Ann Riordan

In 1991 Riordan was selected to be the Microsoft country manager for Ireland. By 1996 she had won the companies 'Chairman's award' for what she had achieved in both Ireland and Europe. Riordan retired in 2000. She got involved in various organizations and was President of the Institute of Directors In Ireland, Chair of the Science Foundation Ireland, Chair of the National Standards Authority of Ireland and Tourism Ireland.

When she married Frank Riordan, she faced her next challenge. There was a ban on married women in the workplace. Riordan's employer told her they would be happy to see her back but that the unions this time were preventing it. The union granted her a six month compromise and Riordan returned to work. However in 1970 Riordan moved to London. There she got a role with L'Oréal and began her UK career. She first started in the tech industry with a position in Wordplex in 1976. Since Wordplex was a start up Riordan was exposed to every aspect of business and soon returned to Ireland as the managing director of the company.

Ann Riordan (17 July 1947 – 5 March 2021) was a pioneering woman who fought for equal pay and rights. She was an early married woman who returned to work and went on to become the first general manager of Microsoft Ireland.

Born Ann Kelly on 17 July 1947 Riordan was the daughter of a CIÉ mechanic, Joe Kelly, and seamstress Lillie Kelly. Lillie taught in The Grafton Academy. Riordan had six siblings. The family grew up in Dublin in Rathfarnham. Riordan attended the St. Louis High School but left at sixteen before sitting her Leaving Certificate.