Board Of Directors

We are 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.

Ciarán Forken

Chairperson

Ciarán Forken

Chairperson

Ciarán has worked in Supply Chain over the last 30 years, across sectors, in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Currently, he is the Global Fulfillment Strategy Director for a leading healthcare company, executing multi-discipline projects, delivering operational excellence, and establishing global standards. Ciarán is a graduate of UCG and has considerable experience in team-building, budget setting and performance delivery.

Gerry Cleary

Board Member

Gerry Cleary

Board Member

Gerry is a Chartered Accountant and is Financial Controller with Galway International Arts Festival (GIAF). 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. He has also worked with Baboró International Arts Festival for Children.

Seán Mahon

Secretary

Seán Mahon

Secretary

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.

Emily Brand

Board Member

Emily Brand

Board Member

Emily is a senior communications leader with over 20 years of experience in public affairs, crisis, internal and stakeholder communications across medtech, pharma, energy, and financial services. She currently works for Boston Scientific where she leads strategic internal and external communications for their operations in Ireland. Previously, Emily held leadership roles at Shell, EY, Roche, and ICON plc, specialising in reputation management and media strategy. She is also a strong advocate for AI integration in corporate communications. Passionate about social impact, she has long supported charities focused on women's rights and domestic violence. Emily holds an Executive MBA from Smurfit Business School and a BA from Trinity College Dublin.

Caroline McGregor

Board Member

Caroline McGregor

Board Member

Caroline McGregor is a CORU registered social worker who has predominantly worked in the field of academia at Trinity College, Queen’s University and the University of Galway. Caroline is the current Director of Social Work at the University of Galway and is a Senior Researcher at the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre.

Jean Kelly

Board Member

Jean Kelly

Board Member

Jean held a number of Senior Nurse Management roles in the Saolta Healthcare Group before being appointed as Chief Director of Nursing & Midwifery in 2014. Jean has always valued the contribution that patients/clients can make to healthcare and her focus has been to ensure that their voice is heard at all levels of an organisation.

Claire Glynn

Board Member

Claire Glynn

Board Member

Claire Glynn is a Property Surveyor, Estate Agent and Valuer with over 15 years’ experience in both residential and commercial property. She is currently a Director of Property Partners Gill & Glynn. Claire is an Associate member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCSI) and is also a member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers (IPAV).

Orla Keady-Giblin

Board Member

Orla Keady-Giblin

Board Member

Orla has over two decades of experience working in Human Resources, with a career spanning multiple sectors throughout Ireland and Europe. She currently serves as Senior Director of HR for Global Supply Chain (EMEA and APAC) at a leading healthcare company. In this capacity, she partners with leaders and regional functions to implement people strategies that drive growth, foster capability development, and promote cultural excellence. A graduate of the University of Limerick (UL), Orla brings a wealth of experience in strategic HR practices, organisational design, strategic workforce planning, talent development, and total rewards. Orla is passionate about contributing to a more inclusive community and workplace, reflecting her commitment to fostering environments where everyone can thrive.

John Gilchrist

Board Member

John Gilchrist

Board Member

John Gilchrist is an experienced Human Resources professional with over 20 years’ experience across both the private and voluntary sectors. He has held senior HR leadership roles with responsibility for leading HR functions and supporting organisational priorities. John has extensive experience in people strategy, organisational development and building employee engagement. He has worked closely with senior leadership teams and boards to deliver strategic HR initiatives, with a strong operational focus and close partnership with operational teams. He holds an MSc in Work and Organisational Behaviour from the University of Limerick and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Board Of Directors

Ciarán Forken

Gerry Cleary

Seán Mahon

Emily Brand

Caroline McGregor

Jean Kelly

Claire Glynn

Orla Keady-Giblin

John Gilchrist

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