Meet the Team at FASD Ireland
Tristan
Chief Executive Officer
Founder and CEO of FASD Ireland, Tristan decided to launch the organisation on 9th September 2021 - which happened to be World FASD Awareness Day.
It all began in the Study at home, after months of garnering the courage to begin the project, unsure of whether it would be a success. At 9pm a video recording was released on our Social Media platforms launching the organisation.
A qualified Interactive Hypnotherapist (IANLPC), Tristan particularly enjoys working with clients coping with early years trauma and stress anxiety.
Dad to three boys, two living with FASD, Tristan has first hand experience of the challenges faced by families and carers when trying to get the best outcomes for their child.
Tristan is no stranger to volunteering and advocating in education, having spent his time whilst parenting advocating with schools and professionals for his own children and other parents who required support.
Tristan also spent four years as an Additional Education Needs Governor at a Primary School.
Scott
Director of Operations & Deputy CEO
Scott is responsible for the daily operation of FASD Ireland, including the office and training centre. Scott also manages all social media platforms and traditional media engagement.
Scott was previously Head of Engagement & Delivery at Charity, Adoption UK, where he managed the team in England providing support and services to adoptive families. He continues to be involved in the adoption and fostering sector with a global podcast and supporting adoption and fostering agencies and their families.
In March 2022 Scott experienced two ruptured brain aneurisms – which resulted in 9 months of recovery. Now, mostly recovered, Scott reflects. “It’s fascinating to look back pre-aneurisms and at my time working in the UK, non-visible disabilities were around me every day - I just never made the connection. Now having an invisible disability myself, I am more aware of the challenges people living with FASD face everyday.”
In Tristan's absence, Scott becomes Deputy CEO covering day to day decisions.
Mike
Director of Policy & Public Affairs Company Secretary
Mike studied Law with Political & Sociological Science at NUI Galway, where he served as President of the Law Society there. He is currently undertaking a Diploma in PR & Communications from UCD.
Most recently Mike spent 18 months as a Parliamentary Assitant in the Oireachtas, and was a member of FASD Ireland's Advisory Board.
Mike will lead efforts to shape policy agendas, engage with policymakers, and advocate for evidence based whole-of-Government solutions to address the challenges faced by individuals living with FASD. He will also oversee public affairs strategies to raise awareness and promote education about FASD, and work with the FASD Ireland team to drive systemic policy change for people living with FASD.
Mike also sits as a Director on the Board of Clare Local Development Company and serves as a Peace Commissioner for County Clare, sits on the Board of Raidío Corca Baiscinn and is a member of the Enabling Team of Loop Head Together. A former Local Election candidate, Mike has far-reaching connections in politics in Ireland.
Cillian
Business Development Manager
Cillian has been involved in the non-profit and community sectors for the last 15 years and previously worked as Operations Manager with a regional organisation in the LGBTQI+ and Sexual Health area. As part of previous roles Cillian was responsible for project delivery, volunteer management and securing funding for the organisations he worked with.
Originally from Tipperary, Cillian spent the last 20 years living in Limerick before relocating to County Clare at the end of 2023.
As part of the Business Development Manager role, Cillian is responsible for securing funding through varied sources for FASD Ireland to continue to provide much needed services.
Cillian said “I’m excited to be joining the FASD Ireland team and bringing my experience to the role. This is a very exciting time to joining the organisation as it is on an upward journey of expansion and bringing the message and awareness of FASD to the wider community. I’m looking forward to bringing my knowledge and experience to this role and learning from the team at FASD Ireland.”
Rob
Policy & Research Coordinator
Rob joined FASD Ireland as part of his University studies in January 2023. He was a 2nd year Arts student at University of Limerick, studying Geography and Linguistics - and also has an interest in Pyschology. Rob was responsible for developing the FASD Hub Ireland, which provides support, advice and signposting to services for anybody living, caring or working with FASD.
After joining the team, Rob said "I knew that drinking during pregnancy can cause problems. But I was so unaware of the extent until I got the excellent training from the team. Being Irish, I am fully aware of the drinking culture that surrounds us. I think it is really important that we raise awareness and educate people about FASD. I am really looking forward to being a part of the team and making a difference!"
Rob is from a small town in North Clare. In his spare time he enjoys sport and plays Rugby with Ennis RFC in the winter, and Gaelic Football with St. Breckans in the summer.
Rob really enjoyed his placement with FASD Ireland. After completing Erasmus in Croatia at the end of March 2024 Rob applied for the new role of Policy & Research Coordinator and has rejoined the team.
Áine O
FASD Hub Coordinator
Áine joined the team in June 2024 as FASD Hub Coordinator.
Bringing with her, 15 years experience in marketing living and working in other countries, including as far away as Australia, Áine applied for the role after time away from the workplace as a parent.
Áine has volunteered in schools and other educational establishments over the time away from the workplace, and appreciates the unique position parents of children with additional needs find themselves in day to day.
Áine T
FASD Hub Coordinator
Áine joined FASD Ireland as part of her university studies initially on her 2nd Year placement in May 2024. Aine is a 2nd year studying Psychology in the University of Limerick.
On completion of her placement and recognising the knowledge she gained throughout and the hard work Áine contributed to research in that time it was important to ensure Áine remained working in the organisation.
Áine enjoys sport and plays football for Miltown Malbay.
She told us, "Studying psychology has given me the opportunity to research and learn about many different neurological disorders however I was unaware of the prevalence of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Ireland and the various effects it can have on an individual.
I hope to go down the route of educational psychology in the future and I think that this placement is a great opportunity to learn about a prevalent neurological disorder which has definite impacts on children now and in the future. The training and knowledge I receive from the team will be very useful in this role."
Vacancy
Education & Training Specialist
