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Meet Our Board Members

Our Board Members

Galway Simon Community is governed by a Board of Directors with expertise and experience across a diverse range of areas. In addition, the work of our teams is overseen by Board Sub-Committees including the Finance and Governance; Services, Quality & Safety; Property, and Fundraising & Communications.

Our Board Members give their time on a voluntary basis. They hold meetings regularly to ensure the organisation is well run and meets it obligations as a limited company and registered charity. Their job is to scrutinise everything we do.

Maureen Lynch

Chairperson

Joined Board: 2012

Maureen’s expertise lies in the field of HR Management. She has a Masters in Counselling, BA in Psychology, HDip in Personal & Executive Coaching and is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development (CIPD).

Edelle Lawson

Board Member

Joined Board: July 2018

Stephen Mackey

Board Member

Joined Board: November 2018

Stephen’s career included many years in management in banking. He was later director and shareholder in a  property investment company. Currently self-employed as a business, finance, and property consultant.

Billy Owens, Board Member, Galway Simon

Billy Owens

Board Member

Joined Board: March 2021

Billy has experience in training development and quality control in various companies. As a client representative, Billy endorses the value of the client as a fundamental inclusion in all aspects of our community.

Gerry Cleary

Board Member

Joined Board: April 2022

Gerry is a Chartered Accountant and is Financial Controller with Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF), one of Ireland’s largest arts organisations. He has also worked with a number of other not for profits in Galway including Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. Gerry received a B Comm. from NUI Galway and Dip. in Professional Accounting from UCD. He trained with accountancy firm Arthur Andersen in Dublin.  He worked in the US for a number of years with Arthur Andersen and law firm Mayer Brown, and in Ireland with Ryanair and technology company Nortel.

Sean O'Connor

Board Member

Joined Board: October 2021

A native of Roscommon Seán, has worked in property management in the midlands and west of Ireland for over 15 years. He has also worked extensively in the telecommunications sector in London, Cork and Limerick. A graduate of UL and the University of Coventry, Seán is also deeply involved in volunteering in sporting organisations in Galway.

Claire Gannon, Board Member, Galway Simon Community

Claire Gannon

Board Member

Joined Board: October 2021

Claire has experience working across companies of varying sectors and sizes from Irish indigenous start-ups to multibillion-dollar multinationals. Claire has led global HR teams and for the past 15 years and has worked with executive teams driving organisational change and transformation. Claire is currently an independent business advisor supporting clients to identify and define problems, build initiatives, and drive solutions and strategies for sustainable growth and success.

Seán Mahon

Board Member

Joined Board: August 2022

Seán is a Solicitor with Mahon Sweeney Solicitors LLP in Roscommon. He has a B.A. LLB from UCG/NUIG. He has been practicing as a Solicitor for over twenty-five years in Roscommon and is actively involved in the community in Roscommon.

Pádraic Ó Máille

Board Member

Joined Board: November 2023

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