Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board
Written by
Published on
May 12, 2026
Share This
Meet the Organisational Candidates for the AONTAS Board
At the AONTAS AGM on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, members will vote to fill two vacancies in the Organisational Member (General) category on the AONTAS Board.
The AONTAS Board plays a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring that our work continues to advocate for an inclusive and equitable adult learning system in Ireland. Board members bring a range of experience and perspectives that strengthen our governance and support our mission to champion lifelong learning for all.
This year, two candidates have been nominated for the two available positions: Stephanie Kirwan and Dr Joe Collins.
*Candidate biographies are presented below in alphabetical order by first name.*
Dr Joe Collins
Dr Joe Collins is a senior education leader with more than 25 years’ experience across adult, further and higher education in Ireland and internationally.
Joe is currently Director of Carlow College Strategic Initiative at South East Technological University (SETU), where he is leading a significant higher education development focused on academic strategy, governance and partnership building.
Throughout his career, Joe has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Director of Further Education and Training at Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), where he represented Ireland at European level. His work has consistently focused on widening participation, learner-centred pathways and supporting non-traditional and lifelong learners.
Joe brings considerable expertise in governance, strategic planning, quality assurance, risk management and stakeholder engagement. He is seeking election to the AONTAS Board to contribute his experience and values-based leadership to strengthening adult and community education across Ireland.
Stephanie Kirwan
Stephanie Kirwan is seeking re-election to the AONTAS Board, having been co-opted in July 2025.
Stephanie is Chief Operations Officer with Meath Partnership and brings extensive experience in community development, social inclusion and adult and community education. Her professional background includes programme development and evaluation, partnership building, change management and impact measurement.
Stephanie holds postgraduate qualifications in International Development and Programme Design and Validation for Further Education and Training, along with a range of formal and non-formal qualifications in public health, wellbeing and Recognition of Prior Learning.
She is also a Director of Development Perspectives and serves on the steering committee of the AONTAS Community Education Network.
Voting at the AGM
Voting at this year’s AGM will take place in person only, and only paid-up members for 2026 will be eligible to vote. If you’re unsure about your membership status, feel free to get in touch with the AONTAS team, we’re always happy to help!
We encourage all members to review the candidate information and participate in this important aspect of AONTAS governance. Your vote helps shape the leadership of the organisation and supports work on your behalf.
Register to attend the AGM
Places are limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place at the AGM on 3rd June 2026.
You can register here!
News
The very latest news from the adult and community education sector
Blog
Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board
12 May 2026
Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board Written by Megan Fearon Published on May 12,...
BlogNews
Meet the Candidates for the Adult Learner Positions on the AONTAS Board
12 May 2026
Meet the Candidates for the Adult Learner Positions on the AONTAS Board Written by Megan Fearon Published on May 12,...
Blog
Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education
6 May 2026
Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on May 5, 2026 Share This...
News
AONTAS Annual General Meeting 2026 – Board Nominations Now Open
17 April 2026
AONTAS Annual General Meeting 2026 – Board Nominations Now Open Written by Thomas Ogbemudia Published on April 17, 2026 Share...
Blog
Community, Learning, and Progress at The Bridge Project Open Day
9 April 2026
Community, Learning, and Progress at The Bridge Project Open Day Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on April 9, 2026 Share...
News
AONTAS Seeks Community Education Network (CEN) Members for Proposed Training Links Network
26 March 2026
AONTAS Seeks Community Education Network (CEN) Members for Proposed Training Links Network Written by Ruby Cooney Published on March 26,...
Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board
Written by
Published on
May 12, 2026
Share This
Meet the Organisational Candidates for the AONTAS Board
At the AONTAS AGM on Wednesday, 3 June 2026, members will vote to fill two vacancies in the Organisational Member (General) category on the AONTAS Board.
The AONTAS Board plays a vital role in guiding the strategic direction of the organisation and ensuring that our work continues to advocate for an inclusive and equitable adult learning system in Ireland. Board members bring a range of experience and perspectives that strengthen our governance and support our mission to champion lifelong learning for all.
This year, two candidates have been nominated for the two available positions: Stephanie Kirwan and Dr Joe Collins.
*Candidate biographies are presented below in alphabetical order by first name.*
Dr Joe Collins
Dr Joe Collins is a senior education leader with more than 25 years’ experience across adult, further and higher education in Ireland and internationally.
Joe is currently Director of Carlow College Strategic Initiative at South East Technological University (SETU), where he is leading a significant higher education development focused on academic strategy, governance and partnership building.
Throughout his career, Joe has held a range of senior leadership roles, including Director of Further Education and Training at Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), where he represented Ireland at European level. His work has consistently focused on widening participation, learner-centred pathways and supporting non-traditional and lifelong learners.
Joe brings considerable expertise in governance, strategic planning, quality assurance, risk management and stakeholder engagement. He is seeking election to the AONTAS Board to contribute his experience and values-based leadership to strengthening adult and community education across Ireland.
Stephanie Kirwan
Stephanie Kirwan is seeking re-election to the AONTAS Board, having been co-opted in July 2025.
Stephanie is Chief Operations Officer with Meath Partnership and brings extensive experience in community development, social inclusion and adult and community education. Her professional background includes programme development and evaluation, partnership building, change management and impact measurement.
Stephanie holds postgraduate qualifications in International Development and Programme Design and Validation for Further Education and Training, along with a range of formal and non-formal qualifications in public health, wellbeing and Recognition of Prior Learning.
She is also a Director of Development Perspectives and serves on the steering committee of the AONTAS Community Education Network.
Voting at the AGM
Voting at this year’s AGM will take place in person only, and only paid-up members for 2026 will be eligible to vote. If you’re unsure about your membership status, feel free to get in touch with the AONTAS team, we’re always happy to help!
We encourage all members to review the candidate information and participate in this important aspect of AONTAS governance. Your vote helps shape the leadership of the organisation and supports work on your behalf.
Register to attend the AGM
Places are limited, so we encourage you to register early to secure your place at the AGM on 3rd June 2026.
You can register here!
News
The very latest news from the adult and community education sector
Blog
Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board
12 May 2026
Meet the Candidates for Organisational Member (General) Positions on the AONTAS Board Written by Megan Fearon Published on May 12,...
BlogNews
Meet the Candidates for the Adult Learner Positions on the AONTAS Board
12 May 2026
Meet the Candidates for the Adult Learner Positions on the AONTAS Board Written by Megan Fearon Published on May 12,...
Blog
Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education
6 May 2026
Keeping Communities Digital with Access IT and Community Education Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on May 5, 2026 Share This...
News
AONTAS Annual General Meeting 2026 – Board Nominations Now Open
17 April 2026
AONTAS Annual General Meeting 2026 – Board Nominations Now Open Written by Thomas Ogbemudia Published on April 17, 2026 Share...
Blog
Community, Learning, and Progress at The Bridge Project Open Day
9 April 2026
Community, Learning, and Progress at The Bridge Project Open Day Written by Lorraine O’Connor Published on April 9, 2026 Share...
News
AONTAS Seeks Community Education Network (CEN) Members for Proposed Training Links Network
26 March 2026
AONTAS Seeks Community Education Network (CEN) Members for Proposed Training Links Network Written by Ruby Cooney Published on March 26,...