Chair of Advisory Board

Kate FitzHerbert is a Speech and Language Therapist with over 12 years of experience supporting children with disabilities. She holds an undergraduate degree in New Media and English from the University of Limerick, a Higher Diploma in Linguistics from University College Dublin, and a Master of Science in Speech and Language Therapy from the University of Essex.

Her career has spanned a variety of settings, including time in Vancouver, Canada, where she worked in a private clinic as part of a multidisciplinary team specialising in diagnosing and supporting children and adults with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). This experience gave her valuable insight into the complexities of FASD and the importance of early, family-centred support.

Kate is currently a Senior Speech and Language Therapist with Enable Ireland, working on the Children’s Disability Network Team in Kilkenny. She is passionate about family-centred practice, taking a holistic approach to intervention, and improving the quality of life for children and their families. As Chair of FASD Ireland’s Advisory Board, Kate brings her clinical expertise, leadership, and commitment to ensuring individuals with FASD and their families receive the understanding and support they deserve.

Occupational Therapist

Banu is a CORU-registered Occupational Therapist with 20 years of experience, primarily in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS). Her career has centred on supporting children, young people, and families through developmental trauma, attachment-focused practice, and sensory-based interventions. Alongside her expertise in mental health, Banu also brings significant experience in paediatric assessment and intervention, integrating both approaches to create holistic care plans.

She has held senior roles across CAMHS services in Cork and Kerry, where she helped design clinical pathways, introduce attachment-focused interventions, and lead diversity initiatives to improve mental health support for young people from different cultural backgrounds. More recently, she is currently in private practice, providing sensory attachment interventions for children in care, autism assessments, and training programmes for parents and professionals.

At FASD Ireland, Banu brings her deep expertise, creativity, and passionate developmental therapies as a base for inclusive mental health practice to strengthen awareness, services, and supports for individuals and families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Parent/Carer of a person living with FASD

Aliy is an experienced FASD advocate, Chartered Manager, and parent of three young people with a history of prenatal alcohol exposure, early childhood trauma, and disrupted attachments. With a BA (Hons) in Social Policy and more than a decade of lived and professional experience in the field of FASD, she brings both insight and empathy to her work.

For 11 years, Aliy has combined parenting with leadership in FASD services. Until September 2022, she was FASD Project Manager and FASD Lead for Adoption UK, where she established FASD Hub Scotland—a Scottish Government–funded service providing support for parents, carers, and professionals. Her background also includes project management roles with charities both in the UK and overseas, where she developed expertise in building effective, supportive services for families.

Aliy describes herself as an #ExpertByExperience and continues to be a strong voice for individuals and families affected by FASD. Married for more than 20 years, she finds joy in creative crafts such as sewing, spinning, and knitting. At FASD Ireland, she brings her blend of professional knowledge, lived experience, and advocacy to strengthen awareness and support for families across Ireland.

Business & Leadership Adviser

Aisling joined FASD Ireland with a clear purpose: to put people first in creating meaningful change for everyone living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). 

With years of leadership experience in operations and customer experience across the renewable energy and technology sectors, Aisling combines big-picture vision with a strong belief in building supportive, collaborative teams.

Her approach goes beyond systems and structures. Aisling pairs a technical mindset with deep empathy, guided by the lived experiences of individuals and families impacted by FASD. She is passionate about supporting FASD Ireland’s growth, expanding awareness, and ensuring that those navigating FASD feel seen, understood, and supported every step of the way.

Dedicated, thoughtful, and people-focused, Aisling brings both expertise and heart to her role on the Advisory Board, helping to drive lasting impact for the FASD community in Ireland.

Social Worker

Al is a social worker, adoptive parent, foster carer, and long-standing advocate for children and families. Together with his wife Paula, Al has raised six children through adoption and fostering, experiences that shaped both his professional path and his commitment to supporting families living with the challenges of trauma and Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

After leaving a career in construction in 2008 to become a full-time parent, Al trained as a social worker, qualifying in 2013. He has since specialised in fostering, adoption, and supporting families managing challenging and aggressive behaviour, working as an Independent Social Worker since 2015. An advanced practitioner in Non-Violent Resistance (NVR), Al delivers training across police forces, youth justice, education, social care, and family services.

