Shush-Free Zone - Where librarians get loud! Episode 4: Mairead McKeown - From Librarianship to Knowledge Leadership in the Age of AI
In this episode of Shush Free Zone, host Dawn Brushammar speaks with Mairead McKeown, Knowledge and Market Intelligence Manager at Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. They discuss Mairead's journey into librarianship, the evolution of Bord Bia's library services, and the impact of AI and emerging technologies on knowledge management. Mairead shares insights on the importance of lifelong learning, the diverse requests received at Bord Bia, and her aspirations for the future of the library. The conversation also highlights the vital role librarians play in various industries and offers advice for aspiring librarians.
About Mairead McKeown:
Mairead McKeown is Head of Knowledge & Critical Capability at Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board. She holds a Higher Diploma in Library & Information Studies and has been recognised as a Senior Associate of the Library Association of Ireland. Mairead is also a Certified Knowledge Manager and a Certified Conversational Leadership Specialist.
In her role she has overseen the transformation of Bord Bia’s library and information services into a forward-looking knowledge hub that supports market intelligence, insights, and decision-making across the food & drink sector. She’s deeply interested in emerging technologies such as AI, lifelong learning, and information governance.
Mairead’s work bridges librarianship, business intelligence, and capability building; she is passionate about how libraries and knowledge services can drive innovation, strategic insight, and continuous learning.
Connect with Mairead here: Mairead Mc Keown Snr. Assoc. SALAI HDip LIS | LinkedIn