All-Ireland Summit 2025

Caroline Moloney is the director of CIH Ireland, overseeing all operations and strategic initiatives. She joined CIH with extensive experience working in a leading accountancy body. Caroline holds a BA in Business and Marketing and a Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Marketing, and she is passionate about driving innovation and supporting the housing profession across Ireland.

Niamh has over 20 years’ experience in policy, advocacy, research, and strategic communications. She has held key roles with the Simon Communities of Ireland and Merchants Quay Ireland, specialising in housing, homelessness, and social inclusion. At Respond, she leads the Strategy and Public Affairs department, driving strategy development, public affairs, continuous improvement, and partnerships. Her work promotes evidence-informed policy and systems change to deliver social and affordable homes and connected communities. Niamh served on the Housing Agency Research and Insights Panel and currently serves on the Board of the Irish Council for Social Housing. Niamh holds an MSc in Public Policy (DCU), an MSc Drug and Alcohol Policy (TCD) and is a Certified Housing Practitioner (CIH), amongst other qualifications.

David Polley is the director of housing supply policy. The Housing Supply Policy Division has responsibility for the development and implementation of most aspects of policy in relation to the supply of housing in tenures other than social housing, as well as the design and implementation of a programme of strategies aimed at improving housing supply. Work that Housing Supply Policy is responsible for includes; • Role and regulation of the private rented sector • Intermediate housing, for sale and rent • Homelessness • The development of a housing supply strategy • Housing Co-ordination team.

AnnMarie Farrelly is the Chief Executive Officer of Fingal County Council. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and operation of the council, ensuring effective delivery of public services, and driving the growth and development of the region. AnnMarie has extensive experience in local government and public sector management and has held a range of senior positions in various departments within Fingal County Council. AnnMarie is a board member of Transport Infrastructure Ireland and serves on the CCMA Executive Committee.

Paul has responsibility at assistant secretary general level for the Social Housing Delivery Division within D/HLGH and is charged with leading on and overseeing the delivery of 72,000 new build social homes by Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies between 2026 and 2031. Paul has 27 years of experience managing at a senior level across the public and civil service; 20 years in local government and 7 years in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. He has particular expertise and experience in the area of housing

My name is Hafida Chendali, mum of 5 kids ranging from 18 years to 18 months old. I’m from Algeria, moved to Belfast almost 12 years ago, and spent 8 years as an Asylum Seeker. I got Refugee status in 2022 and have lived in accommodation for homeless families since. I have an IT degree from Algeria and came to NI with no English. I learned the language and completed courses in Belfast such as counselling, hairdressing, walk leader, children’s safety and development. I’ve been a volunteer with EMSONI since 2018 and volunteered in local communities, at homework club for French language and Arabic teacher to non-Arabic speaking Muslim children.

Aoife Kennedy is a senior executive officer in Housing at Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, with over 25 years of experience in the housing sector. Her career spans local authorities, disability services, and approved housing bodies, with a strong focus on community development and social inclusion. Aoife has worked extensively with individuals and communities facing complex challenges, contributing in both professional and voluntary capacities, including community activism and local political engagement. She is deeply committed to empowering communities to participate actively in shaping their environments. Her work is grounded in strategic leadership, sectoral expertise, and a passion for civic engagement.

Anthony Lavery is currently the head of refugee integration at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive with a remit to deliver the Housing Executives responsibilities under the Ukrainian, Afghan and Syrian programmes in Northern Ireland and to support the transition for asylum seekers to refugees with an accommodation focus. Anthony holds a BA Hons in Business Studies with a diploma in Industrial Studies and a post graduate diploma in Housing. He has over 23 years’ experience in housing across a number of operational and strategic roles within the Housing Executive with a focus on homelessness.

Justin Cartwright is national director for Northern Ireland at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), where he leads NI policy and external affairs work. Justin is a chartered member of CIH and holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) from RMIT University in Melbourne, having undertaken research on acoustics in the built environment. He is a trustee of Supporting Communities and of the North of Ireland Family History Society.

