The Board of Directors

Anna Pringle is Chair of the Board of Sanctuary Runners, an organisation that promotes solidarity, inclusion and respect for all in the community through running. She also serves on the Board of the NTR Foundation, which provides targeted financial support to  organisations that are working to address the challenges of climate change and resource sustainability.  She is actively involved in environmental issues and is co-host of the Climate Alarm Clock podcast.  Previously, she held senior human resources and communications roles in the corporate sector.  Originally from Donegal, Anna lives in Dublin with her family but her heart is in the hills.  

Colm Ó Cuanacháin worked as a primary school teacher and principal in Gaelscoileanna and Educate Together schools for twelve years. He later specialised in human rights education and worked in human rights and development for almost twenty years. He was director of Comhlámh and worked as Secretary General of Amnesty International in Dublin. He moved abroad initially with ActionAid International doing two years as International Head of Campaigns, before a ten-year stint on the Senior Management Team at Amnesty International where he held different briefs including as Acting Secretary General. Since returning to Ireland in 2020, Colm has worked as Education Director with Fighting Words, based in DCU. Colm has wide experience in organisational development and governance, having served on a range of boards at international and national level.

Emma Lane-Spollen joined the Board of Friends of the Earth in January 2021, having worked in a voluntary capacity with Friends of the Earth on the One Future Campaign for the General Election 2020. Emma is an independent consultant focused on strengthening social impact of NGO’s and Philanthropy. She has extensive experience in strategy development, advocacy, impact measurement, planning and finance. Prior roles include CEO of the Tomar Trust and Deputy CEO of the One Foundation. Emma is a qualified management accountant with extensive Board experience, currently also serving on the Board of Benefacts and Educate Together.

Denise is a visionary leader dedicated to transforming lives and communities. She is presently the Chief Executive of Community Foundation Ireland; one of the nation’s leading philanthropic organisations with a mission of Equality for all. Her professional journey has seen her work with several philanthropic organisations, including Tomar Trust and the Social Change Initiative.With over 25 years of leadership experience, Denise has led and chaired boards for NGOs and State organisations. Her exceptional track record includes her role as CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland and Women's Aid, where she championed vital causes.

She also has expertise that spans a wide spectrum, from advocating for gender equality and combating gender-based violence to addressing the climate & nature crisis, housing, children's, migrants', and LGBTQ+ rights. Denise is also currently serving on the board of CUAN.

David Heller has worked for 15 years with the Friends of the Earth federation in various roles at local, national and European level. He has more than 20 years experience as a trainer and facilitator, building capacity for social and environmental justice with grassroots groups and NGOs.

In my prior life I spent my time studying chemistry and received a Ph.D from Cambridge University, I then went on to work for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in the UK. My chosen pay never aligned with my vision for our planet, and myself and my wife decided to drop our careers and move back to Ireland to start Green Earth Organics in 2004. Now I am CEO of GEO! We farm organically and sustainably and are creating a new food system that has support for biodiversity and our planet at its core. I am an advocate for sustainable farming practices and in particular the idea that we can grow more food in Ireland and do so with respect for mother nature.

Valery Molay is a social justice activist with a focus on climate justice.

She has a background in environmental policy and has dedicated most of her life advocating for greater youth participation at all level of decision making. She would like to promote the use of the term eudaimonia rather than the pursuit of happiness.

Justin Moran currently works in Ireland's renewable energy sector and has a background in politics. He previously worked for Amnesty International and the older people's charity Age Action.

Carol-Anne O'Brien is co-founder of BOLD Climate Action, an older people's group focussed on peer education and empowerment. She was previously Director of Advocacy at Belong To Youth Services and has worked for decades on LGBTQ+ and other equality issues.

Molly O'Shea is currently a member of Young Friends of the Earth and has a background in youth climate activism. She has previously organised for Fridays for Future Dublin, as well as other youth led environmental movements in Ireland. She has been involved with grassroots climate action groups for over four years. She is currently studying at UCD.