Karen Leigh is the CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids, an award-winning social entrepreneur, and a passionate advocate for social enterprise and children with additional needs. Motivated by her personal experience as a parent of children with additional needs, Karen founded Sensational Kids in 2007 with a vision to create a brighter future for these children. Under her leadership, the organisation has directly transformed the lives of over 10,000 children across Ireland.
Karen has completed the Social Enterprise & Governance Programme at the DCU Ryan Academy and holds a Diploma in Management and Employee Relations from the National College of Ireland. She was also a voluntary founding director of SERI (Social Enterprise, Republic of Ireland).
Awards and Recognition for Sensational Kids:
- Rethink Ireland Growth Fund Awardee (2020-2022)
- Ireland Funds Flagship Awardee (2018)
- Social Innovation Fund Ireland Social Enterprise Development Fund (2018)
- All Ireland Business All Stars Charity of the Year Award (2017)
- Best Educational Support Charity, Female CEO Excellence Awards (2017)
- GSK Ireland Impact Award (2016)
Karen’s Personal Achievements:
- Listed among Europe’s Top 100 Women in Social Enterprise by Euclid Network (2021)
- Recipient of the Irish Women’s Awards, Services to Charity/Third Sector (2019)
- Named Irish Tatler Social Entrepreneur of the Year (2018)
- Winner of Social Enterprise CEO of the Year, Republic of Ireland, Female CEO Excellence Awards (2017)
- National and Regional Winner, Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards, Social Enterprise Categories (2017)
- Awarded the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Award (2014)
- Honoured as Kildare Rehab Person of the Year (2009)
Karen’s unwavering commitment and innovative leadership continue to drive Sensational Kids’ mission of delivering life-changing services to children and families across the country.