Summit 2025 Programme

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD

Micheál Martin was born in Turners Cross, Cork, the son of Paddy Martin, formerly of CIE and ex-Irish International boxer, and Lana Corbett. He was educated locally, at Scoil Chríost Rí and Coláiste Chríost Rí, and remains a frequent visitor to both schools. He later attended University College Cork where he qualified with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Micheál subsequently completed his Master of Arts thesis in Political History, before deciding to embark on a career as a secondary school teacher in St. Kierans College, Camden Quay, Cork.

Micheál was first elected to Cork Corporation in 1985. Since entering national politics in 1989, the Cork South Central TD has served on the Fianna Fáil front bench and in four cabinet posts: Minister for Foreign Affairs (2008-2011), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2004-2008), Minister for Health (2000-04) and Minister for Education (1997-2000), Taoiseach (2020-2022), and Tánaiste (2022-2025).

Jerry Buttimer TD 

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Transport

Jerry Buttimer has been TD for the Cork South-Central constituency since the 2024 general election, and previously from from 2011 to 2016. He was Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann from December 2022 to November 2024, and Leas-Chathaoirleach from July 2020 to August 2020. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2007 to 2011 and 2016 to 2024, and as Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 2016 to 2020.

Madeleine Delaney

Chief Executive, Charities Regulator

Madeleine Delaney was appointed Chief Executive of the Charities Regulator in August 2024. She previously served as Director of Legal Affairs and Registration from 2021. Prior to joining the Charities Regulator, Madeleine was the Head of Legal at the Office of the Ombudsman and previously Deputy Head of Compliance at the Pensions Authority. A solicitor, she is a graduate of the University of Limerick and University College Cork.

Alexandrina Najmowicz is Secretary General of the European Civil Society Forum, a transnational network of about 100 associations across Europe, working to protect civic space, enable civic participation and build civil dialogue for more equality, solidarity and democracy in Europe. In this role, she leads different campaigns and initiatives aiming to strengthen the space and capacity of civil society organisations to stand and act for these values, defend citizens’ rights and participate with more impact in the decision-making process. Alexandrina has a legal background and extensive track record of international cooperation, working for twenty years in the third sector and not-for-profit environment in Romania, France and at European level.  She has been Co-chairwoman of the CSOs Convention for the Conference on the Future of Europe initiated and coordinated by Civil Society Europe, and member of the CoFoE plenary. She is member of Civil Society Europe Board.

Elaine Teague is CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI).  She started her career with St. Michael’s House in 1995 and has held a number of other positions within the organisation including Director of Quality and Safety, Compliance Officer, Service Manager, and Regional Training Manager. Elaine has a proven track record in the area of quality and standards. Elaine was also involved in the development and implementation of Open Disclosure in Intellectual Disability Services nationally and in the national roll out of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act in Intellectual Disability Services. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Implementation Science. She also holds a Quality Management qualification, a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Training and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Studies.

Emmet Malone is the Work Correspondent with The Irish Times, a role where he focusses on employment, industrial relations and related issues. He was previously the Soccer Correspondent and an Assistant News Editor. He has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. Previously a member of the National Union of Journalists Irish Executive, he has participated in a number of committees and initiatives on working conditions in the media sector, standards and its future development. Separately, he was a director of the anti-racism initiative, Show Racism the Red Card, for almost a decade.

Vincent Keenan has served on the board of The Wheel since 2014. Prior to being elected Chairperson in July 2021 he has been vice Chairperson and has served on several subcommittees of the board. Vincent was appointed Chief Executive of North & East Housing Association in 2014, he has some 30 years’ experience in housing provision and services, homelessness, social and community development. Prior to his current role Vincent has held positions in Co-operative Housing Ireland and Focus Ireland.

