Meet the Team
CEO
Aidan Stacey
Chief Executive Officer
Aidan Stacey joined Down Syndrome Ireland as CEO in August 2025, bringing a wealth of experience from the not-for-profit, commercial, and public sectors. With over thirty years’ experience across commercial, marketing, fundraising, communications, and advocacy, Aidan’s focus will be on ensuring DSI both amplifies the voices of people with Down syndrome and provides the supports and services they need to live their lives independently and to the fullest. Having worked as Commercial Manager for Ireland at Tropicana, Aidan has spent the last fifteen years in senior positions with the Irish Heart Foundation, GOAL, and most recently, the Irish Wheelchair Association.
Aidan holds a BA in Economics from UCD and a Master’s in Business Practice from the IMI. He is currently Company Secretary and Vice Chair of EPIC (Empowering People in Care), and was previously Chair and board member of both MSF Ireland and Fundraising Ireland. A father of three grown children, he is an active tennis player and Chair of Glenalbyn Tennis Club, a self-confessed poor golfer at Rathfarnham Golf Club, an avid rugby fan, and a pretend artist in his free time.
Member Support Team
Aoife Gaffney
Head of Inclusive Employment & Impact Partnerships
Aoife developed and manages DSI’s Employment Programme, developing and maintaining strategic corporate partnerships nationwide to create meaningful paid employment opportunities for adults with Down syndrome.
Aoife developed DSI’s Work Readiness Training Programme, the training element of our Employment Programme and continues to grow and expand the range of training opportunities available. Aoife works to create awareness for adults with Down syndrome through networking, training, and speaking at events nationwide.
Joanne Dawson
Employment Officer
Joanne’s role as employment officer is assisting in the expansion of the employment programme nationally. This involves securing partnerships with employers to establish meaningful employment opportunities for adults with Down syndrome. She works alongside our members with Down syndrome in preparing them for the workplace by providing pre-employment & interview training and ongoing support when in employment. She also provides Down syndrome awareness training to employers.
Sinéad Flynn
Head of Adult Education, Self Advocacy and Community Engagement
Sinéad oversees the FET Department, working with the team to progress and promote pathways for adults with Down syndrome in ETBs, and advocating for accessible lifelong learning opportunities. Other areas she focuses on are DSI Book Clubs, accessible transport & advocacy councils for adults with Down syndrome at regional, national & international level. She supports and collaborates with stakeholders, working towards a bright future where people with Down syndrome can reach their full potential.
Aisling Brown
Further Education and Training Officer
Aisling supports tutors in Education and Training Boards with assistance and literacy resources. She also supports members to pursue further education opportunities. Aisling works collaboratively on initiatives such as national library book clubs and national transport support to enhance access.
Mary Frances O’Dwyer
Inclusion and Training Officer
As an Inclusion and Training Officer, Mary Frances supports adults with Down syndrome to access education and employment. She works on expanding projects like DSI’s book clubs, which help our members maintain literacy and social skills while engaging with their communities. Through the development of training and easy-read material she helps to provide resources to promote independence for our adult members around the country.
Nuala Byrne
Inclusion and Training Officer
Nuala supports and trains tutors working with adults with Down syndrome both in the classrooms and the book clubs. She designs classroom resources specific to the needs of our adult members to promote inclusion, independence and life skills e.g. using public transport.
Silvia Segales-Angel
Early Intervention Specialist
Silvia’s role includes direct work with families and developing national supports to strengthen services across Ireland, from prenatal diagnosis to starting primary school. She runs DSI’s Parent and Baby Group, delivers regular training for parents and early years professionals, and offers consultations to families and educators. Silvia also provides a Developmental Clinic for children 0-5, monitoring development and advising parents on supporting early milestones.
Alisha Gagnon
Deputy Head of Speech & Language Programmes
Alisha is the Deputy Head of Speech and Language Programmes at Down Syndrome Ireland, contributing to the development, coordination and delivery of national and regional programmes. Her work focuses on speech, language and communication support across the lifespan, with an emphasis on equity and evidence-based practice. Alisha has a particular interest in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and in approaches that support meaningful participation for people with complex communication needs.
Alisha holds an MA in Communication Sciences and Disorders and is a CORU registered SLT.
Dr Fidelma Brady
Head of Primary and Post Primary Education
Fidelma supports members at all stages of their education journey through primary, post primary and special schools. Fidelma also provides support, information, advice and training for schools and teachers, with the development and delivery of webinars, seminars, workshops and training at regional and national level. She also researches and disseminates current information on international methods of best practice and intervention strategies.
