Secretary General: Deirdre Garvey
Deirdre Garvey was appointed Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross in January 2023. She is an experienced senior executive with over 27 years in leadership roles within the non-profit sector, both in Ireland and internationally. In partnership with the Board, she ensures the organisation’s good governance, oversees service delivery, and leads the implementation of the strategic plan Act Today, Shape Tomorrow. She also provides vision, leadership and direction for staff and management. Prior to joining the Irish Red Cross, Deirdre was the founding CEO of The Wheel, Ireland’s national association of charities and social enterprises (2000–2022), and Director of Development at Barretstown (1995–2000). Earlier in her career, she held managerial roles in the high-tech sector in Germany. She holds a BSc and an MBA, as well as qualifications in charity law, trusteeship and governance (Law Society of Ireland, 2018), and executive coaching (2021). She brings a strong track record in mission-driven leadership, sector advocacy and organisational development.
Head of Fundraising: Charlie Lamson
Charlie Lamson joined the Irish Red Cross with over 20 years’ experience as a senior not-for-profit leader and fundraising professional, working across both the United States and Ireland. His career spans a range of domestic and international organisations, including Sightsavers Ireland, Dublin City University Educational Trust, Front Line Defenders, and Boston Children’s Hospital. He holds a Master’s degree in International Economics and Social & Economic Development from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Earlier in his career, he served as a volunteer English teacher with the United States Peace Corps in Pleven, Bulgaria (1993–1995). Charlie brings extensive expertise in resource development, stakeholder engagement and strategic leadership. A dual US and Irish citizen, he lives in Delgany, Co. Wicklow.
Head of Finance: Rory O'Sullivan
Rory O’Sullivan is Head of Finance at the Irish Red Cross, a role he has held since March 2015. A graduate of University College Dublin (1983), Rory qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC before relocating to Melbourne, Australia. What began as a two-year secondment turned into a twelve-year stay, including a successful transition into the manufacturing industry. He returned to Ireland in 2001, taking up the role of Financial Controller with an Irish retail company. This was followed by several senior finance roles across the retail sector, before he brought his extensive experience in financial management and controls to the Irish Red Cross. Rory brings a strong track record in strategic financial planning, compliance, and operational finance. His private sector background complements the Society’s governance and financial oversight functions.
Head of National Services: Sharon Commins
Sharon Commins joined the Irish Red Cross in February 2024 as Head of National Services. She brings over 20 years' experience in the NGO sector, having held senior leadership roles in both domestic and international organisations. Prior to joining the Society, she served as CEO of a Local Development Company, overseeing a wide range of integrated programmes in partnership with statutory, voluntary and community sectors. Sharon has also worked with Concern and GOAL, managing primary healthcare and community-based programmes in complex and insecure environments including Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Her work has consistently focused on delivering social impact for disadvantaged and marginalised groups. She holds an MBA from UCD’s Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, a Master’s in International Relations, and a degree in Journalism and Communications. Sharon brings a strong strategic and operational focus to her role, with a deep commitment to humanitarian values.
Head of Compliance and Legal Affairs: Marcus Keane
Marcus Keane joined the Irish Red Cross in November 2022 as Head of Compliance and Legal Affairs. He has over a decade of experience working at the intersection of law, policy and social inclusion within the NGO sector, both in Ireland and across Europe. Marcus has led projects addressing complex social issues, including legal and policy analyses of drug markets and civil society participation in national and international policy processes. Before this, he practised as a barrister, representing a wide range of individual and corporate clients. He also has board-level experience in both NGO and commercial environments. Marcus holds a BA in Business Studies and Political Science from Trinity College Dublin, a Higher Diploma and MA in Psychology from University College Dublin and University College Cork, and a Diploma in Legal Studies as well as a Barrister-at-Law degree from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns.
Head of International and Migration: Niall O'Keeffe
Niall O'Keeffe joined the Irish Red Cross as Head of International & Migration in October 2023. He is responsible for overseeing both the International Programme, which collaborates closely with the global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement to support countries affected by conflict and crises, and the Migration Programme in Ireland, which facilitates accommodation, family reunification, and humanitarian assistance for people forced to migrate. With a humanitarian career spanning since the mid-1990s, Niall has lived and worked in several countries, including the DRC, Rwanda, Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. He has managed programmes and country teams across Southern and West Africa, the Middle East, Pakistan, and Myanmar. His experience includes refugee camp support, conflict response, human rights programming, and long-term development initiatives. Niall holds a Diploma in Development Studies and a Master’s degree in International Relations.
Head of Communications: Irene Lawlor
Irene Lawlor is Head of Communications at the Irish Red Cross, combining her passion for purposeful communication with social impact. Based in Tipperary, she is a mother to three energetic boys. Irene brings over 20 years’ experience across corporate, internal and external communications, crisis management, digital media, and social responsibility. Before joining the Irish Red Cross in 2024, she was Social Impact Lead at Haleon, a global consumer health company, where she led a Europe-wide self-care advocacy campaign and developed humanitarian partnership strategies. Prior to this, Irene spent eight years as Communications Manager at Barnardos, leading efforts to ‘change a child’s life’. She holds a BA in English and Media & Communications Studies and a Master’s in Digital Media. Above all, Irene believes in the power of storytelling to drive meaningful change.