Kerry McLaverty is CEO of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and a Trustee of The Wheel.  She is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years’ experience working in the healthcare, nonprofit and voluntary sectors. She is a long-standing member of the LauraLynn team, having been initially recruited to the Physiotherapy Department in 2012. Since then, Kerry has assumed the position of Clinical Services Manager in 2014 and later in 2016, she commenced the role of Head of Operations at LauraLynn before stepping into the role of CEO in 2020. Kerry also sits on the Council of Partners of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care Providers, having previously been Secretary of Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and Chair of the Physiotherapists in Intellectual Disability Clinical Interest Group.

Allen Bobinac is the Outreach Manager at Tiglin and leads The Lighthouse Café in Dublin, offering vital support to people experiencing homelessness. Originally from Croatia, he moved to Ireland in 2015. Having overcome homelessness himself, he progressed from volunteer to leadership within the charity. Allen spearheaded a ‘Transformative Education’ initiative with SETU, providing access to higher education for marginalised individuals. Through his leadership, he transformed the Tiglin cafe into "a living room for those in need of one" during the biggest rough sleeper crisis last year. He also introduced numerous initiatives that promote dignity and joy, including fashion makeovers, guest musicians, bingo, barbers, doctors and many more. Allen holds MAs in Child, Youth and Family Studies and in International Relations, and brings both lived experience and academic depth to his work. 

John Paul Collins is a Mental Health Awareness Worker with Exchange House, a support service for the Traveller community. After a decade in youth work with the organisation, he progressed to specialising in men’s mental health and now sits on the National Traveller Mental Health Network. A Traveller himself, John Paul is a vocal advocate for suicide prevention, tackling mental health stigmas and breaking cycles of generational trauma within his own community.  

Wendy Fitzgerald McCarry has a diverse and extensive career that spans over 35 years across various sectors. She has taken on significant roles with FAS/VEC, Cork Institute of Technology, and with the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Zambian Embassy. Wendy has also worked as a Senior Training Advisor with the Irish League of Credit Unions and as a self-employed consultant for McCarry Training and Facilitation. Originally from Cork, Wendy’s career has led her to work in Ireland, Europe, America, and Africa. She is now settled in Donegal with her five children. Her deep commitment to the sector is demonstrated in her role as the former CEO of the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation CLG, a charity she has been involved with since 2006, following her own daughter’s acquired brain injury, which resulted in physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Wendy now focuses on bringing her expertise and knowledge to help this sector thrive through her new company, Third Sector Solutions. 

Siobhan Grant has been the Fundraising Manager at Saint Joseph’s Shankill since 2015. She says it has been an honour to work as part of a team that makes a difference to people living with dementia and their families. Siobhan began her career at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, where she trained as a general nurse. Her career took her from hospitals to working in film and television, and nearly ten years with Special Olympics. She worked on the 2003 World Games with over 40,000 volunteers and communities all over Ireland and then as a manager and director with Special Olympics Ireland in marketing, events and fundraising.  

Claire McGowran is the Campaign Manager for We Act, a national campaign to celebrate charities and community groups in Ireland. Claire has over 15 years in print and digital media. She was the editor of One Fab Day, and has written for the Irish Times and Irish Independent. She worked on the #HomeToVote campaign and a UNICEF campaign to end child marriage. She also has a storytelling side-venture called Wooden Spoon Stories.    

Paul Stanley is one of BUMBLEance’s dedicated drivers, providing journeys to and from healthcare settings for children across Ireland. Paul spent his career working as a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade and, after retiring in 2020, made the move to BUMBLEance. Though he’s based in Dublin, Paul’s work sees him travel all across the country. When asked how he measures success in his role, Paul said, “Achievements in this job are measured in smiles.” 

Angela Murphy is the Manager of Welcome English Language Centre in Cork City. With a team of volunteer tutors, she supports over 150 migrants every single day, providing not only literacy and language tuition, but an inclusive and welcoming space for migrants to find community and access support. Angela has been with the centre for 20 years, originally starting as a volunteer teacher. Welcome English Language Centre was recently awarded the AONTAS STAR Award for Social Inclusion.  

