The IFPA is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors, which is elected by IFPA members at the Association’s AGM. The Board is responsible for developing, monitoring and reviewing the IFPA’s Strategic Plan.
The Board meets seven times a year, members give their time voluntarily and are not remunerated. The IFPA Chief Executive reports to the Board on implementation of the organisation’s Strategic Plan.
The Board is guided in its governance by the IFPA Governance Handbook and by other best practice principles, including the Dóchas Code of Corporate Governance and the Dóchas Guidelines for Annual Reports and Financial Statements, of which the IFPA is a signatory, as well as the Statement for Guiding Principles for Fundraising. The IFPA Board upholds and promotes the IPPF Code of Good Governance, which includes a set of seven principles that represent good practice in governance.
For our annual reports, please see the publications page.
IFPA Board of Directors
Fiona Tyrrell (Chairperson)
Fiona Tyrrell is a communications professional with over 15 years’ experience in strategic communications, media relations and journalism in a variety of sectors including civil society, third level education and local and national print media. Fiona worked as Communications Officer with the IFPA between 2009 and 2013.
Patricia Prendiville
Patricia Prendiville has over 30 years’ experience working in the areas of equality, rights and social inclusion. Her extensive experience includes working with civil society organisations at national and international level, engaging with states bodies and international fora. She currently works as an independent organizational development consultant and equality expert in Ireland and Europe and has written books on facilitation, homophobia and working with young women.
Ruth Fletcher
Ruth Fletcher is Senior Lecturer in Medical Law at Queen Mary University of London. She has published and lectured widely on issues of reproductive rights, health care law and legal theory. Ruth contributed to a submission to the European Court of Human Rights in A, B and C v Ireland and gave evidence to the Joint Committee on Health and Children in May as they considered the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Act 2013.
Jennifer Gargan
Jennifer Gargan has had a wide range of experience working within the statutory and NGO sectors. Her experience as CEO of EPIC included financial management, governance, strategic development and planning. She campaigned for many years for the rights of young people with care experience. She was actively involved in the Action for Aftercare campaign resulting in legislative change to provide access to aftercare for young people leaving care, and also in the Children’s Rights and Marriage Equality referenda.
Wendy Lyon
Wendy Lyon is a practising solicitor at Abbey Law, where she specialises in immigration, sexual and reproductive rights and maternity rights. Wendy is a founding member of Choice Ireland and holds an LLM in International Human Rights Law.
Natasha O’Brien
Natasha O’Brien previously worked as a barrister and is now an Assistant Principal in the Department of Health.
Megan Reilly
Megan Reilly is the current Vice President for Equality and Citizenship with the Union of Students in Ireland. She is a former President and Welfare Officer of NUI Galway Students’ Union. She was an active campaigner within the student movement during the marriage equality and the 8th Amendment referendums.
Síona Cahill
Síona Cahill studied at Maynooth University. She is a former President of the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). She also previously served as USI Equality Officer and as Deputy President/Vice-President for Equality and Citizenship of USI.
Louise Caffrey
Louise Caffrey is an Assistant Professor (Lecturer) in Social Policy in Trinity College Dublin. Her broad research interests centre on the challenges of policy implementation and methodologies for evaluation in ‘complex systems’. Her published research has focused on these issues in both child protection and health systems. Louise has a long standing interest in reproductive rights and was a founding member of Choice Ireland.
Jessica Zaldivar
Jessica Zaldivar has a Master of Science degree in nursing with a focus on women’s health. She worked for nine years as an advanced practice nurse and colposcopist at Planned Parenthood in Minneapolis, Minnesota and has a long involvement in the reproductive justice movement. She has worked in reproductive health NGOs, as the director of an abortion assistance fund, and is currently working as a practice nurse in general practice.
Senior Management
Chief Executive Niall Behan
Director of Advocacy and Communications Maeve Taylor
Medical Director Dr Caitríona Henchion
Head Counsellor and Supervisor Róisín Venables
Clinic Managers Annette Smith (Tallaght) and Deirdre Jones (Cathal Brugha St.)
Financial Controller Ben Howe
Coordinator of Services Liz Harper