A LIFE in the week - Colette Connolly

Job Title:
Communications Manager, CIO Organisation. My role is mainly in internal communications, working to ensure that all staff in the CIO Organisation are communicating with each other and are being briefed as required.

What do you like most about your job?
The nature of my work means that I deal with people all the time and that is something that really interests me. I also feel that what I do helps people, keeps them more informed and as a result, more empowered. I work to a lot of tight deadlines and have to admit that I enjoy the buzz.

If you weren't in your current job what would you be doing?

If you had a choice of another career what would it be?
A Restaurant Reviewer!

What upsets you most?
Hearing how we treat our sick and elderly in this prosperous country of ours! Our health system is not working, we have lost sight of the really important things in life.

What person has influenced you most?
My father – he was such an unassuming man who really enjoyed the simple things in life. Family and friends were the things that mattered most to him. He was also an incredibly hard worker.

How do you chill out?
There's nothing I enjoy more than meeting up with family and friends for a bite to eat and a glass of wine. We try to get away on holiday at least twice a year and travelling is something I love and we do well as a family. I also try to get a few walks in every week and I go to yoga once a week.

Which four people, past or present, would you invite to dinner?
Not necessarily all together – there could be some clashes of personality!

If your house was on fire and everyone was safe, what 3 items would you bring with you?
Our family photographs would be the first things I'd grab. Then each of my children has one very special belonging – a very worn-out teddy called Eddie, a Dalmatian.