At AONTAS, we work collaboratively to advance adult and community education across Ireland. Led by Chief Executive Officer Dearbháil Lawless, the team includes experts in advocacy, research and communications. Together, we strive to amplify the learner voice, influence education policy, and champion lifelong learning as a catalyst for social change.
Chief Executive Officer
Dearbháil is the Chief Executive Officer of AONTAS. She has responsibility for the strategic direction and operational management of AONTAS. Dearbháil was previously the Head of Advocacy, EU Project's Officer, and taught in Community Education, FET, and Higher Education. Dearbháil is a passionate advocate and activist. She believes that adult learning is the greatest tool for creating positive social change. Dearbháil likes to bring her dog Hazel to the office sometimes.
Dearbháil Lawless
Chief Executive Officer
Head of Environmental, Social and Governance
Marta works closely with the CEO, Team Leads, Office Coordinator, Finance and Admin Officer and Governance and Operations Officer and provides finance support across all areas of work. Marta also plays an integral part in the monitoring of the schedules, budgets and expenditures of all EU funded projects.
Marta Feragalli
Head of Environmental, Social and Governance
Head of Impact & Engagement
Megan heads the Impact and Engagement Team, focusing on building strong relationships with key stakeholders and using strategic communications to ensure our work has a meaningful impact. She also works on our campaigns and oversees AONTAS publications and materials. Megan loves travelling, tea and the GAA.
Megan Fearon
Head of Impact & Engagement
Head of Research
Thomas leads our research initiatives and Research Team, ensuring a strong evidence-base for advocacy and for informing national policy and practice in adult and community education.
Thomas Murray
Head of Research
Head of Advocacy
Conor leads the Advocacy Team at AONTAS, working to identify and address issues affecting learners, staff, and providers. The team develops projects supporting adult and community educators and uses evidence to advocate for better conditions, quality, and learner experiences in adult education. A qualified Further Education teacher with experience in EAL and adult literacy, he also enjoys hiking and birdwatching.
Conor Thompson
Head of Advocacy
Head of Communications
Rachael is responsible for our daily communications activities, building the public profile of the organisation, and organising key AONTAS events throughout the year.
Rachael Ryan
Head of Communications
Senior Research Officer
Eve supports AONTAS’s research, focusing on community education. She leads the AONTAS Community Education Census (North and South) and serves as Secretary of the peer-reviewed journal The Adult Learner. Eve holds a PhD from Trinity College Dublin and has taught at Trinity and Maynooth University. She enjoys yoga, cooking, and poetry.
Eve Cobain
Senior Research Officer
Membership & Digital Engagement Officer
Brian is our Membership & Digital Engagement Officer and works within the Communications team to build membership and increase engagement across our digital channels . He has a passion for adult education, digital content and graphic design. He loves books, music and the idea of doing Pilates.
Brian Desmond
Membership & Digital Engagement Officer
Research Officer Learner Initiatives
Aisling supports the Head of Research with National FET Learner Forum events, data analysis, and reports, providing evidence to strengthen AONTAS’s advocacy work. With a background in the community and voluntary sector, she’s passionate about peer-led initiatives and enjoys martial arts and music.
Aisling Meyler
Research Officer Learner Initiatives
Communications and Digital Media Officer
Megan supports the Communications Team with implementing the communications strategy through social media, digital engagement and events. She has a background in university career services, event management and content marketing. In her free time, Megan can be found on her yoga mat or chipping away at her ever-growing book collection.
Megan O'Neil
Communications and Digital Media Officer
Publications and Design Officer
Giuliana is part of the Impact and Engagement team and is Secretary of The Adult Learner Journal. She focuses on graphic design for projects, publications, and social media, and makes a mean Instagram reel. She has a MSc in Psychology and Wellbeing and is interested in sustainability.
Giuliana Peña
Publications and Design Officer
Governance and Operations Officer
Clare is part of the Environmental Social and Governance team and works closely with the head of ESG, the CEO and AONTAS Board supporting all matters relating to the governance, compliance and operations of Aontas.
Clare Fleet
Governance and Operations Officer
Learner Voice Project Officer
Karyn is part of the AONTAS Research team, responsible for supporting the coordination, development and delivery of the National Further Education and Training Learner Forums. She has a background in project & events management and arts development, and is an experienced adult literacy tutor. She is a keen photographer and writer, has a serious travel bug, loves all things cultural and is obsessed with food.
Karyn Farrell
Learner Voice Project Officer
Community Education Officer
Lorraine is part of the Advocacy Team, working to ensure that the community education stays firmly on the public and political agenda.
