Last month we announced the launch of the Nissan Next Generation ambassador programme, the innovative scheme that helps Ireland’s best and brightest achieve their goals by giving them the means to drive there. Wait for it….
Ten talented individuals who successfully demonstrate their drive to succeed will be given a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year as part of the ambassador programme.
Well, by the looks of things, lots of you got busy entering, and we’re delighted to announce that the 20 lucky finalists across the fields of sport, fashion, science, social enterprise and business have been chosen!
The impressive shortlist includes three teenagers named by Time magazine as among the most influential teenagers in the world, potential qualifiers for the Rio Olympics Games, an award winning fashion designer and creative business and social entrepreneurs.
They will now face a public vote and the six who attract the highest number of votes will be given a brand new, taxed and insured Nissan to drive for a year as Nissan Generation Next ambassadors. A further four people will also be chosen by Nissan.
Here’s a full list of the finalists:
- Gareth Sheridan (25), Terenure, Dublin – Health Entrepreneur
- Ciara Judge (17), Emer Hickey (17) and Sophie Healy-Thow (17), Kinsale, Cork – Scientists
- Rebecca Marsden (26), Clogherevagh, Sligo – Fashion Designer
- Niall McCormick (22), Castlebar, Mayo – Robotics Entrepreneur
- Seamus Tighe (27) Castleknock, Dublin – Granola Cup Entrepreneur
- Denis McCarthy (42) Cahir, Tipperary – Crisp Entrepreneur
- Jonathan Mac Cann (22) Dun Laoghaire, Dublin – Director and Producer
- Karen Leigh (44), Kildare, county Kildare – Social Entrepreneur
- Arthur Lanigan-O’Keeffe (23), Thomastown, Kilkenny – Pentathlete
- Paul O’Donovan (21), Skibbereen, Cork – Rower
- Jack Conan (22) Bray, Wicklow – Ruby Player
- Jenny Egan (28), Lucan, Dublin – Canoeist
- Monika Dukarska (24) Killorglin, Kerry – Rower
- Alan Cadogan, Monkstown, Cork – Dual GAA Star
- Catherine McManus (23), Navan Road, Dublin – 100 Metres Sprinter
- Mairead Healy (31), Sandymount, Dublin – Social Entrepreneur
- Paul Campbell (29), Whitehall, Dublin – Business Entrepreneur
To vote for your favourite candidate, click here. You’ve got until 6th July to get your vote in! Good luck to all the finalists!