Dennis O’Connor is the Chief Executive Officer of 2into3. He works with clients to build their capacity for transformative social impact. Dennis has worked in academia, in the international food sector, as a Technology Entrepreneur and as a Management Consultant before founding 2into3 in 2006. He has served on a number of nonprofit boards and is currently Chair of Sensational Kids Clg and Avoca Hockey Club Clg. He served on the National Advisory Group on the development of Irelands National Philanthropy Policy and continues as Deputy Chair of the Data & Research Implementation subgroup. Dennis holds a B.Comm and M.B.S from University College Cork and an AMP from Insead. He is a member of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisers

Amanda Harton is Schemes Development Director with Arachas, Ireland’s largest Nationwide Insurance Broker. With a career spanning over 25 years, Amanda has been primarily focused on working with not-for-profit organisations, developing and managed insurance solutions dedicated to the sector. Having previously held Executive Director positions in a number of Insurance Brokerage firms, Amanda joined Arachas in 2023 to support their market leading wholesale and retail schemes division in the creation of new insurance facilities and schemes. Benefiting from Amanda’s extensive sectoral experience, Arachas launched a bespoke insurance facility for charities, community groups and social enterprises in 2025 in partnership with Ecclesiastical.

Helena Dilleen is a qualified Mindfulness Coach. She found mindfulness to be highly effective in supporting her in managing her work (self-employed since 2008) and personal life. Inspired by the positive impact it had on her and those around her, she pursued professional training. Her goal is to share the valuable skillset learned with as many people as possible, helping them to enhance mental clarity, build resilience, and maintain overall well-being.

Jenny Beale is the Founder and Director of Brigit’s Garden, an environmental charity in Co. Galway whose mission is to connect people and nature – through education programmes, events and visits to their Celtic gardens and natural habitats. 

Lydia Bentley is a solicitor in the Charities and Not-for-Profit team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP. She advises charities, not-for-profit organisations and social enterprises, including healthcare providers, universities and religious bodies on a variety of legal issues. She assists charities on matters including establishment and incorporation, re-structuring, collaboration, compliance with the charity law requirements and the Charities Regulator’s compliance obligations including the Charities Governance Code. Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Lydia worked in an Irish fundraising charity working with the Chief Executive on legal and governance matters, as well as liaising with charity stakeholders particularly in relation to the provision and utilisation of charitable funds, including restricted funds, to advance charitable activities. 

Sarah Broderick is an environmental scientist with over 10 years’ experience in nature restoration, sustainability, and community engagement. At Hometree, she works alongside the ecology and operations teams to develop and deliver habitat restoration projects. Prior to joining Hometree, Sarah worked as an environmental researcher and consultant, contributing to projects that explored the environmental impacts of human behaviour—from food production, waste and composting, to seaweed harvesting, hospitality, healthcare, and large-scale cultural events. 

Claire Colfer is a solicitor in the Charities and Not-for-Profit team at Mason Hayes & Curran LLP. Claire works with a wide range of charities and not-for profits including religious organisations, educational institutions, healthcare providers and public bodies. She advises clients on a range of issues which arise during the life cycle of charities and not-for-profits, including incorporating and registering as a charity; the statutory and governance obligations of charities and their trustees under the Charities Act 2009 (as and to the extent amended by the Charities (Amendment) Act 2024), the Companies Act 2014 and the Charities Governance Code; and options in relation to restructuring and winding down. In addition to her legal expertise, Claire has personal, practical experience of charity governance, having previously held several governance and oversight related roles for Irish and international charities. Claire is also qualified as a solicitor in England & Wales. 

