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.
Catherine Corbett – Treasurer
Catherine brings over three decades of senior financial leadership experience spanning large, medium and small businesses in professional services firms, law and advertising. Her strong track record has included her most recent Executive role as Chief Financial Officer for Deloitte Ireland and previously Head of Finance at EY. Catherine is also an experienced Non-Executive Director with over 9 years serving on the Board of The National Children’s Hospital Foundation in various roles ranging from member of the Financial and Investment Committees to Chair of the Board. She has also recently joined the Board of the Zero Waste Scotland.
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.
Michelle Fanning
Michelle is a Chief Executive Officer with 40 years’ experience in the Irish Healthcare system. She initially practiced as a nurse in oncology services. Over the last 14 years Michelle has been managing a public post-acute rehabilitation hospital with the key focus on providing excellence in patient centred care. Michelle has proven leadership roles in developing services to meet emerging and evolving patient care needs while successfully building a skilled, committed and flexible workforce. Her more recent experience includes having a good understanding of both the company secretary role and that of managing a charity including the obligations this brings to organisations.
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 Michelle Fanning, IMNDA Board Member
Ms Naomi Fitzgibbon, Director of Nursing and Services IMNDA
Prof. Peter Bede, 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
