Board of Directors
Peter McVerry Trust’s Board of Directors at the May 2023 AGM was as below.
- Peter McVerry SJ – Founder and Secretary
- Deirdre-Ann Barr (appointed September 2020)
- Denis O’Leary (appointed January 2020)
- Gilbert Little (appointed May 2022)
- Patricia Bourke (re-appointed June 2022)
- Richard Lavelle (re-appointed January 2017)
- Terry McCabe (appointed May 2019)
- Ciara O’Sullivan (appointed May 2017)
- Liam Connellan Jr (appointed January 2023)
CEO and Senior Management
Liz Peña, Deputy CEO, Peter McVerry Trust
Elizabeth Peña has brought her experience from working as a frontline staff member commencing with the organisation in 2006 to progressing through the organisation to her current role as Deputy CEO of the organisation.
In her previous role as the Director of Services for Compliance, Allocations and Research, her responsibilities encompassed a wide range of key areas intrinsic to organisational development and activity. Her role involved integrating and expanding infrastructural services required to provide a high quality of care to our participants. She established a centralised supports unit within Peter McVerry Trust to enhance the organisations capabilities to respond to the immediate needs of staff and participants.
Liz holds a BA (Hons) in Social Studies and an MSc in Equality Studies from University College Dublin.. Liz brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and dedication to her newly appointed role as Deputy CEO and will continue to advocate for those at the margins of society to be heard and supported.
Tanya Blyth, Director of Child and Family Services
Tanya was appointed Deputy Director of Services in November 2017, having been Head of Services since April 2015 and Deputy Head of Services since April 2013.
Tanya has a degree in Social Science and a postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy and has been involved in the Community and Voluntary Sector since 1992 and has worked in Under 18s Residential Services since 1998.
Bernie Keigher, Director of Homeless Services and Housing First – Criminal Justice
Bernie joined Peter McVerry Trust in 2006 as a Project Worker and has worked across multiple areas within Peter McVerry Trust as a Team Leader including adult homeless services, Young People services, Housing First and TRAIL. In 2018 she was appointed to Head of North City Region Homeless Services.
In February 2021, Bernie was appointed to Director of Homeless Services and Housing First Criminal Justice. She is responsible for homeless services across Leinster and the Criminal Justice strand of the Peter McVerry Trust Housing First programme. Bernie holds a diploma in Community and Youth Work, a diploma in Social Care, BA in Social Care and a MSc in Criminology.
Richard Price, Director of Housing Services
Richard was appointed Director of Housing Services in February 2021. He joined the organisation in 2010 as a Relief Project Worker and has worked in several Peter McVerry Trust services, including Supported Temporary Accommodation services, TRAIL, Young People emergency accommodation service and Housing.
As Director of Housing Services, Richard is responsible for national Housing with Supports services and regional Housing First services. Richard holds a Level 7 qualification in Social Care, a certificate in Homeless Prevention and Intervention and a certificate in Effective Management in Homeless Services. Prior to joining Peter McVerry Trust, Richard spent 18 years working in the construction sector in both Ireland and the UK.
Noelle Woods, Director of Nursing, Addiction and Housing First Dublin Services
Noelle was appointed Director of Nursing and Addiction in February 2021. In early 2023, Housing First – Dublin was added to her Directorate. Noelle oversees multiple multi-disciplinary teams responsible for delivering Peter McVerry Trust’s nursing, addiction and Housing First services. Noelle joined the organisation in October 2013 as a staff nurse, progressing to Head of Nursing and Addiction services in 2019.
Noelle holds a BSc in Psychiatric Nursing, diploma in Addiction Studies, certificate in Effective Management of Homeless Services certificate in Recognising and Responding to Domestic Abuse and is currently completing a MSc in Health and Social Inclusion. She is a Registered Nurse Prescriber with RCSI and is qualified to provide training on the ‘Administration of Naxolone’ and ‘Mental Health First Aid’.
Anne-Marie Connolly, Director of Fundraising
Anne-Marie was appointed Director of Fundraising in May 2015, having previously been Head of Fundraising and Communications. She joined Peter McVerry Trust in 2006 to develop the first fundraising and communications strategies for the organisation, and to significantly increase income levels through voluntary donations and fundraising activities.
In June 2015, Anne-Marie completed the Law Society of Ireland’s Certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship and Governance. Before joining Peter McVerry Trust she worked in fundraising and public relations in Northern Ireland. Anne-Marie has a degree from UCD in Social Science, and a Masters in Communications, Advertising and Public Relations from UUJ.
Deirdre Rossiter, Director of Human Resources and Services
Deirdre was appointed Director of HR in February 2021. She joined the organisation in 2007 and held many Frontline Management roles across a wide range of services before joining the Senior Management Team in 2015 as Deputy Head of Housing and Homelessness. In 2017 she was appointed Deputy Director of Housing and Homelessness, and in 2018 added HR to her brief.
She previously worked for ten years in the Community and Voluntary sector and managed projects in the community with Blanchardstown Area Partnership. She represented BAP on many Boards of Management in the community, including Youth, Education, Traveller Support, and Community Enterprise.
