Meet the Team

Aoife Kelly-Desmond is the CEO of Community Law & Mediation (CLM) an independent community law centre and charity, working since 1975 with communities impacted by disadvantage and inequality. Aoife previously worked as Managing Solicitor at Mercy Law Resource Centre and as a solicitor in A&L Goodbody and Matheson, where she advised commercial entities, in particular financial institutions, and public bodies on investigations, regulatory matters and complex litigation and disputes. Aoife is a member of the Law Society of Ireland, a graduate of University College Cork and has completed post-graduate programmes in law and business disciplines with Queen Mary, University of London, the Leicester Castle Business School, DeMontfort University of Leicester, and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research.

Deirdre Corcoran is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and has extensive financial, management, company secretarial and governance experience. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University College Dublin and a Masters in Accounting from the Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. She is also a graduate of the Institute of Directors Chartered Director programme. Deirdre worked as Financial Controller and Company Secretary for Kenmare Resources plc from 1999 to 2021. Prior to joining Kenmare, Deirdre worked with Concern Worldwide and with Deloitte.

John is a Tax Partner at Ogier Law Firm specialising in investment management, structured finance and aviation. He was previously a partner at Deloitte Ireland LLP.  John has participated in the committees of numerous industry bodies including Irish Funds and the Irish Debt Securities Association and is a member of the aviation industry body, ISTAT. He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, England and Wales, a Chartered Tax Adviser and have been awarded a MSc in Aviation Finance from University College Dublin’s Graduate Business School.

Oonagh Kelly is a Chief People Officer with over 25 years experience in Financial Services, Professional services and Education Technology. She is also an accredited Executive and Leadership Coach. Oonagh is a passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity and has designed and led award winning programmes that create more inclusive cultures in organisations. Oonagh is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, and has a Masters in European Studies and a BA in Human Resource Management.

Eleanor Flew is the Director of Fundraising and Communications with Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services; Harold’s Cross, Blackrock & Wicklow. Eleanor joined the Our Lady’s Hospice & Care Services team in December 2014 and is a graduate of NUI Maynooth and the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. Eleanor has previously worked for two not-for-profit organisations encompassing both domestic and overseas functions – Focus Ireland and UNICEF Ireland. Prior to the not-for-profit sector, Eleanor worked in advertising across a diverse range of industries including technology, FMCG, retail, telecom, and charity.

Charles Keane, is a graduate of University College Dublin with a Degree in Commerce and a post graduate Diploma in Development Studies. Most of his career has been in the Banking and Finance sphere specialising in the small business sector both in Ireland and overseas. He was previously Managing Director of ICC Consulting where he managed numerous projects on behalf of various international development agencies primarily in developing countries. Most of his international experience has been gained in Africa and Asia. He presently works in Dublin as an independent consultant to the SME sector.

Tara Bedi is an Assistant Professor in Development Practice in the Department of Geography at Trinity College Dublin. Prior to this she was a research fellow, a Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher (CAROLINE) and Irish Research Council PhD student in development economics at Trinity College Dublin. She also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration in International Development from the Harvard Kennedy School. She focuses on the evaluation of large-scale field projects on gender empowerment and poverty reduction. She is conducting research in Ethiopia, India, Malawi, Mauritania, Kenya and Ireland. Tara has worked in local and international NGOs on development, as well as international organisations and with refugee settlement in the US. She grew up in rural India around her parent’s work on rights and development.

Jessica Feary is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ireland and has worked in finance roles for the past 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Business – Accounting from the Technological University Dublin. She was appointed as a director in KPMG’s audit practice in 2021, previously working as manager and then senior manager and works there to date. She has been with KPMG since 2012. During this period, she has gained significant experience working with a large number of financial institutions and service organisations in asset management. Prior to joining KPMG, Jessica has also worked in various finance positions across retail and pharmaceutical entities.

Mr. David O’Leary helps companies, governments & profit for purpose organisations to drive and sustain strategic innovation, digitalisation and excellence. He built his own advertising agency before exiting in a sale to a global marketing agency. He manages the world’s largest mass participation sports event for women; The Women’s Mini Marathon. David joined the Board of Plan International Ireland in September 2021. He has been on our Marketing & Fundraising Committee since early 2020. David holds an MBA from the UCD Smurfit School. He is a graduate of The Institute of Directors Chartered Director programme. David is active in his local community with Faughs GAA Club & St. Agnes’ Credit Union. He competes in masters athletics with Dundrum South Dublin Athletics Club.

Patrick Scott has over 25 years leadership experience in executing strategy and managing business operations, including 15 years at IBM for clients in IT, Telco & Financial Services across Ireland, Europe and the US. He has over 10 years of board governance service for non-profit institutions in education and children’s welfare, in Mexico, Ethiopia and Ireland. He holds an International Executive MBA from Instituto de Empresa, Madrid, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Trinity College Dublin and is a graduate of the Chartered Director programme of the Institue of Directors in Ireland.

She is an Erasmus Mundus MA in Women’s and Gender Studies (GEMMA) student in the Central European University in Vienna and the Universidad de Granada and a BA European Studies graduate of Trinity College Dublin. Mairéad has been a board director since April 2023 and is also a member of the Programmes Subcommittee. She has been a member of the Plan International Ireland Youth Advisory Panel (YAP) since January 2021.

Sinead Duffy is a public affairs, sustainability and communications specialist with over 25 years experience in the corporate sector. She is former Director of Global Public Affairs and Sustainability at Bayer and she currently works with purpose-driven organisations to support sustainable development. She is a Board Member of Energy Cloud, supporting people in energy poverty, a member of Business Fights Poverty’s Global Expert Network and a Member of European Women on Boards. She has an educational background in psychology (UCD and communications (DCU) as well as further education in Sustainability (Cambridge University) and Corporate Governance (Columbia University).