Board Members:
Gráinne O’Rourke – President/Chairperson
Gráinne O’Rourke has worked in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors over the course of her career. Gráinne worked in a variety of businesses from enterprise-creation to animation before moving to the public sector in 1996. In 2011 Gráinne moved to the charity sector, heading up the Communications Department at the Irish Cancer Society. Gráinne moved on from the Society in January 2019 and is currently Head of Communications at MyMind, a mental health NFP. Gráinne has degrees in Communications: Film and Broadcasting, Law (LLB) and an MA in Media Studies. She recently returned to study again completing a PG Certificate in Creative Thinking, Innovation & Entrepreneurship at Trinity College, and Train the Trainer and HR certificates at DDLETB. Gráinne has been a member of the DAI Board since 2019.
Dr Thérèse McPhillips – Vice President
Dr Thérèse McPhillips is a former lecturer in Literacy Studies in Dublin City University (DCU) and a former Principal of St Oliver Plunkett School, Monkstown, a special school for pupils with dyslexia.
In 2015, Thérèse introduced and developed a dual Master’s degree in specific learning difficulties/dyslexia in DCU for teachers, and a professional qualification in dyslexia assessment accredited by the British Dyslexia Association. Thérèse is passionate about educating teachers to support learners with dyslexia. Thérèse has been a member of the DAI Board since 2017.
Gerard McCoy – Treasurer
Gerard (Gerry) McCoy has over 20 years experience in the not-for-profit and education sectors. He is qualified and experienced in finance, governance and information technology. Gerry has been a member of the DAI Board since 2018.
Gareth Williams – Company Secretary
Gareth is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in Ireland (FCCA) and holds an Accountancy Practicing Certificate from Certified Public Accountants (CPA) Ireland. Gareth has over twenty years’ experience in practice, serving clients in the commercial; humanitarian and advocacy sectors; as well as in industry. Gareth has extensive experience providing professional advice, support and lecturing in areas including accountancy, finance, taxation and governance, across multiple sectors and working with diverse stakeholder groups. Gareth has been CEO of NUI Galway SU Commercial Services Limited since 2015 and is a member of that company’s Board of Directors, leading and directing the work of the company and its Board. Gareth joined the Board of the DAI in 2022.
Majella Goss
Majella Goss (Mungovan) joined Facebook in 2004 to lead the EMEA finance team. She is currently the Global Senior Director for revenue finance based out of Dublin. Majella leads the global Facebook finance operations teams across North America, Europe, the Middle East, the Far East & Latin America. Together her teams have helped Facebook scale to $100BN of revenue faster than any other company in history. Majella has also worked in various roles at Deloitte, Glen Dimplex & Microsoft. She is a Chartered Accountant, holds a B.Comm from NUIG, an M.Acc from UCD and she is the mum of 11 year old twin boys. Majella is a member of Dyslexia Ireland and has a passion for understanding and supporting those with learning differences. Majella has been a member of the DAI Board since 2021.
Mark Harty
Mark has worked as a barrister since 1996 and is a Senior Counsel since 2012. He practices in a wide range of areas and has a particular interest in education rights. Mark has been a member of the DAI Board since 2019.
Barbara Moran
Barbara has experience and background in I.T., Community Development and Policy. Barbara has a BA (Hons) in Theology and English Literature from All Hallow’s College and an M.Phil. in Irish Writing from Trinity College Dublin. She has been a member of DAI for about twenty years, and had two children attending the DAI Workshops over a period of sixteen years. She joined the Board in 2016 in order to be able to continue to help other families on their dyslexic journey. Barbara has been a member of the DAI Board since 2016.
Aoife O’Reilly
Short bio coming soon
David Deighan
Dave Deighan is a senior marketing and communications professional with several decades of experience working with some of Ireland’s leading blue chip organisations. A Business Studies graduate of Dublin City University, Dave started his career with Guinness at St. James’s Gate where he spent a decade making TV ads for brands such as Guinness, Carlsberg and Budweiser. Prior to joining KPMG as Head of Communications, Dave spent several years on both the agency and client-side with communications companies such as JCDecaux and McCann Erickson. In his role as Head of Communications at KPMG, Dave supports the marketing and communications for Ireland’s leading professional services firm. With a family background in primary education, Dave has a passion for reading and literacy. Dave joined the Board of the DAI in 2022.
Dr Joanne Uí Chrualaoich
Joanne is a Programme Manager and Principal Investigator at University College Cork. Joanne’s passion is in people and supporting success amongst educators, researchers and learners. She specialises in Training and Development and has devoted the last 15 years to supporting Human Capital development for researchers and early career professionals. This was recently recognised with the award of Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. She has contributed to national policy on EDI, and her programmes have won training and development awards at national level. She has a particular interest in learning and teaching excellence and supporting underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in higher education. Joanne is an avid ultrarunner and mum to two children with dyslexia. Joanne joined the Board of the DAI in 2022.