Sergeant Emer Farrell currently serves as the Liaison Sergeant for the Longford Garda Functional Area.  In this role, she oversees matters relating to child welfare, vulnerable adults, and community engagement, working closely with statutory, community, and voluntary agencies.  Her extensive background in community engagement has enabled her to design and secure funding for a tailored educational course specific to the needs of Longford. In collaboration with local agencies, she has also led initiatives such as the establishment of a Local Area Network and the development of multi-lingual leaflets to support victims of domestic abuse. 

Tara Farrell is the Chief Executive Officer of Longford Women’s Link (LWL). A native of Roscommon, Tara has over 25 years’ experience in the community, voluntary and education sectors, working in a variety of areas including Project Management, Social Economy, Women’s Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and engaging in Broadcast and Social Media. Tara is the Chairperson of Irish Rural Link, a member of the Steering Group of The New Common Charter and is also part of the ad-hoc Group for North-South East-West Co-operation. She also lectures in Human Rights and Equality at ATU. She holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law and has also lectured in Political Science at the University of Limerick and Management Development at Dublin City University. Tara is currently completing her MBA at the University of Galway. She chairs LWL’s Interagency Group, responding to the risk of Domestic Violence Homicide in rural communities. 

Maeve Foreman is a founding member of the multi award winning Mud Island Community Garden in Dublin's North Inner City, and a committee member of the 32 county network Community Gardens Ireland. She is also a board member of the Irish Refugee Council and her local Five Lamps Arts Festival.  She has a background in social work and community work.

Now retired from teaching social work in Trinity College Dublin, she previously worked in the HIV clinic in St. James's Hospital for 15 years, and prior to that, in community law centres and homeless action organisations in London.

Sheena Horgan is  Director of Advisory Services at 2into3. She leads on strategy, governance, reviews, crises and ESG (clients include the Charity Regulator, CUH, Irish League of Credit Unions and Cork City Council).  A proficient problem-solver, she has extensive strategic and transformation credentials running and advising Nonprofit and Private Sector organisations in CEO, consultant and non-Executive Director, and Company Secretary roles.  Previously CEO at the Psychological Society of Ireland and Drinkaware, she guided the charities through three strategic cycles, implementing robust finance, governance, risk, operational systems.  During her accomplished consultancy career she advised organisations such as Three Mobile, Aldi, the Camogie Association, Young Social Innovators, the Departments of the Taoiseach and Transport, and Insolvency Services Ireland.  

Brian Killoran is the National Coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum and the former CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland. He joined the Immigrant Council as an Information Officer in 2004, working directly with people from a migrant background and their families to assist them in navigating the Irish immigration system and having their rights realised. Brian went on to manage key areas within the Immigrant Council, including its Information and Referral Services and Integration-related work, before becoming CEO in March 2015. As CEO, Brian held responsibility for all aspects of the Immigrant Council’s operations and priorities. Following his stepping down as CEO in March 2025, Brian has been appointed to the role of National Coordinator of the Ukraine Civil Society Forum.

Eamon Kelly has been with Enclude for 13 years. He is the CTO, with a deep technical experience and knowledge of the latest digital trends. Among other many other certifications,  he is a Salesforce AI Associate and AI Specialist. Eamon is a Computer Engineering graduate who has also lectured in the field. He has substantial experience of managing engineering teams and also spent two years working as a volunteer in Ghana, developing and installing IT systems for UNICEF and their partners. He has wide experience in the voluntary sector in Ireland, having mentored various non-profit organizations in IT, and designed and developed multiple CRM systems for Enclude Clients. 

Elizabeth Kelly has been with Enclude for nearly 10 years. Along with her role as Deputy CEO she also has responsibility as the Senior Development Manager for meeting new clients and working with them on their CRM journey.   

Elizabeth is a certified Salesforce Business Analyst and has experience in both the Business and Non-Profit sectors, having worked as a trainer with UNICEF in Ghana and as Programme Manager for Church Support in Dublin. She has worked as a Documentation expert, and as a Technical Writer in the Localisation, Security and Energy Management industries. Before joining Enclude she was the Manager for a US Telecommunications Company based in Ireland. 

