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Meet Our Board Members
Chairperson
Brian O'Donovan
Internal Controls Manager
Brian is a Chartered Accountant (FCA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) with extensive experience in financial leadership roles across multinational organisations. His expertise include financial management, internal controls, risk management, and process improvement. Brian has held senior finance roles at FMC Corporation, Gilead Sciences, Itron, Dell EMC, and Apple, leading teams and driving operational efficiencies.
With a strong background in corporate governance and financial oversight, Brian brings strategic insight to the board, ensuring financial sustainability and accountability. He has successfully led multiple ERP implementations (SAP and Oracle), strengthening internal controls and streamlining financial operations.
A board member of Active Connections CLG since 2022, Brian is passionate about supporting organisations that create a meaningful impact. He is committed to using his financial expertise to enhance transparency, sustainability, and long-term success, ensuring the organisation’s financial strategy aligns with its mission.
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Company Secretary
Mary McKay-Visser
National Operations Lead
With over 20 years of experience as a nurse, working across both the independent and public healthcare sectors, Mary has held senior leadership roles, including Director positions. Having worked in the Middle East, UK, Africa, and Ireland, Mary brings a wealth of experience in diverse healthcare environments.
Specialising in healthcare operations and clinical systems transformation, Mary has successfully led governance improvements, enhanced service delivery, and driven hospitals from poor performance to achieving high-quality standards. This includes JCI, ISO, CQC, and Healthy Workplace accreditations, as well as leading projects such as the Kilani Medical Complex in Jordan and the commissioning of RCSI King Hamad Hospital in Bahrain.
Passionate about improving services with a patient-centred approach, Mary understands the life-changing impact of these programmes on young people and their families. With expertise in governance and service development, Mary is committed to supporting and shaping structures that enhance and expand these vital initiatives.
Treasurer
Alan McGettigan
Financial Consultant
Alan is a financial consultant with over 8 years of experience in the finance sector. A qualified accountant he has worked in a variety of industries including professional services, public sector, insurance and consumer goods.
Alan specialises in finance transformation projects. Key to success in this area is strong stakeholder management, change management and project management skills. These skills lend themselves well to contribute to ensuring the Board can meet its strategic goals.
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Scott Ellis
Client Director and Partner
Scott is a Partner at Gate One (Havas Group), an award-winning digital and business transformation consultancy. A recognised expert in the Retail and Consumer Products sector, he has led large-scale transformations and advised leading organisations on business model innovation and change.
With a consulting background spanning IBM, Deloitte, Accenture, and Moorhouse, he has provided strategic advisory services and led major programmes for organisations including JD Group, Kraft Foods, Danone, Majid Al Futtaim, Dell, and GlaxoSmithKline. His contributions to the field earned him the prestigious ‘Consultant of the Year’ award from the UK Institute of Consulting (IoC) and the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
An active member of IBEC and the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce, he also serves as a board member for the Mermaid Arts Centre in Wicklow. Passionate about driving meaningful impact, he brings his strategic expertise to support the vision and mission of Active Connections, helping those in need across Ireland.
Michael O'Connor
Portfolio Manager
Michael is a Portfolio Manager in a Real Estate Finance fund with experience across various industries, including business development for a global economic advisory firm and strategic partnerships in blockchain. His expertise spans strategy, negotiation, and relationship management.
Having summited Mt. Kilimanjaro at 17, Michael witnessed firsthand the transformative power of outdoor pursuits. A firm believer in adventure therapy, he is passionate about empowering young people to take control of their mental health, heal from past trauma, and achieve their goals.
Inspired by the real-world impact of Active Connections, he is committed to supporting its growth. Michael brings both personal experience and professional expertise to the board and aims to contribute to the charity’s expansion. Through his role in the Strategy and Fundraising subcommittees, he hopes to help scale the organisation’s services to a national level, ensuring more young people can benefit from its work.
Damien Byrne
Technical Service Manager
With over 14 years of experience in leadership and governance, Damien brings a wealth of expertise in strategic planning, problem-solving, and organisational resilience. Holding an LLM and BCL, alongside diplomas and certificates in Law, Project Management, and Workplace Resilience, he has a strong foundation in navigating complex regulatory and operational challenges.
Damien has held key governance roles, including Chairperson of the Lough Credit Union Board Oversight Committee and Director positions at South Munster MABS and BGFCTC, where he has played a vital role in financial integrity, community development, and educational support for young people. Damien's background in research at UCC has further sharpened his analytical and strategic decision-making skills.
Passionate about ensuring every child has access to the support they need, Damien believes in the transformative power of play therapy. As a board member of Active Connections, he is committed to driving sustainability, innovation, and impact—helping the organisation to grow and reach even more children in need.
Sarah Kerrigan
Product Manager
Sarah holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sports and Exercise Management from University College Dublin (UCD) and is certified in Strength & Conditioning for Special Populations from Setanta College. She is an advocate for disability inclusion in sports, serving on committees such as the SportsAbility Forum and the National Sports Executive Committee of the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Through her platform Trouble on a Peg Leg, she leads awareness campaigns on disability inclusion and is a recognised speaker on the topic.
As a board member of Active Connections, Sarah brings expertise in inclusive sports, disability awareness, and community engagement. Her work with National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and Local Sports Partnerships strengthens her ability to bridge gaps and shape inclusive programmes. Her strategic vision aims to enhance partnerships and ensure long-term impact, creating accessible opportunities for individuals with additional needs.
Join Our Board
We are always on the lookout for dedicated professionals to join our Board.
Together, we can empower young people and make a real difference in their lives.
Be part of something extraordinary - Transform Lives Through Adventure
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