Board Of Directors

 Julie has served on the Investment Committee of the Irish Strategic Investment Fund, part of the National Treasury Management Agency, since 2015, having been appointed by the then Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan. She is a board member of both Social Entrepreneurs Ireland and The Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Limited and a member of the National Competitiveness Council. Julie is a business graduate of the University of Ulster, has a Master’s in International Business (Fordham and IMI) and is a graduate of the Stanford Executive Programme, USA.

Fiach graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in Politics and Sociology (1988). He was Director and CEO of the Abbey Theatre, Ireland’s National Theatre (2005-2016) and was an Independent Senator (2011 -2016). He was awarded a M.A. in Public Policy from UCD in 2018. Fiach is completing the Professional Certificate in Governance at the Institute of Public Administration.

He previously held the positions of Artistic Director of the Project Arts Centre (1992-1999), Cultural Director of Expo 2000 in Hannover (1999-2000), Programme Manager for Centre Culturel Irlandais, Paris (2001-2002) and Policy Advisor to the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism (2002-2005).

In 2011, Fiach was appointed Chair of We the Citizens, an independent national initiative funded by Atlantic Philanthropies to test the benefits to citizens of deliberative democracy.

He was awarded the Chevalier de L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Government (2013) and is also an Eisenhower Fellow. He is currently on the Board of the Foundation Irlandaise and a member of the Strategy Committee of the Centre Culturel Irlandaise, Paris.

Between 1996 and 2000, she worked on enlargement, preparing the accession of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe to the EU. Prior to that she served in the Cabinets of Mr Richard Burke, Mr Peter Sutherland and Sir Leon Brittan. Catherine is a graduate of University College Dublin, with an MA in International Trade and Economic Integration.

With over 26 years’ experience in financial services sector Rickard worked with KBC Bank Ireland (KBC) until 2015 as Head of Taxation and finally as Director of Corporate Affairs. He represented KBC as a director over that time on both group and non-group entities. Rickard remains a pension funds trustee with KBC and is a Director of the Irish Association of Pension Funds (IAPF). He was a board member of Dublin Chamber for six years until 2017, serving as Treasurer and chairing the Influencing Committee and Membership Committee. He is a Director of Chambers Ireland and chairs the Audit, Finance & Risk committee. He is also a board member of European Movement Ireland. A Chartered Accountant and Taxation Consultant by profession, originally with Deloitte, he holds a degree in Civil Engineering from University College Cork along with a post graduate diploma in Executive Coaching.

Gary is an active, independent, non-executive director and has extensive experience on the boards of public sector, not-for-profit and private companies. She is currently Deputy Chair of Barnardos and is a director of the Marketing Institute of Ireland; IFAC, a specialist business and financial advisory firm in the agriculture sector and Irish National Opera Company.

She has also chaired a number of industry and political taskforces.

Gary is a Fellow of the Marketing Institute of Ireland and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and Advisors.

Prior to joining Meta in 2019, Stephanie worked for the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland where she advocated on behalf of US companies across a range of sectors. Stephanie previously worked for Minister Simon Harris TD, and has a background in EU public affairs.

Stephanie holds an LLB in Law and European Studies from the University of Limerick and has completed studies at Oxford University, Boston College and King’s Inns.

A recognised public speaker and thought leader, Sofi has delivered TEDx talks and contributed to high-profile policy discussions on DEI, intersectionality, and inclusive leadership. Her deep personal connection to these issues uniquely informs her work in shaping inclusive political and institutional landscapes.

She serves on the Board of Directors for The Complex Art Centre and has previously held governance roles, including as a board member for First Light, a charity dedicated to supporting parents in Ireland going through sudden bereavement. Her leadership within political and advocacy spaces continues to drive meaningful systemic change at both national and international levels.

Following her retirement Nóirín was appointed United Nations Assistant Secretary General for Safety and Security, leading teams to address the complex security challenges in various environments worldwide. She has extensive experience in strategic leadership, crisis and risk management, corporate governance, and fostering collaborative relationships to drive innovation and creativity.

She now operates as an Independent non-executive director, and strategic advisor using her extensive knowledge and experience in advising senior institutional, industry and business leaders. Most recently she chaired the Oireachtas cross party Task Force on Safe Participation in Political Life, producing a report and recommendations which are being implemented.

Nóirín is a strong advocate for the promotion of fundamental principles and initiatives that uphold public interest and support safe and inclusive democracy. She is passionate about building collaborative partnerships that foster trust between democratic institutions and communities, to optimise opportunities to create meaningful change and lasting impact.

Nóirín is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Executive Institute, Quantico, USA. She holds a Master of Business Studies MBS in Strategic management and Planning, from the Michael Smurfit School of Business, University College Dublin. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including an Honorary Doctorate of Laws (LLD) from the University of Ulster for distinguished Public Service.

Barbara has spent most of her career at the Commission’s HQ in Brussels, where she held a number of management positions. She was in charge of Fundamental Rights Policy in the Justice and Consumers Directorate General and represented the Commission on the board of the Fundamental Rights Agency. She was also responsible for the coordination of Erasmus+ programme, the reform and modernisation of Higher Education, Anti-Discrimination Policy and Communications and Media. She was the European Commission’s Spokesperson for Employment, Social

Affairs and Health matters as well as for Justice and Home Affairs. Barbara is a graduate of University College Dublin and the College of Europe, Bruges, Belgium. She has a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the Corporate Governance Institute.

Ian is also Head of Regulatory Consulting for KPMG Ireland and works with many domestic and international banks and other financial services companies in Ireland in various capacities.

Ian holds an Honours Degree in Accounting & French from Queen’s University Belfast and is a Chartered Accountant.