The Team

The Team

George Best: Restorative Practice Coordinator

+353 1 910 3075 | george@cdi.ie    

George is the CDI Restorative Practice Programme Coordinator. George holds a BSc In Education and Training from DCU; he has worked supporting Children and Families for six years as a Parent/Carer Facilitator, Programme Coordinator for the Boys and Young Men’s Programme with London Borough Of Hillingdon Early Intervention and Prevention Services and Housing Officer.

Clare Bohan: Literacy Coordinator
+353 1 414 7362 | clare.bohan@cdi.ie    

Clare is the Literacy Coordinator at CDI. She holds a BSc and PhD in Psychology from Dublin City University and has previously worked as an Assistant Professor in Psychology, lecturing primarily in lifespan development. Clare’s PhD research focused on positive behavioural interventions in classroom settings, and much of this work has been published in peer-reviewed journals.

Maria Breslin: Parent Carer Facilitator

+353 83 206 8700 | maria@cdi.ie

Maria is a Parent Carer Facilitator in an Early Years service in Tallaght West. Maria has worked in the early years for 17 years, supporting children, parents, and families.  Maria has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education and a Diploma in Montessori teaching.

Claire Casey: Restorative Practices Manager

+353 1 414 7369 | +353 87 280 6450| claire@cdi.ie   

Claire has worked in Community Development for over 20 years. She is responsible for the implementation of the Restorative Practices Programme.  Claire holds a BSc and a postgraduate Diploma in Adult and Community Education and has a Master’s Degree in Restorative Practices from Ulster University.

Marie Daly: Senior Speech and Language Therapist

+353 86 219 3579 | Marie.daly@cdi.ie 

Marie joined the Chit Chat SLT team in April 2023. Before this, Marie worked in multi-disciplinary teams supporting children with complex needs and disabilities. Marie qualified from Trinity College Dublin in Clinical Speech and Language Studies and also has a Higher Diploma in Education through Drama. Marie really enjoys the role’s energy and creativity and supporting young children in learning and loving language and communication.

Natalie Dunne: Parent-Carer Facilitator
+353 860772756  natalie.dunne@barnardos.ie

Natalie has a BA (Hons) degree in Early Childhood Studies. She worked with Barnardos for over 20 years, all of it being in Family support and, in particular early years families in Tallaght. Natalie began working with CDI in 2010 when they first implemented Parent Carer Facilitators and additional supports to Early Years services. She was the project coordinator of a Barnardos preschool and worked on the control site during a 3 year period of research and evaluation. Natalie is also on the BOM for Tallaght Childcare Centre.

Winnie Donoghue: Programme Support Coordinator

 +353 1 494 0030 | Winnie@cdi.ie   

Winnie is the Programme Support Coordinator at CDI. She worked in various areas before joining CDI, including human rights, cancer support, and prevention and early intervention, and has over 15 years of experience coordinating and managing national networks and groups of different kinds. Winnie holds an MA in International Relations and Diplomacy from SOAS, a Higher Diploma in Psychology from UCD, and a BA in English and History from Trinity College Dublin.

Jonathon Doyle: Business Development Manager | jonathon@cdi.ie

Jonathan studied an Honours BA in Community and Family Studies at NUI Galway and currently serves as the Business Development Manager at CDI. With 12 years of experience working with young people in out-of-school educational settings and residential care, Jonathan recognised the need for early academic intervention and became involved with the Doodle Den programme. He delivered the pilot program and continued to work in local schools for six years before completing a train-the-trainer course with CDI. Jonathan now plays a crucial role in CDI’s quality insurance team. Outside of work, he enjoys participating in various sports and is actively involved with St. Anne’s GAA and St. Mark’s basketball clubs.  

Niamh Egan: Senior Speech and Language Therapist

Niamh joined the team in April 2023 as a Senior Speech and Language Therapist in CDI’s Speech and Language Programme, Chit Chat.
Niamh has a B.A. in Translation and Interpreting from DCU (1987) and an MSc. In Speech and Language Therapy and Pathology from University College London (1997).
Niamh has over 20 years of experience working with children with communication needs in a variety of settings in the UK, USA and Ireland and loves her job.

Michelle Collins| School Engagement and Wellbeing Coordinator |m.collins@cdi.ie

Nova is CDI’s Youth Mental Health Programme, focusing on Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), helping young people struggling with negative feelings like anxiety.

Denise Lakes: Parent Carer Facilitator  | denise.lakes@cdi.ie

Denise (Lakes) works as a Parent Carer Facilitator within an early years’ service in Tallaght West, with over 20 years of experience in various sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Applied Social Care. Denise is a Strengthening Families Programme (SFP) Facilitator and member of the SFP steering committee. She is a qualified massage therapist and is a qualified Personal and Business coach. Denise is also proficient in Irish Sign Language.

Elizabeth Manville | Parent Carer Facilitator(PCF)  liz@cdi.ie

Liz is a parent carer facilitator working with families in International Protection Accommodation Service centres in southwest Dublin. She has worked in early years management with asylum seekers and refugees for 20 years . Liz has a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Psychology and a Master’s degree in Health Promotion and is a qualified general nurse.  

