Summit 2025 Programme

Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD

Micheál Martin was born in Turners Cross, Cork, the son of Paddy Martin, formerly of CIE and ex-Irish International boxer, and Lana Corbett. He was educated locally, at Scoil Chríost Rí and Coláiste Chríost Rí, and remains a frequent visitor to both schools. He later attended University College Cork where he qualified with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Micheál subsequently completed his Master of Arts thesis in Political History, before deciding to embark on a career as a secondary school teacher in St. Kierans College, Camden Quay, Cork.

Micheál was first elected to Cork Corporation in 1985. Since entering national politics in 1989, the Cork South Central TD has served on the Fianna Fáil front bench and in four cabinet posts: Minister for Foreign Affairs (2008-2011), Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2004-2008), Minister for Health (2000-04) and Minister for Education (1997-2000), Taoiseach (2020-2022), and Tánaiste (2022-2025).

Jerry Buttimer TD 

Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and at the Department of Transport

Jerry Buttimer has been TD for the Cork South-Central constituency since the 2024 general election, and previously from from 2011 to 2016. He was Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann from December 2022 to November 2024, and Leas-Chathaoirleach from July 2020 to August 2020. He also served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2007 to 2011 and 2016 to 2024, and as Leader of Fine Gael in the Seanad from 2016 to 2020.

Madeleine Delaney

Chief Executive, Charities Regulator

Madeleine Delaney was appointed Chief Executive of the Charities Regulator in August 2024. She previously served as Director of Legal Affairs and Registration from 2021. Prior to joining the Charities Regulator, Madeleine was the Head of Legal at the Office of the Ombudsman and previously Deputy Head of Compliance at the Pensions Authority. A solicitor, she is a graduate of the University of Limerick and University College Cork.

Alexandrina Najmowicz is Secretary General of the European Civil Society Forum, a transnational network of about 100 associations across Europe, working to protect civic space, enable civic participation and build civil dialogue for more equality, solidarity and democracy in Europe. In this role, she leads different campaigns and initiatives aiming to strengthen the space and capacity of civil society organisations to stand and act for these values, defend citizens’ rights and participate with more impact in the decision-making process. Alexandrina has a legal background and extensive track record of international cooperation, working for twenty years in the third sector and not-for-profit environment in Romania, France and at European level.  She has been Co-chairwoman of the CSOs Convention for the Conference on the Future of Europe initiated and coordinated by Civil Society Europe, and member of the CoFoE plenary. She is member of Civil Society Europe Board.

Elaine Teague is CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI).  She started her career with St. Michael’s House in 1995 and has held a number of other positions within the organisation including Director of Quality and Safety, Compliance Officer, Service Manager, and Regional Training Manager. Elaine has a proven track record in the area of quality and standards. Elaine was also involved in the development and implementation of Open Disclosure in Intellectual Disability Services nationally and in the national roll out of the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act in Intellectual Disability Services. She has a Post Graduate Diploma in Implementation Science. She also holds a Quality Management qualification, a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Training and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Social Studies.

Emmet Malone is the Work Correspondent with The Irish Times, a role where he focusses on employment, industrial relations and related issues. He was previously the Soccer Correspondent and an Assistant News Editor. He has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. Previously a member of the National union of Journalists Irish Executive, he has participated in a number of committees and initiatives on working conditions in the media sector, standards and its futre development. Separately, he was a director of the anti-racism initiative, Show Racism the Red Card for almost a decade.

Vincent Keenan has served on the board of The Wheel since 2014. Prior to being elected Chairperson in July 2021 he has been vice Chairperson and has served on several subcommittees of the board. Vincent was appointed Chief Executive of North & East Housing Association in 2014, he has some 30 years’ experience in housing provision and services, homelessness, social and community development. Prior to his current role Vincent has held positions in Co-operative Housing Ireland and Focus Ireland.