Fidelma holds both a Doctorate and Master’s Degree in Education, an Honours Diploma in Special Education, as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree.
Nicola Hart
National Research and Support Specialist
Nicola’s role includes both research and support. She works with Fidelma to provide training and support on speech, language, communication & health issues impacting on education, and with Gina on advocacy issues. Nicola works with the team to evaluate the impact of programmes and identify research needs. She handles requests from researchers, prioritising research which focuses on the wellbeing of people with Down syndrome and their families, and sharing new information as it emerges. CORU Registered Speech and Language Therapist (016215). Postgraduate Diploma in Intermediary Studies.
Gina Grant
Branch Advocacy Co-ordinator
Gina supports members of Down Syndrome Ireland by providing advocacy, guidance, and practical support to branches, individuals and families.
Gina helps them access services, navigate complex systems, helps resolve issues around health, social care and education
Gina also facilitates support groups and contributes to national efforts to promote inclusion and rights.
Annette O’Neill
Member Support Officer
Annette’s role is to support members and branches. She is the first port of call for new parents, members, siblings, professionals and public. She also manages the database and Garda Vetting for Down Syndrome Ireland. In Annette’s 25 years with DSI there is no question she has not been asked so feel free to contact her with your question.
Ross O’Neill
Office Administrator
Ross is a long-standing member of staff, having joined the team 18 years ago. Ross looks after reception and welcomes visitors. He enjoys the everyday jobs and seeing all of his friends in the office.
Governance
Claire Wright
Head of Governance and Compliance
Claire’s role is to provide advice and guidance to the board, the branch committees, staff and members within the organisation. It supports the board’s regulatory and legal requirements with Companies Registration Office and the Charities Regulator. This role covers governance, insurance, properties, contracts, complaints and disputes. Claire was previously a solicitor and a partner in a number of legal firms and is a qualified Coach.
Fundraising
Mark Doyle
Corporate Partnerships & Development Manager
Mark manages our strategy to grow philanthropic income through corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, and major donors. Mark is focused on building strategic relationships and securing significant gifts that support our long-term goals. He brings several years’ experience in fundraising and business development, with a strong background in relationship management, prospecting, and securing sustainable funding through shared value partnerships.
Communications
Megan Roantree
Communications Manager
Megan’s job is to inform the public about Down Syndrome Ireland’s work, and to promote our incredible members. This includes press and media management, internal communications support, social media strategy and overall, ensuring that our mission, events, branches and members are celebrated.
Edel Bane
Digital Communications Officer
Edel manages the social media platforms for Down Syndrome Ireland, creating and editing video content and analysing the results of that content. Edel also works on updating the website regularly, designing internal communications documents and works closely with the fundraising team on national campaigns. Edel is also a facilitator on the National Advisory Council.
Aoife Flood
Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
Aoife promotes national-level campaigns through targeted digital marketing campaigns across multiple platforms. Aoife manages and promotes Down Syndrome Ireland’s social media channels, including content creation and promoting its branches. Aoife contributes to Down Syndrome Ireland’s website, including content updates and design adjustments.
Human Resources
Thérèse Donovan
Head of People and Culture
Thérèse’s focus is on offering HR support and coaching to our 25 branches and management at national office, contributing to a positive and productive work environment by supporting the delivery of effective HR services to our staff. Thérèse holds an MBA, is CIPD qualified in Human Resources, and holds a Diploma in Further Education.
Rosemary Vincent
HR Administrator
Rose’s role involves supporting staff of Down Syndrome Ireland, as a key point of contact for all aspects of employment related queries.
Finance
Sandra Ryan
Branch Accountant
Sandra is our Branch Accountant in Finance providing support to both the National office and our branches. She brings years of experience from her previous roles as an accountant in the private sector. Sandra is also a qualified Special Needs Assistant and has an amazing nephew, Henry with Down syndrome who inspired her to support children and adults with intellectual disabilities. CIMA Qualified Accountant.
Maeve O’Hanlon
Bookkeeper
Maeve is our Bookkeeper in Finance who provides support to the Head of Finance and the Branch Accountant. Maeve is also a proud parent to a child with Down syndrome and it makes her role in Down Syndrome Ireland more meaningful in supporting a community that is making a difference.
For General Enquiries, please contact info@downsyndrome.ie