Philanthropy Ireland: Board and Staff Updates

We’re pleased to share a number of recent updates from across the Philanthropy Ireland team, reflecting both new appointments and internal role developments.

We warmly welcome Sinéad Dalton, who has joined Philanthropy Ireland as Communications, Awareness and Strategy Lead, where she leads national communications and engagement initiatives supporting the National Policy on Philanthropy and strengthening collaboration between government, philanthropy and civil society. With over 20 years’ experience in media and digital communications, Sinéad has held production and programming roles with RTÉ, TV3, and Setanta Sports, and later founded the creative content agency Mashup Media, delivering public-interest campaigns across sustainability, health, education and community development. She previously worked with the Shine Media Programme, contributing to national efforts to improve how Irish media report on mental health and suicide. Sinead holds a Master’s degree in Sustainable Development from UCD and a Master’s in Film and Television Studies, bringing a strong blend of research, storytelling and systems-change perspectives to her work with the philanthropy sector. 

We’re also delighted to welcome two new members to the Board: Maurice McQuillan and Caroline McLaughlin.

Maurice was CEO of Lifes2Good Foundation from 2017 to 2025, helping to establish and shape the Foundation from its inception, leading its strategic development, and overseeing a transition to an environmental focus under its second strategic plan while continuing programmes supporting women and children. Prior to this, Maurice spent 14 years in the international development and humanitarian sector, serving as Global Security Manager with Catholic Relief Services and previously as Head of Humanitarian Programming with Trócaire, roles that involved extensive work in contexts including Haiti following the 2010 earthquake, as well as Syria, Somalia and Afghanistan, and delivering training at board and senior management level. Earlier in his career, he worked in Irish politics, spent a year in post-war Bosnia with the EU as a Political and Humanitarian Monitor, and served as an Irish Army officer with experience in border operations during the Troubles and UN peacekeeping missions in Lebanon, Somalia and Bosnia. Maurice enjoys all sports, particularly Irish rugby, and is, for his sins, a Leeds United soccer fan. 

Caroline is a social impact, philanthropy and partnerships executive with over 25 years’ experience building and leading networks, partnerships and collaborations to drive meaningful social change. She is the Founder of Heriot Row Advisors, supporting organisations, non-profits and philanthropic networks to unlock their potential through strong partnerships, network development and strategic collaboration. Until 2022, Caroline was Chief Partnerships Officer at AVPN, where she led global partnerships, grants and sponsorship strategies, significantly growing membership, revenue and impact across Asia. She brings deep experience across philanthropy, social investment, fundraising and governance, and currently serves as the Chair of Alliance Publishing Trust and is a trustee of the Risk Pool Alliance and Amala Education. Caroline has held senior leadership and board roles internationally, with a particular focus on gender equality, education, livelihoods and building effective, mission-aligned networks for impact.  

Alongside these appointments, we’re pleased to share two internal role updates. Hazel Hennessy has taken on the role of Head of Philanthropic Impact, leading our work on data, insight and impact across the membership, while Ana Reid is now Member Communications Project Lead, focusing on member engagement, content and communications projects.

Finally, we extend our sincere thanks to Alma Curran, Joe Quinsey and Darren Ryan for their dedication and service as they step down from the Board. We are very grateful for their leadership, insight and contribution to Philanthropy Ireland over many years.