KCYS
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
Nicola O’Sullivan
Human Resource Manager
Nicola is a highly motivated HR professional with over 25 years of experience in the community and voluntary sector. Throughout her career, she has cultivated a strong passion for creating positive work environments, prioritising staff wellbeing and empowering employees to succeed.
In her current role as HR Manager, Nicola has played a key role in developing and implementing HR policies and procedures, overseeing recruitment and onboarding processes and promoting a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
Nicola is a lifelong learner who promotes continuous professional development. Her dedication to her profession is evident in her achievements, including being the recipient of the 2022 Connect Kerry Businesswoman in Law, Finance, Insurance and HR Award and a finalist in the HR Leadership & Management Awards in the HR Manager of the Year category for 2023.
Selena Ross
Centre Manager Tralee
Having previously studied at MTU and graduating in Social Studies from UCC, Selena went on to further her studies in self-development, counselling and administration.
She found that she had a keen interest in learning how to guide others through their challenges and has implemented this in her management roles throughout her career before becoming part of the senior management team in KCYS.
KCYS provides the opportunity to combine her management and social studies which creates a balance that closely aligns with her skillset and values in the youth sector.
She has taken on the additional role of KCYS Board Secretary which has further widened her interests in Charity, Law and Governance.
Selena is dedicated in her line of work to the organisation, to young people and to the wider community.
Linda Kearin
KCYS Youth Justice Project Co – Ordinator
Linda Kearin has been working in youth services for nearly three decades. She is a qualified youth worker and is the current Youth Justice Co-ordinator with the KCYS Divisional Youth Diversion Project and Youth Justice Mentoring Project in Kerry. Linda supports a team of 14 Youth Justice Practitioners to deliver a quality youth service to young people across Kerry and is a member of the KCYS Senior Leadership team. Linda has a strong interest in Justice for young people and children’s rights, she holds an LLM in Child and Family Law (UCC), an MA in Human Rights in Criminal Justice (UL) alongside a youth work career that involves management positions in mentoring, universal youth services and youth justice. Linda is passionate about supporting young people to realise their goals, access their rights and reach their full potential.
Sinéad Roe
Intensive Family Support Co-Ordinator
Sinéad holds a PGDip in Disability Studies, a Masters in Social Policy and a Masters (Applied) in Social Work. She is particularly interested in the impact of trauma on children and families and has completed two years of training with Dr Bruce Perry’s Child Trauma Academy in the US, where she certified as a trainer in Dr Perry’s approach to treatment planning.
Her training in trauma-informed care has further strengthened her commitment to social justice for marginalised families and ensuring that safety, trust, collaboration and empowerment are at the centre of her work.
Chris Mooney-Brown
Compliance Officer
Chris’s experience includes business management and development, budgeting, fundraising, strategic planning, relationship building and advocacy. He enjoys developing ways to use innovation to optimise internal business processes, gather evidence and address sector-wide challenges.
In 2024 Chris was awarded a First Class Honours Masters from University College Cork in Community and Voluntary Sector Management.
John Slattery
Finance Manager
John joined the organisation as Finance Manager is September 2022.
The role includes responsibility for oversight and supervision of the organisation’s financial activities both commercial and non-commercial in nature and ensuring annual accounts are prepared in line with SORP. This position is part of the executive team of KCYS and involves regular engagement with KCYS Board of Trustees, presentation of annual forecasts, monthly financial reports and annual audited accounts.
John has more than 30 years of financial experience across a number of different roles and industries.
John holds a BComm and H Dip and is a member of Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.
Michelle O’Neill
KCYS UBU Your Place Your Space Project Co-Ordinator
Michelle O Neill is the Co-ordinator of KCYS UBU Your Place Your Space Projects. Michelle is a dedicated youth work manager with over six years of experience in developing and leading programs that empower young people with KCYS. Michelle aims to promote positive youth development and has successfully managed projects aimed at enhancing the social, emotional and educational well being of youth in Kerry.
Gareth Harteveld
Youth Work Development Manager
Gareth is the Youth Work Development Manager for the organisation. He has been employed in a full-time capacity for the past 25 years with KCYS and has always had a role in the provision of quality youth work in a variety of different contexts. Gareth acted as CEO for the organisation between June 2021 to June 2022. Gareth now has organisational-wide, senior management responsibilities for a number of areas of practice, including, Comhairle na Nóg and Community based youth work. Gareth also has organisational responsibilities for volunteer development, youth participation and child protection training. He has a specific lead in the development of KCYS European based youth work programmes and has been involved at management level of 5 Erasmus+ funded programmes since 2018.
In 2022, Gareth completed the Leargas NQF Level 8 in, ‘European Youth Mobility Project Management,’ in which he gained a 1st class honours. Gareth commenced an Msc. in Adolescent Health in September 2023 with NUIGalway.
Ann Brosnan
Centre Manager Listowel
Ann is a driving force for positive change with over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector. Her passion lies in supporting those who empower young people and communities, with a proven track record in supporting volunteerism, youth clubs, and fundraising initiatives.
For over 15 years, she has led the KCYS Listowel Youth Centre, creating a welcoming and vibrant hub for young people, staff, volunteers, and the wider community. Her commitment to quality service ensures a positive, welcoming and impactful environment for all.
Ann’s leadership extends to the KCYS Community Employment scheme, which she has overseen to a high standard for many years. She champions the holistic development of staff, fostering a supportive and empowering workplace and plays a lead role in the implementation of the KCYS Training Programme for all staff.
Her extensive experience and unwavering dedication make her a valuable asset in supporting youth and community development.