Natalia Krasnenkova is a Ukrainian community worker, communications specialist, and former journalist who has been residing in Ireland for the past three years due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. She currently contributes to local development initiatives as a Community Worker at NEWKD in Kerry, Ireland. Previously, she led PR-House communications company in Kyiv, Ukraine, for 14 years, focusing on projects in medical reforms, human rights advocacy, and cultural development. Her earlier roles include PR Specialist and Head of Media department at PRT Communication Group, and five years as a TV reporter and journalist. Natalia holds a Master's degree in Management and Finance from the Kyiv National University of Economics (1998) and the Crimean Institute of Economics and Law (1999). 

Olya Maryntseva is originally from Ukraine and earned three Master's degrees, specializing in International Economy, English Translator in Professional Communication and Public Administration of Healthcare Facilities. Entrepreneur & Managing Partner of NomNom Group. Since coming to Ireland, Olya has acted as a representative of the Ukrainian Centre for Education Quality Assessment, responsible for conducting Final Assessment Exams for Primary Education of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection Residing in Ireland and has carried out advocacy for Ukrainian Temporary Protection Holders in their accessing Third-Level Education.

Olya is regional Coordinator for the Integration of Ukrainians in County Kerry under the Temporary Protection Program/Community Development Worker (NEWKD: North East West Kerry Development). Additionally, Olya is the creator and driving force behind Home - Ukrainians in Kerry, a website dedicated to providing vital resources, support, and connection for Ukrainians living in County Kerry, Ireland. She is a member of the working group on the development and implementation of effective English language training programs for BOTPs requiring a high level of proficiency for work or study.

Matt McKerrow is a Senior Associate within Advisory & Funding Services at 2into3, delivering strategy and governance assignments with not-for-profits, particularly sporting organisations.  Matt brings extensive knowledge and expertise developed over two decades in CEO and government peak body roles spanning the Irish, Australian and New Zealand not for profit and high-performance sporting contexts. 

Prior to 2into3, Matt served as CEO of a number of Irish governing bodies of sport – including Hockey Ireland, Cycling Ireland, and Triathlon Ireland. Prior to moving to Ireland, Matt had a successful career in New Zealand and Australia, as the National Partnership Manager at Sport New Zealand; Innovation Manager at High Performance Sport New Zealand and as a Senior Consultant at the Australian Sports Commission. 

Matt has a Professional Certificate in Governance from the Institute of Public Administration at the National University of Ireland, and a Masters of Executive Management of Sports Organisations (MEMOS) from the Université de Poitiers in France, and a Bachelor of Human Movement Science (Sport Management) from Southern Cross University, Australia. 

Janis Morrissey is Director of Health Promotion, Information & Training at the Irish Heart Foundation, leading national services across diverse settings. She is a media spokesperson and has presented to several Oireachtas Committees. She is chair of the newly formed Health Promotion Alliance Ireland, an all-island coalition with a shared interest in advocating for major policy change to promote the primary prevention of chronic disease. 

Janis is a board member of The Wheel and also a board member of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Faculty of Public Health Medicine. She was appointed by the Minister for Health to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland’s Consultative Council. She holds qualifications from TCD, TUD and the University of Ulster. 

Sylvester Murphy is the CEO of ENCLUDE. He is a business graduate with a M.Sc. in Management. Sylvester has 30 years of experience in organisational development and business solutions working with the public, private and non-profit sectors. He served as I.T. Director of Concern and during his fifteen years there led the implementation of the organisation’s global I.T. strategy.  Sylvester was a founding member of Enclude and acted as Board member before joining the staff in 2009. 

Michael Nason is a Senior Associate within the Funding Team at 2into3. Over his career, Michael has worked in a number of sectors gaining extensive experience in Finance, Technology, Marketing and Sales. He has held a number of senior roles across a range of business sectors– Sales Director SuperValu, Marketing Director Tesco, Managing Director of Arnotts and Chief Executive Officer of Musgrave Retail. In recent years, he worked as International Retail Director for Trinity College Dublin. 

