Call us 01 475 6989 | Email info@ageaction.ie Search form Search MAIN MENU DONATE You are here Home » About Us » Staff Staff Patrick Connolly - Chief Executive Paddy Connolly was Chief Executive Officer of Inclusion Ireland since early 2012. Inclusion Ireland is a national disability organisation that advocates for the rights of persons with an intellectual disability. Prior to this Paddy was CEO of Cairde for 14 years. Cairde advocates for the rights of Black and Minority & Ethnic Communities in Ireland. As part of his work Paddy has developed values-based approaches to equality and Human Rights advocacy and the application of values-based organisation management. He has particular interest and experience in managing organisational change and strengthening NGO capacity to bring about social change. Earlier in his career Paddy worked in social care, youth work, community development and he has practiced as a certified family mediator and conflict specialist. Paddy holds a BA in Management and an MA in International Relations. In May of 2018 Paddy was appointed by President Michael D. Higgins as a Commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Vicky Harris - Head of Programmes Vicky Harris joined Age Action in 2020 as Head of Programmes. Vicky’s responsibilities include policy development, and the creation, implementation and evaluation of programmes which respond to the needs of older people. Prior to taking up her post with Age Action, Vicky managed and developed all homeless and housing services for the Dublin Simon Community in Wicklow, Meath and Kildare. Vicky has worked with members of the Traveller Community in Ireland to support equality of access to mental health services. She also worked with a disabilities group in West Africa (Burkina Faso). While there, Vicky strengthened this grassroot organisation’s organisational and financial capacity. Key achievements include sourcing funds to build a school premises and securing three teaching positions for children with hearing difficulties. Vicky has dedicated her career to working alongside marginalised groups. She has a history of developing services based on people’s self-identified needs. Vicky holds a BA in Politics and Economics, and an MA in International Security and Conflict Studies. Caroline O'Connell - Head of Fundraising Having studied Science (TCD) and Journalism (DIT), Caroline then ‘fell into’ fundraising and never looked back. Since 1999 she has held Senior Management positions with Dublin Simon Community, CARI and Plan International and also worked as a fundraising consultant. In addition to fundraising she has co-ordinated internationally recognised and high profile campaigns, conferences and events. She has played a key role in the development of many charities and generated tens of millions in fundraising during her career, whilst also gaining a wealth of experience and knowledge of not-for-profit sector management. Jennifer Coen - Head of Administration & HR Jennifer has been with Age Action for ten years, joining in 2011 as Assistant CE Supervisor having previous worked in the Central Remedial Clinic. She went on to become Officer Manager in 2013 and is now our Head of Administration & HR. Before joining the organisation she lived abroad and co-owned and ran a successful business in Spain for eight years before returning to Ireland in 2008. Pina Attanasio - National Volunteer Manager Pina Attanasio joined Age Action in 2019 as National Volunteer Manager. Pina has dedicated the last fifteen years of her career to defending human rights around the world through her work. Having previously worked with Amnesty International, Pina managed and co-ordinated volunteers, led large scale demonstrations and generated significant change. Pina also worked overseas in a refugee camp in Lesvos, supporting vulnerable refugees, and with street children in Malawi. The experience at Lesvos Solidarity Refugee Camp was especially impactful on her career. Inspired by the tireless efforts of the volunteers in the camp, Pina’s own dedication to campaigning and advocacy was reinforced. In her work she strives to keep volunteers motivated, appreciated and ensure they feel needed in their engagement with the organisation. Gerard Scully - Senior Information Officer Gerard is with Age Action nearly 23 years, he came in originally on a Community Employment Scheme as a Librarian and Information Officer. He has a professional qualification in Librarianship and Information provision and a Masters in Anthropology. Before Age Action he worked in Focus Point and Pavee Point as a Librarian. He manages Age Action’s Information Service and continues to enjoy working with and for older people. Nat O'Connor - Senior Public Affairs & Policy Specialist Nat has worked on social and economic policy for over 15 years and has worked in Dublin’s Homeless Agency, in the thinktank TASC, for the Labour Party in the Oireachtas, and at Ulster University and Maynooth University. He is the author or co-author of a range of publications, including Ireland’s first comprehensive report on economic inequality. Nat has a Masters in politics and social policy from the University of Dundee in Scotland and a PhD in politics from Trinity College Dublin. John O'Mahony - Regional Programmes Manager John is Regional Programmes Manager for the Southern and Western Regions. He is responsible for developing Age Action’s services for older people and for leading the programmes team to deliver services in CHO areas 1-5. John joined the charity sector in 2002. He worked for five years in ISPCC and three in Threshold before joining Age Action in 2010. John was the first Age Action staff member based in Cork. He oversaw the opening of Age Action’s Cork Office and manages an ever expanding team delivering services for older people in the Southern and Western regions. John holds a Master’s Degree in Electronic Business and a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Development. Yoey McCarthy - Regional Programmes Manager Yoey McCarthy joined Age Action in 2021 as Regional Programmes Manager for the Eastern Region. She has worked between the public and voluntary sector over the past 17 years. Yoey supported people living with dementia and their families in her role as Case Manager with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Following this, Yoey was involved in the Assessment of Need process as HSE Disability Case Manager/ Liaison Officer for Dublin South East. Yoey also has 4 years’ experience of working in the homeless sector where she managed a Supported Temporary Accommodation for Dublin Simon Community. Before joining Age Action, Yoey was the General Manager of a Community Probation Project. Yoey holds a BA Degree in Sociology and Social Policy and a Diploma in Life and Workplace Coaching eir partners with Age Action and Age Friendly Ireland to create specialised ‘age friendly care’ (22 November 2021) eir, the principal provider of fixed-line and mobile telecommunications services in Ireland, today announced the launch of a new approach to provide specialised support for (older customers. ‘Age friendly care from eir’ has been designed in partnership with Age Action and Age Friendly Ireland, and includes the introduction of a dedicated phone line supported by a team of care agents who are specially trained in working with customers aged 65 and over. 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