Karen Leigh, CEO & Founder

 

CEO & Founder, Sensational Kids | Award-Winning Social Entrepreneur | Advocate for Children with Additional Needs

Karen Leigh is the visionary CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids, an award-winning social enterprise dedicated to transforming the lives of children with additional needs. Motivated by her personal journey as a parent, Karen established Sensational Kids in 2007 with a clear mission: to create a brighter, more inclusive future for children and families across Ireland.

Under her leadership, Sensational Kids has delivered life-changing services to over 11,000 children nationwide, setting a benchmark for impact-driven social innovation.

Karen’s commitment to excellence is backed by strong academic credentials, including the Social Enterprise & Governance Programme at DCU Ryan Academy and a Diploma in Management and Employee Relations from the National College of Ireland. She also played a pivotal role as a voluntary founding director of SERI (Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland), championing the growth of the sector.

Awards & 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 (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, Female CEO Excellence Awards (2017)
  • National & Regional Winner, Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Awards (2017)
  • Awarded the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Award (2014)
  • Honoured as Kildare Rehab Person of the Year (2009)

 

Having raised millions of euro for Sensational Kids children’s services and social impact projects during nearly two decades in the charity and social enterprise sector, Karen’s unwavering dedication and innovative leadership continue to drive Sensational Kids’ mission of delivering accessible, high-quality services that empower children and families to thrive.