Lorraine O'Connor
Community Education Officer
Office Coordinator
Suzanne is responsible for providing administration assistance in all aspects of AONTAS
Suzanne Kerr
Office Coordinator
Education Projects Officer
Ruby supports the Advocacy Team in implementing different education projects. She is passionate about adult education and promoting alternative routes to higher education. Ruby enjoys volunteering, and loves cats!
Ruby Cooney
Education Projects Officer
Adult Education Initiatives Officer
Larisa is responsible for building capacity for people working in adult and community education sector by developing and coordinating various initiatives and resources. She has extensive experience in the community sector, both in Ireland and internationally. Her work is driven by the conviction that education can make the world a more just and better place.
Larisa Sioneriu
Adult Education Initiatives Officer
Finance and Administration Officer
Traci has almost 30 years' experience in book-keeping, credit control and office management. At AONTAS, she looks after the book-keeping, payments and monthly reconciliations.
Traci Barton
Finance and Administration
Officer
Research Officer
Philip is part of the AONTAS Research Team and supports the delivery of all National FET Learner Forum events, including analysing mixed-methods data and developing reports. Philip has a PhD from Maynooth University and has a track record of policy orientated research on issues relating to economic inequality. He spends his time reading, listening to music and being walked by his three dogs.
Philip Finn
Research
Officer
Communications and Social Media Officer
Thomas is our Communications and Social Media Officer, leading on digital content and engagement across AONTAS platforms. With a background in computer science and a master’s in public relations, he’s always been passionate about stories and how they connect people. Outside of work, Thomas enjoys video games, soccer, and reading.
Thomas Ogbemudia
Communications and Social Media Officer
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Rebecca supports the head of Advocacy and Policy and the CEO with the generation of evidence-based policy submissions and advocacy activities. With a background in Community Development, policy-focused research, practice evaluation, and critical policy analysis, Rebecca applies these skills to generate knowledge and insightful recommendations that can be used by key decision-makers. When not absorbed in current affairs, Rebecca likes to spend time with her family, friends and dog, and the dogs of her family and friends.
Rebecca Jackson
Policy and Advocacy Officer
Governance and Operations Officer
Clare is part of the Environmental Social and Governance team and works closely with the head of ESG, the CEO and AONTAS Board supporting all matters relating to the governance, compliance and operations of Aontas.
Clare Fleet
Governance and Operations Officer
Governance and Operations Officer
Clare is part of the Environmental Social and Governance team and works closely with the head of ESG, the CEO and AONTAS Board supporting all matters relating to the governance, compliance and operations of Aontas.
Clare Fleet
Governance and Operations Officer
Governance and Operations Officer
Clare is part of the Environmental Social and Governance team and works closely with the head of ESG, the CEO and AONTAS Board supporting all matters relating to the governance, compliance and operations of Aontas.
Clare Fleet
Governance and Operations Officer
The AONTAS Board plays a crucial role in overseeing and guiding the strategic direction of the organisation. It ensures our initiatives align with our mission to advocate for adult learning that drives social equality, justice, and collective action across the island of Ireland.
The AONTAS Board is representative of our membership including community education representatives, organisational members (such as Further and Higher Education) adult learners, and an individual member. They are nominated and elected by AONTAS members.
The Open University Ireland
John is the newly elected Chairperson of AONTAS. He is the National Director of The Open University in Ireland and has a range of educational and governance experience. He is an active member on the Forum for Adult Learning in Northern Ireland and a former Chair of many organisations, including Enterprise Northern Ireland and Audience Northern Ireland.
John D'Arcy
AONTAS Chairperson/ Director / Goverance Sub Committee Chairperson
Maynooth University
Lilian was elected to the AONTAS Board in May 2022. Lilian is a PhD student and occasional lecturer in the Department of Adult and Community Education in Maynooth University. As an adult education practitioner, Lilian is passionate about co-creating inclusive spaces in classrooms. Lilian is a graduate member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries of the United Kingdom and is trained in engaging with Boards.
Lilian Nwanze
AONTAS Vice-Chairperson / Director
Open College Network, Northern Ireland
Cora was first elected to the AONTAS Board in May 2022. In her role as an adult education officer with the City of Dublin ETB, with responsibility for delivering adult education programmes in the Finglas/Cabra area, Cora has developed a deep understanding of the strategic priorities, issues and concerns for adult education in Ireland. She is currently a director of the Local Drugs Task Force.
Martin Flynn
Treasurer/ Director/ ARC Committee Chairperson
Adult Education Officers’ Association (AEOA)
Cora was first elected to the AONTAS Board in May 2022. In her role as an adult education officer with the City of Dublin ETB, with responsibility for delivering adult education programmes in the Finglas/Cabra area, Cora has developed a deep understanding of the strategic priorities, issues and concerns for adult education in Ireland. She is currently a director of the Local Drugs Task Force.
