Disability Federation of Ireland Board

Over the past 13 years Gráinne has developed, lead and implemented an ambitious Services Programme for people living with arthritis and supporting infrastructure for service delivery, including the Stanford University Self-Management Programme to over 5,000 people. She has actively participated in the growth of the organisation and the ongoing development and implementation of its long- term strategy. Gráinne has built, motivated and managed teams of staff and volunteers to deliver on the strategic goals, objectives and targets of the services.

She is a Stanford University accredited Master Trainer in the Chronic Disease and Arthritis Self Management Programmes.

Siobhan Long has worked in the field of Assistive Technology since 1991. Siobhan's current role involved management of Enable Ireland's National Assistive Technology Training and SeatTech Services. Siobhan works with two teams of highly skilled individuals who strive to deliver innovative, person-centered AT and custom seating solutions to a wide range of individuals with differing abilities and needs. Technology is changing repidly and the goal is to ensure that those who can benefit from what it has to offer, can gain access to it in a timely manner. Another goal of Enable Ireland's AT and SeatTeach services is to influence the development of future technologies. Partnering with AT users to advocate for better Assistive Technology services, solutions and support is a key objective for our service. 

Enable Ireland provides services to children and adults with disabilities and their families from 40 locations in 14 counties. Encompassing services from childhood to adulthood, expert teams work with the individual and their family on plan for each life stage. Enable Ireland's mission is to work in partnership with those who use the services to achieve maximum independence, choice and inclusion in their communities. Enable Ireland focuses on the person, not the disability. We believe that access, inclusion and equality are basic rights for all people and assert that society must recognise and accommodate individual needs. 

Sinéad Lucey Brennan is a senior leader in strategy, operations and planning with a background spanning the public, private and non-profit sectors.  With over 12 years of experience, she has led major mergers, managed large teams, and driven strategic growth and transformation.

Known for her sharp thinking, empathy, and results-driven approach, she has successfully led award-winning teams and built strong relationships across all levels of organisations. She also has a natural ability to negotiate and influence people at all levels.

Sinéad is also a passionate disability advocate using her lived experience to influence change as a board director on several local and national bodies. She is Director of Hidden Disability Sunflower Ireland and founded a disability network that was a finalist in the 2023 Irish National Diversity and Inclusion Awards. She runs an adaptive design agency focused on universal design and personalised, empowering solutions for people with hidden disabilities.

Sinéad previously served as Director of Girls in Tech Dublin and is a dedicated mentor for women in tech. Equally, she is a huge advocate of disabled people in employment and encourages everyone to reach their full potential. She has a young family, loves food, travel, reading, current affairs, politics, and health.

Padraig is the Public Affairs Research Administrator for the Rehab Group in Ireland. He has been in this role since 2009 after completing a BA and three MAs in University College Cork.

He is a keen advocate of the rights of people with disabilities and is the former chairperson of Cork Centre for Independent Living.

Padraig has lived experience of disability since acquiring a spinal injury at the age of 16. In his personal life, some of Padraig's interests are the use of smart technology to assist independence, gaming and sport. He is a passionate power soccer player.

Padraig joined the DFI Board in 2023. 

Aoife is a Social Science Graduate from University College Dublin. Following a number of years working with Children and Young Adults, she completed a Masters in Child and Youth Care. She has worked in Disability Service for 17 years.

Aoife has worked in residential and respite services where she gained vast experience of clinical and organisational governance, with extensive knowledge regarding HIQA regulations and experience of managing teams and working through human resource issues as they arise.

In 2018, Aoife moved to community-based services, providing support and assisting with access to services for people with Multiple Sclerosis. As a result, she is familiar with community resources, HSE structures and referral pathways in the community.

In 2022, Aoife became the National Services Manager in MS Ireland.  The key responsibilities of her role are in MS Ireland’s national respite service in Bushy Park and the Community Worker Network which provide a casework service around the country to people with MS. 

Michelle MacDonagh is the CEO of Intelligent Enterprises. With over 18 years of experience advising clients on digital transformation, Michelle specialises in AI, Data, Analytics, and Enterprise Performance Management solutions. She has led large-scale transformation programs and provided strategic direction to top-tier organisations. Michelle holds a BSc in Computer Science and is passionate about leveraging technology to drive innovation and meaningful change, with a strong focus on empowering organisations through data-driven strategies.

As a mother to a young son with a disability, Michelle is passionate about fostering an inclusive society and is committed to making meaningful contributions to support people with disabilities. Her personal and professional experiences drive her advocacy for positive change through technology.