Samantha has worked for Northern Ireland Housing Executive for over seven years. She currently works in the Belfast Regional Team as a senior officer, prior to that she was a customer service advisor in the Craigavon office. Last year she completed the GEM programme and obtained a CIH level 4 qualification. Samantha became involved with CIH Futures NI towards the end of 2024. Samantha is passionate about personal and professional development. She believes we should build each other up, sharing knowledge and good practice and work collaboratively where possibly to help shape the future of housing.

Erin Kerr is an assistant workforce development manager at the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, where she leads on talent management and leadership development programmes and champions CIH membership for all staff. After graduating with a degree in Anthropology from Queen’s University Belfast in 2023, Erin joined the Housing Services Graduate Programme. With a strong growth mindset, she has embraced every opportunity to develop her skills and career, completing qualifications in Housing Practice (CIH Level 5), Leadership and Management (CMI Level 5), and Project Management (PRINCE2). Passionate about the future of housing, Erin is also part of the CIH Futures NI team and has shared her insights through sector podcasts on International Women’s Day and International Mentoring Day.

Micheál is a housing advisor with the NIHE, delivering homelessness services and facilitating access to social housing for prospective tenants. He is also a member of the CIH Futures team working to promote careers and professional development within the housing sector.

Once I completed my Social Science Degree at UCD I entered the social care sector. I spent several years working in family homeless services and residential addiction services. Looking for a change from frontline services, I moved into housing. I have now spent the past six years working as a housing officer. I manage tenancies and developments across the Dublin and Meath region. Oaklee is currently going through significant expansion and I am heavily involved in delivering new schemes across Dublin.

Bronagh D’Arcy, as chief operations officer & deputy CEO of Tuath, has overall responsibility for the organisation’s Housing, Property Rents, Repairs & Sustainability Departments. Having graduated with a degree in Housing and a Diploma in Management from the University of Ulster, along with post gradate Diplomas in Business, Leadership and Health & Safety at Work. Bronagh is also a member of the Charted Institute of Housing. She has worked both in the north and south of the Ireland and has extensive development and management experience in the voluntary housing sector, mainly in the delivery of new homes; working in partnership with a range of stakeholders through various procurement options. Bronagh has worked with Tuath for over 15 years and during this time has seen the Association grow to become Ireland’s largest Approved Housing Body.

John is CEO of Circle and a leading voice in social and affordable housing in Ireland. Since 2017, he has overseen Circle’s growth, securing major funding deals, expanding housing delivery, and building strategic partnerships. With 30+ years’ experience in housing, finance, and non-profits, he has held senior roles at Respond, Sunbeam House, and top firms including KPMG and EY. In the UK, he held executive roles with large social landlords. John is also chair of the Chartered Institute of Housing’s Governing Board, shaping policy across Ireland and the UK.

Andrew Tierney is a deputy estate manager with The Iveagh Trust, where he has worked for over three years as part of the southside estate team, managing more than 660 properties across south Dublin. Andrew holds a CIH Level 2 qualification and has recently begun the first Republic of Ireland Level 3 course with the Chartered Institute of Housing. He is also on the CIH Futures Board (ROI), contributing to the development of future housing professionals and promoting best practice within the Irish social housing sector.

Grainne Robinson is acting executive director at Woven Housing Association. With over 30 years in social housing, she is a Chartered Member of the CIH and the CIH All Ireland Professional of the Year 2024. Grainne is deeply committed to ensuring everyone has access to a safe, secure, and high-quality home. Her professional passions include tenant services, staff development, and resident participation. Beyond her professional role, Grainne actively contributes to her community through education and voluntary work. She holds leadership positions in school governance and youth services.

