To mark our 75th Anniversary, we are shining a light on some NCI alumni to showcase the amazing talent the College has produced throughout the years.
Lilly Spantidaki-O'Leary, Lead Manager, Recruitment Coordinators, Salesforce
Alumni Spotlight: Lilly Spantidaki-O'Leary
CIPD Diploma in Human Resource Management (2020)
Certificate in Professional Employment Law & Practice (2027)
Lead Manager, Recruitment Coordinators, Salesforce
About Lilly
Lilly Spantidaki-O'Leary has built a successful career in Human Resources, specialising in Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Operations and Diversity & Inclusion. While already working in the people profession, Lilly chose to study the CIPD Diploma in Human Resource Management at National College of Ireland to broaden her understanding of HR and challenge herself to develop beyond her existing area of expertise.
For Lilly, the programme provided an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how organisations operate, how decisions impact employees and how HR professionals can help shape positive workplace experiences.
"HR has never been about reaching a point where you know everything; there is always another area to explore."
One of the highlights of her time at NCI was learning from lecturers who brought real-world experience into the classroom. In particular, she credits lecturer Elaine Rossiter with helping to make HR practical, relevant and directly applicable to the workplace.
Continuing to Learn and Grow
Following completion of the CIPD Diploma, Lilly continued to build on her knowledge and experience while progressing her career in Talent Acquisition and Recruitment Operations.
Her studies reinforced her interest in the wider people profession and strengthened her understanding of employee experience, organisational culture and the strategic role HR plays within modern businesses. This passion for continuous learning is what inspired her to return to NCI and pursue the Certificate in Professional Employment Law & Practice.
For Lilly, education has been about much more than gaining qualifications. It has provided the confidence to explore new areas of HR, challenge herself professionally and continue building a broader understanding of the people agenda.
Career Progression and Looking Ahead
Since studying at NCI, Lilly's career has continued to evolve, with opportunities to take on increasing responsibility, lead projects and contribute beyond traditional recruitment activities. Today, she serves as Lead Manager, Recruitment Coordinators at Salesforce, supporting talent acquisition initiatives within one of the world's leading technology companies.
Looking back, Lilly is most proud of remaining open to new opportunities and allowing her career to develop in unexpected ways. While recruitment was her original focus, she deliberately sought opportunities to broaden her experience and gain a more comprehensive understanding of HR.
"The skills you build along the way are often more transferable than you realise. Sometimes the thing you think is a detour ends up being the thing that gets you exactly where you wanted to go."
Her advice to today's students is to stay curious, embrace opportunities and not feel pressured to have every stage of their career mapped out from the beginning. Growth often comes from unexpected experiences, and being willing to explore new directions can open doors to exciting possibilities.
As National College of Ireland celebrates 75 years of educating and empowering learners, Lilly's story demonstrates the value of lifelong learning, curiosity and continuous professional development.
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