Our team

The Misean Cara team combines a commitment to supporting those furthest behind with deep professionalism and long experience in international development. Meet the individuals who work with our members that seek to empower the most marginalised people achieve a better quality of life:

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, his most previous post being 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

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.

Jennifer Donovan

Donor Engagement Manager

Jennifer 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.

Alix Tiernan

Learning & Capacity Strengthening Manager

Alix joined Misean Cara in 2025 as Learning and Capacity Strengthening Manager, leading the L&D team and promoting evidence-based learning within Misean Cara and amongst its members. Alix has been working in development for more than 30 years, initially as an agricultural engineer in Mozambique, Rwanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina, and later in setting up effective and appropriate programme quality systems, processes and practice for programmes funded by faith-based organisations including World Vision, Trocaire and Christian Aid. She has specialised in monitoring, evaluation and learning for programming implemented in partnership with local and national civil society organisations, and is committed to supporting localisation and locally led development across the humanitarian and development sector.

Alix has a Masters in Tropical Livestock Production (University of Edinburgh) and in Applied Social Research (University of Limerick). She has been on the Board of ADAPT Domestic Abuse Services Limerick for 11 years, 5 of which as Board Chair.

Fergal Molloy

FInancial Controller

As Financial Controller, Fergal is a member of the Management Team and is responsible for producing monthly Management Accounts, annual Financial Statements, budgets and managing Cash Flow. He also provides leadership and direction to the Finance and IT team and oversees the implementation of finance/IT policy and procedures, accounting controls and reporting protocols. In addition, he reports to the Board and the Financial Oversight, Risk & Audit Committee on all matters financial and risk related.

Fergal comes to Misean Cara from an extensive career in Finance and Accounting, including management roles within the Insurance brokerage, technology and retail sectors and as a consultant, where clients included Irish Life & Permanent plc, Basketball Ireland and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI). He has also lectured in Accounting, HR and Management with Dublin Business School and Blanchardstown Institute of Technology. Fergal’s overseas experience includes a two-year post in Pakistan as Finance Director for Aer Rianta International. He holds a BA in Business Studies from Trinity College Dublin and an MBA from UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

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, children’s rights and care reform. Prior to taking up the position of Safeguarding Advisor 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 and adoption. Valerie has qualifications in Anthropology, Social Policy, Social Work, and Law. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Laws (LL.M) (Children's Rights and Family Law) from University College Cork. Valerie is currently Co-Chair of the Dóchas Safeguarding Working Group and an active member of the Comhlamh 'End Orphanage Care and Volunteering' Working Group.

Funding team

Séamus O'Leary

Funding Manager

Orla Duke

Senior Project Officer - Education

Orla is the Senior Project Officer - Education with Misean Cara, working with members on projects that uphold the right to quality education. Orla has considerable experience in the International Development sector working previously for Scholars at Risk Europe at Maynooth University on an EU-funded project aimed at supporting academics and scholars under threat, and with Trócaire to provide programmatic and organisational advice and support to missionary and local partner organisations working on humanitarian, human rights and livelihoods programmes across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Central America. She has also worked with Sightsavers International, Irish Aid and the European Commission’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations office (ECHO) in Brussels. Orla holds a MSc in Humanitarian Action from the University College Dublin and a BA in Public Administration from the University of Limerick.

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.

Ian Dolan

Project Officer - Health

Ian joined Misean Cara in 2023 as a Project Officer providing surge capacity support to the funding team across all sectors on a temporary basis and in 2024 was appointed to a permanent position as the Health Project Officer. He supports Misean Cara member organisations by reviewing project reports and assessing funding applications. Ian has a degree in Business Studies from Dublin University, Trinity College and a Master’s Degree in Development Studies, University College Dublin. During his career, Ian has worked in several countries in Africa, in programme, administration and management roles.

Dario Devale

Project Officer - Human Rights & Advocacy

Dario joined Misean Cara in 2024, with more than 15 years’ experience in the international development sector, mostly in Africa and Asia. A key focus of his work has been advocating and promoting awareness of human rights and justice issues including abuse, neglect, exclusion, and gender-based violence. His career spans several sectors, including girls’ education, child protection and inclusion of children with disabilities, health and dignity for people with HIV and AIDS, and youth employment. Originally from Italy, Dario now resides in Kerry.

Aswin Gunasekaran

IT Salesforce Developer

Aswin joined Misean Cara in 2025 with multiple years of experience and expertise as a Salesforce Administrator and tech-savvy problem solver and a track record of driving software and ERP implementation projects. A certified PMP and Salesforce expert, he blends technical expertise with strategic thinking to help Misean Cara optimise its internal business systems. Aswin has specialties in automation, data analytics and AI, helping him to turn complex challenges into streamlined solutions.

