Our Board of Directors

Sr. Stan (Founder)

Sr. Stan is a member of the congregation of the Religious Sisters of Charity and a well know social campaigner and founder of several voluntary organizations in Ireland, including Focus Ireland, The Immigrant Council of Ireland, Young Social Innovators and the Sanctuary.

Sile Wall (Founder)

Síle Wall has been involved in the development of the Sanctuary, alongside Sr. Stan, from the beginning. She is a member of the congregation of Religious Sisters of Charity who has contributed to a number of publications and co-authored the books.

Gary Graham (Chairperson)

Gary was the brains, and some of the brawn, behind the Bord Bia Bloom show where he led a team of dedicated event management professionals developing this hugely popular national event over 15 exciting years

Jean O’Kelly

(Company Secretary)

Jean is an accomplished commercial lawyer, having trained and practised as a litigator in a large corporate law firm in Dublin. She subsequently began and remains practising as a senior legal counsel in one of Ireland’s largest commercial banks. Jean was appointed to the board of The Sanctuary in June 2021.

Pat Dennigan

(Treasurer)

Pat Dennigan is the Chief Executive Officer of Focus Ireland and its sister-approved housing body Focus Housing Association. He joined Focus in 2014 as head of the Finance function, adding responsibility for Property in 2016.

Dr. Tony Bates

Clinical psychologist and writer. Graduated from UCD and completed his postgraduate
research and training at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Oxford
University. Head of Psychology for 30 years in St James’s Hospital.

Liam MacGabhann

Dr Liam MacGabhann is Associate Professor in Mental Health Practice at School of Nursing, Psychotherapy & Community Health at Dublin City University. He is also Chairperson of Dublin North, North East Recovery College. Liam joined the Board of The Sanctuary in 2022

Janine Breen

Janine Breen is an experienced Human Resources and Management professional, she holds a Masters in Strategic HR leadership and has held senior roles in HR in Hewlett Packard and Compaq Computers. She currently owns and manages a software company.