John McDonald is a disability activist. He is currently a Joint Programme Manager with Waterford Centre for Independent Living. Waterford CIL provides a Personal Assistant service and Accessible Transport service for people with disabilities and mobility limitations.

John was a founder member of Waterford Disability Network in 2012. He was also a Director of Waterford Area Partnership and Waterford Credit Union. He was on the committee of Waterford City and County Council that oversaw the "Barcelona Declaration" which consisted of 56 local authorities signing up to including Waterford Council.

He is passionate about all things "Accessible" and Healthcare and the rights of patients in hospitals, whatever age and he is a strong advocate for the disability sector.

John has been married to Nuala for 30 years. They live in Waterford for the last 21 years in their own apartment in the grounds of Waterford Cheshire, Johns Hill.

His interests include many sports such as football, soccer (he's a Norwich City fan), and rugby and as he is originally from Kilkenny, he's a hurling fan too. 

In his spare time he raises funds for activities for the service users in Waterford Cheshire including car boot sales, weekly bingo and an annual table quiz.

John joined the DFI Board in April 2024. 

Peter has 20 years’ experience working with neurological patient organisations and has been the CEO of Epilepsy Ireland since 2016. He joined Epilepsy Ireland in 2008 initially focusing on fundraising, communications and research and later became the organisation’s Deputy CEO. Prior to this, he worked with the Migraine Association of Ireland from 2001-2007, including four years as CEO.

Epilepsy Ireland is the national organisation supporting and representing people with epilepsy and their families in Ireland. As CEO, Peter is responsible for furthering the organisation’s vision of a society where no person's life is limited by epilepsy through support, education and training services; raising awareness of epilepsy; advocating for those with the condition; and supporting Irish epilepsy research.

He is currently a member of the Health Products Regulatory Authority Patient Forum, the International League Against Epilepsy Covid-19 task force and the Chair of the International Bureau for Epilepsy’s Professional Development committee. He is a former board member of Health Research Charities Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland. 

As a board member of DFI, Peter hopes to work on behalf of people with neurological and hidden disabilities and to highlight the role and challenges of community-based member organisations.

Shane is the CEO of Parkinson’s Ireland.

He is a Chartered Accountant and a Chartered Tax Adviser. He holds a first-class honours degree in accounting from the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Most recently he obtained a Professional Diploma in Leadership and Management from UCD Professional Academy.

Shane was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2015 and has the lived experience of a hidden and sometimes stigmatised disability. He is a former board member and chairperson of the Finance and Audit Committee of Epilepsy Ireland. He resigned from these positions after becoming the CEO of Parkinson’s Ireland.

He has also previously worked for the Irish Tax Institute, Grant Thornton and Glen Dimplex in accounting and finance roles.

Shane has a history of volunteerism for a variety of causes.

Shane joined the DFI Board in April 2024. 

Julie joined the Bank of Ireland as Head of Group Human Resources on 14 June 2010. Julie brought a diverse HR experience to the Group, gained in several different companies including ING where she more recently worked. At ING, Julie held a number of senior management positions ranging from Regional HR Director Asia Pacific for ING Investment Managment, based in Australia to Regional Head of HR and Management Board member, ING Asia Pacific based in Hong Kong. In this role she was responsible for 17,000 employees covering investment management, insurance and real estate. Prior to ING, Julie worked in senior HR Director roles Arthur Anderson, Citibank and Fairfax Media. 

Julie holds and MBA in International Business Management form Charles Sturt University, having previously graduated form the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Science,majorign in Psychology. 

Barry Sheridan is currently CEO of ChildVision, the national organisation dedicated to improving children's and young people's lives with visual impairments and multiple disabilities.  ChildVision plays a crucial role in supporting and enhancing children's and young people's lives with visual impairments and multiple disabilities and works closely with all stakeholders. 

Before this Barry was CEO with Down Syndrome Ireland and lead a transformation programme that included the re alignment of the organisations governance programme with included the redesign of the organisations Constitution.    

He has a wealth of CEO experience in the charitable and disability sector.  He has led national organisations through ambitious growth and organisational development programmes. 

Barry has 15 years’ senior management experience in creating exceptional outcomes across the disability and social inclusion non-profit sector behind him.   He is highly experienced and knowledgeable in non-profit governance, diligence, and regulatory requirements – having managed organisations governance evolution ensuring corporate governance and regulatory standards are met.   

Barry has an in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing people with disabilities and the organisations that are trying to support them and a real understanding of the role these disability organisations play in the creation of a more inclusive Irish society.   

Barry Sheridan joined the DFI Board in June 2024.