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 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 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.
Claire Gannon
Board Member
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. She has experience working across companies of varying sectors and sizes from Irish indigenous start-ups to multibillion-dollar multinationals.
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.
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.
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).