Dr Fionnuala Anderson worked in training and education for all of her professional life and has a deep belief in the potential of learning for the empowerment of individuals and communities. As the former Director of Further Education and Training in Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB), Fionnuala has extensive knowledge and experience of training and education in colleges, centres and community settings.

Marie Carroll has worked in communities in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown for most of her professional life addressing issues of poverty and social exclusion. A former social worker, community development worker with the HSE and later CEO of Southside Partnership, Marie has served on local, county and national bodies including the National Economic and Social Forum, Southside Partnership, the NGO ‘One in Four’, and the Governing Body of Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology (IADT).

Mary Cullen worked as a professional social worker with the HSE, and later in a community-based service with young people in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Currently working in psychoanalytic and group analytic psychotherapy and teaching at third level, Mary is Chairperson of the Board of the School of Psychotherapy St Vincent’s University Hospital and previously Chairperson of Southside Partnership. Mary is also a member of Community Action Network Management Committee (CAN).

David Kingston is an actuary who worked most of his professional career in Irish Life, fifteen years as Chief Executive. Since his retirement he has continued his involvement with insurance and investment and has been active in the actuarial profession in both Ireland and UK. He was chair of the Katherine Howard Foundation for over 15 years and was chair of the Finance committee of Christian Aid.

Therese Langan is Director of Service of Community, Culture and Parks in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. Originally, specialising in the provision of legal services to the Council, she has worked across a broad range of service departments. She led the transition and integration of Dún Laoghaire Harbour with the Council in 2018. Therese is committed to ensuring that the council and the community sector can work together to achieve a more inclusive and just county.

Anna Lee chaired the Combat Poverty Agency from 1995-2001 and served on a number of Boards in South Dublin including Tallaght University Hospital. Anna’s work has focused on addressing poverty and social exclusion, latterly as CEO of South Dublin County Partnership. She is the outgoing chair of ActionAid Ireland, a recent member of the Board of Focus Ireland and is currently a Board member of the Foundation for Investing in Communities, St Stephen’s Green Trust.

Monica Manning lives in Blackrock. Monica’s working life is with Community Action Network (CAN) a social justice NGO that works with communities to create a more equal and just society. Monica currently coordinates a national leadership programme for leaders and managers in the community and voluntary sector. She also facilitates Dialogues and World Café conversations across communities and sectors to tackle complex issues of inequality and social justice.

Dr Pat O’Hara is a sociologist who lives in the county and has worked in research, academia, and policy analysis and has published widely. She has served as Chair and board member of national public bodies, government commissions and NGOs. Before retiring in 2019, she was Chair of the National Statistics Board, and of Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health, and Adjunct Professor at Maynooth University.

Marguerite Hanratty in her early career worked with the HSE as a social worker and community development worker in Clondalkin, supporting children and families through the planning and establishment of innovative projects and programmes. Later, as an independent consultant, she worked for over 20 years with NGOs, playing a central role with the Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) in the development of new programmes and initiatives.  These included the Parenting Support Initiative and the Nurture Programme – Infant Health and Wellbeing Programme.

Kevin Henry, a chartered accountant, worked mainly as CEO of both public and private organisations. He led the expansion of an indigenous Irish company into an enterprise of scale, with facilities across Europe, China and the USA. The Irish facilities were based in Clondalkin, Dublin and Raheen, Limerick, with particular focus on recruitment from areas with high unemployment rates.  Fundraising activities, by both management and employees, supported multiple community development initiatives.

Dr Louise Kinlen has worked in community development, human rights, social justice, and integration, and is currently a researcher and independent consultant.  Formerly the Social Inclusion Manager with Southside Partnership, she has a strong commitment to equality and social justice and is familiar with a wide range of community and voluntary sector programmes in the county.