With almost 30 years end to end experience in Information Technology and working with housing associations for the last 16 years, Chris has been leading a value-driven digital transformation of North & East Housing Association since 2023. He will provide an insight into risk, security and governance as well as the practical uses of AI and process automation in invoice management, tenant document management, gas & oil boiler certification, improving compliance, predictive maintenance/data analytics and generative AI like Microsoft365 Co-pilot

Laura has over 25 years social housing experience at an operational and strategic level. During her career, Laura has had experience of working in frontline housing as well as within the community development sector. Laura has been director of housing with Ark Housing Association since June 2018 and prior to that held the position of support services manager with Supporting Communities. Laura holds a BSc (Hons) Degree in Housing Management and in 2018 obtained a Level 7 Certificate in Leadership through the Institute of Leadership and Management. Laura is a member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and is a member of the CIH NI Board.

Bobby McConnell serves as an elected Tenant Representative on the Radius Housing Board of Management, having joined in March 2024. He actively contributes to the Customer Experience Committee, advocating for tenant interests and enhancing service delivery. Bobby represented tenants across Northern Ireland as a member of the Housing Policy Panel (HPP), convened by Supporting Communities. Through this role, he lobbies local government, consulting directly with the Department for Communities to review and influence statutory regional housing policies. Bobby has spoken in parliamentary sessions, highlighting critical issues including wastewater infrastructure constraints, limiting housing development and the growing homelessness crisis. His work connects local tenant experiences with national policy decisions, making him a powerful advocate for meaningful change. A proud resident of a Radius over-55s housing development, Bobby is dedicated to fostering a strong sense of community and ensuring that tenant voices are integral to decision-making processes.

Emalyn has been the chief executive officer with North Down & Ards Women's Aid for over 3 years; however, has worked in this field for 25 years. Emalyn's passion lies in creating a society free from domestic abuse and violence against women and girls. She strives to empower women by helping them develop the confidence to take control of their own narratives and ensure their voices are heard."

Gail has been delivering training for over 20 years, working with Housing Rights for the past 8 years, bringing energy and expertise to every session. She is highly experienced in housing issues, covering everything from benefits and debt to challenges in both the social and private rented sector. Her career prior to joining Housing Rights spanned training, finance, call centre management, and tourism, providing her with a broad perspective and a practical, hands-on approach. Passionate about lifelong learning, Gail inspires people to build their knowledge and skills so they can give clients the best possible advice and support.

Sarah Benson is the chief executive officer of Women’s Aid since 2019. For nine years prior to this role, Sarah was the CEO of Ruhama, an Irish NGO working nationally with women and people affected by prostitution including victims of sex trafficking. In addition, Sarah has previous experience as manager of the National Domestic Violence Helpline and extensive work in the community and voluntary sector both in Ireland and abroad, working particularly with marginalised ethnic minority women and youth. Sarah was the Irish expert on Violence Against Women for the European Women’s Lobby Observatory from 2010-2016 and between 2014 – 2019, the chairperson of CAP International. Sarah is also a former vice chairperson of the Board of the National Women’s Council of Ireland, and former member of the Board of The Wheel. Sarah is a ministerial appointee to the Boards of The Irish Courts Service and CUAN, the National DSGBV Agency. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Arts from UCD, a Master of Philosophy (Gender & Women’s Studies) from Trinity College Dublin and a Master Degree in Business Studies (MBS. Business Practice) from UCC (via the Irish Management Institute).

As director of housing & community development since 2023, Paul is responsible for all aspects of housing and community development across Fingal, working with elected members, community stakeholders and industry partners to support the ongoing sustainable growth of the county. Paul is a member of various sectoral groups including the CCMA Housing Committee and the Government Construction Contracts Committee. A graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, Paul also holds post-graduate qualifications in Strategic Procurement, Engineering and Local Government Studies. Paul joined Fingal County Council in 2017 as senior engineer in the Planning & Strategic Infrastructure Dept, prior to which he worked as an engineer and project manager in a number of local authority, central government and private sector organisations.

Paddy Gray is an established academic and has wide experience of academic and applied research with over 400 publications on housing related issues. He is professor emeritus in Housing at Ulster University. A former president of the Chartered Institute of Housing, he is currently on the board of Wheatley Homes Glasgow and is chair of the Wheatley Foundation. In Ireland he is on the board and a former chair of Tuath Housing. He is also chair of iCare Housing, and a member of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) and was a member of Housing Commission.

