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Dearbháil Lawless

Dearbháil Lawless

Chief Executive Officer

Dearbháil Lawless

Chief Executive Officer

Dearbháil is the Chief Executive Officer of AONTAS. She is responsible for the overall strategic and operational management of the organisation, including responsibility for staff and budgetary management and implementation of the Strategic Plan. She reports to the AONTAS Board of Directors.

OUR TEAM

Charis Hughes

Charis Hughes

Head of Communications

Charis Hughes

Head of Communications

Charis is responsible for leading a complementary team under the areas of Communications and Membership. She is also responsible for the implementation of the AONTAS Communications Strategy; ensuring that all internal and external communications are in line with the organisation’s strategic goals, and ensuring the highest possible outcomes and reach.

Marta Feragalli

Marta Feragalli

Finance and Administration Lead

Marta Feragalli

Finance and Administration Lead

Marta is the AONTAS Finance and Administration Lead. She works closely with the CEO, Team Leads, Office Manager 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.

Lauren Swan

Lauren Swan

Head of Research

Lauren Swan

Head of Research

Lauren reads the Research team and coordinates research work across AONTAS, including the National FET Learner Forum

Barbara Nea

Barbara Nea

Head of Advocacy

Barbara Nea

Head of Advocacy

Barbara leads the Advocacy team and coordinates AONTAS' policy submissions, capacity building and European project work

John Ryan

John Ryan

Office Manager

John Ryan

Office Manager

John is the Office Manager at AONTAS and is responsible for the overall maintenance of all office systems. He also provides PA support to the CEO, oversees the administrative support requirements of all teams, oversees operational HR activities, and supports the Finance Lead with financial administration.

Suzanne Kerr

Suzanne Kerr

Administration Assistant

Suzanne Kerr

Administration Assistant

Suzanne is responsible for providing administration assistance in all aspects of AONTAS operations.

Laura Lovejoy

Laura Lovejoy

Research Officer Learner Voice

Laura Lovejoy

Research Officer Learner Voice

Laura supports the delivery of AONTAS’ research initiative, by delivering high-quality research aimed at improving learner voice for action. Laura also helps support the delivery of the National Further Education and Training Learner Forum by engaging with relevant stakeholders and providers across the Irish adult education sector.

Ecem Akarca

Ecem Akarca

EU Projects Officer

Ecem Akarca

EU Projects Officer

Ecem is responsible for leading the European Agenda for Adult Learning (EAAL) and the management of EU funded Projects in AONTAS. She represents the organisation at national and European level, including working directly with the European Commission.

Aisling Meyler

Aisling Meyler

Research Officer Learner Initiatives

Aisling Meyler

Research Officer Learner Initiatives

Aisling supports the Head of Research in the delivery of all National FET Learner Forum events, developing reports, delivering and analysing large-scale learner survey data and designing effective reporting structures for learners and key stakeholders in the adult learning sector.

Kate Smyth

Kate Smyth

Communications Officer

Kate Smyth

Communications Officer

Kate supports the Head of Communications in the development and implementation of the communications strategy; creating content and monitoring the Organisation’s online communications, including social media; and delivery of the Organisation’s promotional campaigns and project work.

Conor Thompson

Conor Thompson

Project Officer for Capacity Building

Conor Thompson

Project Officer for Capacity Building

Conor is the Capacity Building Officer at AONTAS. He has a range of responsibilities including running the One Step Up information and referral service and supporting the EU Projects Officer on certain Erasmus + projects. Conor is part of the Advocacy Team and works closely with the Community Education Officers on a number of projects which aim to support both learners and educators in the adult and community education sector.

Giuliana Peña

Giuliana Peña

Project Officer (Communications & Research)

Giuliana Peña

Project Officer (Communications & Research)

Giuliana is part of the AONTAS Communications Team and works very closely with the Research Team, supporting projects related to research, ensuring that they are communicated effectively to AONTAS members, adult learners and other key stakeholders. Giuliana also supports the delivery of the annual Adult Learners’ Festival.

Eve Cobain

Eve Cobain

Senior Research Officer

Eve Cobain

Senior Research Officer

Eve supports the delivery of AONTAS’ research initiative, with a particular focus on community education. Through this work, she coordinates the delivery of the AONTAS CEN Census. She is also Secretary to the organisation’s peer-reviewed journal, The Adult Learner.

Katie O'Rourke

Katie O'Rourke

Head of Communications (Maternity Leave)

Katie O'Rourke

Head of Communications (Maternity Leave)

Katie is responsible for leading a complementary team under the areas of Communications and Membership. She is also responsible for the implementation of the AONTAS Communications Strategy; ensuring that all internal and external communications are in line with the organisation’s strategic goals, and ensuring the highest possible outcomes and reach.

Lokesh Manikanta

Lokesh Manikanta

I.T. Administration Officer

Lokesh Manikanta

I.T. Administration Officer

Lokesh reviews and updates AONTAS’ Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System; Salesforce. Lokesh ensures this system is suitable for the needs of the organisation. He also provides staff training, and expertise on I.T. management. Lokesh reports directly to the CEO.

We advocate for the right of all adults in Ireland to quality lifelong learning.
meet our executive members