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Our Board members comprise of a wide range of backgrounds and expertise that bring a wealth of knowledge and passion for making a difference in the lives of persons supported by Avista.

The Avista Board delegates day-to-day management of the organisation to the CEO, who is supported by the Executive team.

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The Executive Team

Lorraine Macken

CEO
As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avista, Lorraine reports directly to, and is accountable to,...

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Theresa O’ Loughlin

Dublin ACEO
As the Assistant CEO, Theresa is responsible for overall governance, budgets, and management of operations...

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Breda Noonan

ACEO Limerick and North Tipperary
As the Assistant CEO, Breda is responsible for overall governance, budgets, and management of operations...

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Debbie Bryne

Director of HR
Description: In the role of the Human Resource (HR) Director, Debbie oversees the HR functions...

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Stephanie Kilrane

Director of Quality, Risk and Safety
Stephanie Kilrane, the Director of Quality, Risk and Safety ensures that a robust quality, risk...

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Sarah Jane Dillon

Director of Governance, Strategy, and Planning
As the Director of Governance, Strategy and Planning Sarah Jane leads and co-ordinates governance, strategy,...

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Lisa Lavelle

Director of Nursing
The role of the Director of Nursing is to provide strategic leadership in the delivery...

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Derek Tallant

Director of Property Estates and Technical Services
The Director of Property Estates & Technical Services (PETS) is Derek Tallant. In this role...

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Catherine Meade

Director of Finance
As the Director of Finance, Catherine is responsible for the management of all financial matters,...

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Dr. Niamh Mulryan

Clinical Director
As the Clinical Director (Dublin), Niamh provides a link to the Executive Team on clinical...

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Lorraine Macken

CEO

As Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Avista, Lorraine reports directly to, and is accountable to, the Board of Directors and is responsible for the overall management of the organisation. She provides effective direction, leadership and strategic vision, and is responsible for ensuring effective governance structures are in place and operational across the organisation. Lorraine is responsible for leading the development and execution of short and long-term strategies of the organisation. She ensures sound and efficient financial management and accountability for public funds. The role holds overall responsibility to ensure supports and services provided by Avista are impactful for individuals, and are consistent with the overall vision, mission, values and strategy of the organisation. In carrying out their role. Lorraine works closely with the Executive and all internal and external stakeholders of the organisation.

Theresa O’ Loughlin

Dublin ACEO

As the Assistant CEO, Theresa is responsible for overall governance, budgets, and management of operations and service delivery in the Dublin service area. She is tasked with sustaining close working relationships and negotiating with the HSE and other stakeholders such as local authorities, regulators, families, and Individuals we support. She is responsible for driving change, sharing vision and strategy, and ensuring that deliverables/key performance indicators are achieved. She has responsibility and oversight of day-to-day operations and management of services, and acts as advocate and conduit between Service Managers and Heads of Department to the HSE, the Executive Team and the CEO.

Breda Noonan

ACEO Limerick and North Tipperary

As the Assistant CEO, Breda is responsible for overall governance, budgets, and management of operations and service delivery in the Limerick and North Tipperary service area. She is tasked with sustaining close working relationships and negotiating with the HSE and other stakeholders such as local authorities, regulators, families, and Individuals we support. She is responsible for driving change, sharing vision and strategy, and ensuring that deliverables/key performance indicators are achieved. She has responsibility and oversight of day-to-day operations and management of services, and acts as advocate and conduit between Service Managers and Heads of Department to the HSE, the Executive Team and the CEO.

Debbie Bryne

Director of HR

Description: In the role of the Human Resource (HR) Director, Debbie oversees the HR functions for the Dublin, North Tipperary/Offaly and Limerick services, which collectively represents over 2,000 staff. Debbie manages the recruitment and retention for the organisation ensuring that its objectives link to the overall Avista strategy and values. She also protects the organisation from an employment law perspective and deals with external stakeholders such as unions and the HSE to manage staffing issues that encompass the lifecycle of the employee.

Stephanie Kilrane

Director of Quality, Risk and Safety

Stephanie Kilrane, the Director of Quality, Risk and Safety ensures that a robust quality, risk and safety management framework is in place across the organisation, with associated structures and processes to ensure that best practice is embedded at all areas of the organisation and relevant regulatory requirements are met. With the support of the Quality and Risk Officers and key support staff in each region, she provides operational and strategic support in the areas of regulatory compliance, risk management, incident management, health and safety, policy governance and development, training and education, supported person engagement and management of feedback. She seeks to drive a culture of person-centeredness and continuous improvement at all levels of the organisation and is also the key point of contact in the management of claims for the organisation.

Sarah Jane Dillon

Director of Governance, Strategy, and Planning

As the Director of Governance, Strategy and Planning Sarah Jane leads and co-ordinates governance, strategy, and planning in consultation with the CEO, Board, Executive Team and senior managers across the organisation to ensure the organisation operates under an active corporate governance and compliance framework in line with best practice. She assists the CEO in implementing strategy through operationalisation of plans and future developments, including identifying external funding streams for service development. Sarah Jane has operational responsibility for governance of procurement, GDPR, FOI, Communications and Volunteer Strategy.

