Anthony Tennyson

Board Chairperson

Anthony brings experience in leadership and innovation across both healthcare and finance. He’s currently the CEO of Solvonis Therapeutics plc, and previously led Awakn Life Sciences — both organisations focused on tackling addiction and mental health. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles with Aon, Merrill Lynch, and Bank of Ireland. He also brings significant governance experience, having served on boards of publicly traded companies with complex regulatory and strategic responsibilities.

Tara Gaffney

Secretary

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.

Martina Donohoe

Head of Safety & Risk

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.

Valerie Noonan

Lecturer, PHD Candidate

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.

John O'Connell

Board Member

John O’Connell has over 25 years experience in Technology and has held senior management positions in Global Financial services, Data, Startup/Scale-outs and Consultancy firms. John is also currently a vice-chair in the Irish Funds fintech working group.
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John joins the board bringing leadership, technology, governance and strategy. He holds an MSc in Technology Management from UCD, a Post-Graduate diploma in
Computers for Engineers from TCD and a BE(Hons) in Engineering from UCD, a Certificate and Diploma in company Direction from Institute of Directors.

John is delighted to be part of the Board of Directors and support Empowerment Plus’  important work supporting the community.

Aoife Sammon

Board Member

Aoife has worked in the Finance sector for over 17 years, specialising in Taxation in both a professional services firm and roles within industry. She is currently a member of the tax team of a life sciences company.
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Aoife is both a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland (ACA) and an Associate of the Irish Taxation Institute (Chartered Tax Advisor). Aoife completed the Masters of Accountancy (M. Acc) in the Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business. Prior to this she studied Business & Legal Studies in UCD (BBLS).  
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Aoife has participated in volunteer opportunities both in Ireland and overseas, with the welfare and education of children consistently being areas of particular interest. She is delighted to be appointed as a Trustee of Eplus and to enthusiastically support the vital work of this organisation.