Governance

Board of Directors

There are four directors on the current Safe Ireland board. They provide vital expertise on:

• Governance
• Strategic planning
• Financial management
• Funding
• Organisational development
• Culture and change management
• Human resources
• Networking
• Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
• PR and Communications

Board Trustees

Chairperson – appointment is pending

Michael McNaughton is a qualified accountant with experience across a range of industries. Michael currently works as head of operations and Chief Risk Officer at the Health Insurance Authority. Prior to joining the Health Insurance Authority, Michael was Head of Finance at Coillte, Ireland’s state forestry agency, where he worked on state net zero targets. He previously held roles in financial regulation in the NHS and in professional services in Dublin. Michael has a particular interest in unconscious bias and has developed and delivered Unconscious Bias Training programmes in a number of semi-state and state organisations. Michael holds a degree in History and Politics from Trinity College and a Postgrad in Accountancy from Technological University Dublin. Most recently, he has undertaken an MBA at UCD Smurfit School.

Patricia Carey currently serves as a Ministerial appointee to the role of Special Advocate for Survivors. Her role is to manage and facilitate consultation with survivors of Industrial Schools, Magdalene Laundries, Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions, Reformatory Schools and related institutions, and those adopted, boarded out, or the subject of an illegal birth registration to identify and discuss issues of concern to them. She served as the CEO of the Adoption Authority of Ireland from 2014 to 2022. During her tenure, she led a significant expansion of the Authority, particularly in relation to the implementation of the historic 2022 Birth Information and Tracing Act. Prior to this role, Ms Carey held the position of Director of Services for St. Vincent De Paul. For over three decades, Ms Carey has been an active change leader and activist, contributing her time and expertise to various volunteer leadership roles, including Chairperson of Connect Counselling for Survivors of Institutional Abuse and a founding member of Outhouse resource centre for the LGBT+ community. She currently is Chairperson of Loreto College Crumlin Board of Management. Patricia joined the Board of Safe Ireland in June 2024.

Lianne Rooney is a higher education professional with experience in student support, staff training and development and gender-based violence prevention initiatives. Lianne currently works in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the technological university sector and specialises in gender equality strategy development.

Christina van der Kampis Head of Public Affairs and Stakeholder in Gas Networks Ireland, the semi-state organisation responsible for operating Ireland’s €2.8bn, 15,000km national gas network.  She is responsible for planning, developing and implementing the organisation’s Public Affairs strategy and overall Stakeholder Management strategy.  Christina previously worked in Uisce Éireann and has over 20 years’ experience in communications, advocacy, charity and sustainability roles.  She holds an MSc in Science Communication, post graduate diploma in Innovation for Sustainability and a Degree in Media Production. She is also a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland.

The Board is supported in its work by the:

• HR Subgroup
• Finance and Governance Sub Committee