At FASD Ireland, Al brings a unique combination of expertise, advocacy, and lived experience to help strengthen awareness, influence policy, and support families in navigating the realities of FASD.

Finance

Mark is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience across both not-for-profit and commercial sectors. He began his career in Dublin with Crowe before moving to Australia in 2011, where he worked as an Audit Manager with PKF Perth for eight years. On returning to Ireland in 2019, Mark joined Coote & Co Accountants, the family practice founded by his father Declan in 1995, where he continues to serve a diverse client base.

Mark’s professional expertise spans retail, hospitality, agriculture, aeronautics, and construction, and he is known for his client-focused approach, attention to detail, and ability to deliver results under pressure. Passionate about supporting organisations to meet their goals, he brings both technical skill and practical insight to his work.

Outside of business, Mark is a proud father of two and an active member of his local community. He enjoys hurling, golf, and is a member of Éire Óg GAA club. At FASD Ireland, Mark combines his professional expertise with his commitment to community, helping strengthen the organisation’s financial governance and long-term sustainability.

Parent/Carer of a person living with FASD 

Helen is a mother of four and a foster carer who has spent the last 11 years living with, learning about, and advocating for greater understanding of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). She has undertaken extensive training with TUSLA and the Irish Foster Carer Association, building both practical and research-based knowledge to support children and families affected by FASD.

Passionate about ensuring better recognition and support for individuals with FASD, Helen advocates for proper diagnostic protocols in Ireland and greater awareness within the judicial system to ensure decisions reflect the realities of the condition. She also champions efforts to remove the stigma surrounding prenatal alcohol exposure, believing that honesty and openness are essential to securing the right diagnosis and support for children.

At FASD Ireland, Helen brings lived experience, deep compassion, and a determination to see Ireland adopt global best practice in recognising and supporting those with FASD.

AI Specialist

Alireza is an award-winning AI leader, technologist, and researcher with over two decades of experience advancing innovation across academia and industry. He is Principal Investigator and Technical Programme Manager at CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for applied AI at University College Dublin, where he leads strategic initiatives in areas such as Large Language Models, Sustainable AI, and industry academia collaboration. His career has also included senior roles at Intel, Movidius, and Geowox, where he applied AI to real-world challenges from healthcare to property valuation.

With a PhD in Computing from Dublin City University and a strong background in medical science, psychology, and engineering, Alireza combines deep technical expertise with a passion for education, mentorship, and ethical AI. He has been recognised with multiple awards for projects that apply AI to achieve social good, including the Ireland AI Award (2024) and the Dublin Region Open Data Climate Action Challenge (2022).

At FASD Ireland, Alireza brings his experience in digital transformation, strategic planning, and responsible innovation to support greater awareness, collaboration, and improved services for individuals and families living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

People Centred Leader

Wesley is a people-centred leader with over nine years of experience in management, client relations, and business development across the healthcare, financial services, and property sectors. Known for his empathy, strong communication skills, and ability to connect with people at every level, Wesley thrives in roles where compassion and clarity drive meaningful change.

Now serving on the Advisory Board of FASD Ireland, Wesley brings both professional expertise and a deep personal commitment to supporting individuals and families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). He has previously worked with children, helping them identify and express emotions through creative tools, and strongly believes in empowering young people and ensuring their voices are heard.

Originally from South Africa – where the prevalence of FASD is among the highest in the world – Wesley witnessed firsthand the profound impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. This experience inspired his dedication to being part of the solution. He is proud to contribute to FASD Ireland’s vision of awareness, education, prevention, and support.

