Annual Governance Conference Speakers

Joanne is an activist for people with disabilities, motivational speaker focusing on delivering inspirational talks on “Living and Thriving”, and a sports columnist with The Irish Times. She appears in the 2013 documentary “No Limbs No Limits”.

Chair of Sport Ireland 

Sport Ireland CEO, Dr. Una May

Director of Governance and Strategy, Sport Ireland

Director of Strategic National Governing Body Programmes & Women in Sport Lead, Sport Ireland

Fiona Ross is an experienced public and private sector Chairperson and Non-Executive Director, having served on 17 Boards in Ireland and the UK over the past ten years. Fiona is the Chairperson to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) and to the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board

David Gilroy is an elected member of Meath Local Authority and is self-employed within the sustainability sector.  He is an Engineer by training with a post-grad diploma in Environmental Sustainability from University College Dublin.

Dr. Míde Ní Shúilleabháin is a Sustainability Advisor, specialising in sports sustainability, community engagement and strategic sustainability planning. Míde is a Sustainability Advisor to the GAA’s Green Club programme and a guest lecturer for University of Dublin’s Sports Management Masters on the delivery of the Sustainability module.

Dr. Noel Doyle is the Research Officer for Leave No Trace Ireland. He was awarded his PhD from the Institute of Technology Tralee in October 2020, which looked at understanding and fostering responsible recreational behaviour in Ireland.

Clodagh NicCanna is the President and Chairperson of the National Governing Body (NGB) for overseeing the development of the sport of volleyball, Volleyball Ireland, holding the role since 2021.

Michael Loftus is the elected Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council and current Chairperson to Mayo Sports Partnership.

Phelim is a senior Manager at Limerick Sports Partnership and has 30 years’ experience promoting physical activity, sports participation and health and wellbeing across target groups and communities. Phelim’s work includes developing and implementing strategies targeting marginalised communities to engage in physical activity as a key component in their lifecycle.

Michelle qualified with Chartered Accountants Ireland in 2005, having trained in Mazars, Dublin.  She has been employed in the Gaelic Athletic Association since 2007 in various roles including Head of Finance, HR and Business Development for Ulster GAA and Stadium Manager in Pairc Uí Chaoimh in Cork.