Earlier this year, Sarah Fay of EDAC Environmental Compliance was recognised as Operations Manager / COO of the Year at the Operational Excellence Awards 2025, celebrating her transformative leadership and strategic impact on the company’s operations. 

At just 28, Sarah has expanded the team, grown service offerings, and driven digital innovation in environmental compliance, positioning EDAC as a trusted partner in compliance solutions.

“Sarah Fay’s strategic brilliance, ability to inspire trust and respect, and measurable impact on EDAC’s performance make her a true standout,” the judges said as they praised her outstanding leadership and rapid rise through the ranks. Her contributions reflect not only her talent but also her unwavering commitment to driving success and shaping the company’s future.

Sarah’s achievement highlights the importance of results-driven culture, innovation, and operational excellence in today’s business environment, providing inspiration for emerging leaders across Ireland’s operational sectors.

Building on her success, EDAC’s recognition sets a benchmark for future entrants, encouraging the next wave of operational leaders to drive innovation, efficiency, and performance excellence.

With this momentum, organisations can now prepare to showcase their achievements, as entries for the Operational Excellence Awards 2026 remain open until 23 January 2026. Explore past winners, learn from their achievements, and discover how to submit a competitive entry via the How to Enter page.

Each year, the awards bring together Ireland’s leading operational professionals, senior executives, innovators, and high-performing teams, creating unparalleled opportunities for celebration, learning, and networking. 

Stay ahead by subscribing to the official newsletter for updates, key dates, entry guidance, and exclusive insights from Ireland’s most influential operational leaders.