Cora Rafter
Director / ARC Committee Member
Irish Wheelchair Association
Imelda was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. She is Head of Learning & Development for the Irish Wheelchair Association, with responsibility for learning and development activities as well as the development and implementation of a Supported Employment programme for people with disabilities. She is a qualified Coach and Mediator and holds a degree in Training and Education and a Masters in Guidance Counselling and Lifespan Development.
Imelda Gaffney
Director / ARC Committee Member
Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB Community Education Facilitator
Anne Whelan is a Community Education Facilitator with Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB) and Chair of the Community Education Facilitators’ Association (CEFA). With eighteen years of experience in adult education, Anne is deeply committed to the principles of empowerment, equality, and social justice. Passionate about community education, she works to create inclusive learning environments that promote personal growth and collective change.
Anne Whelan
Director / ARC Committee Member
AONTAS - Individual Members Representative
Charis was elected to the AONTAS Board in 2024. She is Press Officer at the Department of Transport. Charis previously worked as Head of Impact and Engagement and as Head of Communications in AONTAS. She has a particular interest in use of accessible language and design in communication.
Charis Hughes
Director
AONTAS – Individual Members Representative
Deborah is a writer and a mother of four. She is a Graduate of Law in her home country, Nigeria. She is currently doing her Masters in Children’s Rights and Family Law in UCC. She is a UCC Sanctuary Scholar with a Postgraduate Diploma in Trauma Studies. An important voice for the migrant community in Ireland, Deborah is trained in and facilitates intercultural dialogue.
Deborah Oniah
Director
LCDC Community Member (Offaly Rep)
Deirdre is the manager of a Rural Social Enterprise – Community Training Centre in Offaly. She has been involved in education and training for 18 years. She is committed and passionate about adult education and its transformative power.
Deirdre Arnold
Director
AONTAS – Adult Learners Representative
Chidiogo Blessing is a student at Tipperary ETB College in Carrick-on-Suir and an active member of the Tipperary Student Council. Through her role on the council, she represents learners, addresses key issues affecting them, and advocates for meaningful change. Her work with the council led to a connection with AONTAS, where she has collaborated to raise awareness of the challenges facing adult learners and to champion the learner voice.
Chidiogo Blessing
Director (co-opted July 2025)
Inclusion Manager with ETBI
Fergus has worked in adult and community education for 20 years, he is currently Inclusion Manager with ETBI. He previously worked as Education Programme Coordinator with Dublin Northwest Partnership and as a Community Educator with An Cosán. Fergus says he believes AONTAS plays a powerful role in advocacy and support for learner voice.
Fergus Craddock
Director
AONTAS - Organisational Member (Community Education Category)
Lynn has a deep-rooted passion for community education, having come through the community sector herself. The transformative impact it had on her life drives her commitment to ensuring other learners have the same opportunities, especially in under-resourced communities. With extensive experience across both the education and community sectors, Lynn has worked on the ground with learners, led community-based initiatives, and developed new programmes.
Lynn Simpson
Director
Longford Women’s Link
Pamela was elected to the AONTAS Board in October 2021. She has worked with Longford Women’s Link (LWL) as Education and Training Business Development Manager since 2009. Pamela’s role as Education and Training Business Development Manager plays a key role in achieving this vision, providing community education under the guidelines of Women’s Community Education.
Pamela Latimer
Director / Governance Sub Committee Member
Meath Partnership
Stephanie is the Chief Operations Officer for Meath Partnership with responsibility for the Education and Training Department. Stephanie holds an MA in International Development with various qualifications in the area of Public Health and Wellbeing, Programme Design and Validation, Recognition of Prior Learning and Adult Education Theory. Stephanie is on the Board of Development Perspectives. Stephanie is passionate about the power of Community Education as a tool for creating systemic and societal change.
Stephanie Kirwan
Director (co-opted July 2025)
Our voluntary Board of Directors provide strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability in line with the Charities Regulator Governance Code. The Board ensures that AONTAS operates to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and effectiveness in achieving its charitable objectives. Supported by the Audit and Risk Subcommittee and the Governance Subcommittee, the Board oversees key areas such as finance, audit and risk, governance, and strategy, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory obligations, prudent management of resources, and delivery of positive outcomes for adult learners across Ireland.
The Board of AONTAS is committed to the principles of the Charities Governance Code. As such, each member of the Board of AONTAS is understood to commit to:
#1
Advancing the Charitable Purpose of AONTAS
#2
Behaving with Integrity
#3
Leading people within AONTAS
#4
Exercising control over AONTAS
#5
Working effectively
#6
Being accountable and transparent
AONTAS is fully compliant with the Charities Governance Code.
