Andrew Sheehan

I'm a climate action entrepreneur with a background in marketing, business, and accounting. Over the years, I’ve worked across a range of industries and organisations, mainly helping companies navigate their growth strategies, More recently, I’ve been providing Impact Leaders in SMEs with measurable recognition & faster returns for taking action through my Sustainability Engagement Platform, SustainabilityExamples.com. My relationship with TU Dublin spans many years and is something I'm really proud of. I first completed my undergraduate degree in Business and Management (Aungier Street, 2009), returning later for a postgraduate qualification in International Marketing (2016) and most recently, a certificate in Corporate Sustainability just last year (2024). TU Dublin has played a major role in shaping my career journey. 

In fact, my connection to TU Dublin goes back even further - my grandfather graduated from Bolton Street around 1935! So it's a place that's been part of my family's story for generations.

My career didn’t exactly follow a straight line - in fact, I kind of zigzagged my way into the role I’m in today. After my first role post-graduation in BDO, I joined the corporate recovery team at Grant Thornton, working under Stephen Tennant (currently the Managing Partner), who taught me a lot about leadership and grit. But deep down, I knew a career in accounting wasn’t for me. I was drawn to marketing. Making the switch was tough but in 2014, Tourism Ireland took a gamble on me. I came in at a junior level, which was hard on the wallet, but I made it work. My ambition and drive saw me rise quickly, eventually leading me to their USA HQ in Manhattan - where I finally honed my digital marketing skills.

By 2016, I had already stepped way out of my lane at Tourism Ireland, trying to push Virtual Reality marketing campaigns, but I quickly realised that public sector decision making processes wasn’t for me. So I jumped into a tech startup. I joined Property Button, a prop-tech company, where I learned the ropes of fast-paced agile startup culture and grew the company and team into the UK market. But after that whirlwind, and a few Fractional CMO positions, I found myself in the recruitment services industry in 2018 - an area I knew nothing about and honestly had no interest in. Yet, it became the perfect testing ground to apply modern marketing to a traditional, often mistrusted industry. I loved working for an SME. After nearly seven years of driving impressive year-on-year results and being a key part of the senior management team, I knew it was time to take everything I’d learned and start my own business. 

Originally, that was in the form of marketing consulting, which I still do a bit of as a founder marketer. However, I was getting tired of building other peoples dreams when all I really wanted to do was use my skills to build my own dreams. So I bit the bullet and launched SustainabilityExamples.com. I haven’t looked back! 

TU Dublin, where I earned my business and management undergrad, postgrad in International Marketing, and most recently, a certificate in Corporate Sustainability, has been a constant thread through this journey. From the moment I walked through the doors of Aungier Street, TU Dublin gave me the knowledge and confidence to take on any challenge. And now, as an entrepreneur in the sustainability space, I’m channeling everything I’ve learned, both from my formal education and the real-world grind, into building something of my own. 

First off, don’t expect a straight path - it rarely works out that way. Be prepared for twists, turns, and a few unexpected bumps along the way. It’s about how you adapt and learn from every experience that matters. Don’t be afraid to take risks, even if it feels like a leap of faith. Try to make your position redundant every where you go to help you move up the ranks. I didn’t start in marketing, and I didn’t follow a traditional route, but those detours gave me the skills and insights that shape what I do today. 

Also, develop a relentless drive and never stop learning. The world of work is changing fast, and what’s cutting-edge today could be outdated tomorrow. Stay curious, invest in your personal growth, and embrace the challenges that come your way. You’ll stand out by how you handle adversity and your willingness to stretch beyond your comfort zone. 

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Build genuine relationships with people - both within your industry and beyond. It’s not just about what you know, but who you know and how you collaborate. And remember, failure is just feedback. If something doesn’t work out, it’s not the end - it’s just part of the journey. Keep going. 

What excites me most about the future is the chance to be part of something bigger - the growing wave of businesses and individuals embracing sustainability as the new norm, not just a trend. As the founder of SustainabilityExamples.com, I’m in the perfect position to highlight the incredible initiatives happening globally, and help companies learn from each other. The momentum around climate action, biodiversity, and green tech is accelerating, and being a part of that movement is both inspiring and motivating. 

There’s a huge shift happening in how businesses think about their role in the world, and we’re only scratching the surface. The potential for collaboration, innovation, and transformation is massive. What’s exciting is that we’re now seeing companies stepping up with real solutions - whether it’s in reducing emissions, improving supply chain transparency, or innovating with new green technologies. Sustainability is no longer an afterthought or a checkbox; it’s the future. 

For me, building SustainabilityExamples.com means being at the forefront of that change, empowering organisations to take meaningful steps and make their own impact. It’s about connecting the dots, sparking ideas, and showcasing practical, actionable solutions. We’re all in this together, and I’m excited to continue amplifying the voices and stories that will drive us toward a more sustainable, equitable world. 

Most of all, I’m excited that my daughters will know that I built a successful business that was part of the solution, and not the problem.

One of the standout memories from my time at TU Dublin was my Erasmus exchange at Ryerson University in Toronto, Canada. It was an experience that opened my eyes in so many ways. Not only did I get to immerse myself in a new culture and environment, but I also had the opportunity to engage with a diverse, international community of students. The classes were challenging and thought-provoking, and I learned as much from my peers as I did from the professors. 

Toronto itself was electric - the city’s energy, the innovation, the multicultural vibe, and the sheer scale of everything made it a truly unforgettable experience. That year was pivotal for me in terms of broadening my perspectives, building lasting friendships, and developing a global outlook on both business and life. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me a deeper appreciation for the value of diverse ideas and cultures - lessons I continue to carry with me today. 

If I had one day to spend in Dublin, I'd simply wander the streets and soak it all in. I’m fascinated by the city’s architecture and history - every old building, every worn-down street corner has a story to tell. I’m a big believer in the idea that “if walls could talk”, Dublin would have the most incredible tales of resilience, creativity, and change. 

I’d start early with a coffee in hand, stroll through places like St. Stephen’s Green, Trinity College, and the Liberties, and just let curiosity guide me. No agenda, no rush - just taking the time to appreciate the layers of history that make Dublin such a unique and special place.