Marketing & Communications Specialist

Brian McDowell is a strategic marketing and communications professional based in County Clare, currently working with Huhtamaki Cup Print in Ennis. With extensive experience in digital marketing, content development, and public affairs, Brian has led initiatives that build strong partnerships, influence policy, and deliver meaningful results across industries. His career has spanned roles in international sales, publishing, and marketing leadership, where he has consistently aligned communications strategies with commercial and social goals.

At FASD Ireland, Brian brings his expertise in communications and stakeholder engagement to provide practical insight and collaborative guidance to the executive team. He is committed to supporting the organisation’s mission of awareness, education, prevention, and support for individuals and families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Brian also has close personal experience of neurodivergence within family life, which deepens his commitment to inclusion and understanding. A parent of three, he finds balance and joy in family life and in the outdoors—whether sailing on the Shannon or windsurfing along the stunning beaches of Ireland’s west coast.

Person living with FASD

Maggie is a passionate advocate, mentor, and systems changer who has dedicated her life to raising awareness and empowering individuals with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Diagnosed with FAS at the age of five while in foster care, Maggie has living experience of growing up with FASD in Ireland and has transformed that experience into a powerful platform for change.

Now 28, Maggie has presented widely to audiences across health, education, and community sectors. She moderates several online support groups, including the largest global group for teens and adults with FASD, and provides online mentoring to young people living with FASD in multiple countries. 

She has been a member of the Adults Living with FASD Collaborative (ALC) for five years and currently works with FASD Awareness UK.

Maggie also contributes to international research and innovation, serving as an expert advisory committee member for the University of Rochester, USA, where she is helping develop a health app designed specifically for adults with FASD.

At FASD Ireland, Maggie brings not only her expertise and living experience but also her vision for a future where individuals with FASD are understood, supported, and celebrated.

Education

Louis brings over 37 years of experience in education, leadership, and community engagement to FASD Ireland. A past student of St. Flannan’s College, Ennis, he went on to graduate with First Class Honours in Health and Physical Education and Geography from the University of Limerick.

Louis taught PE and Geography at St. Caimin’s Community School, Shannon, for 23 years, while also lecturing in Sociology, Geography, and Pedagogy at the University of Limerick. Since 2008, he has served as Principal of Rice College, Ennis, where he has been widely recognised for his leadership, curriculum development, and ability to inspire both staff and students.

Beyond the classroom, Louis is well known in sporting circles, particularly in hurling, where his mentoring and coaching skills have contributed to success at club and inter-county levels across Clare, Galway, and Cork.

At FASD Ireland, Louis brings his passion for education, proven leadership, and commitment to empowering young people, helping to raise awareness and strengthen support for individuals and families living with FASD.

Healthcare Leadership 

Derrill brings over 20 years of international healthcare leadership to FASD Ireland. His career spans work with leading global organisations including Bayer, Allergan, Boston Scientific, and Oxford Immunotec, as well as more recent roles launching healthcare start-ups focused on improving patient care, reducing waiting lists, and harnessing AI to strengthen health systems.

With a background in medical science, psychology, and strategic management, Derrill blends scientific knowledge with hands-on experience in building partnerships across healthcare providers, regulators, and patient groups. His expertise lies in making complex systems work more effectively, always with patients and families at the centre.

At FASD Ireland, Derrill’s wealth of experience will help strengthen awareness, improve collaboration, and support the development of better services and outcomes for individuals and families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).

Accessibility Advisor

Ruth is the Business Director at the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower in the UK, where she has worked for the past four years, championing inclusion and accessibility for people with non-visible disabilities.

Before this, Ruth spent 35 years in aviation at London Gatwick and London Heathrow airports. In her final five years, she served as Head of Assisted Services at Gatwick, working closely with local charities and non-profit organisations to improve accessibility. This collaboration contributed to the creation of the Sunflower Lanyard, now recognised worldwide as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

Married with two grown children, Ruth is a passionate advocate for people with all types of disabilities. At FASD Ireland, she brings her wealth of leadership experience, her international perspective on accessibility, and her commitment to building a more inclusive society for individuals and families living with Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).