EPLUS - Key Persons
Ailbhe completed her honours degree at the Institute of Technology Sligo and started as a caseworker at EPlus in 2015, joining the management team in 2018. Now the case manager for Dublin North, Cavan Monaghan, and Donegal areas, she enjoys supporting families and staff through various activities and workshops. Ailbhe values the positive impact of different projects on families and the unique ways support is delivered.
Aileen holds a BA Honours in Social Care Practice from AIT. She worked as a case worker at Empowerment Plus for three years before becoming Deputy Manager for the Midlands in 2022. After returning from maternity leave in July 2023, she began her role as Interim Mid-West & Kerry Manager in September 2023. Aileen's professional interests include advocacy and community, and she values making a difference in people's lives with the support of a dedicated team.
Job Titles:
- in 2014 As a Case Worker
- Social Care Manager
Aoife joined EPlus in 2014 as a case worker and soon moved to the management team. She is now the Area Manager for Louth and Meath. Aoife graduated from Maynooth University with an honours degree in Social Science and holds a diploma in childcare studies and Special Needs Education. With 12 years of extensive experience in the Social Care Sector, she is passionate about empowering and supporting young people and families to reach their goals.
Catherine joined Empowerment Plus 2016, in those 8-years Catherine has dedicated her time in guiding every team member into the organisation while maintaining an excellent relationship with them. No task or request is too small for her to take on, her goal is to make everyone's working life within Empowerment Plus as enjoyable as her own.
he is responsible for the organisation's recruitment; She also carries out varies tasks in her administration role dealing with any adhoc requests from senior management & the CEO of the organisation.
Damian has been with EPlus for 11 years, starting as the Area Manager in Kildare West Wicklow before moving to the Midlands Area, and now covering Dublin North City. He enjoys providing support and advocacy for service users and the team. His main interests include experiential learning and supported family contact. Damian is committed to improving the outcomes and quality of life for the individuals and families he works with daily.
Catherine joined Empowerment Plus 2016, in those 8-years Catherine has dedicated her time in guiding every team member into the organisation while maintaining an excellent relationship with them. No task or request is too small for her to take on, her goal is to make everyone's working life within Empowerment Plus as enjoyable as her own.
he is responsible for the organisation's recruitment; She also carries out varies tasks in her administration role dealing with any adhoc requests from senior management & the CEO of the organisation.
Donna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Community Development from Blanchardstown IT (now known as TUS), where she studied from 2012 to 2015. She later pursued a Higher Diploma in Arts in Applied Social Studies (Professional Social Care) at Carlow IT, completing her level 8 qualification part-time in 2018.
Donna began her journey with EPlus as an outreach worker in 2017, a role she excelled in until 2021. Her dedication and expertise led to her promotion to team leader in September 2021. In her current role, Donna continues to demonstrate her commitment to supporting children, young people, and families, ensuring they receive the highest quality of care and guidance.
Job Titles:
- in 2010 As a Case Worker
- Social Care Manager
Eleanor joined EPlus in 2010 as a case worker and became part of the management team in 2016. She oversees the Dublin South West and Kildare West Wicklow areas, managing a diverse caseload, including children in care and at-risk families. Eleanor holds an honours degree in Social Science from Dublin Business School and an MA in Human Rights and Social Policy from Maynooth University. She is passionate about supporting young people transitioning out of care and those who have experienced domestic violence.
Kate graduated from DKIT with an honours degree in Community Youth Work in 2016. She joined EPlus the same year as a case worker and moved to the management team in 2018. Now the area manager for Dublin South Central, Dublin South East, and Wicklow, Kate is dedicated to helping young people find their voice and reach their full potential. She is passionate about supporting relationships between young people and their families and values working with a supportive and collaborative team.
:AWKN), a clinical stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for substance use and mental health disorders, which he cofounded in 2020. Anthony is also CEO of Graft Polymer (UK) plc (LON:GPL) an innovative biopolymer drug delivery systems development company. Additionally, Anthony is non-executive director of Empowerment Plus, an Irish non-profit working with young people and families at risk.Prior to the healthcare industry, Anthony worked in financial services, with 10 years in international strategy and commercial leadership roles with Aon Plc, and 5 years with Merrill Lynch and Bank of Ireland. Anthony holds an MBA and an MSc both from UCD.
Nevan has worked in international financial services for over 28 years, holding a number of Senior Management positions in global organisations. His current role is that of Global Head with a major international bank.
