Our Staff
Aurore Gregoire
Centre Manager
Aurore has been volunteering since she was 12 years old, she began her volunteer journey in her native home France where she grew up.
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She has been volunteering in Ireland since 2012 and joined the Fingal Volunteer Centre in 2021 via the Community Volunteer program.
In 2023, she joined the team and is now responsible for the day-to-day management of Centre. Aurore works closely with the team and the board of management to lead the Centre’s development and the achievement of its strategic goals.
Julie Cahill
Garda Vetting Liaison Officer & Office Administrator
Julie began working with us in 2018. She is the Centre’s Garda vetting liaison officer and office administrator. She holds a first class BA (Honours)
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in Counselling and Psychotherapy with the Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences at Griffith College Dublin, having recently completed an ordinary degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy, in addition to holding a BA (Honours) in Photographic Art from the University of Wales, Newport, awarded in 2008. Julie has always loved working with people, this is evident from the numerous voluntary roles and organisations she has been involved with over the years.
Nilofar Makhani
Placement Officer
Starting in February 2023, Nilofar began her work with Fingal Volunteer Centre as a Placement volunteer,
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and later in June 2023, she officially joined the team. In addition to overseeing the I-VOL national database, she also facilitates communication between individuals interested in volunteering and organizations seeking volunteers. Furthermore, she supervises a group of volunteers who assist with day-to-day tasks.
Nilofar holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration from India and is currently pursuing certifications in Project Management. She has actively participated in volunteering efforts, particularly in the realm of women’s empowerment in rural areas of Western India during her postgraduate studies.
As a community volunteer, she has been involved in numerous events in Fingal and has supported displaced individuals by fostering friendships and helping them enhance their English language skills.
Placement Officer
Ruth Bannon
Outreach and Community Volunteer Officer
Ruth is the Outreach and Community Volunteer Officer in Fingal Volunteer Centre.
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She is extremely passionate about the positive impact volunteering has both to the individual and the community:
“Working with volunteers and supporting volunteer involving organisations is a deeply rewarding and impactful experience. Volunteers bring a unique passion, skill set and dedication that infuse projects with energy and creativity. Their diverse skills and perspectives enrich the community, fostering innovation, integration and community engagement”.
As Community Volunteer Officer Ruth supports volunteer involving organizations and Fingal County Council with volunteers at community events. This collaboration creates an inclusive and supportive atmosphere where organisations can maximize the potential of volunteers, ensuring they feel empowered and motivated. It not only supports the organisation but also strengthens community bonds, promotes civic responsibility, and nurtures a culture of generosity and mutual support.
Ruth delivers presentations on volunteering to Schools, Hospitals, International Protection Accommodation Services and Community Organisations. She conducts one-on-one meetings with volunteers and provides training where necessary. While also offering many supports for volunteering organisations.
Actively volunteering in Fingal for over 15 years, she volunteers with her local Community First Responders and is a Run Director with the Malahide parkrun.
She was awarded the VHI parkrun hero award in 2023 for her commitment and dedication to her community.
Placement Officer
Megan McGrath
Volunteer Engagement and Outreach Officer
Volunteers make Ireland go round! For six years, I have had the privilege
of working closely with them.
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As the former manager of Cloughjordan
Community Cooperative, I developed a deep understanding of the
importance of volunteers in driving positive change. Today, I work as the
Volunteer Centre’s Outreach and Engagement Officer, where I continue
to help match passionate individuals with meaningful volunteer
opportunities.
In my role, I listen carefully to those interested in volunteering and work
with them to find opportunities they will truly enjoy and look forward to. I
also support not-for-profit organisations in their search for dedicated
volunteers who are eager to make a difference. I assist them in posting
interesting volunteer roles they need most. Whether it’s a one-time event,
a monthly commitment, or a weekly role, there is a perfect fit for
everyone, and I help both volunteers and organisations find a good
match.
