Our leadership

Grainne leads the international employment law team at LinkedIn where she partners with HR and business leaders to support business success while navigating employment law risk.

She is also involved in women’s support and mental health initiatives at LinkedIn. 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.

Rachel is a chartered accountant with over 11 years of experience at KPMG Ireland, where she works as a Director providing audit, assurance, accounting, and advisory services.

Rachel serves as Treasurer and chairs the Audit and Finance Committee. She is passionate about supporting Saoirse’s mission and is committed to applying her professional skills to help the organisation achieve its strategic goals and continue delivering vital services to those experiencing domestic violence.

Ciara is a chartered accountant and works as an Associate Director in KPMG’s Risk Consulting practice. Ciara has 12 years of experience providing internal audit and risk consulting services to clients 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's strategic goals. Ciara is a member of Saoirse's Audit and Finance Committee.

Orlagh leads the Retail Underwriting team for Zurich Insurance Europe (ZIE). 

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 as a member of the Board and as Chair of the Governance & Risk Committee.

Niamh has over 20 years’ experience in community and support services, with a strong background in social inclusion and community development. She has led projects across the areas of education, health, mental Health, restorative practice, and domestic violence. She has worked with disadvantaged, marginalised, and vulnerable communities, including people experiencing homelessness, Travellers, those living in poverty, and ethnic minorities.

Since 2015, Niamh has served as Resource Officer for Suicide Prevention in the HSE, coordinating the implementation of the national suicide prevention strategy across Dublin South, Kildare, and West Wicklow. In this role, she leads local and national projects aimed at improving access to supports and services for anyone impacted by suicide.

Niamh leads interagency initiatives addressing suicide bereavement, perinatal mental health, domestic violence and suicidality.

Lisa is a senior human resources leader, with over 20 years’ experience operating in high profile, multinational environments. She recently served as the vice president of International HR for LinkedIn.

Lisa is passionate about building high performing, diverse organisations with a people-first mindset. 

She has also contributed significantly to evolving the conversation around fertility in the workplace, and continues to be an advocate in this space at a European level.

Allison has led the development and growth of Saoirse from its inception in 2006 to its extensive expansion in 2019. She served as Refuge Manager from 2006 to 2019 and was promoted to CEO.

Allison previously worked with Aoibhneas Women’s and Children’s Refuge in North Dublin and established their first outreach service.

Allison has served on a number of voluntary sector boards, including as Chair and Director of the Tallaght Childcare Centre. She was a member of the Tallaght Homeless Advice Unit Board (before it became part of Focus Ireland.) She also served on steering committees with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and Tusla’s Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence department.

Allison has extensive experience in management, HR, policy-writing and implementation, company mergers, strategic planning, budgets, and charity reporting.

She was awarded a Postgraduate H.Dip in Counselling from UCC and has been a qualified and accredited Counselor with the Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (IACP) since 2011.

Allison holds a BA Hons degree in Sociology and Psychology from University College Cork and a Postgraduate H.Dip in Business and Management from UCD Michael Smurfit College.

Nadine O’Brien was appointed Director of Services at Saoirse in July 2024. She first joined Saoirse in October 2019 as Outreach and Prevention Manager.

Nadine holds a Diploma in Community Development and Youth Studies, a BA in Social Studies, and an MA in Human Rights and Social Policy from Maynooth University. In 2022, she earned a Diploma in Change Management. 

With a strong commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence, Nadine has played a key role in developing and expanding Saoirse’s outreach, refuge, and prevention services.

As Director of Services, she oversees the strategic and operational delivery of Saoirse’s frontline support services, ensuring that women and children experiencing domestic violence receive high-quality, trauma-informed care.

Her leadership is central to Saoirse’s mission of empowering survivors and fostering long-term safety and independence.

Ade joined the Saoirse team in 2017. He is a fellow of the Chartered Certified Accountants.

He is responsible for the day-to-day accounting and financial management of the organisation. He ensures all donations and grants are utilised to the full benefits of our stakeholders.

Ade is also responsible for financial compliance with various regulatory authorities.

Rachel joined the Saoirse team in 2024. With over 11 years of experience in human resources, she has previously developed her skills as a HR business partner at Dalata Hotel Group PLC. 

Rachel holds a BA (Hons) in Applied Psychology and a CIPD qualification in Human Resource Management.

Tasked with developing the HR department at Saoirse, she ensures that best practices are consistently upheld to support employees.

Rachel is dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture, where every employee feels valued and supported. 

