Meet Our Board

Jonathan Healy – Chairperson

Jonathan Healy is a broadcaster and communications consultant. He established his own communications business in 2017, specialising in media training, corporate content creation and event facilitation. A familiar voice on the nation’s airwaves, Jonathan worked as a presenter on Newstalk 106-108fm, fronting popular programmes such as Newstalk Lunchtime and The Sunday Show. He is also a regular contributor to TV programmes such as RTE Today on RTE 1 and IrelandAM on TV3. A graduate of law with University College Cork, Jonathan previously worked as a correspondent with Sky News, and with radio stations FM104 and 96fm. He lives in Cork with his wife Colette and their 3 children.

Alison Gray – Treasurer

Alison Gray completed her BA in Business Studies for Accounting in Dublin and started her career as a senior auditor. Alison went on to become an audit Director in BCK after working there since 2007. Alison left BCK in 2019 and is now working in a role as an internal financial controller for Irish SME’s. With over 18 years’ experience she has much experience in the audit of small and large enterprises in many industry sectors. Working closely with clients, she has also provided valuable advice on internal controls and audit findings to support the business needs, Alison joined the board of the IMNDA, as the treasurer in July 2014.

Katie Hallissey – Secretary

Katie Hallissey hails from Blarney, Cork. She lost her father to MND in 2010 and impressed by the work and support of the IMNDA, she has since worked in the southern area of the country, fundraising and raising awareness of the condition. Katie graduated from UCC in 1999 with a degree in Language & Cultural Studies and following nearly 5 years living in Barcelona, Spain, where she worked as a teacher, Katie settled back in Cork and went on to work in IT as a trainer and project manager. Katie was the brainchild behind Food for Hope, cookbook published in 2013, which saw 60 Irish celebrities come together to offer their personal recipes and accompanying anecdotes in support of the IMNDA.

Bernie Conolly

Bernie Conolly is a professional advisor in Midwifery & Nursing with Bord Altranais agus Cnáimhseachais na hÉireann She is a Registered General Nurse and Registered Midwife. She has extensive experience of working in both areas here in Ireland and Switzerland. She has held management positions in intensive care, neuroscience, accident and emergency, labour ward, information technology, research, Divisional Nurse Manager Beaumont Hospital, National Director of Nursing IBTS and Director of Midwifery and Nursing Mount Carmel Hospital. She was awarded her MSc in Education & Training Management from Dublin City University and Accreditor Certificate NSAI.

Norman Hughes

Norman Hughes is a Qualified Financial Advisor and Consultant with more than 20 years experience within the Financial Services Industry. Norman left his position as Head of Change in Permanent TSB bank to set up his own consultancy practice in 2013. Living in Dublin, married to Siobhan and father to 3 great children, Norman is a keen rugby supporter and a member of St Mary’s College RFC where he coaches the under age teams. Having lost his brother Karl to Motor Neurone Disease in late 2016 and having witnessed first-hand the services provided by the IMNDA, Norman joined the Board of IMNDA in December 2017 to honour Karl and ‘give something back’.

Lisa Doherty

Lisa Doherty is a public servant with over 25 years’ experience in the Education Sector. She completed her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management with the National College of Ireland. Lisa is an Administrative Officer in the Human Resources Department, City of Dublin Education and Training Board.

Joseph Ritchie

Admitted to the role of Solicitors in 1998. Joseph has run his own legal Practice as a sole practitioner since 2005 under the name of Donal M Gahan Ritchie & Company with expertise in the area of property, probate/estate planning and litigation. Joseph is currently a Board member with the Carmichael Centre, training organization supporting the voluntary sector.

Gillian Lynch

Gillian is a solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience. Gillian is currently Knowledge Director in a top-tier law firm where she leads a team of knowledge lawyers and legal librarians. She is responsible for developing and implementing the firm’s knowledge strategy.

Before her current role, Gillian worked as a senior associate in another leading law firm and as senior legal advisor at Bank of Ireland. In her role as Knowledge Director, Gillian works across the firm to develop best practice, to achieve efficiencies and to manage risk. She also delivers legal training, and designs and implements projects.

Gillian holds degrees in law, political science, and Japanese studies. She has a diploma in Compliance and a certificate in Professional Education. Gillian also completed the professional certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance in 2015.In her personal time, Gillian enjoys reading, occasional golf and is an active member of the Terenure Cricket Club.

Prof Peter Bede – Medical Patron

Peter is a neurologist and an Associate Professor in Trinity College Dublin. He received his PhD from TCD and currently leads a research group focusing on the pathological and imaging features of Motor Neurone Disease. With his team, he collaborates closely with international partners in France, UK and Canada to develop accurate diagnostic, prognostic and monitoring protocols for clinical trials in MND. His main interest is the characterisation of early ALS-associated pathology and disease propagation through advanced neuroimaging.

He is a member of the UK MND Association (MNDA) Research Advisory Panel, the steering committee of Neuroimaging Society in ALS (NISALS) and the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). Peter holds a number of prestigious research grants from national and international funding agencies and his research to date has contributed to the characterisation of extra-motor changes in MND, the contribution of deep brain structures to clinical symptoms, and how cortical patterns of pathology define clinical disability. His vision is to translate emerging academic insights to develop viable therapeutic strategies.

Clinical Advisory Panel

The role of the Clinical Advisory Group is one of supporting, encouraging and being an ongoing resource to the Board and management team by educating, updating and building awareness about measures for improving the quality of life for those living with MND and their families 

Ms Bernie Conolly IMNDA Board Member

N Fitzgibbon Director of Nursing and Services IMNDA

Prof Peter Bead Neurology TCD

Prof Russell Mc Laughlin Genetics TCD

Ms Lesley Doyle PhD within the MIRANDA TCD

Ms Cathy Doherty Senior Occupational Therapist CRC

Ms Eimear Kennedy, Senior Social Worker, Milford Care Centre

Ms Louise Hennesy CNM 2 IMNDA