Our Board of Management

As an experienced businessman, David has served on boards of many companies throughout his career and has extensive experience in successfully managing businesses, both start-ups and medium-sized organisations. He is currently the non-executive chairman of two businesses in Ireland and also works as a business consultant and business investor. He is enthusiastic about pursuing Saoirse’s strategic goals and is committed to the ongoing expansion of Saoirse’s services.

Sandra has worked in the area of social care for over 15 years, with experience working in the areas of disability, social justice, addiction, family law and child protection and welfare. She has worked in the field of violence against women for many years and has worked in a Women’s Refuge. Sandra is currently working in the area of child welfare assessment and intervention, including children who are living with domestic abuse. Sandra is always interested in being part of the conversation around gender equality, civil rights and social action.

Ciara is a Chartered Accountant and works as an Associate Director in KPMG’s Risk Consulting practice. Ciara has 12 years of experience in providing internal audit and risk consulting services to clients both in the public and private sectors. Ciara has a keen interest in gender equality and social fairness. Ciara is committed to helping to achieve Saoirse Domestic Violence Services (‘SDVS’) strategic goals. Ciara is a member of the SDVS Audit and Finance Committee.

Grainne leads the international employment law team on LinkedIn, where she partners with HR and business leaders to support business success while navigating employment law risk across EMEA, LatAm, and APAC. LinkedIn is a company whose mission is to build economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce. Grainne is effectively responsible for 40% of LinkedIn’s global workforce, spread across 34 offices worldwide. She is also involved in women’s support and mental health initiatives at LinkedIn, and she is currently acting in the role of Executive Sponsor to LinkedIn’s women’s employee group and Lead Mindfulness Ambassador. Grainne believes passionately in Saoirse’s mission and is committed to supporting Saoirse to achieve its goals.

Mark is a project leader with Barnardos and runs a child and family support service in Tallaght. He has worked extensively in social care, both in a voluntary and paid capacity, since 1991 and holds a BA in Applied Social Care Practice. 

He has experience working in disability, residential care, early years, youth work, parenting and crisis support, child protection and welfare, and Traveller family and community support. He has previously served as chairperson of the Ballyfermot Traveller Action Project and co-founder and chairperson of the Ballyfermot Network Challenging Violence against Women. 

Mark is the acting chairperson of the South Dublin County Childcare Committee and volunteers as a Meitheal facilitator for Tusla, the Child & Family Agency. In addition to supporting children and families actively or previously affected by domestic violence, Mark advocates for early intervention and prevention and assists families in building on their strengths to meet their children’s needs.

Orlagh leads the Retail Underwriting team for Zurich Insurance Europe (ZIE). She is responsible for Retail Line of Business Underwriting, Assurance & Governance and Portfolio management across EMEA. 

She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries in Ireland and was previously a Director. She recently obtained a Corporate Governance Diploma from UCD Graduate Business School. She has a keen interest in talent development and mentoring. 

She contributes her knowledge and background to Saoirse Domestic Violence Services as a member of the Board and as Chair of the Governance & Risk Committee.

Caroline was delighted to be appointed a Director of the Board in 2022. She is a Senior Associate on the Medical Law team at Mason Hayes & Curran, where she has over 20 years of experience. Caroline is committed to advancing the goals of Saoirse and to contributing to its continued success.

Eoin is an experienced senior IT executive and is currently the Head of IT Strategic Change, Software Engineering and Programme Director for the Central Bank of Ireland. He brings over 20 years of experience in leading organisations across technology, operations, transformation and strategy development in both the public and private sectors. In addition to this, Eoin also brings extensive governance, risk and delivery expertise to the board. Eoin is committed to supporting the work of Saoirse and helping to achieve its strategic goals. Eoin is SDVS’s company secretary and also a member of the finance committee.

Alex O’Halloran joined Saoirse in 2020 as part of the Outreach and Prevention team covering the West Wicklow area, and is now Assistant Manager working alongside Outreach manager Nadine O’Brien and the Saoirse management team. Prior to her role with Saoirse Alex gained experience working as Court Accompaniment within the Domestic Violence sector and was involved with a Youth Justice mentoring programme for parents of young people within Probation Services.

A change in career led Alex to return to education as a mature student and pursue her lifelong goal of studying and working in the area of the Social Sciences where she works directly with the team to ensure the delivery of a quality service to women and families in the community. Alex also works with the management team developing services and internal operating policies. Alex has also been very involved in the development and facilitation of Education and Training programmes for external agencies on Domestic Violence awareness and best practice responses. During her time with Saoirse Alex has been successful in securing funding from the Community Mental Health Fund, the National Lottery and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to establish and implement various projects which provide therapeutic interventions, promote equality and encourage self-development for clients engaged with Saoirse services. Alex holds a Bachelor of Social Science Honours Degree (BSocSc) from Maynooth University and a Professional Diploma in Leadership and Management from University College Dublin.

Daren O’Neill is CEO of Tallaght West Credit Union, and has spent 25 years working mainly in the Credit Union sector in Ireland, the UK and Australia. During this time he has served in various roles including marketing, branch manager, interim management and as an independent consultant. He was also an owner-director of an Insurance Brokerage. Daren graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Marketing Management from TU Dublin, and is a Qualified Financial Advisor. He has recently completed a Masters in Social and Cooperative Enterprise in UCC. He has a long history of volunteer and community involvement, including as an instructor in the Civil Defence, as a Credit Union Director and Supervisor, as a committee member for the Irish Foster Care Association, and as treasurer of his local Scout group.

Often referred to as “Energy in Motion”, Yemi is a leadership powerhouse of ideas, who wears different caps at various times. She builds people. Yemi is Director of Programs at MIB INSTITUTE of People Development, President of Sheroes Global Initiative (a social enterprise that Inspires and Empowers Women and Young people), CEO of Ddymensions Communications and owner of Energ’ Luxury Perfume Oils and Gifts. Yemi has mentored over 21,000 people in 26 years through the YEMI ADENUGA MENTORSHIP AND LEADERSHIP (YAMAL) program. She is a high Impact Global Speaker, People development Strategist and Ireland’s 1st elected Black-Female Public Representative. Listed as an Irish woman of influence by the Irish Tatler Magazine and one of Ireland’s 100 women Change-makers by the Irish Examiner, Yemi is passionate about women, young people, DI&E and committed to achievement of Saoirse goals.

Olwyn has worked in the financial and professional services sector as a Head of HR over the last 20 years. She has applied her interest and academic background in occupational psychology supporting businesses implement appropriate people strategies. She has a passion for talent development and building positive and respectful work environments that embrace diversity, inclusivity and equality. Working as a HR Director for a global legal and corporate services firm, she hopes to bring her knowledge and background to the benefit of Saoirse Domestic Violence Services as a member of the Board and on various committees.