ActionAid team
We have a small but mighty team leading our work in Ireland across governance, programmes, policy, communications, and fundraising.
Karol Balfe joined ActionAid as CEO in September 2021 and oversees the organisation’s work. Karol has worked for over 20 years in the fields of international human rights, development and peacebuilding and has published policy and learning papers on a range of human rights and development issues.
Sarah joined ActionAid in December 2022 and provides administrative support to the Senior Leadership Team as well as managing HR for the organisation. Sarah previously worked in the International Development Sector for nine years as a Volunteer Manager, Freelance Trainer and Programme Manager.
Claire has been part of the ActionAid team, working both in Ireland and the UK, for over seven years. She manages the Fundraising team to deliver the very best in supporter care for our committed and loyal supporters, as well as ensuring we are raising vital funds. In places like Gaza and Bangladesh, Claire has been fortunate…
Katie joined ActionAid in 2015 and since that time has worked across a variety of roles including fundraising, administration and governance. She manages the delivery of ActionAid’s fundraising programme, as well as maximising supporter retention to ensure long-term sustainable growth. Katie has worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 12 years.
Orlaith has been working with ActionAid since April 2020. She manages our fundraising databases and data processes. Data is a cornerstone of fundraising; she ensures we connect meaningfully with our kind and generous supporters. Orlaith has worked in the non-profit sector since 2016…
Mariana joined ActionAid Ireland in May 2022, as Digital Marketing executive. Her varied role has grown and developed according to organisational needs and now includes website and PPC campaign management, data analysis and reporting, email marketing campaigns, graphic design, and video creation.
Jeff joined ActionAid in 2024. He works closely with ActionAid Ireland’s supporters in his role. He has worked in fundraising roles since 2023 and has worked in several departments in the public sector. Jeff spends his spare time sea swimming, walking and doing yoga.
Juliette joined ActionAid in 2024 as the Fundraising Executive, bringing a dynamic blend of supporter care and retention activities to the team. Her career began in play therapy for children before she moved into the not-for-profit sector in 2022. Juliette is driven by the opportunity to make a tangible, positive impact on people’s lives.
Jo-Ann joined ActionAid in 2013. Her role includes liaising with the media, running the global citizenship education programme and developing the organisation’s campaigning activities. She has over 15 years communications and campaigning experience, including more than 10 years with ActionAid.
Gráinne joined ActionAid in October 2022 and manages ActionAid Ireland’s programme team, overseeing a variety of programmes in Ireland and the Global South, funded by large and small donors.
Cillian joined ActionAid in October 2020. In his role with ActionAid, Cillian bridges the link between programmes and policy and also leads in delivering our domestic projects. Cillian has worked for 10 years in the international and community development sector, with a varied experience of working in Sub-Saharan Africa to working with asylum seekers in Ireland.
Nisha joined ActionAid Ireland in August 2023 and provides technical knowledge and leadership in the areas of gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment and climate justice to the Women’s Rights Programme. Prior to this Nisha worked with ActionAid Nepal for over ten years as Women’s Rights Specialist.
Mary Kuira is a seasoned Learning and Impact Specialist with extensive experience in Feminist Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) across diverse sectors and regions, including Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Olive joined ActionAid in 2019. Her role is to ensure ActionAid Ireland meets the highest standards of financial management and governance
Kate joined ActionAid Ireland in September 2022 as part-time Finance Co-ordinator. She qualified as an Accounts Technician in 2009 and since then has worked in numerous organisations from construction to retail, gaining experience in finance departments on her way. She likes reading, Aqua aerobics, Zumba and knitting.
Board of directors
We are governed by a Board of Directors whose principal responsibilities are the setting and monitoring of the strategic direction of the organisation, monitoring compliance, ensuring the efficient and effective use of resources and the establishment of policy. No remuneration is paid to Directors for their services on the Board.Â
Working with us
Our transformative vision of a just world free from poverty, oppression and patriarchy requires transformative feminist leaders: leaders who enable others to lead, building power with them instead of over them. Â To develop this approach, we have adopted a set of feminist leadership principles.
