Tuesday 8th March 2022, marks International Women’s Day and The CRS Group are proud to have exceptional women as part of our team. Each woman within The CRS Group contributes incredible work across the spectrum and we’re honoured to have each of them within our team.
In honour of these women, we spoke with those willing to participate in order for our customers to get to better know some of the key women behind The CRS Group.
A Special thank you to Hannah Whelan, Colette Farrell, Fernanda Gueter, Jane Raikar, Karina Ennis, Niamh Cogavin, Regina O’Neill, Una Finnegan and Suzanne Sommerfield for their participation.
How long have you been in the business, what is your role?
HW -I've worked 10 months in the business working in Telesales.
CF - I've worked 10 years in the business this July working as an Office Manager.
FG - I've worked 8 months in the business as a Project Engineer.
JR - I've worked for almost 2 years in the business as a Telemarketing Executive on the telesales team.
KE - I started working with CRS in October of 2021 as the HR Manager.
NC - I’ll have been working for CRS for 2 years in July. I started out in reception and have now moved across to the operations team. I work with the Operations Manager supporting him from an administrative perspective and driving him loopy!
RO’N - I've been working for 7 years in the business as the Business Development Manager.
UF - I started in the business in May 2021 as the Receptionist which was a big change after I worked in the hotel industry for 15 years.
SS - I have been working for 8 months in CRS as an Executive Assistant.
Where in the world are you from and where are you now living?
HW - I live in Kildare.
CF - I am originally from Rathmolyon Co. Meath but am now living in Tullyallen Co. Louth.
FG - I am originally from the City of Curitiba which is in Parana, Brazil.
JR - I’m from the Liberties in Dublin. I have 3 children if I include my husband! I’m currently doing my honours degree in Business Management at NCI College.
KE - I’m originally from Dublin but moved to Meath 15 years ago. I lived in Navan for 10 years and have spent the last 5 years living just outside Navan.
NC - I’m originally from Dublin and moved down to Ballivor when I was a kid and have lived here ever since.
RO’N - I am living in Naas, Kildare.
UF - We have been living in Trim, Meath for 20 years before that I lived in London until 2002.
SS - I am originally from Ratoath, Meath but I am now happily living in Navan, Meath.
What brought you to CRS?
HW - The opportunity to gain more experience.
CF - I wanted a role where I was working closer to home and I wanted to work with a family run business.
FG - I was looking for an opportunity for professional and personal development and I thought CRS could offer that.
JR - What appealed to me most about CRS were the products and the option to work remotely, meaning I could spend more time with my family.
KE - I was looking for a role that allowed me to have a good balance between work, raising a young family and caring for a family member that is living with dementia and I found that with CRS. I am enjoying my time working with CRS.
NC - I was working in a call centre and was fed up with people yelling at me every day. It was right at the end of the first lockdown, and I needed a change so applied for the job because it seemed like a good fit. I live literally 7 minutes from the office now so there’s no commute at all anymore and I haven't been yelled at once since I started.
RO’N - I wanted to help develop the business.
SS - I started in CRS with a temporary position in the accounts team before being appointed Executive Assistant to the Directors.
What do you enjoy doing?
HW - Sea swimming and horses are my interests.
CF - My favourite hobbies are walking, going to the cinema, reading and travelling.
FG - My favourite hobbies are hiking, knitting, cooking, and reading.
JR - Outside of work, I love to travel any chance I get and I love hiking.
KE - I have been involved in sport all my life. I played soccer and GAA from a young age into my late 20s and I swam competitively for many years in Ireland and abroad. I have encouraged that love of sport with my children who play GAA, soccer, rugby and are involved with swimming. I coach a U8’s soccer team and a U8’s GAA team which I very much enjoy and I play soccer weekly with a 7 a side group.
NC - I love to run and head out 3 times a week with my dad. I’m training for my fourth half marathon at the moment that we’re going to run on St. Patrick’s Day. I also love horse riding and spending every penny I earn on various horse-related bills.
RO’N - Walking, travelling and rugby.
UF - I love watching my 3 sons playing GAA on the weekends which can be very busy and I have a love for Munster rugby.
SS - I enjoy hiking, tag rugby, running but horse riding will always be my first love.
What is an achievement that you are proud of?
HW - My little girl.
FG - Moving countries to pursue my career in engineering.
JR - One of my biggest achievements is probably climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa for Focus Ireland.
KE - Becoming a mum, watching my children grow and make their way through life.
NC - Producing Rua from a fresh off the track racehorse into a lovely riding horse. We compete in dressage mainly but he’s happy to turn his hoof to anything these days. He’s a big pet now and much prefers the slower pace of life. We won our dressage league last year and are starting to get out and about now the last few weeks so hopefully, there’ll be a few more ribbons for him this year!
RO’N - I am proud that I made the choice to work with a great company with a super team of individuals who are totally supportive.
UF - After my children, my biggest achievement was returning to school as a mature student.
What is your favourite quote?
HW - "Every cloud has a silver lining"
CF - "Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain"
FG - "If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one!"
JR - "Through the good, the bad and the in-betweens is 'what is meant for you won’t pass you by'"
KE - "Be yourself - everyone else is already taken"
NC - “Sometimes your mind plays tricks on you. It can tell you you’re no good, that it’s all hopeless. But remember this; you are loved and important and you bring to this world things no one else can".
RO’N - "It’s never too late to be who you might have been".
UF - “Life is short. Spend it with people who make you laugh and make you feel loved”.
SS – “What’s for you won’t pass you”.
We'd like to once again thank each of the women who work across The CRS Group for their continued hard work and excellence.