Jayne Sherlock: Parent Carer Facilitator  | jayne@cdi.ie

As a Montessori teacher, Jayne began working in the early years in 2007 and had direct contact with kids between the ages of 3 months and 12 years. She became Early Years Manager in 2015 and has managed full-day services in Dublin and Kildare since then. She has a BA (HONS) in Early Childhood Studies, a Montessori teaching diploma, and a QQI level 6 award in Early Childhood Education and Care. Recently, she completed QQI level 6 Training, Delivery, and Evaluation programme, and is now registered with the Teaching Council of Ireland. She is a passionate advocate for early years, particularly providing support to carers and encouraging positive relationships. Her two boys are her world; becoming their mother has been one of her most significant learning experiences yet!

Denise Loughnane: Parent Carer Facilitator

 +353 83 089 0807 |denise@cdi.ie

Denise works as a Parent Carer Facilitator within an early years service in Tallaght West. Her background is in Youth Work, particularly Youth Justice Work in projects based in the Tallaght area. Denise has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and Economics and a Higher Diploma in Community and Youth Work from Maynooth University. She recently completed a Master’s Degree in Child, Youth and Family Studies from the Institute of Technology Carlow.

Pauline Minsky: Communications Coordinator

+353 1 910 3076 | pauline@cdi.ie    

Pauline is the Communications Coordinator at CDI. Following an 18-year career in the UK, she worked professionally and voluntarily in the public and third sectors. Having been Design Manager at Manchester City Galleries for 12 years, she went on to work at Manchester City Council, where she managed marketing and communications activities for key clients in Public Health, NHS, Adult Social care, Equalities, and Leisure. She has a BsB (First Class Hons) Degree in Digital Marketing and Sales, a BA in Visual Communication, and QQI Level 5 & 6 Special Needs Assisting. She has experience working with primary school-age children with special educational needs in mainstream and special schools.

Holly McGann: Administrator

+353 1 414 7361 | holly@cdi.ie    

Holly provides administration to the management and team in CDI and has over 15 years of experience working as an Administrator in various organisations, including Business & Finance Magazine.  Holly holds Certificates in Secretarial Studies, European and Language Studies and also Web Design.

Alexandra Necula: Finance Administrator

+353 1 414 7360  | alexandra@cdi.ie      

Alexandra provides administration to the management and team in CDI.

Details to follow

Boby Philip: Finance and Operations Manager

Boby is the Finance and Operations Manager at CDI. He has more than 17 years of experience in Accounting and Finance in various industries ranging from manufacturing, construction, and service industries. He moved to Dublin after working in India and the Sultanate of Oman. He holds a master’s in accounting (M Com) and Business Administration (MBA). He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Us and a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) US.

Marian Quinn: Chief Executive Officer

+353 87 315 8836 | +353 1 141 7367 | marian@cdi.ie    

Marian’s career has been focused on children, young people and families. She has worked in the Health Services Executive and the Department of Justice and directly with young people in both community youth services and Youthreach. Marian holds a Masters in Adult Education, a BSc Honours in Youth and Community Work and is a qualified Life and Business Coach. Marian is also a Board member of the Children’s Hospital Group, and the Airfield Trust.

Michelle Quinn: Chit Chat Coordinator

+353 85 801 5069 | michelle@cdi.ie    

Michelle is Senior Speech and Language Therapist with CDI and coordinates CDI’s on-site Speech and Language Therapy Service, Chit Chat. Michelle has a BA in linguistics and Sociology, an MSc in Speech and Language Therapy and a PG Dip in Child Language and Communication from the University of Sheffield.

Louise Renwick: Powerful Parenting Support Officer louise@cdi.ie

Louise joined our team in March 2023 as a Support Officer, supporting our Powerful Parenting programme in early years services and in the wider Tallaght community. Louise has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social care along with qualifications in mental health awareness, training and development, life coaching and coaching ethics. Louise has almost 20 years’ of experience working within social care services and inspecting and regulating social services in Ireland.

Jefrey Shumba: National Research and Data Specialist

+353 1 414 7364 | jefrey@cdi.ie    

Jefrey is our national Research and Data Specialist and works with the 12 Area Based Childhood Programme nationally to operationalise the ABC Outcomes Framework. Jefrey recently worked with the Childhood Development Initiative as a Data Specialist. Jefrey has more than six years of experience in Monitoring and Evaluation overseas. In Ireland, Jefrey has worked with the Royal College of Surgeons as a Research Assistant. Some of his research publications can be found here. Jefrey holds a Masters in Applied Social Research from Trinity College Dublin,  a Higher National Diploma in Data Analytics from the National College of Ireland, and an Honours Degree in Social Work.

Jessica Twomney: Parent Carer Facilitator

+353  | jessica@cdi.ie    

Jessica is a parent Carer Facilitator in an Early Years service in Tallaght West. Jessica has over 13 years of experience working with and supporting children, parents and families. Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts honors degree in Early Years Education and Care.

Lauren Ward: Data Specialist

lauren@cdi.ie

Lauren joined the team in February 2023 as our Data Specialist. She is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of CDI’s interventions.
Lauren attended Maynooth University and holds a BA Honours degree in Sociology and Psychological Studies, and an MA degree in Sociology, focusing on societies in transition, advanced research methods, and social science data.