Lisa Lavelle

Director of Nursing

The role of the Director of Nursing is to provide strategic leadership in the delivery of a safe and quality service and the overall management of the Nursing Department, and is held by Lisa Lavelle. Her role includes setting objectives and goals for the department and ensuring the delivery of evidence-based practice, guidance, policies, and legislative provisions. She provides oversight in all aspects of nursing and nursing led operations across the Service including Social Care Worker and Health Care Assistant.

Derek Tallant

Director of Property Estates and Technical Services

The Director of Property Estates & Technical Services (PETS) is Derek Tallant. In this role he has responsibility for the maintenance management (in-house and contractors), facility planning; costing and planning and managing developments. Derek oversees the purchase and sale of buildings and properties, the health and safety of building and services (electrical, mechanical) related items.

Additionally, he has oversight of IT services (capital, infrastructure, staffing and contractors) and phone services, managing estates, civil infrastructure, grounds and boundaries. In his role Derek also manages compliance with planning and building regulations, while managing environmental issues e.g., energy efficiency, water quality, and waste management. The role also contains the duties of Fire Safety Officer.

Catherine Meade

Director of Finance

As the Director of Finance, Catherine is responsible for the management of all financial matters, providing financial help and support as necessary to all budget managers. She provides direction and leadership to the finance team, oversees the accounts payable process, and oversees implementation of all finance process and procedures.

Dr. Niamh Mulryan

Clinical Director

As the Clinical Director (Dublin), Niamh provides a link to the Executive Team on clinical issues; she supports best clinical practice and promoting the development of clinical services. She also liaises on clinical issues with the HSE. In addition to this executive role, the role includes governance of other functions including Head of Department, Head of the MHID team and a clinical caseload. Additional responsibilities include teaching, supervision, and research roles.

Board of Directors

Mr. John O’Quigley - Chair

Professional Background: Financial
Key Appointments held: Trained as a Chartered Accountant and spent his career in one of...

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Mrs. Sally Byrne

Professional Background: Business/ Financial
Key Appointments held: Trained as Chartered Accountant in Pricewaterhouse. Financial Controller, Kelkin Limited, Health Food...

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Mr. Noel Kidney

Professional Background: Architecture and Urban Design
Practised in Burke Kennedy-Doyle & Partners, becoming Joint Managing Director for 15 years until 2009....

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Ms. Sile Parsons

Professional Background: Business / Office Management
Sile is the mother of two children with special needs who are supported by the...

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Mary Kealy

Professional Background: Disability Services
Mary Kealy is the former CEO of Brothers of Charity, Clare. She has become an...

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Fiona Cormican

Professional Background: Social Housing
Fiona has been involved in social and affordable housing delivery in Ireland since 2000. She...

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Rachel Costello

Professional Background: Media Sector
Rachel has worked in the national and international advertising and media sector in Ireland and...

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Mr. John O’Quigley - Chair

Professional Background: Financial

Key Appointments held: Trained as a Chartered Accountant and spent his career in one of the major international accountancy firms. Director of 3 companies operating in the financial services sector and serves on a stakeholders group of the European pensions authority (EIOPA). Joined the Board in 2016.

Mrs. Sally Byrne

Professional Background: Business/ Financial

Key Appointments held: Trained as Chartered Accountant in Pricewaterhouse. Financial Controller, Kelkin Limited, Health Food company 1989-2003 Financial Controller, Oppermann Associates Limited, Architects, 2003-2010. Joined the Finance Office of the Provincialate of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul in 2010. Joined the Board in 2014.

Mr. Noel Kidney

Professional Background: Architecture and Urban Design

Practised in Burke Kennedy-Doyle & Partners, becoming Joint Managing Director for 15 years until 2009. Member of RESPECT Fundraising Board since 2001. Joined the Board in 2014.

Ms. Sile Parsons

Professional Background: Business / Office Management

Sile is the mother of two children with special needs who are supported by the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Services. In 2018 she established a campaign “Autism School Dublin 15” and as spokesperson successfully lobbied the Department of Education & Skills to open the first special school sanctioned by the Department of Education in over 15 years. Joined the Board in 2020.

Mary Kealy

Professional Background: Disability Services

Mary Kealy is the former CEO of Brothers of Charity, Clare. She has become an internationally known resource for her leadership in changing the structures, services, and attitudes of a long established organisation to a best practice agency focused on inclusion and interdependence for people with disabilities.

Fiona Cormican

Professional Background: Social Housing

Fiona has been involved in social and affordable housing delivery in Ireland since 2000. She served as CEO of Tógáil Developments, a not-for-profit development and construction company, and held positions as Chief Commercial Officer and Acting CEO of Clúid Housing before starting her own business in 2023. Currently, she is the Managing Director of FionCor Consulting Ltd, supporting the Approved Housing Body sector. Fiona holds a Chartered Director accreditation and a Master's in Project Management with a PMP accreditation.

Rachel Costello

Professional Background: Media Sector

Rachel has worked in the national and international advertising and media sector in Ireland and Europe for the last 15 years. Rachel is head of Media Solutions at the Irish Times.