Damien McLoughlin is the Anthony C. Cunningham Professor of Marketing at UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Damien joined the MDP as Programme Director in 1999. He graduated from DCU with a bachelor's degree in business studies, then went on to obtain a master's degree in business studies from UCD and a PhD in marketing from Lancaster University. He has lectured in UCD and DCU, while previously serving as a visiting professor of marketing at both the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University and the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Damien has worked in the marketing industry for well over 20 years and has gained extensive knowledge in research, leadership and strategy. Over the years, he has published two books and over 70 papers on strategy and marketing issues, along with over 25 case studies relating to leadership and strategy issues in the food and agribusiness supply chain across the world. Between 2011 and 2014, he was a faculty member for the Harvard Business School's agribusiness seminar, and he continues to contribute to this programme as a researcher. Moreover, he has collaborated with some of the world's leading organisations, including Alltech, Allianz, Bord Bia, Dairygold, Kerry Group, Microsoft, Google, Ryanair, Smurfit Kappa Group, and Hewlett-Packard to name but a few. Damien has sat on the Board of Directors for various Councils and Authorities, including the Health Information and Quality Authority, Medical Council Ireland, and currently sits on the board for Bord Iascaigh Mharagh - Ireland's Seafood Development Agency.

Damien brings his extensive knowledge and experience within the marketing industry to the MDP and delivers highly engaging and interactive lectures through his module in Strategic Marketing Management. He ensures that he passes on his experience to advisors in the MDP and is a mentor of the highest quality, giving professional advice and suggestions to those that seek it. Damien believes in giving each and every advisor an incredible educational experience in a way that is totally unique to the course through the action learning aspect of it. Both the personal and professional growth of advisors is highly important to him, ensuring that advisors are more than ready to enter the working world as business builders when their time in the MDP comes to an end. "What businesses like to have these days are people who can contribute to their organisation and often these are people who come from a very wide background. I love to see people from all disciplines, whether it be business or not, join the MDP as a it brings diversity and creativity to our group, which is something I absolutely love experiencing over the course of the programme."

I’m originally from Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia. I moved to Ireland in 2018 to gain international experience and broaden my horizons. I joined UCD in 2019, seeking new opportunities to grow professionally and contribute to a dynamic, globally-oriented institution. Over the years, I’ve worked in various roles, from recruitment to project management, honing my ability to manage complex tasks, lead teams, and drive results. I am passionate about creating people-centric solutions that drive business success. I truly believe that building strong relationships and fostering a collaborative environment are key to achieving long-term results. In my current role, I oversee the MSc Marketing Practice programme, where I work closely with students, faculty, and industry partners to ensure an enriching and practical learning experience. My focus is on optimising processes, driving efficiency, and ensuring that students are well-prepared to excel in the ever-evolving marketing landscape. Before joining UCD Smurfit MDP office, I held roles such as International Student Recruitment Officer and Project Coordinator for UCD’s Strategic Planning Office. I’ve had the opportunity to manage global education agent networks across Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Asia Pacific, China and Latin America. I lead transformative initiatives, and support strategic planning efforts across the University. These experiences have shaped my ability to lead diverse teams, streamline operations, and implement impactful projects. I hold a Professional Diploma in Innovation for Sustainability from UCD, a Bachelor of Business in International Business (First-Class Honors), and a Higher Certificate in Management and Team Leadership. Currently, I am pursuing an MSc in Project Management with UCD Smurfit, which allows me to continue enhancing my leadership skills and better support the teams and projects I work with. I’m passionate about integrating sustainability and innovation into everything I do, and I’m constantly seeking new ways to apply these principles to solve complex challenges. In all my roles, I strive to make a positive impact—whether it’s through fostering relationships, optimising processes, or empowering others to achieve their potential.