Our Team

Board of Directors

Our Board comprises four directors with backgrounds in education, finance, law, business, all of whom have a track record of promoting access and inclusion in technology and education. We maintain an equitable gender balance on the board. All directors are voluntary and receive no renumeration.

Professor Joyce O'Connor

Chair and Co-Founder, BlockW

Dr Irina Tal

Assistant Professor, School of Computing, DCU

John McGarrigle

Treasurer, ACA

Alan Haugh

Company Secretary Barrister

Advisory Steering Group

The Advisory Steering Group is actively involved in delivering BlockW’s Mission and Vision and includes:

Sorcha Mulligan

Founder, SME Chain, Venture Partner

Maria Flannery

Partner & Head of Digital Assets, KPMG Ireland

Paula Kelleher

Non Executive Director, Co Founder Block W

Mary Gordon

Deputy Registrar IOB

Caroline Kennedy

Head of Career Development & Employability, National College of Ireland

Academic Advisory Group

The Academic Advisory Group keep BlockW abreast of current and future developments in emerging technologies and works to facilitate and encourage research. Members include:

Professor Joyce O'Connor

Chair and Co-Founder, BlockW

Dr Susan Rea

Director of Research, Nimbus Centre MTU

Dr Irina Tal

Assistant Professor, School of Computing, DCU

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors’ role is to highlight the work of BlockW and to continue an active association with its work, mission and vision. Ambassadors include:

Dr Alessandra Sala

Sr. Director of AI and Data Science Shutterstock, World President Women in AI

Mai Santamaria (FCA)

Head of Financial Advisory, Department of Finance,
Founding Member of Block W