Louise Phelan, CEO at Phelan Energy Group Ltd
A leading international energy developer
with an exclusive focus on Solar PV
Louise spent 13 years as Vice President at PayPal leading and developing the business, taking a large performance team from 200 people to 3000 people, across multiple geographies and established greenfield sites in Berlin, San Paulo, Chandler and Dundalk.
Louise has delivered outstanding results for PayPal, leading a global team that processed 7.8 billion payments worth US$451billion, supporting 125 markets in Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Prior to PayPal Louise spent 16 years with General Electric in various leadership roles.
Before joining PayPal, Louise held several leadership positions in General Electric, in the areas of compliance, credit, sales and risk assessment & customer service. Louise started her career in James Crean Mars Distribution Limited.
Louise sits on the Board of Ryanair and is currently the Senior Non-Executive Director.
Key Achievements/Experience:
Named ‘Ireland’s Most Trusted Leader’ in 2014
Business Leader of the Year 2017
Businesswoman of the Year 2013 and 2017
Received the Sir Michael Smurfit Business and Philanthropic Achievement Award from the Ireland Chamber of Commerce in the United States
eBay Inc. listed PayPal as one of the top 10 “Best Large Workplaces” by Great Place to Work 2014
PayPal awarded CCMA “Contact Centre of the Year 2013”
Secured IDA support for second PayPal site in Ireland 2013
Opened PayPal’s EMEA Operational Excellence Centre in Ireland, focusing on process and product expertise
Achieving the highest ever customer satisfaction level in EMEA
Manage budget spend of approximately €80million
Tell us about your current role and what you like about your career/role or areas of focus.
My current role is CEO of Phelan Energy Group – Phelan Energy Group is a dynamic young company, with a world-class team, dedicated to lead the amazing opportunity that is solar energy.
We identify Solar development locations, acquire all the required permits and approvals, enter into Power Purchase Agreements, then build, own, and operate these solar installations.
Our vision, as energy developers, is to be the lowest-cost solar energy provider in the world without compromising on quality.
What inspires you, motivates you, helps you to make each day count?
People are your most important asset; people inspire me by ‘telling me their stories’.
Great leaders bring something to the table that sometimes you cannot put your finger on.
Outside of your professional work area, what hobbies or interests do you have or what other areas of your life are of real importance to you?
Outside of work, the most important thing is family. I am one of 17 children (9 girls and 8 boys). I also attend the gym six days a week as fitness is very important for performance.
When it comes to your life chosen career, is there a phrase, quote or saying that you really like?
My friend always says: “you need a wishbone to dream the dream, you need a backbone to work hard to make it happen and you need a funny bone to enjoy the journey of life”.
What are you most proud of in your life?
Being Named ‘Ireland’s Most Trusted Leader’ in 2014 and enabling job creation of 2000+ jobs in Ireland.
What do you wish you had known when you started out?
The thing I wish I knew before I started out was how to be more resilient!
Who do you most admire in business, academic, or creative circles?
Breege O’Donoghue, Executive Director, Primark.
What companies, brands, or institutions do you like, or do you think are getting it right?
A company and brand that meets customer needs without a lot of effort – one click and done!
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Stay true to yourself!
What drives or motivates you each day in a work environment?
To make a difference in people’s lives by bringing electricity to people that do not have it at a flick of a switch or not at all.
What are your thoughts on the future of social media?
Social media has a place, and we need to be responsible as Leaders in supporting social media in the right way.
What is your favourite social media platform, and why?
Instagram – it gets the message across with a picture!
Do you have a mentor, or have you ever been a mentor to anyone?
Yes, I have a mentor and always have had. I have been a mentor to several business leaders and have been part of the Going for Growth Female Entrepreneur mentoring programme.
How do you network? What is your preferred way to network?
Face to face networking is critical – people buy from people they like! However, in this changing world, we all must ensure that we use the best means of networking that suits the business, both employee and employer.
What advice would you have for someone looking to get into the same area of work?
Work hard, make decisions, and always follow the money.
What do you feel is the most common reason for people failing or giving up?
They lose sight of scoring the goal, and they stay in the centre circle.
How do you define success, and what lessons have you learned so far that you could share with our audience?
Success: is making a difference every day – SURE (show up ready to be engaged every day!).
Lessons Learned:
Have the right attitude;
Stay true to who you are;
Always develop yourself;
Look after your people;
Work hard and never lose determination.
What skills do you feel have helped you to become successful?
Make decisions; Seek out feedback; Always have an advocate of you; Most important - believe in yourself!