ABI IRELAND - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland
Andy is currently the Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland having previously served as the National Secretary of the Society of St Vincent De Paul (SVP), which is one of the largest voluntary charitable organisations in Ireland.
Prior to his role at the SVP he was Chief Executive of St John of God Community Services, an organisation providing a range of services to those with learning disabilities and mental health issues across Ireland.
He served in the Defence Forces for 19 years, holding a range of training, command and staff appointments. He also served abroad, including three trips in the Middle East with the United Nations, Central Africa with Goal, and the Balkans with the European Union. Andy has a BSc from NUIG, an MSc from the University of Ulster and a certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance from the Law Society of Ireland. His interests include current affairs, rugby and reading.
Job Titles:
- Communications and Engagement Manager
Aoife has more than a decade's experience working in the areas of strategic and internal communications, stakeholder relations, marketing and publicity in the community and cultural sectors. Most recently she held the role of Communications and Marketing Manager at Ireland's national music education programme, Music Generation, and previously worked with leading national and international cultural organisations including Dublin Theatre Festival, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Canadian Stage and the Abbey Theatre.
A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in Drama Studies and English Literature, Aoife has since completed a Certificate in Management Practice with the University of Ulster and a Certificate in Community Education and Equality Studies at Maynooth University. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, swimming in the sea and spending time with family.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive Officer
- Co - Founder
Barbara is best known for her vision to create specialist neuro-rehabilitation services in communities throughout Ireland for people living with brain injury. Prior to co-founding Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in 2000, Barbara worked as an Occupational Therapy Manager with the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) where she pioneered a social reintegration programme for brain injury survivors to bridge the gap between post-acute services and returning home. This experience inspired her to set up a national service to support people on the brain injury pathway, which has since grown to the large national organisation it is today. Barbara holds an MBA in Healthcare and Business from the Smurfit Business School, UCD; qualified in Non-Profit Strategic Management from Harvard Business School; Strategic Decision Making from Harvard Kennedy School; and is a qualified Business and executive coach (Smurfit Business School, UCD). She was also recognised as Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Women Mean Business and National Winner of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award for Social Enterprise.
Clair Cullinan is a board director of the Sherry Fitzgerald Group.
Clair joined the Board of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in 2019 and is the current Chair.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Finance and Audit Committee Members 2023
Colm has 35 years' experience working in the Irish Agribusiness industry. All these years were spent with Glanbia plc working with Glanbia Agribusiness, a former business unit of Glanbia plc. His final 12 years with Glanbia Agribusiness were as Chief Executive Officer, reporting to Group Managing Directors of Glanbia plc.
Colm holds a degree in Agricultural Science (Econ) from University College Dublin, an MBA from Dublin City University and Professional Diplomas in Corporate Governance, Business and Executive Coaching, Advanced Business and Executive Coaching, all from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
He is currently Chairperson and Trustee of Irish Community Air Ambulance (I.C.A.A. trading as I.C.R.R.), non-executive director of Grassland Fertilisers Ltd., South-East Port Services Ltd., D. Walsh and Sons Ltd. and an accredited Business Coach and Mentor. Colm is married to his wife, Helen with a daughter, Ella.
Ann has retired from the HSE following a long career encompassing Clinical, Administrative, Managerial and Strategic Planning roles across several divisions of the Health Services. These include Primary and Community Care, Mental Health, Older Persons Services and Health and Well Being.
She has also acted as Interim Lead for Quality and Safety in the Midlands Louth Meath Community Health Organisation. She has successfully led multi-disciplinary, integrated service initiatives across Primary Care and Hospital Services in the North East and has championed progressive models of care including new models of Nursing Home care and technology supports. She has also championed the introduction of service user advocacy services, safeguarding and social prescribing at a national and regional level.
Ann completed her PhD in 2014, focusing on the organisational barriers to Person-Centred Care within Public Residential Care Services for Older People. Ann's interests include hill walking, travelling, current affairs and reading.
Job Titles:
- Head of Service Operations
Having worked in the disability sector in Ireland since 2006, Karen has a vast amount of experience in case management and the management of community services, residential and respite services. Karen has a PhD from Trinity College, a Postgraduate qualification in Healthcare Management from IPA, and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer accredited by the Brain Injury Association of America.
As our Head of Service Operations, Karen is driven to ensure that the organisation provides services of the highest quality, which are in line with international evidence-based best practice. Karen engages with a number of working groups nationally which aim to advocate for equitable and quality services across Ireland for those with an acquired brain injury. Karen also recently joined Disability Federation of Ireland as a Board Member.
Job Titles:
- Programme Manager / Senior Occupational Therapist
Job Titles:
- Community Rehabilitation Assistant
Job Titles:
- Research and Policy Manager
Gráinne is responsible for the strategic development of the organisation's research and policy agenda. She has spent her career to date working in the fields of disability, older people and dementia. She works at the exciting interface of policy, research and advocacy and has extensive experience and knowledge from a variety of advocacy and campaigning organisations in the community and voluntary sector. She holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master of Arts in Social Policy. In her free time, Gráinne enjoys the great outdoors, hill-walking, travelling, a bit of gardening and spending time with family. Email: gmcgettrick@abiireland.ie
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Director and Senior Consultant With Management Consulting Firm OCS Consulting
Hugh is Director and Senior Consultant with management consulting firm OCS Consulting and has extensive experience in the area of organisational review and strategy development.
Hugh was founding Chief Executive of Age Friendly Ireland (2012 to 2017) and in this role led the development of Ireland's World Health Organisation (WHO) inspired ‘Age Friendly Cities and Counties Programme', providing technical support and leadership to the 31 participating local authorities, the Heath Service Executive and other programme partners.
