The ActionAid Ireland team can be reached by phone on +353 1 878 7911
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. Karol has a Masters in Globalisation and has worked extensively with a range of civil society partners and communities in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.Â
Sarah Marshall – Executive Assistant
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. She holds an MA in International Development from Maynooth University. Sarah is also a qualified Yoga Teacher and loves hiking, sea swimming and yoga. Â
Claire Smith – Head of Fundraising
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 to see firsthand how ActionAid’s work is changing lives. Before joining ActionAid, Claire worked as a Global Fundraising Specialist for Amnesty International. She has also worked as a Client Manager at a Face-to-Face Fundraising agency and managed the campaign planning teams at a Telemarketing agency.
Katie Ryan – Retention Manager
Katie joined ActionAid in 2015 and since that time has worked across a variety of roles including fundraising, administration and governance. She has been in her current role as Individual Giving Manager since 2020, which sees her manage 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. Prior to working at ActionAid, she worked as the Client Services Manager at a Face-to-Face and Telemarketing Fundraising agency, where she helped plan and deliver Acquisition and Retention campaigns for a variety of charities based in Ireland and the UK.
A mum to three small boys, when she is not working Katie can often be found on the sideline of football match and loves to cook and read in her spare time.
Niamh Curran – Acquisition Manager
Niamh is a fundraising and digital marketing specialist. She joined ActionAid in 2024. Her role is to find and engage with new supporters to join the ActionAid Ireland community. Niamh mainly works across digital, telemarketing, face-to-face, and gifts in Wills. Since 2017, she has worked in both Ireland and Canada with several non-profit organisations to help to them grow their committed supporters. Outside of work, you can find Niamh adventuring in the hills, going for a sea swim, or with her head stuck in a good book.
Orlaith O’Rourke – Fundraising Data Specialist
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 and is so grateful for this enriching professional career. Orlaith has a passion for lifelong learning, and loves to travel. Hailing from Donegal, she is always eager for the next adventure.Â
Mariana Musse – Digital Marketing Executive
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. Before joining ActionAid, Mariana worked for more than four years integrating all channels of marketing to drive conversion and brand exposure, leading, developing, and executing social media campaigns to connect with consumers. Mariana is originally from Brasil and makes a five-star Brazilian breakfast.Â
Jeffrey Hanlon – Supporter Care Executive
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 Sejean – Fundraising Executive
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. When she’s not at work, you’ll likely find her at a dance class or surrounded by nature!
Erica Beccarello – Communications & Campaigns Coordinator
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Erica joined ActionAid in June 2024 as Communications Coordinator. Her role includes managing the organisation’s communications and media relationships, planning social media work, organising events, and running the global citizenship education programme. With previous experience in communications across various organisations, Erica holds an MA in International Relations from Central European University and a BA in Political Science, International Relations and Human Rights from Università degli Studi di Padova. Originally from Italy, Erica has a passion for museums and food.
Grainne Kilcullen – Head of Programmes
Grainne 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. She has been working in the area of human rights, peacebuilding, governance and accountability, and gender justice for over 15 years with international, local and multilateral organisations. Grainne holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law and a BA in History and Philosophy. She likes to run and dance, and plays competitive hockey with her local club, Cork Wanderers. She also loves working in the garden – it gives her a sense of well-being to see flowers and vegetables grow.
Cillian Quinn – Policy & Programmes Coordinator
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. His biggest interest has always been women’s rights, with a focus on the intersectional challenges faced by women from the Global South. You will likely find Cillian up a mountain when not working or with friends and family!Â
Nepal | Nisha Lama Karki – GBV Protection Coordinator
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. Before ActionAid, she worked with female drug users and HIV/AID affected women and girls. She is a graduate of Social Work from Kathmandu University, Nepal. Nisha loves spending time with her two children, and as a foodie she loves cooking, travelling and tasting different cuisines.
Kenya | Peris Kariuki – Programme Performance and Learning Coordinator
Peris has been working with ActionAid Ireland since August 2024. She leads the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) efforts for the Women’s Rights Programme. Peris has been working in programme management and MEL across Africa for several years, with experience in grantmaking, adaptive learning, and intersectional gender justice. She is committed to using data to challenge the status quo and advocate for inclusive, rights-based programming. Fluent in multiple languages, Peris enjoys engaging with diverse communities. When she’s not working, she loves exploring new cultures and spending time outdoors.
Olive Corbett – Head of Finance & Governance
Olive joined ActionAid in 2019. Her role is to ensure ActionAid Ireland meets the highest standards of financial management and governance. Before joining ActionAid, Olive qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PwC and then spent the following 16 years working in finance in the banking sector.Â
Kate A Carroll – Finance Co-ordinator
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.
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