The Irish Global Health Network (IGHN) will fulfill the functions of the ESTHER Ireland secretariat, as one of its activities under the IFGH Strategy (2014-2017). A proportion of the work time of the IGHN Secretariat will be devoted to ESTHER secretariat activities. The day to day functions of ESTHER Ireland are carried out by the Secretariat. The Secretariat is currently made up of the Executive Director, ESTHER Coordinator (working part-time), Communications Coordinator (working part-time), and a Finance and Administrative Officer (working part-time). The Secretariat is managed under the IGHN Board.
See the bios below for more information on the Secretariat:
Nadine Ferris France, Operations Director
Nadine Ferris France is the Operations Director for the Irish Global Health Network and ESTHER Ireland. She is a communicator, writer, trainer and civil society activist with over 20 years’ experience in gender, HIV and global health. She has worked extensively with global, regional and national civil society networks on HIV and TB for many years as the co-founder and Executive Director of Health & Development Networks (HDN).
In addition to her experience within the NGO-field, she has also worked extensively with the World Health Organization and also lectures with various academic institutions. She is currently a member of the Programme Advisory Panel for the Robert Carr Civil Society Network Fund and the European AIDS Treatment Group. At this stage in her own professional development, she is particularly passionate about issues such as self-stigma affecting people living with HIV and survivors of gender-based violence. Nadine holds an MSc in Global Health from Trinity College Dublin.
Visit Nadine’s full profile here and get in touch via email [email protected]
Caragh Munn, ESTHER Ireland Coordinator
Caragh Munn is the coordinator at ESTHER Ireland. She has 10 years’ experience in a variety of roles in Community and Global Health. Her experience in managing and coordinating international partnerships and programs includes roles within the NGO sector, and working in Ethiopia supporting the National Network of People Living with HIV to deliver programmes to meet the needs of their members.
She also has experience in bridging the gap between healthcare providers in Ireland and marginalised populations, having worked in Traveller Primary Healthcare Programmes and most recently in Social Prescribing.
Caragh holds both a Master in Public Health and a Master in International Humanitarian Action.
Get in touch via email [email protected]
Violeta Prenga, Finance and Administrative Officer
Violeta is a pragmatic finance officer with skills in project coordination, account management, and business analysis. She is proficient in job-related software paired with advanced knowledge of accounting procedures and processes. Throughout her career, she has contributed to positive business results through effective organisation, prioritisation, and follow-through of key organisational projects.
Violeta believes that financial inclusion is a key enabler in reducing poverty and boosting prosperity and that it can help bridge financial resiliency gaps that are seen in various racial, gender, and other underserved communities.
Get in touch with Violeta via email at [email protected]
Maisie Jones, Programme and Communications Officer
Maisie holds a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from University College Cork, Ireland. She previously studied for her BSc Health and Society at Dublin City University, during which time her interest and passion for global health was peaked.
Her Masters research thesis focused on the barriers and facilitators to asylum seekers accessing sexual health services within the direct provision system, and she has been involved in several other health research projects including studies related to cancer genetics services, societal factors of the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, dementia in health promotion policy, and maternal, newborn, and child health in Sub-Saharan Africa.
She also holds a Professional Diploma in PR and Marketing Communications and a Diploma in Web Design.
Maisie is passionate about all areas of global and public health, especially migrant health, women’s health, and sexual and reproductive health. She began her journey at the Irish Global Health Network and ESTHER as a professional communications and events intern and progressed to her current role.
Visit Maisie’s full profile here, and get in touch via email [email protected]
Joan Bolger, Training and Learning Coordinator
Joan has a background in Journalism, particularly in international news, having worked in foreign press agencies and various roles within newspapers. For the past 15 years, she has worked in the NGO sector, managing web and offline campaigns, crafting press materials, and pitching to press. More recently she has expanded her focus to contribute to the area of global health e-training.
Get in touch with Joan via email at [email protected]
Elaine Sly, Communications and Grants Management Intern
Elaine has a BSc in International Development in Food Policy. During her university years, Elaine interned with Self Help Africa, where she gained practical experience in development work. Travelling to Malawi to deliver training on M&E, demonstrating her commitment to making a positive impact on communities.
Visit Elaines full profile here, and get in touch via email [email protected]