Member Engagement

Mary O'Connell

Member Engagement Coordinator

Mary joined Misean Cara in 2017 and currently serves in the role of Member Engagement Coordinator. She has also served on the Funding Team at Misean Cara, first as Project Officer for the Member Capacity Development Grant, and more recently as the Interim Funding Manager. Mary’s passion for capacity strengthening stems from time spent with the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Zimbabwe undertaking research on capacity development within the function of the District Development Officers as part of her BSc (Hons) in Science, Technology and Society from Middlesex University. Mary has worked in international development for over thirty years, including eight years as the Policy Officer for Capacity Development in the Advocacy Team at WaterAid in the UK, and has travelled extensively in Africa and South Asia.

Learning & Development team

Alix Tiernan

Learning & Capacity Strengthening Manager

Sam Kappler

Learning & Development Officer

Sam joined Misean Cara’s Learning & Development team in 2024, bringing to his role over 12 years of experience working with international development programmes across Africa and the Balkans, in diverse thematic areas. His previous positions have focused on programme quality, monitoring and evaluation, and grant management. He has an academic background in politics and sociology. Hailing from Scotland, Sam has been based in Ireland since 2006. In his spare time, Sam enjoys escaping into the mountains of Ireland, supporting his underachieving soccer teams, and discovering new music.

Jenny Ackermann

Monitoring & Results Measurement Officer

Mike Williams

Programme Coordinator - Children with Disabilities Programme

Mike Williams started his career in development in 1990 when, as a volunteer civil engineer, he worked in Zambia with the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary. Since then, he has worked with Concern Worldwide, Oxfam, Trócaire (where he was Head of the International Division for seven years) and as a private consultant. Mike is familiar with the work of Misean Cara and its members, having done the research in 2016-17 which led to the description of the Missionary Approach to Development Interventions. In his current role with Misean Cara, Mike is coordinating a partnership programme of Misean Cara, Catholic Care for Children International and GHR Foundation on Children with Disabilities, which brings together two of Mike’s great interests: disability and development.

Colm Allan

Learning & Development Officer

Colm joined Misean Cara as Learning & Development Officer in 2022. He has over 20 years applied experience in the Global South, primarily in Southern Africa. His focus has centred on how to strengthen the realisation of human rights and needs via improved public service delivery. He has worked in the areas of social accountability, public resource management, improved government oversight, and monitoring and evaluation. He established and directed a number of university-based research studies, monitoring and capacity building interventions in South Africa, and previously lectured in Sociology. He has also worked on how to strengthen national mechanisms for reporting and follow-up to (UN) international human rights instruments. Colm has an MA from University of Warwick and an MPhil from Ulster University.

Caroline Chelal

Consultant - Research & Support, Children with Disabilities Programme

Caroline joined Misean Cara in December 2024 as a Consultant in Research and Support for the Children with Disabilities programme. She brings over five years’ experience dedicated to research, results tracking and reporting of international development programmes. Previously, Caroline worked with the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya (AOSK) as the MEAL officer supporting the Catholic Care for Children in Kenya (CCCK), Early Childhood Development, and Youth Empowerment programs. Additionally, in her role as the MEAL coordinator at HIAS Kenya, Caroline worked in the refugee protection sector taking the lead in research, learning, tracking and reporting results of the Child Protection, GBV, Legal Protection and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Programmes.

Caroline holds an MSc in Sustainability and Environmental Management from Coventry University, UK and an MA in Project Planning and Management from The Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya.

Finance team

Fergal Molloy

Financial Controller

Ciara Bevan

FInance Officer

As part of the Finance team Ciara works closely with the Financial Controller on accounting projects and supporting members with financial aspects of project funding. 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.

Donor Engagement & Communications team

Jennifer Donovan

Donor Engagement Manager

Clare Matthias

Marketing & 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. She joined Misean Cara in 2020.

Cassandra Murtagh

Grants Officer

Cassandra joined Misean Cara in 2025 in the role of Grants Officer, having previously worked in grant management and programme development for Irish INGOs in Ethiopia and Somalia. Cassandra holds a Master of Public Health from University College Cork, LLM in Peace Operations, Humanitarian Law and Conflict from University of Galway, BA Hons in History and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin, and a LLB Law from University of the West of England Bristol.