I’m passionate about people and have degrees in communications and
business. You might see me at one of our monthly Fingal Library Pop-
Ups, at a Fingal Volunteer Centre Expo, or with Ruth and the Community
Volunteers crew.
I truly love what I do—so tell me, how can I help you?
Our Volunteers
Desmond Gbenga Aghahowa
His current role involves supporting, encouraging and advising volunteers, suggesting volunteering opportunities, answering queries as well as carrying out administrative duties for Fingal Volunteer Centre.
Sepideh Zamani
She joined the FVC team in January 2023 as a placement and support volunteer. The role involves Salesforce administrative tasks as well as providing assistance and guidance for our volunteers in Fingal. She’s grateful for the chance to contribute her time and skills to causes she is passionate about and to be a part of something bigger.
Mai Saqallah
Since arriving, she’s been actively involved in volunteering across various sectors to contribute to her new community. She is currently volunteering with the us in the Fingal Volunteer Centre since September 2024 as part of the Placement Team. Her role includes supporting the community by connecting individuals with volunteering opportunities and managing interactions using Salesforce CRM.
Our Board of Directors
Shane Clarke
Chairperson
Shane Clarke is a qualified accountant, he has a Masters in Marketing & Strategy and Chartered Director.
Shane is new to the Charity Sector having joined as Chair in 2020.Shane is new to the Charity Sector having joined as Chair in 2020. He has a wealth of experience across Tourism and FMCG sectors both domestically and Internationally. His day Job is with Tourism Ireland as Director of Corporate Services & Northern Ireland
Olga Byrne
Board Member
Olga joined our team as a volunteer in 2020 supporting Board meetings by taking minutes and circulating them. She became a board member in 2023
Olga has spent her professional life gathering an eclectic skill set – A business degree from Trinity College Dublin, an MSc in Food Science and Nutrition from University College Dublin and a US private pilot’s license. She has applied these skills both domestically and internationally to diverse industries from hospitality management to accounting/finance. In Addition to volunteering with the Fingal Volunteer Centre Olga also currently works remotely as a nutritionist/mentor on clinical trials based in both the US and Ireland.
Marie Ryan
Board Member
Marie joined our board in 2024.
Laura DeBenedetto
Board Member
Laura joined our board in 2024.
Pat Hayes
Board Member
Pat joined our board in 2024.
Anna Clarke
Board Member
Anna joined our board in 2024.
Cara Murphy
Board Member
Cara joined our board in 2024.
We are immensely grateful and proud of both our present and past volunteers, whose dedication has made a lasting impact
Eddie Doyle (Volunteer support team)
Olga Byrne (Board support)
Desmond Gbenga Aghahowa (Volunteer support team)
Nilofar Makhani (Volunteer support team)
Smeet Kasar (Volunteer support team)
Helena Collazo (Volunteer support team)
Sepideh Zamani (Volunteer support team)
Nicola Salviani (Volunteer support team)
Eddie Doyle (Volunteer support team)
Smeet (Volunteer support team)
Leah Carrol
Lidiana Nedelcu
Sam Santhosh
Tamás Kozák
Xavier Saer
Liam Murray (Treasurer)
Anna Marihina (Board Member)
Freda May Ramirez Lariba (Volunteer Support Team)
Kavitha Chandra (Volunteer Support Team)
Robyn Sadlier (Volunteer singer)
Liam Murray (Treasurer)
Anna Marihina (Board Member)
Freda May Ramirez Lariba (Volunteer Support Team)
John Hayes (Volunteer Support Team)
Kavitha Chandra (Volunteer Support Team)
Paula Sheridan (Volunteer Support Team)
Gavin Woodruff (Event Photographer)
Gaven Kinsella (Event Photographer)
Jennifer Shortt (Event Singer)
John Hayes (Volunteer Support Team)
Kavitha Chandra (Volunteer Support Team)
Paula Sheridan (Volunteer Support Team)
Gavin Woodruff (Event Photographer)
Gaven Kinsella (Event Photographer)