Jocelyne Fleming leads on the Chartered Institute of Building’s policy and public affairs efforts across Scotland. Here, her work focuses on advocating in the public interest on all issues relating to the built environment and construction sector in Scotland. Jocelyne is a PhD Candidate in Urban Studies at the University of Glasgow. Her thesis, entitled “You don’t know their story,” examines housing and homelessness challenges in Canada and evaluates the country’s National Housing Strategy.

Brian has worked in the area of energy & sustainability for over 15 years, with most of this time spent within the social housing sector. He has experience of building and retrofitting homes to higher standards, low carbon heating and heat networks, biodiversity and tenant & stakeholder engagement. Brian has a BA Hons in Business Studies and an MSc in Energy Management & Renewable Energy.

David McCourt is the director of asset management at Co-operative Housing Ireland (CHI), managing more than 6,500 homes. He is currently pursuing an MSc in Sustainability Leadership at the University of Galway, supporting CHI’s focus on delivering sustainable and energy-efficient housing. Since joining CHI, David has led the programme to deliver deep energy retrofits, improving energy performance and reducing environmental impact across the organisation’s housing portfolio. A Chartered Engineer, David has held senior roles including head of technical services at Center Parcs Ireland and chief of infrastructure for the international peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. He previously served with the Irish Defence Forces’ Corps of Engineers, and on secondment to Irish Aid.

Jennifer Whitty is the sustainability manager at Tuath Housing, where she leads the organisation’s environmental strategy and drives initiatives to reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy efficiency, and promote sustainable living across housing developments. With a strong background in the private sector leading cross functional teams, Jennifer works collaboratively with internal teams, residents, and external partners to embed sustainability into every aspect of Tuath’s operations.

Steve Loveland has over 20 years experience in housing working across supported accommodation services, homelessness services and social housing. Steve joined Clúid in 2020 where he was responsible for the coordination and delivery of Clúid’s Resident Engagement Strategy inspiring continued improvement and uptake of resident engagement initiatives that promote participation while widening structures that enable residents to influence how services are delivered and developed. Currently, Steve is head of Clann Housing - Clúid's age-friendly service offering, focused on enabling older people to live independently in communities of their choice, through inclusive design, innovative partnerships and ever closer collaboration with the residents themselves. Steve is co-chair of the European Federation for Living's Age-Friendly Topic Group and an advisory board member on the Common Purpose Leadership Programme.

Brendan is assistant director of housing & communities with the Clanmil Housing Group. He has worked in housing for 20 years in both customer facing and management roles. Brendan’s work covers a range of housing areas including family housing, customer engagement, community investment as well as the care and support of older people to live independently.

Ashley Leach is a CIH member and team leader with the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. She serves on the CIH Futures NI board and is a former GEMS student. Passionate about people, policy, and progress, she works to create positive change across the housing sector.

Lesa Kelly is the senior engagement officer at Radius Housing. Lesa played a pivotal role in the development and delivery of Radius’s Tenant Engagement Strategy 2022–2025, ensuring that tenants’ voices were heard from the doorstep to the boardroom. She has been instrumental in creating a wide range of engagement opportunities tailored to meet the diverse needs of tenants. Helping embed tenant participation into the culture of Radius Housing is a shared responsibility. This commitment contributed to Radius becoming the first housing association on the island of Ireland to receive Gold Level Tenant Participation Accreditation from Supporting Communities in 2024 and winning the Beyond Housing category at the CIH All Ireland Housing Awards 2025. Lesa recently was Highly Commended at the All Ireland Engagement Awards for Excellence in Tenant Engagement by Supporting Communities. Lesa is passionate about promoting good practice within the housing sector and champions the many benefits of effective tenant engagement.

