UNICEF Ireland Board of Directors

Paul Connolly brings a broad skillset from over 35 years’ experience in business leadership roles, including on public company Boards. He is currently an Independent Director at ARN Media plc, a Non-Executive Director at Bondi Partners and Chairman of Business & Finance Media Group.

Paul is the Founder and Chairman of boutique corporate advisory house, Connolly Capital. He was previously a Non-Executive Director of Independent News & Media plc. and a Senior Advisor to Credit Suisse.

Paul has significant international experience and has also travelled extensively as part of UNICEF field trips, including visits to Haiti, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Papua New Guinea and more recently Jordan.

Paul has a Batchelor of Commerce from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.

Caoimhe Buckley is a sustainability and corporate affairs leader with over twenty years experience in communications, reputation management, and sustainability. She is the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Fyffes, where she leads sustainability and stakeholder engagement strategies.

Her international career spans roles in the public and private sectors across Europe and Asia. Based in South Dublin with her family, she is committed to advancing social impact and sustainable practices globally with a particular interest in child rights, wellbeing and advancement.

Joe Canning is a distinguished former Galway Hurling player, who has won everything in the game, including winning the All Ireland in 2017 with his native Galway. Since retiring from Hurling at county level he has written his autobiography, works as a TV pundit and also writes a GAA column each week for the Irish Times.

Joe became a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador in 2009 and joined the board in 2016. He has visited numerous UNICEF programmes around the world including Syria in 2017. A Galway man, now married and living in Limerick, and a father of one, he brings his sporting passion to UNICEF's mission for children.

Caroline Dowling is an experienced business leader with extensive global knowledge in the technology sector. Caroline was, until her retirement in 2019, the Business Group President of Flex, an industry leading Fortune 100 company with operations in 50 countries. In this role she led a $10 billion group of businesses.

Caroline is currently a non executive director at DCC PLC, IMI PLC and CRH PLC and board advisor at software company OMNICS and Volvo Cars. Caroline also volunteers on the board of UNICEF Ireland & with Tyndall, the Irish National Research Institute.

Aine Flanagan has been a UNICEF board member since 2021. With a background in leadership advisory at Egon Zehnder, she specializes in guiding Chairs and CEOs through critical talent challenges. Previously, Aine served as Chief Strategy Officer at Flutter plc.

A native of Kilkenny and a mother of two, Aine is deeply committed to children's rights and has had the privilege to various UNICEF programs around the world. Aine's passion for making a difference in children's lives drive her commitment to UNICEF and its mission.

Joan Garahy holds a portfolio of Independent Non-Executive Directorships with a combination of plcs, private companies and charities. In addition to being a member of the Board, she is the Senior Independent Director and Chair of some of the committees of her Boards and is regarded as an expert in corporate governance and good board practice, skills which she brings to the board of UNICEF Ireland, since she joined in Dec 2022.

Joan's executive career, included roles in various Investment institutions, as Founder & CEO, Investments Director, Head of Research, Fund Manager and Equity Analyst and she brings a deep understanding of the world of investments to her non-executive positions. She received her undergraduate degree from University of Galway and a graduate degree from the UCD and holds a diploma in Accounting and Finance from the ACCA. She has a keen interest in nature, the environment and all aspects of sustainability, she likes to cook and still makes time to play golf regularly and socialise with friends and family.

Sinead joined the UNICEF Ireland Board in 2011 and has been a passionate advocate for children’s rights ever since. While working as cabin crew with Aer Lingus, she proudly supported UNICEF’s Change for Good initiative, helping to raise vital funds for children worldwide.

Now serving in a personal capacity, Sinead brings her perspective first and foremost as a mother. She is also a published author with a strong interest in the role of social media in amplifying children’s voices and stories. Her work with UNICEF reflects her belief that every child should have the opportunity to grow up safe, heard, and with the chance to thrive.

Donncha O’Callaghan is a distinguished former Munster and international rugby player, who earned over 90 caps for Ireland and was part of the team that won the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2009. Since retiring from professional sport he has become a well-known broadcaster, bringing insight and humour to TV and radio, as well as launching a series of children’s books.

Donncha became a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador in 2009 and joined the board in 2012. He has visited numerous UNICEF programmes around the world and has led several UNICEF television fundraising campaigns. A proud Corkman and father of four, he brings his sporting passion to UNICEF's mission for children.

Andrew Weld-Moore is a senior sales leader with over 15 years at Meta, currently heading Sales for Central & Eastern Europe within the Global Business Group. He has held leadership roles across the UK & Ireland, Nordics, Benelux, and CEE, building the business and scaling teams in each market.

Before joining Meta, Andrew worked in broadcast and media sales, including as Head of Agency Sales at Beat 102–103, Ireland’s first regional radio station, and in senior roles at urbanmedia and Q102.