashion, travel, and is an advocate for feminist beliefs.

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Get To Know Me

Ashley (she/her) is a dynamic experience designer, employee engagement nerd, and co-founder of The Optimist Collective. With over a decade in tech at companies like Uber and Asana, she creates innovative spaces for connection, from brand events to company kickoffs. Driven by a commitment to fostering authentic experiences, she weaves purpose and delight into every interaction. A matcha enthusiast and avid traveller, she makes ordinary magical, one thoughtfully curated moment at a time.

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Get To Know Me

Jane (she/her) is a seasoned communications leader and brand strategist with a strong background in people engagement, marketing, event management, and experience design. Jane brings a unique blend of strategic vision and creative execution to her work, crafting dynamic experiences that inspire connection and engagement. When she’s not curating unforgettable experiences, Jane loves exploring different parts of the world, adding to her long list of favourite restaurants and spending quality time with family and her dogs.

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Get To Know Me

Thais (She/her) is an Experience Partner at Stride with a passion for events and fostering meaningful connections across the globe. With experience delivering impactful events across EMEA, AMER, and APAC, she excels at creating spaces where people come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Having moved from Brazil to Ireland seven years ago, Thais deeply values the power of connection and belonging. In her free time, Thais enjoys cold sea swims and discovering new coffee shops.

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Debby thrives on producing events that inspire people to be the best version of themselves. In her role as Lead Experience Partner at Stride, she combines 25+ years of event production expertise with a passion for leading creative teams that love connecting people in impactful ways. Outside of work, Debby enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and enjoying live music with her family and lifelong friends.

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Get To Know Me

Niall has a deep passion for events, fuelled by nearly 20 years in the industry. He thrives on creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow together. As an Experience Partner at Stride, Niall combines his expertise with a people-first approach to deliver impactful results. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated sports enthusiast and loves sharing his passion with his kids, building memories one game at a time.

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Carla (she/her) is a numbers enthusiast with nearly 10 years of accounting experience spanning various industries. She brings a positive, can-do attitude to her role as Accounts Assistant while supporting Stride’s mission to build meaningful connections and deliver memorable and impactful experiences. When Carla's not working, you’ll find her playing tennis, at live gigs with her friends, or exploring new walking spots with her dog.

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Get To Know Me

Joe is a creative storyteller who brings ideas to life through unforgettable experiences. He channels 12+ years of developing conferences, activations, and festivals into experiences that connect, inspire, and deliver impact. With a foundation in scenic design and an MBA in marketing, he merges creative vision with strategic execution. When he’s not crafting experiences, Joe can be found exploring the globe, hunting down the perfect bite, or scouting design inspiration in unexpected places.

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Kelsey is an event producer who turns complex logistics into seamless, engaging experiences. With a background in event production, project management, event technology, and on-site execution, she’s known for her calm, solutions-focused approach and her ability to anticipate every detail. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, hosting blind wine tastings, and making memories with her family.

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

A strategic and calm thinker, Hattie has a proven track record of managing high-stakes projects, including playing a key role in the NYSE listing for FARFETCH and working on initiatives at Google DeepMind. She is passionate about shaping the future of work through people-centric projects. Outside of the office, Hattie enjoys playing golf and tennis, hiking in amazing locations, and exploring her interest in interior design.

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Get To Know Me

Ursula is an experienced Account Payable Specialist with a commitment to processing payments on time and accurately, ensuring seamless financial operations. She aligns with the business’s goals in terms of exceeding customer satisfaction by building strong vendor relationships. Outside of work Ursula enjoys stepping off the treadmill, keeping things simple and making the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

Get To Know Me

Barry (he/him) is passionate about creating meaningful impact through his work, partnering with companies to improve how people collaborate and make decisions at work. With a strong belief in the power of teams over individuals, Barry co-founded Stride to empower people to do their best work. Committed to a global perspective and human-centred approach, he values collaboration, both internally and with partners. Outside of work, Barry enjoys travel, which fuels his curiosity about people.

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Barry Plunkett

Founder & CEO

Get To Know Me

Imer (she/her) is a versatile leader with a rich blend of experience across the SaaS, Tech, Digital and PR & Communications sectors, having guided companies from Series A to post-IPO. Recently pivoting to Chief Operating Officer after 20+ years as an HR and people leader, Imer excels in cross-functional roles, driving growth and championing equality in the workplace. Guided by values of integrity, she brings a people-first approach to every challenge. Beyond work, Imer enjoys live music, fashion, travel, and is an advocate for feminist beliefs.

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Imer Cakiroglu

Chief Operating Officer

Get To Know Me

Ashley (she/her) is a dynamic experience designer, employee engagement nerd, and co-founder of The Optimist Collective. With over a decade in tech at companies like Uber and Asana, she creates innovative spaces for connection, from brand events to company kickoffs. Driven by a commitment to fostering authentic experiences, she weaves purpose and delight into every interaction. A matcha enthusiast and avid traveller, she makes ordinary magical, one thoughtfully curated moment at a time.