Hugh was previously a member of the Strategic Advisory Group for the WHO Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities; the WHO and European Union's Age-friendly Environments in Europe Advisory Committee; and the Department of An Taoiseach's Steering Group on Smart Ageing. Hugh has also lectured in services marketing, strategic management and research methods at the Institute of Technology in Carlow (Ireland). Hugh graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with an MBS.
Job Titles:
- National Services Manager With Responsibility for CHO Areas 1
Marian is National Services Manager with responsibility for CHO Areas 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9. She brings a wealth of experience in the disability sector to her role, with a continued interest in helping people live meaningful lives in their own community.
Marian has worked in the disability sector since 2004 and has extensive experience in case management and management of services including residential services, day services, and community services. Marian has a Level 8 qualification in Quality Management, a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation. She is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.
As National Services Manager Marian contributes to the strategic development and growth of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, working closely with the Head of Service Operations and the National Services Manager for CHO Areas 3, 4, 5 and 8. She supports and supervises local services and their teams to ensure the delivery of services are to the highest quality and that the person served is always at the centre.
Job Titles:
- Interim Head of Fundraising
Marissa is a seasoned fundraising professional with over 12 years of expertise in international nonprofit management and charitable consulting. As the interim Head of Fundraising at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Marissa's donor-first approach strengthens fundraising efforts, cultivates sustainable relationships, and maximises financial returns from supporters. A graduate of Trinity Business School with a Master in Business Administration and Providence College with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies in Business and Economics, she possesses the skills to help achieve the strategic vision for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland's fundraising needs.
Marissa is passionate about helping people, nonprofits, and corporations make true, meaningful impact. In her free time, she enjoys exploring Ireland's great hikes, traveling to other counties and countries, and finding delicious restaurants with her husband.
Job Titles:
- Head of Housing and Development
Mary Rose has many years of experience working as a Chartered Surveyor across the property industry in property development, asset management and the housing sectors. Most recently she held the role of Senior Land Manager in a high-volume housebuilder PLC, where she was responsible for large housing projects.
Her vast experience with both blue-chip organisations in Ireland and the UK, in the private and within the non-profit sector, gives her the skills to help reach the strategic vision for Acquired Brian Injury Ireland's housing needs.
A graduate of UCD Michael Smurfit Business School with an MA in Management and Business, and Heriot Watt University with a BSc Hons in Property Estate Management, her combination of business and property background compliment her role as the Head of Housing and Development. In her free time Mary Rose is a keen golfer, paddleboarder, skier and loves the outdoors with her daughter when given the opportunity.
Michael holds an honours degree in Management Practice from UL's Kemmy Business School, and an MSc in Business from UCD's Smurfit Business Graduate School including Corporate Governance & Strategy, Development & Innovation and Leadership Development. He is a Governor in the Irish Prison Service, with over 20 years' experience in operational settings.
Posted to the Midlands Prison, with responsibility for Security & Operations, Michael previously held roles coordinating services to optimise prisoner outcomes. Prior to that, from 2018 to 2021, he had overall responsibility for prisoner escorts and was instrumental in the design and innovative operational development of the videolink system across the criminal Justice sector and pivoted the system through the pandemic, maintaining compliance alongside delivering lean efficiencies.
His key interests include managing and building efficiencies particularly within the security envelope to provide greater effectiveness and value for money for the State.
Niamh is a post-primary teacher in County Laois. She holds a Masters in Chaplaincy and Education and worked in youth retreats for five years.
Niamh was diagnosed with auto-immune Encephalitis in 2008. Following her diagnosis, she went through rehabilitation in Dun Laoghaire and accessed Acquired Brain Injury Ireland's services in Tullamore. As a result, Niamh has been living with a brain injury and autoimmune condition since. She has been involved in advocacy work with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland since 2016.
Robert has worked for a quarter of a century at the leading edge of the software development business. He is currently responsible for the governance and operations of one of the largest software labs in Ireland.
An accomplished leader, he has throughout his career delivered impact through his focus for innovation, transformation and excellent governance. He joined the board of ABII as he is intrinsically motivated by their work and the positive difference the organisation and people working there make to the lives of those impacted by brain injuries.
Job Titles:
- Board Director
- Communications Director at the Arts Council
- Member of the European Institute of Public Relations
Tina is a member of the European Institute of Public Relations and a graduate of TCD, UCD and UCC. She is also currently a member of the ICT, Digital and Data Committee of the Board of the Citizens Information Board.
Tina has over two decades experience in influencing through building evidence, awareness, brand and reputation. Known for communicating complex issues simply to a variety of audiences, she brings her rich and varied experiences to each project.
Tina is Communications Director at the Arts Council which she joined from Drury Communications in January 2023. Previously, at the Alzheimer Society of Ireland she led the policy, advocacy and public affairs work for eight years. Prior to that Tina fine-tuned her communications expertise while working as a consumer journalist and commentator across RTÉ Radio, TV, the Irish Independent and other titles. A published author, she was previously Executive Director of Ireland's European Consumer Centre. She previously served on the Board of the Citizens Information Board and on the Board of the National Consumer Agency, the Central Bank's Consumer Advisory Group and Safefood's advisory committee.
Job Titles:
- National Services Manager With Responsibility for CHO Areas 3
Trevor is currently acting National Services Manager with responsibility for CHO Areas 3, 4, 5 and 8. He comes to the position from his role as National Quality Safety and Practice Development Manager.