Hi, my name’s Elishia Mullan. I’ve been a Clanmil tenant for over ten years and I’m passionate about making sure tenants’ voices are heard. I’m vice chair of the Housing Policy Panel and Clanmil’s Customer Council, and I also chair the Repairs Consultation Group — where I work with the director of assets and contractors to make sure services really reflect what tenants need. In 2025, I was honoured to win the CIH All-Ireland Tenant Hero Award, which recognised my commitment to championing tenants. But one of the things I’m proudest of is running a cross-community crochet group for nearly ten years — bringing people of all ages together to connect, learn and support each other. For me, it’s all about making a difference, building confidence, and helping our communities thrive.

An accomplished housing professional, Julie Haydon has extensive experience across policy, strategy, and strategic leadership in the social housing sector. Currently in the role of director of corporate services at Wolverhampton Homes, Julie is recognised for a focus and commitment to driving innovation, customer engagement, and in delivering fit for purpose housing services against the backdrop of new and emerging regulatory requirements. Julie's work reflects a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within the sector across Ireland and the UK. As CIH President the campaign theme, Rooted in Resilience, champions collaboration, compassion, and the collective strength of housing professionals in creating lasting change that positively impacts the sector as a whole and communities we serve.

Niamh Quinn is ASB team lead at Tuath Housing, where she leads the development of the organisation’s approach to anti-social behaviour and works to enhance tenant experience. With nearly 20 years in social housing across both Northern Ireland and the Republic, Niamh brings deep insight into the complexities of ASB management. She has led service improvements and streamlined casework through cross-functional collaboration. As a member of the CIH Professional Standards Committee, Niamh is committed to advancing professionalism in the sector and continues to advocate for safer, more inclusive communities where resident voice and accessibility are central.

Rachael Williamson Cert CIHM is executive director of policy, communications and external affairs at the Chartered Institute of Housing. Originally joining CIH as head of policy and external affairs in 2021, she took on the UK director role in 2024. Rachael brings over two decades of experience across central government and the charity sector, with a strong track record in policy, external affairs, communications, campaigning, and member engagement. Prior to joining CIH, Rachael worked at Citizens Advice and in central government, including the Cabinet Office and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Rachael is a passionate advocate for the housing profession and plays an active role in shaping sector thought leadership. She is a member of the Women’s Housing Forum Steering Group and on the management team for the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence. She is also a member of the Institute of Leadership.

Linzi Webb is a Senior Housing Officer (ASB – Intervention and Prevention) at Radius Housing, with nearly a decade of experience in frontline social housing. Specialising in managing anti-social behaviour, Linzi focuses on early intervention and restorative practice to achieve positive outcomes for tenants. At this year’s conference, she will share insights from working in high-conflict situations, exploring how she stays resilient and supports others to do the same through empathy, communication, and restorative approaches.

Alex Bunting is group director of Mental Health and Addiction Services at Inspire Wellbeing, a leading all-island charity and social enterprise. With over 20 years’ experience, Alex has been instrumental in shaping recovery-focused, trauma-informed services across Ireland. He is a passionate advocate for rights-based approaches and systemic reform, working across public, private, and voluntary sectors to promote inclusive, person-centred care. Widely recognised as a leading voice for individuals affected by mental ill-health and substance use, Alex champions innovation, co-production, and community resilience—ensuring that services empower people to live well, connect meaningfully, and recover with dignity.

Vincent Keenan was appointed chief executive of North and East Housing Association in 2014, he has some 30 years’ experience in homelessness, housing management and development. Vincent is chairperson of Badminton Ireland, a board member of Pobal, and a former chairperson of The Wheel, Ireland’s national federation of community and voluntary organisations. Vincent is a Chartered Director and Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a member of the CIH Ireland Board. Vincent holds qualifications in Housing and has BSc (Hons) Degree in Business Studies from Ulster University, and a Post Graduate Certificate in Not for Profit Leadership.

Michael McDonnell is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Housing and of Chartered Accountants Ireland. His background includes various leadership roles in the private sector across the UK and Ireland. He is currently a voluntary board member of the NI Community Relations Council and has recently joined the Advisory Board of CIH in Northern Ireland.