Meet the Team
Yvonne McKenna
Chief Executive Officer
Yvonne is focused on ensuring that the strategic priorities agreed by the Gaisce Council to safeguard the quality of the Award, grow its reach and increase awareness of Gaisce and the positive impact participation has on young people are delivered upon by the Gaisce team. Yvonne works with key stakeholders, including the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and Áras an Uachtaráin and represents Gaisce nationally and internationally.
Avril Ryan
Operations Manager
Avril is a member of Gaisce’s senior management team with responsibility for the strategic direction of operations within the organisation. She leads and manages the operations team comprising of the development officers and trainers. Avril also works closely with key strategic stakeholders to build, deliver and extend the reach of the Gaisce programme.
Vacancy – we’re hiring!
Communications Manager
Reporting to the CEO, the role of the Communications Manager will be to create, implement and manage a multi-platform (branding, digital, media and PR) communications strategy that will substantially elevate awareness of Gaisce and the value of the Gaisce Awards amongst key stakeholders, both internal and external. This is a leadership role within the organisation and the successful candidate will be responsible for all communications, marketing, events and related activities, and will have line management responsibilities. For more information click here
The Operations Team
Marion Irwin-Gowran
Project Manager
Marion works towards introducing the Award to different organisations, and ensuring that the standards of the Award are maintained. She carries out PAL training around the country, and works closely with Gaisce Award Partners who are establishing the Award within their organisations. Marion also works to ensure that Gaisce – The President’s Award meets national frameworks and guidelines and is Gaisce’s Child Protection Officer.
Patricia Owens
Development Officer
Patricia is our Development Officer in South Dublin and the South East, liaising with PALs in Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, South Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. PALs in these areas can contact Patricia if they have any queries.
M: 087 164 6661
Mary Yore
Development Officer
Mary is Gaisce’s Development Officer for Louth, Meath, Laois, Offaly, Westmeath, Longford, Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo and Roscommon. If you are a PAL or Gaisce Award Partner in the region and need assistance, Mary will be your first port of call.
Thomas Carolan
Development Officer
Thomas is our Development Officer that will be looking after the West from March 2017. He will be supporting PALs and Gaisce Award Partners based in Donegal, Mayo, Galway. If you need assistance give him a call.
M: 087 094 1466
Marc Tuffy
Youth Justice Development Officer
Marc is our Youth Justice Development Officer. His role is to support Garda Youth Diversion Programmes (GYDPs), Probation Projects and other youth intervention services across the country in their Gaisce journey. If you are a PAL in the Youth Justice Sector or wish to find out more about running Gaisce in the Youth Justice Sector please contact Marc.
M: 087 339 3301
Stephen Peers
Development Officer
Stephen is our Development Officer for the South, liaising with PALs and Gaisce Award Partners across the region. If you’re a PAL in Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperary or Waterford and need assistance, Stephen will be your first port of call.
The Communications Team
Holly Furlong
Events & Engagement Officer
Holly is our Events & Engagement Officer and is responsible for planning all Gaisce events and engagement with participants, President’s Award Leaders and Gaisce Award Partners. Events include training and information sessions as well as the Silver and Gold Award ceremonies. If you have a question regarding a Gaisce event, feel free to contact Holly.
T: 01 670 7001
Kate Morgan
Marketing & Communications Officer
Kate works with the Marketing & Communications team and oversees Gaisce’s social media presence and digital marketing strategy. She is also charged with gathering and creating content around the Gaisce programme and managing Gaisce’s website.
T: 01 670 7009
The Admin Team
Eibhlín O Hara
Office Manager
Eibhlín is the Office Manager and oversees the distribution of certificates and medals as well as running a busy office.
Maria Leavy
Office Administrator
Maria primarily works on the PAL application process in addition to offering support to PALs on the Gaisce online system.
Alex Davis
Office Administrator
Alex works within the administration team providing support to colleagues and ensuring that the administrative activities within Gaisce run smoothly and efficiently.
T: 01 617 1999
Josh Kennedy
Office Administrator
Josh works within the administration team providing support to PALs and colleagues ensuring that the administrative activities within Gaisce run smoothly and efficiently.
T: 01 482 6982