Nevan's areas of interest are Corporate Governance and business transformation. Nevan holds a BA(Hons) in Accounting & Finance and an MSc in Investments & Treasury, both awarded by Dublin City University and is a member of the Institute of Directors where he has received both a Certificate and Diploma in Company Direction. Nevan's previous Board experience includes subsidiaries of a global bank and a not-for profit organisation.
Orla is a passionate Social Care Manager with over 12 years of experience working in the child protection and family support sector. She lectures Part-Time in Tus lecturing on the Social care and Early years level 7 & 8 courses.
Orla brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the role of Head of Safeguarding and Training & Development. With a strong background in social care, Orla possesses a deep understanding of safeguarding principles and best practices.
Valerie is a Lecturer and Program Coordinator in Social Care at TUS Midwest, bringing over 20 years of experience in various roles within the social care industry, including disability, youth, and home care services. Her expertise spans crisis intervention, case management, therapeutic crisis intervention, public speaking, and management. Valerie holds an MA in Advanced Social Care Practice from AIT and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Social Sciences at UCC.
Bringing over 25 years of experience from the technology industry, Raquel joins the Board of Directors with a dynamic career that has spanned roles as a developer, business analyst, project and program manager, chief of staff, and strategy & operations leader. Currently, Raquel owns her own Coaching practice and serves as Co-Founder of a services company.This diverse professional journey has not only sharpened Raquel's skills in managing complex projects and operations but has also instilled a deep passion for making a positive impact. Raquel is genuinely honoured to be part of the Board of Directors and to support the Empowerment Plus's mission of empowering young people, families, and communities at risk. She is eager to contribute to the organisation's critical work, contributing to its success in transforming lives and communities for the better.
Meet Rebecca, the Area Manager for Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, and Cork regions. Since 2014, she has been dedicated to EPlus, playing a key role in its growth by supporting many young people and families. Rebecca holds degrees in Social Care and Counselling, as well as a Diploma in Supervision Theory and Practice, which equip her for effective operational planning and policy development. Passionate about empowering families and young people, she is committed to creating impactful programs and policies that make a real difference.
Martina is a safety and risk executive with 20 years of leadership experience. She has served on the regional executive leadership team of a multinational corporation and chaired its global safety and risk solutions steering committee. Martina holds an MSc in Food Safety Management and a BSc in Environmental Health from Technological University Dublin, along with a Postgraduate qualification in Health & Safety from DCU. Her expertise includes quality management, occupational health and safety, crisis management, and insurance program oversight. Martina is a member of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management and has recently completed a certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance.
Tara has over 24 years of experience in social care, ranging from social care worker to leader and head of services in registered children's residential care. She holds a BA in Applied Social Studies in Social Care, a Higher Diploma in Disability Studies, and is an IAHIP accredited Psychotherapist.. Tara specialises in trauma and attachment models of care, with extensive experience in setting up services under HIQA and Tusla registration. She has also trained as an associate in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) in both public and private sectors.
Valerie Hogan is a dedicated and innovative leader in the field of social care, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to creative, collaborative, and strengths-based approaches in working with children and families. With a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care and a Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy, Valerie possesses a unique blend of academic excellence and practical expertise. Valerie's foundational experience in youth justice work profoundly shaped their approach to social care, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care and the need for individualized, empathetic support. In 2019, Valerie joined Eplus as a manager, and quickly demonstrated her capabilities in strategic planning, budget management, and program design and delivery. Appointed CEO of Eplus in September 2023, Valerie continues to drive the organization forward, fostering a culture of transparency, strong governance, collaboration and continuous improvement.
Meet Rebecca, the Area Manager for Carlow, Kilkenny, South Tipperary, and Cork regions. Since 2014, she has been dedicated to EPlus, playing a key role in its growth by supporting many young people and families. Rebecca holds degrees in Social Care and Counselling, as well as a Diploma in Supervision Theory and Practice, which equip her for effective operational planning and policy development. Passionate about empowering families and young people, she is committed to creating impactful programs and policies that make a real difference.
Valerie is a Lecturer and Program Coordinator in Social Care at TUS Midwest with more than 20 years of experience in the social care industry. Valerie has worked in a variety of settings and roles, including disability, youth, and home care services.
Valerie's core competencies include crisis intervention, case management, therapeutic crisis intervention, public speaking, and management along with a strong academic background in social sciences and social policy. Valerie holds an MA in Advanced Social Care Practice from AIT and a Doctor of Social Sciences in progress from UCC.