Admin team

Mića Bowers

Office & HR Administrator

Mića joined Misean Cara in 2023 as an Office and HR Administrator and works closely with both members and staff. Mića has qualifications in HR, strategic management, counseling and administration. A dedicated people person, Mića has a decade of volunteering experience with Saint Vincent De Paul, including seven years as local conference treasurer providing support and essential services to families in crisis. In her free time Mića loves to explore the world, exercise and unwind with a nice cup of Yorkshire Tea.

Meaghan Higgins-Coyne

Administrator

Development Mentors
(Consultants providing support to members in the field)

Patricia Ynoñan Garcia

Development Mentor, Latin America

As a consultant to Misean Cara, Patricia provides mentoring for Misean Cara members in Latin America. She guides member organisations at a project level, helping with project planning, implementation and reflection 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 Bachelor's Degree in Sociology, a Master's Degree in Social Management and a Diploma in Gender Studies. She 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. In her spare time, Patricia is a foodie who loves to visit new restaurants and read books.

Kene Onukwube

Development Mentor, West Africa

Kene Onukwube is the Consultant Mentor for West Africa with Misean Cara, where he provides dedicated accompaniment and technical support to strengthen the capacity of member organisations and their projects.

Although Kene is a researcher focused on social vulnerabilities, his professional experience spans diverse volunteering and consultancy roles across INGOs, academia, and the public sector, where he has addressed climate change–related challenges in social risk management, food security, and resilient livelihoods. His cross-thematic interests include evidence-based advocacy, social inclusion, natural resource management, open data and open knowledge for earth observation, and resilience building in disaster risk reduction, as well as children- and youth-focused disability studies, inclusive education, land rights, and agricultural livelihoods in African communities.

Kene holds graduate degrees in Agriculture and GIS from Nigeria and in Hazards, Risk and Resilience from Durham University in the United Kingdom, and has previously held consultancy and leadership roles with ActionAid International Nigeria, Oxfam International, Development Education and Advocacy Resources for Africa (DEAR Africa), the Media Campaign to Halt Human Trafficking (MeCAHT), and Solidaridad West Africa, Nigeria.

Paul Njeru Gichuki

Development Mentor, Eastern Africa

Paul started providing mentorship services to Misean Cara as a consultant in 2014. His focus is on Misean Cara members in East Africa. 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.

In is consultant role with Misean Cara, 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 eight years with Trócaire, as East Africa Programme Officer. He has a particular interested in human rights, citizen participation and governance.

George Mwila

Development Mentor, Southern Africa

George Mwila comes to Misean Cara with over 20 years of international development experience in health, education, livelihoods, and community development across Zambia and the Southern Africa region. As the Mentor for Southern Africa, he supports Misean Cara’s members in strengthening governance systems, mobilizing resources, and building sustainable community initiatives.

His professional experience includes leadership roles with Youth Alive Zambia, focusing on projects around HIV and AIDS prevention, adolescent health, education, and livelihoods. George has also contributed to Zambia-based initiatives funded by the African Development Bank (ADB) on environmental protection and communicable disease prevention and a Global Fund/CHAZ project focused on HIV and AIDS prevention among adolescents. He has also worked as an accountant in the Zambian Ministry of Finance and held a role with the Health Department of the Catholic Secretariat (Zambia), contributing to the national response to the HIV and AIDS crisis a role that ignited his passion for improving the lives of young people.

George trained in Financial Management in the UK before gaining further qualifications in Project Management to equip himself with skills in programme design, proposal development, resource mobilisation, and organisational capacity building.

Beyond his professional commitments, George is passionate about sustainability and local resource mobilisation, believing that communities thrive when they harness their own strengths and resources. He also nurtures a personal interest in construction, inspired by his father, a retired engineer who played a significant role in building many of Zambia’s roads.

Our Team

Management team

John Moffett

Séamus O'Leary

Jennifer Donovan

Alix Tiernan

Fergal Molloy

Safeguarding

Valerie Philpott

Funding team

Séamus O'Leary

Orla Duke

Don Lucey

Ian Dolan

Dario Devale

Aswin Gunasekaran

Member Engagement

Mary O'Connell

Learning & Development team

Alix Tiernan

Sam Kappler

Jenny Ackermann

Mike Williams

Colm Allan

Caroline Chelal

Finance team

Fergal Molloy

Ciara Bevan

Donor Engagement & Communications team

Jennifer Donovan

Clare Matthias

Cassandra Murtagh

Admin team

Mića Bowers

Meaghan Higgins-Coyne

Development Mentors (Consultants providing support to members in the field)

Patricia Ynoñan Garcia

Kene Onukwube

Paul Njeru Gichuki

George Mwila

Development Mentors
(Consultants providing support to members in the field)