Management Team
John Moffett
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
John was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Misean Cara in April 2020. He has worked in international development for over 25 years most recently as CEO of TREE AID, where he developed and led a 5 year strategy delivering organisational growth and deepening impact. John was previously Programme Director with Self Help Africa where he led the implementation of programme strategy targeting smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. John brings a strong track record in leading geographically dispersed teams to design and implement impactful programmes and growing institutional funding.
Séamus O'Leary
Project Funding Manager
Séamus has been involved in overseas development for many years. He previously worked in Romania and Albania with a Wexford-based charity providing support to Missionaries of Charity care centres in Eastern Europe. Séamus spent three years with the Columban Lay Mission Programme in Lahore, Pakistan. He has worked on programmes in India and the Philippines with Trócaire as Asia Programme Officer and the Integration Centre on cultural diversity in Ireland. Seamus has a Diploma in Development Studies from Kimmage DSC, a Master’s Degree in Rural Development from UCD and a Degree in Non-Profit Sector Management through the Open Training College. He is married to Geraldine and they have four children.
Anne Carthy
Donor Partner & Communications Manager
Anne recently returned to live in Dublin following a number of years working in International Development outside Ireland. She manages a new initiative to diversify and improve Misean Cara’s global donor engagement, funding and communications. Previously Anne spent six years working in Africa, Europe and the US, engaging new support and raising funds for the faith-based network Solidarity with South Sudan, which focuses on capacity and infrastructure development in education and health services. Anne has a background in law, corporate finance and multi-national business development. When not travelling for work, Anne enjoys the visual arts and spending time with family.
Marie Therese Fanning
Office & HR Manager
Marie Therese is the Office and HR Manager at Misean Cara. She has worked for over ten years in NGOs in Ireland and overseas, including UNHCR in Geneva and Trocaire in Rwanda. Marie Therese was part of the Executive Management team at Comhlámh where her work involved both programme and team management. She has also run her own coaching and debriefing service. Marie Therese holds a Masters in Management and Organisation Systems specialising in change management from UCD, a BA (Hons) in Business Studies, a Diploma in Personnel Management and Certificate in Psychological Testing.
Eamon O'Connor
Financial Controller
Eamon joined Misean Cara as Financial Controller in October 2017. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (A.C.M.A.) and holds an MBA from the Open University. He has over 25 years’ experience in Financial Controller roles across a range of sectors, including FMCG, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical and Construction industries where he worked in organisations ranging in size from large multi-nationals to small & medium local enterprises. He has worked more recently in the Public Sector with Teagasc where he was Interim Financial Operations Manager with responsibility for the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Fixed Assets functions amongst others. Eamon provides financial expertise in the effective management of Misean Cara’s resources under the direction of the CEO and the Board of Directors.
Seamus Collins
Learning & Development Manager
Seamus joined the Misean Cara team in March 2017. He holds a Master’s Degree in Development Studies, and has been working in the international development arena since 1987. He has lived and worked in Sudan, Lesotho and Mozambique. Prior to coming to Misean Cara, Seamus spent 17 years with the Irish agency Trócaire. In Misean Cara, as part of the Learning and Development team, he has produced a series of Learning Briefs based on Misean Cara project evaluations. Other responsibilities include managing project evaluations and making monitoring visits to Misean Cara projects.
Jennifer Donovan
Donor Engagement Manager
Jennifer Donovan recently joined the Misean Cara Team as interim Donor Engagement Manager. She has worked in the non-profit fundraising sector for almost 20 years, with over 10 years’ experience at a senior executive level and as a fundraising consultant for 5 years. Some of her previous posts included fundraising for Dublin Simon Community, Coolmine Therapeutic Community, The Model Arts Gallery, Suas Educational Development and Aiséirí. Her work includes all aspects of fundraising with a strong focus on strategic development through relationship building. Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management for the Community and Public Sector and guest lectures on Fundraising and Philanthropy. When not working Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family in the West of Ireland where she lives.
Safeguarding
Valerie Philpott
Safeguarding Advisor
Valerie is a qualified Social Worker and holds membership with the Social Work Registration Board of Ireland (CORU). She has extensive experience working with many marginalised groups within the non-profit and statutory sectors. Valerie is passionate about child welfare and children’s rights. Prior to taking up the position of Safeguarding Advisor here at Misean Cara, she spent 6 years in Australia working in Child Protection. She has also worked as a Social Worker in Ireland in the area of fostering. Valerie has qualifications in Anthropology and Social Policy and she holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from University College Cork.
