Our People

Patricia has over 30 years’ experience in the public service and not for profit sector. Most recently as CEO of the Adoption Authority of Ireland for 9 years , previously Patricia was Director of Services for St Vincent De Paul charity for 13 years. She is a founding board member of Outhouse. Patricia has worked with many not-for-profit organisations both as a volunteer and in senior staff roles since the 1990’s. She currently is Chairperson of Loreto College Crumlin Board of Management.

Sinead is a Chartered Accountant and has extensive financial experience across various industries. She has previous board experience as a member of the Board of a private limited company.  As a former secondary school teacher, youth basketball coach, and a mother of two young boys she has a particular interest in young people and LGBTQ+ rights.

Aisling is the proud mother of two teenagers, and stepmother of three young adults. She is an LGBTQI parent-ally. As a Board Member of Belong To, Aisling strives to ensure that the services best reflect and support the needs of LGBTQ+ young people across Ireland. She is a qualified Solicitor and Senior Counsel, currently appointed as a Dublin District Coroner. She previously practiced as a Solicitor for over 25 years, and was a Senior Partner in the Dublin office of a global law firm.

Valerie is Principal of Holy Child Community School, a post-primary school in Sallynoggin. Valerie is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students. Over the past five years, Valerie and her team have created a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ students. Previously, Valerie worked with the National Behaviour Support Service as Assistant National Coordinator, working with schools around Ireland to promote and support a culture of positive behaviour.

Dermot has over 25 years of experience working in key advisory roles with political and campaigning organisations. Dermot returned to Ireland in 2017 after seven years in Australia, where he served as Head of External Affairs with Amnesty International and as Chief of Staff with the Transport Workers’ Union. As Principal of Dermot Ryan Advisory, Dermot now offers a range of services to organisations, helping them to implement their vision. In 2022, Dermot was appointed Chair of the Board of the award-winning agency Alice Public Relations.

Ciarán is a Senior Policy and Public Affairs Advisor with the National Disability Authority. A qualified barrister, he has over 12 years human rights experience at both the domestic and international levels. This includes legal and policy roles with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, Free Legal Advice Centres and Permanent Missions of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva and New York. A gay man, Ciarán has worked to advance LGBTIQ+ rights across different fora, including the UN Human Rights Council, and was a longstanding volunteer with the National LGBT Helpline.

With 16 years of experience in advertising and youth communications, Kieran brings expertise in helping organisations connect with youth audiences, aligning with Belong To’s mission to support LGBTQ+ young people. A member of the LGBTQ+ community, Kieran canvassed with Yes Equality for the marriage referendum, Together for Yes to support Repeal and has volunteered with Belong To since 2019. Kieran was a member of the RTÉ Audience Council for four years leading a sub-committee with a specific remit of youth services and programming.

Simon Finnegan has over 30 years of experience working and volunteering in the community and voluntary sector and is the current Finance Manager and Company Secretary with Exchange House Ireland National Travellers Service. He has served on multiple boards and committees, including as treasurer for National Traveller MABS. A proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, Simon is a dedicated advocate for the community and has held leadership roles in several LGBTQ+ organisations, including Glória, Dublin’s LGBT+ Choir, the Emerald Warriors RFC and Greenbow Deaf LGBT Ireland. In his spare time, he likes to watch rugby and knit (sometimes at the same time).