Derek is a native of Galway and relocated to Limerick in 2008. He is married to Lisa and they have four children – Aoileann, Dara, Aisling and Oisín.

Derek is a Solicitor in Limerick City and brings to the Board a combination of his professional expertise and his extensive practical business experience.

He has been a member of our Board since 2020 and was delighted to take on the role of Chair of the Board of Directors in 2022.

Elke Hayes has a background in Psychology and has extensive experience researching and working with children and young people with diverse abilities and needs. Elke is involved in lecturing and supervising students undertaking the B.A. in Early Childhood Care and Education at Mary Immaculate College. Elke has also been involved in running a number of community projects within County Limerick.

Kevin is a chartered accountant with 16 years’ experience but more importantly he’s a dad of 3 wonderful kids.

He was part of the Run For Liam team that raised a significant amount for the CGC in 2019. This fundraiser was in memory of my beautiful nephew Liam who passed away in 2018.

In his own words: “I was honoured to join the CGC board earlier this year. I have seen first-hand the fantastic work done by Helen, Theresa and the team at the CGC. The support they provide to grieving children assists greatly in overcoming their grief in a healthy and organic way. I am delighted to assist the CGC in any way possible to help support young people experiencing a tough time of their lives.”

Anne encountered the Children’s Grief centre after the death of her husband in 2011, her children Jack, Caoimhe and Peter were aged 13, 11 and 5 at the time.

The centre support proved to be a lifeline for them and became a constant in their lives.
Anne runs her own preschool and sees firsthand the effect of grief and loss on young children.

She joined the board as a parent’s representative and is delighted to support the Children’s Grief Centre in any way to enable its sustainability into the future and ensure the services are available for every child that needs them.

Sr. Terese Barry has been a Member of our Board since the very beginning of the Centre. She is a Sister of Mercy.

She was a Primary Teacher until she retired.

Paul Dennehy is a former member of An Garda Siochana. During his career he served in a number of specialist units  in Dublin and prior to retiring was head of the Financial investigation Unit for the Division of Tipperary. He also qualified as a Family Liaison Officer, was involved in the Association of Garda Sergeants & Inspectors both as an elected delegate and as vice -chairman.

A native of Bruff, Co Limerick he was co-founder of the Thomas Fitzgerald Centre which links the ancestral connections to the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy serving, as Chairman for over 12 years. He has also been involved in underage GAA, as an officer and also in coaching. He served as a board member and Treasurer for Scoil Dean Cussen, Bruff where he initiated a number of successful fundraising projects.