Project Funding Team
Séamus O'Leary
Project Funding Manager
Séamus has been involved in overseas development for many years. He previously worked in Romania and Albania with a Wexford-based charity providing support to Missionaries of Charity care centres in Eastern Europe. Séamus spent three years with the Columban Lay Mission Programme in Lahore, Pakistan. He has worked on programmes in India and the Philippines with Trócaire as Asia Programme Officer and the Integration Centre on cultural diversity in Ireland. Seamus has a Diploma in Development Studies from Kimmage DSC, a Master’s Degree in Rural Development from UCD and a Degree in Non-Profit Sector Management through the Open Training College. He is married to Geraldine and they have four children.
Anthony Hannon
Senior Project Officer
Anthony’s focus is on education. Since 2006, he has supported and accompanied many member missionary organisations across Africa, Asia and Latin America. He has a strong interest in participatory education development practices. His previous experience includes volunteering as an Agricultural Supervisor for a project run by the Medical Missionaries of Mary in Malawi. Anthony has accompanied missionaries and monitored projects extensively throughout Africa and Asia. He has also conducted training workshops in Brazil, Uganda, Ghana, Cameroon and South Africa. Anthony completed his Masters in Development Studies at Kimmage Development Studies Centre in 2016, and has a post graduate diploma in Anthropology and Development from NUI Maynooth.
Eamonn Casey
Project Officer - Human Rights & Policy
Eamonn is Project Officer for Human Rights. He supports member organisations, assesses funding applications, liaises with Development Mentors, and takes part in monitoring field visits.
Don Lucey
Project Officer - Livelihoods
Don’s focus is on Income generation activities and livelihoods (jobs) projects. Don is also involved in the members’ Sector Interest Groups. He supports member organisations by assessing funding applications, liaising with Development Mentors, and taking part in monitoring field visits. Don has a Degree in Civil Engineering from Dublin Institute of Technology and a Master’s Degree in Charity Management from Dublin College University (DCU). After completing his Master’s Degree Don started the Carmichael Centre Ethiopia to build capacity of local charities in Ethiopia.
Mary O'Connell
Project Officer - Member Capacity Development
Mary joined Misean Cara in April 2017 to manage the Members Capacity Development scheme. Mary has a BSc (Hons) in Science, Technology and Society from Middlesex University that included a year with the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Zimbabwe undertaking research on capacity development within the function of District Medical Officers. Mary has since worked in international development for over twenty years including eight years as the Policy Officer for Capacity Development in the advocacy team at WaterAid in the UK. She has travelled extensively in Africa and South Asia. Mary returned home from London in 2012 keenly interested to bring her skills and experience to the development sector and now to Misean Cara.
Niamh Caffrey
Project Officer - Health
Niamh’s focus is on Misean Cara Health projects across the world, in which she supports members to access funding opportunities, monitors the progression of projects, evaluates completed projects and takes part in monitoring field visits. Niamh has lived and worked in Kolkata, India for approximately four years. In India, she worked with The Hope Foundation, an organisation focused on providing emergency care, healthcare, education and protection to vulnerable children and communities living in Kolkata’s streets and slum areas. Niamh has a Degree in International Development and Food Policy from University College Cork and a Master’s Degree in Nutrition for Global Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Learning & Development Team
Seamus Collins
Learning & Development Manager
Seamus joined the Misean Cara team in March 2017. He holds a Master’s Degree in Development Studies, and has been working in the international development arena since 1987. He has lived and worked in Sudan, Lesotho and Mozambique. Prior to coming to Misean Cara, Seamus spent 17 years with the Irish agency Trócaire. In Misean Cara, as part of the Learning and Development team, he has produced a series of Learning Briefs based on Misean Cara project evaluations. Other responsibilities include managing project evaluations and making monitoring visits to Misean Cara projects.
Colette Nkunda
Learning & Development Officer
Colette works to develop the skills and capacities of members. Born in Rwanda, Colette has an Economics/Accounting Degree from the Rwandan National University and a Master’s Degree in Social Science from the Free University of Brussels. Colette previously worked at the World Bank in Kigali where she was responsible for the co-ordination of aid. In 1994, Colette moved to Ireland. She worked at Trócaire for a number of years and then at the Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, designing programmes for communities in conflict. Colette is Vice-Chair of the Dóchas HIV and AIDS working group. In 2016, Colette was recognised as the Dóchas Global Citizen of the Year for her contribution to international development.