Kerry McLaverty is CEO of LauraLynn Children’s Hospice and a Trustee of The Wheel.  She is a highly experienced healthcare professional with over 15 years’ experience working in the healthcare, nonprofit and voluntary sectors. She is a long-standing member of the LauraLynn team, having been initially recruited to the Physiotherapy Department in 2012. Since then, Kerry has assumed the position of Clinical Services Manager in 2014 and later in 2016, she commenced the role of Head of Operations at LauraLynn before stepping into the role of CEO in 2020. Kerry also sits on the Council of Partners of the All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care Providers, having previously been Secretary of Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists and Chair of the Physiotherapists in Intellectual Disability Clinical Interest Group.

Allen Bobinac is the Outreach Manager at Tiglin and leads The Lighthouse Café in Dublin, offering vital support to people experiencing homelessness. Originally from Croatia, he moved to Ireland in 2015. Having overcome homelessness himself, he progressed from volunteer to leadership within the charity. Allen spearheaded a ‘Transformative Education’ initiative with SETU, providing access to higher education for marginalised individuals. Through his leadership, he transformed the Tiglin cafe into "a living room for those in need of one" during the biggest rough sleeper crisis last year. He also introduced numerous initiatives that promote dignity and joy, including fashion makeovers, guest musicians, bingo, barbers, doctors and many more. Allen holds MAs in Child, Youth and Family Studies and in International Relations, and brings both lived experience and academic depth to his work. 

John Paul Collins is a Mental Health Awareness Worker with Exchange House, a support service for the Traveller community. After a decade in youth work with the organisation, he progressed to specialising in men’s mental health and now sits on the National Traveller Mental Health Network. A Traveller himself, John Paul is a vocal advocate for suicide prevention, tackling mental health stigmas and breaking cycles of generational trauma within his own community.  

Wendy Fitzgerald McCarry has a diverse and extensive career that spans over 35 years across various sectors. She has taken on significant roles with FAS/VEC, Cork Institute of Technology, and with the Department of Foreign Affairs through the Zambian Embassy. Wendy has also worked as a Senior Training Advisor with the Irish League of Credit Unions and as a self-employed consultant for McCarry Training and Facilitation. Originally from Cork, Wendy’s career has led her to work in Ireland, Europe, America, and Africa. She is now settled in Donegal with her five children. Her deep commitment to the sector is demonstrated in her role as the former CEO of the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation CLG, a charity she has been involved with since 2006, following her own daughter’s acquired brain injury, which resulted in physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities. Wendy now focuses on bringing her expertise and knowledge to help this sector thrive through her new company, Third Sector Solutions. 

Siobhan Grant has been the Fundraising Manager at Saint Joseph’s Shankill since 2015. She says it has been an honour to work as part of a team that makes a difference to people living with dementia and their families. Siobhan began her career at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, where she trained as a general nurse. Her career took her from hospitals to working in film and television, and nearly ten years with Special Olympics. She worked on the 2003 World Games with over 40,000 volunteers and communities all over Ireland and then as a manager and director with Special Olympics Ireland in marketing, events and fundraising.  

Claire McGowran is the Campaign Manager for We Act, a national campaign to celebrate charities and community groups in Ireland. Claire has over 15 years in print and digital media. She was the editor of One Fab Day, and has written for the Irish Times and Irish Independent. She worked on the #HomeToVote campaign and a UNICEF campaign to end child marriage. She also has a storytelling side-venture called Wooden Spoon Stories.    

Paul Stanley is one of BUMBLEance’s dedicated drivers, providing journeys to and from healthcare settings for children across Ireland. Paul spent his career working as a member of the Dublin Fire Brigade and, after retiring in 2020, made the move to BUMBLEance. Though he’s based in Dublin, Paul’s work sees him travel all across the country. When asked how he measures success in his role, Paul said, “Achievements in this job are measured in smiles.” 

Angela Murphy is the Manager of Welcome English Language Centre in Cork City. With a team of volunteer tutors, she supports over 150 migrants every single day, providing not only literacy and language tuition, but an inclusive and welcoming space for migrants to find community and access support. Angela has been with the centre for 20 years, originally starting as a volunteer teacher. Welcome English Language Centre was recently awarded the AONTAS STAR Award for Social Inclusion.