Brian has a wide background in social justice advocacy, campaigning and politics. He was the co-director of the Yes campaign in the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum – the first in the world to succeed – and for a decade was the executive director of GLEN, one of the leading Irish LGBTI equality and advocacy organisations. He is a former co-chair of ILGA-Europe, the Brussels-based advocacy organisation of 700 LGBTI+ member bodies in Europe and Central Asia. More recently, Brian was the general secretary of a political party in Ireland which has a strong track record in promoting women’s participation in politics.
Katie joined the Women for Election team as Training and Engagement lead in October 2022. Before that she worked in a Leinster house political press office doing digital media. After graduating with her degree in Business Management from Maynooth University she was elected Deputy President and VP of Education of the Students’ Union. After that year she was elected the first female president of Maynooth SU in over 10 years. During her time in Maynooth Students’ Union she advocated to remove the barriers that there are to accessing higher education.
Leonie joined Women for Election in September 2021 as Operations and Events Coordinator. After spending many years travelling the world, and with over a decade spent in New Zealand, Leonie’s global experience allows her to connect deeply with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, building trusted relationships and working partnerships. In previous roles, Leonie worked as Partnership Manager for AMEX Global Business Travel as well as Auckland Coordinator with Techweek NZ. Leonie is studying towards a BSc in Psychotherapy and Counselling and volunteers with the HSE’s Crisis helpline. She has taught yoga and meditation for 6 years, with a particular focus on youth groups and restorative yoga for women’s health. Leonie believes in the power of stories and shared experiences to raise women’s voices in Irish politics.
Flor MacCarthy joined Women for Election in March 2023 as our Training & Development Coordinator. With a background in journalism and broadcasting and a passion for feminism and politics she looks forward to bringing these to her new role. She is the presenter of political programmes from Leinster House and the European Parliament on Ireland’s parliament television channel (Oireachtas TV), and is a former news journalist and anchor with Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ. Flor has worked as media coordinator and trainer with several human rights organisations including Front Line Defenders. She is the author of The Presidents’ Letters (New Island Books) which was launched by former President of Ireland and the country’s first female Head of State, Mary Robinson.
Aimee joined the Women for Election team in February 2023 as a Projects and Administrative Officer. She recently graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in English and History and an MSc in Human Rights. During her time in college, Aimee focused on human rights issues ranging from migration to women’s rights. Her thesis focused on Ireland’s implementation of the United Nation’s Core Human Rights Treaty CEDAW.
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