Jenny Ackermann
Learning & Development Officer
Hailing from Germany, Jenny joined Misean Cara as Learning and Development Officer after having worked in West Africa, North and South America. She holds a MA in International Relations from DCU and a MA in Conference Interpreting from Leipzig University (Germany). In her free-time, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking and travelling. .
Seán Ferry
Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer
Seán Ferry is the Monitoring and Results Measurement Officer in Misean Cara, contributing to the improvement and implementation of the organisation’s monitoring and evaluations policy, designing the organisational results framework, and conducting data analysis across project-related reports. Seán has been working in the not for profit sector for 5 years, mainly in a project coordination, impact assessment, and research design capacity, and has over a decade of volunteering experience in Ireland and abroad. Seán holds a M.Sc in International Development from University College Dublin, and is also a registered PRINCE2 Practitioner in Project Management.
Development Mentors
Michael Osei Nkumrah
Development Mentor, West Africa
Michael is bilingual (English and French), a trainer consultant by profession and has worked with several development organisations including MDF Training and Consultancy West Africa. Michael’s thematic areas include results based management, project management, monitoring, evaluation and learning and institutional development and organizational strengthening. As Misean Cara Mentor for West Africa, Michael works with member organisations at project level, helping project plan, implement and reflect on their development projects and outcomes. He also intervenes in reporting and member capacity development through 2 – 3 day training programs and on-the-job mentoring/coaching. Michael is originally trained in business having completed an MBA program, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics and Business Administration and several post graduate diplomas in development studies.
Paul Njeru Gichuki
Development Mentor, Eastern Africa
Paul joined Misean Cara in May 2014, as Eastern Africa Development Mentor. He develops the capacity (Institutional, Organisation and Human Resource) of Misean Cara member organisations and their local partners in enhancing quality of planning, monitoring, learning and reinforcing sustainability. Paul accompanies project personnel in their journey of transforming the lives of communities through greater project cycle management understanding and development of skills. Paul has a Master’s Degree in Governance and Development from the Institute of Development Studies (Sussex) and has been working in international development since 1997. Prior to Misean Cara, Paul spent 8 years with the Irish agency Trócaire, as East Africa Programme Officer. He is particularly interested in Human Rights, citizen participation and governance.
Finbar O'Brien
Development Mentor, Southern Africa
Finbar joined Misean Cara in August 2020. He accompanies project personnel in the Southern Africa region to develop their capacity in project cycle management, results-based management, and to assist in organizational strengthening. He also facilitates reflection and learning within and between projects.
Finbar has worked in West, Central, East and Southern Africa with civil society, bilateral and multilateral organisations. He holds Master’s Degrees in International Development from University College Cork and Development Management from Open University. Much of his career was spent with the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs where he was a senior manager with Irish Aid and he also served as Irish Ambassador to Zambia and Uganda.
Patricia Ynoñan Garcia
Development Mentor, Latin America
Patricia is bilingual (Spanish and English) and has worked with several development organisations including CARE Peru, World Vision and Instituto Salud y Trabajo. Patricia’s thematic areas include results based management, project management, monitoring, evaluation and learning and institutional development and organisational strengthening. As Misean Cara Mentor for Latin America, Patricia works with member organisations at project level, helping project plan, implement and reflect on their development projects and outcomes. She also supports in reporting and member capacity development through 2 – 3 day training programs and on-the-job mentoring/coaching. Patricia has a bachelors degree in sociology, masters degree in social management and diploma in gender studies. In her spare time, Patricia is a foodie who loves to visit new restaurants and read books.
Finance Team
Eamon O'Connor
Financial Controller
Eamon joined Misean Cara as Financial Controller in October 2017. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (A.C.M.A.) and holds an MBA from the Open University. He has over 25 years’ experience in Financial Controller roles across a range of sectors, including FMCG, Medical Devices, Pharmaceutical and Construction industries where he worked in organisations ranging in size from large multi-nationals to small & medium local enterprises. He has worked more recently in the Public Sector with Teagasc where he was Interim Financial Operations Manager with responsibility for the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll and Fixed Assets functions amongst others. Eamon provides financial expertise in the effective management of Misean Cara’s resources under the direction of the CEO and the Board of Directors.
Seth Wheeler
IT Development and Data Analytics Officer
Seth supports the various teams and members in Misean Cara; helping to manage and develop the funding application system and database (MissionLinks). Seth has worked in administration for a number of years, and also the charity sector; previously working in brain injury rehabilitation, and has a Masters in Development from Dublin City University. From England, Seth returns to his home country regularly to walk trails and hills.
