Management Team
Heydi Foster-Breslin
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Heydi joined Misean Cara in March of 2014. Heydi has extensive experience in advocating for human rights and providing social services to minority groups in Central and South America and Africa. While living in Boston, Massachusetts, she co-founded a school to address educational disadvantage among Latino and African-American children, and set up a project to address the health needs of sex workers in Central American countries and Brazil. She was also Chief Executive of Women United in Action, a non-profit which supports refugees and migrant women and children in Boston.
Séamus O’Gorman
Head of Funding & Deputy CEO
As Head of Funding, Seamus manages Misean Cara’s funding support to members in the sectors of education, health, livelihoods and human rights and leads a team of five Project Officers and Safeguarding Person. Previously, Séamus was a member of the Jesuit order for 19 years, and managed a number of Jesuit initiatives. These included the establishment of an international network for debt relief and development (JDRAD/IJND), poverty focused policy research at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, the development of young adult faith and justice projects (Slí Eile), and social volunteering in Africa and South America.
Séamus O’Leary
Learning and Development 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 Engagement & 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.
Sector Team
Séamus O’Gorman
Head of Funding & Deputy CEO
As Head of Funding, Seamus manages Misean Cara’s funding support to members in the sectors of education, health, livelihoods and human rights and leads a team of five Project Officers and Safeguarding Person. Previously, Séamus was a member of the Jesuit order for 19 years, and managed a number of Jesuit initiatives. These included the establishment of an international network for debt relief and development (JDRAD/IJND), poverty focused policy research at the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice, the development of young adult faith and justice projects (Slí Eile), and social volunteering in Africa and South America.
Anthony Hannon
Senior Project Officer - Education
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.
Sinead Murray
Project Officer - Health
Sinead’s role as Health Officer is to accompany Misean Cara members with the creation and submission of health project proposals and reports and to review the proposals and reports as they are submitted. Sinead also works alongside Misean Cara’s mentors who are located overseas and takes part in monitoring visits of the health projects funded by Misean Cara. Sinead has a BSc in General Nursing from the University College Dublin (UCD) and an MSc in Development Practice from UCD and Trinity College Dublin (TCD).
Mary O'Connell
Project Officer - Capacity
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.
Zélie Mc Grath
Project Officer - Capacity
As well as supporting the member organisations and assessing project applications Zélie has taken part in monitoring visits to South Africa, India and Ethiopia as well as training visits to Nigeria and Ghana. She is interested in Human Rights with a specific focus on Disability, and has set up the Misean Cara Disability and Development Mailing Group to promote learning and networking among our member organisations.
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.
Learning & Development Team
Séamus O’Leary
Learning and Development 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.
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.
Harry Shier
Learning & Development Officer
Harry provides training, support and access to information for Misean Cara members, as well as monitoring and evaluating projects in the field, and conducting related research. During the 1990s he worked on children’s participation rights, developing the “Article 31 Children’s Consultancy Scheme”, enabling children to act as consultants to the management of cultural institutions. His 2001 paper “Pathways to Participation”, introduced a tool for analysing children’s participation in decision-making. Harry has worked in Nicaragua with local community education organisation CESESMA and was awarded a PhD at Queen’s University Belfast for his study on Nicaraguan children’s perceptions of human rights in school. He is a member of UNICEF’s International Expert Group on Adolescent Participation.
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.
Christian Guzman
Development Mentor, Latin America
Christian is originally from the “little north” of Peru and works now from Loma, Peru. He has worked with a number of national and international development organisations, including one he set up himself called “Aliados – Men for Gender Equality”. Much of his work in recent years has focused on addressing gender-based violence, and he has conducted research and published articles and reports on this issue within Peru and Latin America. Christian holds a Master’s Degree in Development from the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies and is a qualified clinical-social psychologist, having graduated from Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal.
Andrea Cortemiglia
Development Mentor, Southern Africa
Andrea has a wealth of experience ranging from hands-on work in grassroots projects to management positions in international NGOs and government agencies. He holds a Degree of Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. Born and raised in Italy, Andrea spent 8 years in the private sector before starting his development career in 2002 working for the UN in Pretoria. Since then he has worked in Southern Africa and Afghanistan for the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, CESVI, AIFO and Oxfam Italy. Andrea joined Misean Cara in 2013 and provides members and partners in the Southern Africa region with technical assistance and capacity development in project cycle management, results-based management and organisational strengthening.
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.
Kathleen Gately
Financial Officer
Kathleen joined Misean Cara in August 2015 as Finance Officer. Kathleen supports the Financial Controller and carries out the audits of the Misean Cara members’ overseas projects. Kathleen started her career in the financial services sector, and since 1999 has worked in the voluntary sector both overseas and in Ireland. Kathleen has several years of overseas experience having worked in finance with Goal for two years in Kosovo and Kenya, and with Concern for six months in Afghanistan. Prior to joining Misean Cara Kathleen worked in Administration and Finance with Age Action Ireland and VSO Ireland.
Alan Neilon
ICT Officer
Alan works with maintaining and developing IT and Software systems for Misean Cara Staff and with a focus on improving IT utilities for members. Alan has a degree in Science and Computing. He spent two and a half years working in IT and desk side support, nine years in Software Applications Support and two years in Software Project Implementation. He has a strong focus for researching and studying in an ever changing technological environment. Alan enjoys a good morning run, travelling, film, language learning and sport. He has also been learning and practising Portuguese.
Donor Engagement & Communications Team
Anne Carthy
Donor, Partner Engagement & 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.
Seamus Collins
Strategic Donor Engagement and Development Support
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.
Tara Finglas
Communications Officer
Tara manages the Misean Cara internal and external digital and print communications, PR and media relations, emails to members, event management, and collaboration with other organisations. Tara is the Misean Cara Code Champion, and is responsible for driving adherence to minimum criteria and respect for the principles of the Code in all external communications. She is also a member of the Dóchas Communications Group and Code Group. Previously, Tara was a Senior Co-ordinator with Rotary International in the Membership Development Division. She created the Take Rotary with you app for mobile devices to connect Rotarians with resources to support them in their work around the world.
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.
Seth Wheeler
Administrator
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.
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.
Zuzanna Tarasiewicz
Admin Assistant
Zuzanna is originally from Gdansk, Poland but spent almost half of her life living in Dublin. She is employed as Admin Assistant and supports the Administration Team in daily tasks. She studies Human Resource Management in DIT and has a keen interest in working with people. Zuzanna believes that it is important how well we connect with the people we are trying to help and communicate our understanding back to them. Zuzanna is passionate about travel, enjoys international cinema and socialising with friends and family.