In his most recent role, he worked as Chief Executive Officer for Cork University Hospital Charity. This charity supports the delivery of the ambitions of one of Ireland’s largest public hospitals. In his 5 years as CEO, he developed an extensive strategic roadmap to enhance the ambitions of the hospital and it’s over 40 departments, in terms of patient care. Developing innovative relationships with multiple stakeholders and in particular, engaging strong international and local corporate support for the Charity and its Purpose. He attracted significant funding in support of transformational projects such as robotics and leading edge cancer analytical equipment. 

Michael has an extensive background in business change, strategic leadership and the utilisation of technology to enhance business processes. He is a passionate brand builder with a focus on delivering world class customer experiences. He has delivered a number of challenging and complex change management projects by bringing clarity of vision to multiple stakeholders. 

Michael has a B. Comm from University College Cork, qualified as a Cost and Management Accountant in London and has a Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing in London.  

Garrett O’Donohoe is the CEO of Social Finance Foundation (SFF), a not-for-profit established in 2007.  With the support of the Irish Government and the Banking sector SFF was founded to address the needs of Community & Voluntary Organisations and Social Enterprises for loan funding which was difficult to obtain from mainstream financial institutions.  Acting as a “wholesaler”, it provides funding to Social Lending Organisations who, in turn, provide loans to Community & Voluntary Organisations and Social Enterprises.   Garrett has extensive leadership in the financial services/ banking sector.  Prior to his appointment as CEO of SFF, he spent 22 years in KBC Bank Ireland where he led a number of key departments as Head of Credit, Head of Direct Retail Sales & Customer Services and Head of Business Banking. 

Emmett O'Hara is Head of Credit at Clann Credo. Having worked in banking for 24 years in Commercial Lending, Business Development and Credit Risk management roles, Emmett has been working in the Social Finance sector for 5 years. Emmett is currently responsible for the management of the Clann Credo Loan Book Portfolio, and for the customer facing Regional Manager and Social Finance Executive team. Emmett is an active volunteer in his community with his local soccer team. 

Natalie O'Reilly is Domestic Violence Service Manager at Longford Women’s Link, a community-based organisation dedicated to supporting women and children who are experiencing various types of Domestic Abuse/Coercive Control. She leads a team committed to promoting equality, diversity, and Justice. With a background in Psychology and Sociology, Natalie has expertise in understanding and responding to domestic abuse and coercive control, responding to loss and grief, and applying the 8 stages to domestic homicide. 

Barry Symes is Head of Community Finance (ROI) Republic of Ireland at Community Finance Ireland. With a long career in corporate finance at the Ulster Bank Group, Barry specialized in problem-solving for his clients and helping them future-proof their businesses. 

Since joining Community Finance Ireland, he has applied the same strategic approach to supporting clients in the social finance sector. Barry works closely with community organizations, social enterprises, and voluntary groups, helping them access tailored financial solutions that drive sustainable impact. 

Pauline Williamson is a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants with over 25 years’ experience working in the financial services and not-for-profit sectors.  Pauline spent her early career in Dublin working initially with Irish Life and then moving to Bristol-Myers Squibb where, as Financial Controller, she was involved in the establishment of its European Treasury Centre and later was appointed General Manager.

In 2005 she relocated to Dubai, United Arab Emirates and while living there she held several senior roles including Head of Finance for Lloyds TSB Bank and Finance Director for Safanad Limited, a private investment firm.  Since 2017, Pauline has held a number of positions in not-for-profit organisations in Ireland as: Head of Finance & Strategy for MyMind; Head of Finance for Debra Ireland; and was recently appointed as the Assistant Finance Director of Rethink Ireland.  Pauline has been a Director of Social Finance Foundation since 2018 and is also a member of its Audit & Risk Committee