Rachel advocates for continuous learning and development. Her open-door policy defines her leadership style, encouraging employees to share their concerns and suggestions. Rachel believes that transparency and open communication are essential to building trust and fostering a collaborative spirit within the organisation.

Zita joined Saoirse in 2025 as our Fundraising & Supporter Care Manager. With over a decade of experience in Ireland’s charity and community sector, she has built her career in fundraising and communications. Zita is deeply committed to cultivating meaningful donor relationships and inspiring people to connect with causes that create real change.

In 2025, she was honoured with the Outstanding Fundraiser of the Year award at the Charity Excellence Awards. She holds qualifications in Event Management & Public Relations and Philanthropic Psychology.

At Saoirse, Zita leads our fundraising campaigns and initiatives, and oversees our philanthropic partnerships with our generous supporters. Her work transforms our supporters’ kindness into lasting impact for the families we serve.

Laura joined Saoirse in 2025 as Child and Youth Services Team Lead and is currently acting as Child and Youth Services Manager. She has spent the majority of her professional career working in child and family services, with extensive experience in grassroots and community-based projects supporting hard-to-reach and marginalised groups.

Laura has significant experience working alongside children and families with multiple and complex needs. Her work has included child welfare, intensive family support, parenting support, outreach, programme development and delivery, training, and mental health advocacy.

Laura holds a BA in Social and Community Development from Technological University Dublin and postgraduate qualifications in Children and Loss from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Principles and Theory of Art Therapy from the Children’s Therapy Centre, and Change Leadership from Technological University of the Shannon. She is currently undertaking a Professional Master’s in Systemic Psychotherapy with University College Dublin.

Laura joined the Saoirse team to support the growth and development of services for children, young people, and families who have experienced domestic violence. Her hope is that those impacted are supported to heal from past experiences and to build safer futures.

Joining Saoirse in 2024, Leanne has been working within the community sector for over 20 years.

She strives to understand client work from a grassroots perspective. She creates supports to implement change at policy and governing levels.

Leanne is a long-time advocate for those who have experienced gender-based violence and abuse.

Leanne holds a Higher Diploma in Community and Youth Work, Hons BA in Applied Social Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Community Development and Leadership and a Masters in Systemic Psychotherapy. 

Leanne uses a feminist approach to enhance and empower community participation. She specialises in Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s), trauma-informed practice and cultural competency and diversity.

With over 7 years of experience in the domestic violence sector, Sarah has dedicated her career to supporting families impacted by domestic violence and abuse.

Starting as a frontline worker, Sarah worked directly with victim survivors, providing advocacy, support, and practical assistance in a trauma-informed and survivor-led manner. 

Sarah oversees the day-to-day operations of Saoirse's refuges. She ensure that families receive the immediate care, refuge, and resources they need while maintaining a trauma-informed and survivor-led approach to all aspects of service delivery.

Lesley plays a central role in creating safe, supportive, and empowering environments for women and children escaping domestic violence and for the frontline staff who assist them.

She brings a strong foundation in frontline support and crisis intervention, working directly with clients and colleagues to ensure the highest standard of care.

Lesley has worked across various departments within Saoirse and served as training lead. With a QQI Level 6 distinction in Training Facilitation & Evaluation, she has delivered CPD-accredited training to An Garda Síochána, GSOC, DAA, SDCC, and community organisations. 

Lesley holds a first-class honours degree in Applied Social Care from TU Dublin. Her practice is grounded in Carl Rogers’ Person-Centered Theory
and shaped by a commitment to social justice, inclusion, and empowerment.

She represents Saoirse and survivor voices on both national and local platforms. She currently chairs the South Dublin County Public Participation
Network (PPN) Secretariat.

Lesley's passion for advocacy began as a teenager volunteering with Cheeverstown House, an experience that shaped her inclusive worldview. Today, Lesley continues to promote a more informed, compassionate, and responsive approach to domestic violence.

Since joining Saoirse in 2020, Rachael has progressed through a variety of frontline and leadership roles.

With a strong background in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, she brings deep expertise in supporting women and children in refuge settings. Her practice is grounded in person-centred, values-led support and shaped by a commitment to empowerment, dignity, and recovery. She is known for her calm and thoughtful approach, and for fostering a team culture rooted in collaboration and high-quality, client-focused care.

Rachael holds a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care and has completed specialist training in domestic abuse and coercive control. 

Rachael is passionate about creating meaningful outcomes for women and children accessing the service. She is also committed to reflective leadership that enables her team to deliver consistent, trauma-informed support that aligns with the core values of Saoirse: courage, empathy, empowerment, hope, and integrity.