Barbara is best known for her vision to create specialist neuro-rehabilitation services in communities throughout Ireland for people living with brain injury. Prior to co-founding Acquired Brain Injury Ireland in 2000, Barbara worked as an Occupational Therapy Manager with the National Rehabilitation Hospital (NRH) where she pioneered a social reintegration programme for brain injury survivors to bridge the gap between post-acute services and returning home. This experience inspired her to set up a national service to support people on the brain injury pathway, which has since grown to the large national organisation it is today.   Barbara holds an MBA in Healthcare and Business from the Smurfit Business School, UCD; qualified in Non-Profit Strategic Management from Harvard Business School; Strategic Decision Making from Harvard Kennedy School; and is a qualified Business and executive coach (Smurfit Business School, UCD). She was also recognised as Social Entrepreneur of the Year by Women Mean Business and National Winner of the Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award for Social Enterprise.

Having worked in the disability sector in Ireland since 2006, Karen has a vast amount of experience in case management and the management of community services, residential and respite services. Karen has a PhD from Trinity College, a Postgraduate qualification in Healthcare Management from IPA, and is a Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer accredited by the Brain Injury Association of America.

As our Head of Service Operations, Karen is driven to ensure that the organisation provides services of the highest quality, which are in line with international evidence-based best practice. Karen engages with a number of working groups nationally which aim to advocate for equitable and quality services across Ireland for those with an acquired brain injury. Karen also recently joined Disability Federation of Ireland as a Board Member.

Email: kfoley@abiireland.ie

Aoife has more than a decade’s experience working in the areas of strategic and internal communications, stakeholder relations, marketing and publicity in the community and cultural sectors. Most recently she held the role of Communications and Marketing Manager at Ireland’s national music education programme, Music Generation, and previously worked with leading national and international cultural organisations including Dublin Theatre Festival, the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Canadian Stage and the Abbey Theatre.

A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in Drama Studies and English Literature, Aoife has since completed a Certificate in Management Practice with the University of Ulster and a Certificate in Community Education and Equality Studies at Maynooth University. In her free time, she enjoys running, reading, swimming in the sea and spending time with family.

Email: alucey@abiireland.ie 

Jim joined Acquired Brain Injury Ireland as Head of Finance in May 2022. Having worked in the accountancy profession, major retail, and having held senior positions in the pharmaceutical, education and hospitality sectors, Jim brings a depth and breadth of experience to the role from a career spanning over 30 years.

Email: jmahon@abiireland.ie

Gráinne is responsible for the strategic development of the organisation’s research and policy agenda. She has spent her career to date working in the fields of disability, older people and dementia. She works at the exciting interface of policy, research and advocacy and has extensive experience and knowledge from a variety of advocacy and campaigning organisations in the community and voluntary sector.

She holds a Bachelor of Social Science and a Master of Arts in Social Policy. In her free time, Gráinne enjoys the great outdoors, hill-walking, travelling, a bit of gardening and spending time with family.

Email: gmcgettrick@abiireland.ie  

Mary Rose has many years of experience working as a Chartered Surveyor across the property industry in property development, asset management and the housing sectors. Most recently she held the role of Senior Land Manager in a high-volume housebuilder PLC, where she was responsible for large housing projects.

Her vast experience with both blue-chip organisations in Ireland and the UK, in the private and within the non-profit sector, gives her the skills to help reach the strategic vision for Acquired Brian Injury Ireland’s housing needs.

A graduate of UCD Michael Smurfit Business School with an MA in Management and Business, and Heriot Watt University with a BSc Hons in Property Estate Management, her combination of business and property background compliment her role as the Head of Housing and Development. In her free time Mary Rose is a keen golfer, paddleboarder, skier and loves the outdoors with her daughter when given the opportunity.

Email: mcallaghan@abiireland.ie

Austin brings over thirty years’ experience in the public, private and not-for-profit sector to his role as Head of People & Culture. He has extensive experience in people management and employment law. Austin has a passion for creating a values-based workplace culture that supports the mission and vision of the organisation.

For the past twenty years Austin has held senior roles in the not-for-profit sector, most recently as Director of Resources at WALK. In this time, he led the HR team to win CIPD awards in Building a Values Based Culture and Embedding a Culture of Workplace Well-being.

As Head of People & Culture at Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, Austin is also responsible for ensuring that staff have access to the best learning and development opportunities, and that the organisation’s learning and development strategy supports a quality, person-centred service.

Beyond the workplace, Austin has a keen interest in early education for children from disadvantaged communities and manages a local soccer team.

Email: aosullivan@abiireland.ie 

With over 16 years of fundraising and marketing experience, Jonathan’s expertise spans the not-for-profit, FMCG and online sectors including an understanding of global overseas development as well as the domestic NGO environment. Jonathan’s donor-first approach drives a dynamic fundraising strategy to maximise financial returns from supporters and generate data. He is passionate about developing sustainable growth for the organisation. In his free time, Jonathan enjoys running, sports, movies and computer games.

Email: jpower@abiireland.ie 

Trevor is currently acting National Services Manager with responsibility for CHO Areas 3, 4, 5 and 8. He comes to the position from his role as National Quality Safety and Practice Development Manager.

Email: tnesirky@abiireland.ie

Marian is National Services Manager with responsibility for CHO Areas 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9. She brings a wealth of experience in the disability sector to her role, with a continued interest in helping people live meaningful lives in their own community.

Marian has worked in the disability sector since 2004 and has extensive experience in case management and management of services including residential services, day services, and community services.  Marian has a Level 8 qualification in Quality Management, a BA in Psychology and an MSc in Disability Studies and Rehabilitation. She is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

As National Services Manager Marian contributes to the strategic development and growth of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, working closely with the Head of Service Operations and the National Services Manager for CHO Areas 3, 4, 5 and 8. She supports and supervises local services and their teams to ensure the delivery of services are to the highest quality and that the person served is always at the centre.

Email: moneill@abiireland.ie