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Ashley Frabasilio

Head of Experience Partnership AMER

Get To Know Me

Jane (she/her) is a seasoned communications leader and brand strategist with a strong background in people engagement, marketing, event management, and experience design. Jane brings a unique blend of strategic vision and creative execution to her work, crafting dynamic experiences that inspire connection and engagement. When she’s not curating unforgettable experiences, Jane loves exploring different parts of the world, adding to her long list of favourite restaurants and spending quality time with family and her dogs.

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Jane Dundon

Head of Experience Partnership EMEA

Get To Know Me

Thais (She/her) is an Experience Partner at Stride with a passion for events and fostering meaningful connections across the globe. With experience delivering impactful events across EMEA, AMER, and APAC, she excels at creating spaces where people come together to learn, grow, and thrive. Having moved from Brazil to Ireland seven years ago, Thais deeply values the power of connection and belonging. In her free time, Thais enjoys cold sea swims and discovering new coffee shops.

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Thais Rebua

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Debby thrives on producing events that inspire people to be the best version of themselves. In her role as Lead Experience Partner at Stride, she combines 25+ years of event production expertise with a passion for leading creative teams that love connecting people in impactful ways. Outside of work, Debby enjoys hiking, practicing yoga, and enjoying live music with her family and lifelong friends.

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Debby Courtney

Experience Partner Lead

Get To Know Me

Niall has a deep passion for events, fuelled by nearly 20 years in the industry. He thrives on creating meaningful opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow together. As an Experience Partner at Stride, Niall combines his expertise with a people-first approach to deliver impactful results. Outside of work, he’s a dedicated sports enthusiast and loves sharing his passion with his kids, building memories one game at a time.

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Niall Slowey

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Carla (she/her) is a numbers enthusiast with nearly 10 years of accounting experience spanning various industries. She brings a positive, can-do attitude to her role as Accounts Assistant while supporting Stride’s mission to build meaningful connections and deliver memorable and impactful experiences. When Carla's not working, you’ll find her playing tennis, at live gigs with her friends, or exploring new walking spots with her dog.

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Carla McEllone

Finance Manager

Get To Know Me

Joe is a creative storyteller who brings ideas to life through unforgettable experiences. He channels 12+ years of developing conferences, activations, and festivals into experiences that connect, inspire, and deliver impact. With a foundation in scenic design and an MBA in marketing, he merges creative vision with strategic execution. When he’s not crafting experiences, Joe can be found exploring the globe, hunting down the perfect bite, or scouting design inspiration in unexpected places.

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Joe Rawda

Lead Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

Kelsey is an event producer who turns complex logistics into seamless, engaging experiences. With a background in event production, project management, event technology, and on-site execution, she’s known for her calm, solutions-focused approach and her ability to anticipate every detail. Outside of work, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, hosting blind wine tastings, and making memories with her family.

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Kelsey Hansen

Experience Partner

Get To Know Me

A strategic and calm thinker, Hattie has a proven track record of managing high-stakes projects, including playing a key role in the NYSE listing for FARFETCH and working on initiatives at Google DeepMind. She is passionate about shaping the future of work through people-centric projects. Outside of the office, Hattie enjoys playing golf and tennis, hiking in amazing locations, and exploring her interest in interior design.

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Hattie Murray

Executive Assistant

Get To Know Me

Ursula is an experienced Account Payable Specialist with a commitment to processing payments on time and accurately, ensuring seamless financial operations. She aligns with the business’s goals in terms of exceeding customer satisfaction by building strong vendor relationships. Outside of work Ursula enjoys stepping off the treadmill, keeping things simple and making the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

Ursula McShane

Accounts Payable Specialist

How we work

Our guiding principles

We are allies

We support your strategy and outcomes at every stage. As your ally we will never forget whose project this is and what matters to you most.

We are thinkers

We support your strategy and outcomes at every stage. As your ally we will never forget whose project this is and what matters to you most.

We are energisers

We support your strategy and outcomes at every stage. As your ally we will never forget whose project this is and what matters to you most.

We are allies

We support your strategy and outcomes at every stage. As your ally we will never forget whose project this is and what matters to you most.

We are thinkers

We won’t rush to the first solution. We will always find the time to think, even when the pressure is at its most intense

We are energisers

We love momentum. We are exuberantly positive and  quietly effective. But we will never let a project lose pace and direction.

Trusted by the world's most ambitious organizations

productboard logoasana logostripe logoavolon logoudemy logoABC logo

How we work

Our guiding principles

We are allies

We support your strategy and outcomes at every stage. As your ally we will never forget whose project this is and what matters to you most.

We are thinkers

We won’t rush to the first solution. We will always find the time to think, even when the pressure is at its most intense

We are energisers

We love momentum. We are exuberantly positive and quietly effective. But we will never let a project lose pace and direction.

Trusted by the world's most ambitious organizations

Trusted by the world's most ambitious organizations