You are here Who we are ...
Colm Fahy, Chair
Colm is a solicitor with Crowley Miller Solicitors. He currently represents and advises leading insurance businesses, charitable organisations and private and corporate clients in the media and entertainment industry as well as maintaining a broad portfolio of private client matters. Colm has worked as an election observer, is a fluent French speaker and remains active outside office time in community and volunteering. In addition to his board position with VCI, he is co-founder of the Irish Society of International Law and is also an active campaigner with numerous human rights causes, and an organiser and a mentor for student legal debating teams.
Tina Roche, Vice Chair
Tina Roche was appointed Chief Executive of The Foundation for Investing in Communities in January 2000. She established two organisations - Business in the Community Ireland (BITCI) and The Community Foundation for Ireland.
Tina has supported the agenda on Corporate Social Responsibility through the establishment of Business in the Community. She has overseen the development of Employment for People from Immigrant Communities (EPIC), the Schools Business Partnership, The Linkage Programme (ex-offender placement) and Ready for Work encouraging business action on homelessness.
Tina led the establishment of a philanthropic vehicle for donors and is building a permanent civic endowment fund through the development of The Community Foundation for Ireland.
Tina has a MBA from IMI/Fordham and has many years business experience having worked as Financial Controller and Company Secretary with The Sunday Tribune. Previous to her present role she worked for The National Gallery as Head of Development 1994 to 1999. Her main interest is in philanthropy, human rights, education, community activism, corporate responsibility, and social capital. She served on the executive board of Amnesty International Irish Section as Treasurer from 1992-1998 and is a current member. Tina also served as a member of the Senate of the NUI from1993-1997 and is a current board member of Volunteer Centres Ireland and a member of The Philanthropy Forum. Tina is also an ambassador of the Transatlantic Community Foundation Network.
Tina has supported the agenda on Corporate Social Responsibility through the establishment of Business in the Community. She has overseen the development of Employment for People from Immigrant Communities (EPIC), the Schools Business Partnership, The Linkage Programme (ex-offender placement) and Ready for Work encouraging business action on homelessness.
Tina led the establishment of a philanthropic vehicle for donors and is building a permanent civic endowment fund through the development of The Community Foundation for Ireland.
Tina has a MBA from IMI/Fordham and has many years business experience having worked as Financial Controller and Company Secretary with The Sunday Tribune. Previous to her present role she worked for The National Gallery as Head of Development 1994 to 1999. Her main interest is in philanthropy, human rights, education, community activism, corporate responsibility, and social capital. She served on the executive board of Amnesty International Irish Section as Treasurer from 1992-1998 and is a current member. Tina also served as a member of the Senate of the NUI from1993-1997 and is a current board member of Volunteer Centres Ireland and a member of The Philanthropy Forum. Tina is also an ambassador of the Transatlantic Community Foundation Network.
Fiona Cunnane, Manager, Carlow Volunteer Centre
Sacha Johnston, Manager, Dublin City South Volunteer Centre
Originally from Canada, Sacha has a background in youth work, leadership development and outdoor education and has worked in the Not-for Profit sector in Canada, the United States and Ireland. After completing her Masters in Organisational Management & Leadership abroad Sacha returned to Ireland and has been the Manager with the Dublin City South Volunteer Centre since 2007. Sacha has volunteered on a helpline with Women’s Aid, as a massage therapist with Helping Hands in Bosnia, with Habitat for Humanity in Paraguay and she currently volunteers in a befriending programme with Cluain Mhuire and UCD.
Anna Lee, Manager, Dodder Valley Partnership
Anna Lee is a trained social worker. She has worked the area of community development and anti-poverty work since 1986 and has been Manager of the Dodder Valley (Tallaght) Partnership, a local development company since 1991.
She was Chairperson of Ireland’s Combat Poverty Agency from 1995 –2001 and during this period also served on the Government Task Force on Ending Long Term Unemployment and the Devolution Commission. She is currently Chairperson of the Tallaght Drugs Task Force and the West Tallaght RAPID AIT.
Anna Lee has had a long involvement in issue based work and has written about community development and partnership.
She was Chairperson of Ireland’s Combat Poverty Agency from 1995 –2001 and during this period also served on the Government Task Force on Ending Long Term Unemployment and the Devolution Commission. She is currently Chairperson of the Tallaght Drugs Task Force and the West Tallaght RAPID AIT.
Anna Lee has had a long involvement in issue based work and has written about community development and partnership.
Ian O’ Flynn, Manager, Westmeath Volunteer Centre
Ian O’Flynn is the manager of the Westmeath Volunteer Centre, he is married to Ally with 4 children. Ian has volunteered all his life with drama, Basketball, Youth clubs, Community Development groups and many other projects. Prior to joining the Volunteer Centre in Westmeath, Ian spent 13 years working for Intel Corporation in the IQ Department, working on the building of factories and qualification of their hi spec machines in Arizona, New Mexico, California, Massachusetts and Israel. Even while working for Intel, Ian volunteered in soccer coaching in New Mexico and visiting sick children in hospitals.
Geraldine Sheehan, Manager, Kerry Volunteer Centre
Geraldine Sheehan serves as the Munster representative on the Board of volunteer Centres Ireland. Geraldine is the Manager of Kerry Volunteer Centre and is an active member on a number of VCI sub committees and working groups. Her professional interests are rooted in working with the community and voluntary sector to enhance their organisational development, governance, volunteer management and service delivery. She is a committed advocate of social inclusion, adherence to best practice and equal opportunities. To date, Geraldine has and continues to serve, in a variety of capacities, on national, regional and local committees.
Jim Slevin, Chair, Donegal Local Development Company
Jim Slevin retired from a life-long career in the retail business in 1997 and decided to turn his attention to the community. He was involved in the establishment of Erne Enterprises in Ballyshannon, a company established to serve the town and surrounding areas, including through supporting unemployed persons. The company was hugely successful and now has a significant workforce and owns assets worth several millions. Jim was also involved in the Active Citizenship roadshow and the development of the Donegal Volunteer Centre. He has worked closely with and for a number of community organisations and initatives including the Donegal County Development Board, the Irish Cross-Border Area Network, the Peace Task Force, Tyrone Donegal Partnership, Comhar Leader na hEireann and the Wider Horizons Programme.
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