Annamalai Meenakshisundaram
Finance Officer
Annamalai comes to Misean Cara with more than 20 years’ experience as a Senior Financial Accountant, with extensive experience in Charity SOPR (Statement of Recommended Practice, for preparing annual accounts and financial statements), accounting systems, account management, payroll preparation and reconciliations. His professional experience includes roles serving as a Senior Accountant for Divine Word Missionaries in Dublin, International Finance Officer at the Irish Red Cross and Managing Director for Integra Accounting & Outsourcing Limited in Maynooth.
Annamalai holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (with a specialisation in Accounting) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications, both from the University of Madras in India.
He is a Fellow Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants – ACCA and recently served as a volunteer Executive Council member with the Association of Bursars of Religious Institutions (ABRI) in Ireland. Annamalai joined Misean Cara in June 2021.
Donor Engagement & Communications Team
Anne Carthy
Donor Partner & Communications Manager
Anne recently returned to live in Dublin following a number of years working in International Development outside Ireland. She manages a new initiative to diversify and improve Misean Cara’s global donor engagement, funding and communications. Previously Anne spent six years working in Africa, Europe and the US, engaging new support and raising funds for the faith-based network Solidarity with South Sudan, which focuses on capacity and infrastructure development in education and health services. Anne has a background in law, corporate finance and multi-national business development. When not travelling for work, Anne enjoys the visual arts and spending time with family.
Clare Matthias
Marketing and Communications Officer
Originally from the United States, Clare’s 20-year career in communications and marketing has spanned sectors such as global affairs programming, biomedical and consumer product manufacturing, branding & design, and the contemporary arts, and has included roles at the American Red Cross and the World Affairs Council of Oregon. Her professional background includes an extensive business communications portfolio and credentials and experience in digital marketing, public relations, and project management. She has also worked as a freelance journalist and copy-editor. Clare holds a Master's Degree in the History of Art and Professional Certificates in Project Management and Digital Marketing, and is a member of the Marketing Institute of Ireland. She joined Misean Cara in 2020.
Jennifer Donovan
Donor Engagement Manager
Jennifer Donovan recently joined the Misean Cara Team as interim Donor Engagement Manager. She has worked in the non-profit fundraising sector for almost 20 years, with over 10 years’ experience at a senior executive level and as a fundraising consultant for 5 years. Some of her previous posts included fundraising for Dublin Simon Community, Coolmine Therapeutic Community, The Model Arts Gallery, Suas Educational Development and Aiséirí. Her work includes all aspects of fundraising with a strong focus on strategic development through relationship building. Jennifer holds a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management for the Community and Public Sector and guest lectures on Fundraising and Philanthropy. When not working Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family in the West of Ireland where she lives.
Admin Team
Marie Therese Fanning
Office & HR Manager
Marie Therese is the Office and HR Manager at Misean Cara. She has worked for over ten years in NGOs in Ireland and overseas, including UNHCR in Geneva and Trocaire in Rwanda. Marie Therese was part of the Executive Management team at Comhlámh where her work involved both programme and team management. She has also run her own coaching and debriefing service. Marie Therese holds a Masters in Management and Organisation Systems specialising in change management from UCD, a BA (Hons) in Business Studies, a Diploma in Personnel Management and Certificate in Psychological Testing.
Ciara Bevan
Administrator
As part of the Admin team Ciara works closely with our members on MissionLinks, our IT system. She provides support to the other teams within Misean Cara, particularly in the areas of event management, health and safety, in-house training, accounts and general administration and IT. With qualifications in Marketing, Administrative Management and Accounting, Ciara’s career has primarily been in the private sector, in particular spending a number of years with both IBM and CIPD. Ciara loves to travel and getting to know a bit about other cultures and ways of life. She has wide tastes in music, theatre and cinema, and is a big sports fan.
Meaghan Higgins-Coyne
Admin Assistant
As part of the Admin team Meaghan works closely with our members in a variety of ways; in person, over the phone and through MissionLinks, our IT system. She provides support to the other teams within Misean Cara. She is currently a final year undergrad student in Trinity College studying Catholic Theology. Through a number of other administrative jobs she has extensive experience in member engagement, event management, and health and safety. Meaghan is an intrepid traveller, an avid film and book lover and has a varied taste and love for music and art.