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At Aspire, we are lucky to have an incredibly hard working team. We currently have twelve employees spread across the three sectors of our organisation. Our team is made up of both neurotypical and neurodiverse members.
Our employees are the backbone of our organisation, without whom we would not be able to provide the services and level of care we deliver. We operate a succession system and believe in nurturing and supporting our staff to grow and develop their skill set to their full potential.
Aspire is governed by a Board of Directors, who are responsible for steering Aspire towards a sustainable future. The Board is currently compiled of 6 directors, including a Chair, Treasurer and Company Secretary.
Chairperson
Donal is an experienced executive having held senior positions up to and including CEO in both commercial and not for profit sectors. Donal holds a BSC , MBA and Diploma in Corporate Governance and has worked in Ireland, UK, Netherlands and USA. As well as being chair of Aspire Donal is also a board member of charity Irish Community Rapid Response
Board Member
Siobhán O’Dwyer graduated from Trinity College Dublin as a social worker in 1988. She has previously worked as a Senior Manager and Social Worker in London, Dublin and Belfast. During her career Siobhán has worked with children and families in both the community and voluntary and statutory sectors. Siobhán is CEO of YAP Ireland since 2008. Siobhán brings a wealth of service provision, management and governance experience to the Board of Aspire.
Chief Executive Officer
Linda is the Chief Executive Officer of Aspire, with over 8 yearsmanagement and leadership experience within the Charity, Education, Homeless Residential and Family Support Sectors. Linda has extensive experience working with disability services, family resource and foster care, she has a deep understanding and experience of audit and HIQA inspection processes, compliance requirements, and HSE requirements for Registered Provider. Linda’s qualifications include an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy and a BA in Applied Social Studies.
Accounts Assistant
Julie is an Accounts Assistant with Aspire. She holds a degree in Psychology and Sociology. Julie began an Accounts Assistant job in 2004 and has worked in this type of position in the 18 years since. Julie loves being part of a team that makes a difference. Julie joined a Couch to 5km course back in Dec 2019 and has ran about a 1000km since with a few 10km runs for Charities in there. Her two young kids keep her on her toes.
Social Care Manager
Ashling is the Social Care Manager/PIC of Aspire Residential, she has five years’ experience in Health and Social Care. Ashling is currently doing an MA in Healthcare Management and has a BA in Psychology. She started her journey in social care in 2017 and worked closely with a wide range of adults with disabilities in community settings. She started with Aspire in March 2021 as maternity cover and has since stayed on as Social Care Manager/ PIC.
Prior to working in the social care sector, Ashling served in the Irish Defence Forces.
She has volunteered, raised funds and awareness for a number of charities in the past, some of these include a tandem parachute jump and an abseil from the Skyview tower in Smithfield. She has also ran the Dublin City Marathon twice. Ashling is very passionate about person centredness, human rights, promotion of choice, independent living skills and mental health. She endeavours to support and guide the residential team in providing the highest level of care. Ashling loves walking, mindfulness and sightseeing in her spare time.
Creative Manager
As the Creative Manager, Tessa oversees the production of various projects with our Aspire Productions team, and also works with industry stakeholders to create employment opportunities for people in the autism community with a desire to work in the media industries. With experience in both the production and locations departments of live-action features and television, Tessa enjoys the balance of the creative and logistical elements of media creation, and is passionate about educating people about the rewarding and diverse career opportunities available in the sector. Tessa graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 2011 with a degree in Film Studies and has 9 years of experience in the Irish film and television industry. She is currently studying for her Postgraduate diploma in Advanced Producing.
Engagement Officer
Steven has been a part of the Aspire team since 2015, Volunteering for three years and then joining the staff team in 2018. Steven has held a number of positions within Aspire over the years including Project Development Officer, Client Director and currently is working as Engagement Officer. Steven studied Film Production and worked on a number of productions including Murphy’s Law and Hard Diamond before taking a break from film making to work as a career after which he started with Aspire. In his spare time Steven loves nothing more than getting together with some friends for a board game night (he has two bookcases full of them!)
Creative Director
Eoin currently works as Creative Director with Aspire Productions. He has been working with Aspire since 2016, Eoin has studied in areas such as animation and graphic design. Eoin has worked on a number of projects with Aspire Productions and animated Aspire’s short documentary series featured on the website.
Website Administration
Adam is responsible for website administration, He has worked with Aspire since 2011.
He holds a qualification in IT studies, obtained from Roslyn Park College of the National Learning Network. Adam is currently endeavouring in a new course in Computing at TU Dublin, while developing 3d content for the website.
Adam states: “I have met challenges in my road to higher education, good starts I could not finish. Sometimes my obsessions can impair my function but it is just a part of me and something I must and have developed strength in navigating and combining with real life. My latent ability is strong and I work to bring it forward. It was in my time at Trinity College Dublin (2005-2009, attempted) that I was diagnosed at the conclusion of my time there and from which I studied at Roslyn Park College of the National Learning Network and obtained a certificate in IT. Along with other short adventures in higher education over years I have found that I was not ready even if able in the past to complete my studies. The mental maturity required to manage my unique characteristics and the demands of personal and professional development is still in the making and is certainly being made”.
Address
30 Ballinteer Park, Ballinteer, Dublin 16, D16F651
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