EMPOWERMENT Plus Management Team
Orla joined our team in August 2018 as a Deputy Manager. In October 2020 Orla was promoted to Area Manager for the Midlands and North-West area (Donegal, Sligo, and Leitrim). Orla has played a key role in program and policy development and implementation within the organisation.
Orla is a qualified Social Care worker; she obtained a Degree in Social Care and a Masters in Child and Youth care at Athlone Institute of Technology. Orla has 10 years extensive experience in the Social Care Sector, both on the front line and in management roles. She has first-hand experience of engaging with families, young people and children who are at risk within their home or community.
Orla volunteers with her local Brownie unit with the Irish Girl Guides, enjoys outdoor activities and is also a keen baker.
Contact:
Phone: 087 3803731
Email: OrlaDowling@eplus.ie
Catherine joined Empowerment Plus in 2016 as the officer administrator, she is based in the head office in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath. In 2018 her role expanded to include all recruitment for the organisation.
In conjunction with the management team, Catherine has a key responsibility of screening, selecting, and interviewing all potential employees. Catherine’s role also includes supporting employees, liaising with the management team. She also has responsibility for accounts receivable and accounts payable.
In her spare time, she is a keen hiker with the love of the outdoors and water sports. Catherine also loves to travel, and her future goal is to complete all the stages of the Camino Santiago.
Contact:
Phone: 087 9012324
Email: catherinewhite@eplus.ie
Ailbhe is the Deputy manager for the Dublin North Central and Dublin North East Area.
Ailbhe first started with Empowerment Plus in 2015 working in the community as a case worker before she moved to the management team.
Ailbhe graduated with an honors degree in Applied Social Studies from IT Sligo.
Ailbhe’s hobbies and interests include GAA, horse riding, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
Contact Details:
Phone: 086 0286151
Email: ailbhehetherton@eplus.ie
When Aoife joined Empowerment Plus in 2014, she initially worked as a case worker before shortly after joining the management team. Aoife is Area Manager for the North East area which includes, Louth, Meath, Cavan, and Monaghan.
Aoife graduated from Maynooth University with an honour’s degree in Social Science. Prior to this Aoife also completed a diploma in childcare studies and Special Needs Education. Aoife is passionate about helping young people and families to reach their goals.
Aoife loves GAA, spending time with family and friends and socialising in her free time.
Contact details:
Phone: 087 6632688
E-mail: aoifemaguire@eplus.ie
Eleanor joined Empowerment Plus in October 2010 initially as a case worker, working directly with young people and families with a broad range of cultural issues such as drugs and alcohol misuse, as well as mental health issues and additional needs. Eleanor also worked as a support worker for young people preparing for Aftercare.
Eleanor Joined the management team in September 2016, as Area Manager for Dublin South West, Dublin South Central, Dublin South East and Wicklow. Eleanor works closely with Empowerment Plus staff by providing support and guidance. Eleanor is passionate about Empowering and supporting young people and families to reach their goals.
Eleanor graduated from Dublin Business School with an honour’s degree in Social Science. Eleanor also completed a MA in Human Rights and Social Policy in 2016 from Maynooth University.
In her spare time, she enjoys Tennis, Walking, Reading and travel.
Contact details:
Phone: 087 2955320
Email: eleanorstafford@eplus.ie
Kate is Deputy Manager for Dublin South Central, Dublin South East and Wicklow. Kate joined Empowerment Plus in 2016 as a case worker and then moved to the management team in 2018.
Kate graduated from DKIT with an honour’s degree in Youth Work. Kates goal is to help young people develop their voice and to support them in reaching their full potential. Kate also enjoys supporting relationships between young people and parents.
Outside of work Kate enjoys spending time with family and friends and has a love for drawing.
Phone: 087 1852464
Email: katebaxter@eplus.ie
Rebecca is the area manager for the South and Mid-west regions since 2014. Rebecca has been involved program and policy development.
Before Rebecca started with Empowerment Plus she had 10 years’ experience of working in Residential care settings, primarily with 12–18-year-olds. Her experience is inclusive of secure care, high support, and long-term care.
Rebecca holds a B.A in applied social studies in Social Care and a B.A in counselling and psychotherapy. Rebecca is accredited member of the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (IACP).
In Rebecca’s spare time, she likes to travel, going to the beach (preferably aboard), eating out and spending time with family and friends.
Contact details:
Phone: 086 8398070
Email: rebeccacarew@eplus.ie
Valerie started with Empowerment Plus in 2018 as Deputy Manager for the Midwest Region. Valerie has been involved in programme development and delivery throughout her career and she has a strong commitment to ensuring young people’s voices are heard and represented.
Valerie has been heavily involved in developing new policies, procedures, programmes, and structures within the organisation. Valerie’s role has included developing and expanding the organisation’s presence in the Midwest and Kerry regions.
Valerie studied Social Care in WIT and worked in the area of youth justice for over ten years before re-training as a play therapist, with a special interest in developmental trauma through the Children’s Therapy Centre. Valerie has a keen interest in involving young people in creative activities and when she isn’t working you usually find her hiking in the Burren or surfing in Lahinch.
Contact Details:
Phone: 085 2202623
Email: Valeriehogan@eplus.ie
Donna joined Empowerment Plus in 2017 as a case worker. In September 2021 Donna was promoted to Team Leader in the Midlands. Donna plays a role in supporting the coordination and management of teams as well as facilitating communication and professional leadership to ensure a good quality of life for her clients.
Donna is a qualified Social care worker; Donna obtained a Level 7 in Social and Community Development and a Level 8 honours degree in Applied Social Studies.
In her spare time, Donna enjoys outdoor activities, plays football with her local ladies GAA team, helps out in her club and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Contact:
Phone: 087 1144467
Email: donnagarry@eplus.ie
Mary joined Empowerment Plus in 2016 as a case worker, working directly with families and young people by providing home support and one-to-one support in the community covering a broad range of cultural issues.
In 2020 Mary moved to the role as Deputy Manager for Louth Meath Monaghan and Cavan. Then promoted in 2021 as Area Manager for Monaghan and Cavan. Mary took on the role as Practice Educator by engaging with colleges for current and future students. Mary provides support and encouragement to all staff working on complex cases.
Mary studied in DKIT and graduated with a BA Ordinary Degree in Community Youth Work and BA Hons Degree in Youth Work.
Outside of work, Mary play’s competitive senior football with her local LGFA team and is an active member in her local gym. Mary loves spending time with her family including her dog Bailey who enjoys barking to interrupt online meetings at every opportunity.
Contact:
Phone 0871895973
Email maryloughran@eplus.ie
Denise joined Empowerment Plus in October 2019 as Payroll Administrator based in the head office in Mullingar, her role has since expanded to include accounts administration.
Denise obtained her Honours Degree in Business at Athlone Institute of Technology, followed by a Higher Diploma in IT. She is IPASS qualified and has 6 years payroll experience behind her.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking, travelling and socialising with family & friends.
Contact:
Phone: 0871439184
Email: denisenulty@eplus.ie
Elaine joined Empowerment Plus in 2010 as the payroll and accounts administrator, Elaine is based in the head office in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
In 2016 Elaine was promoted to Office Manager for the organisation.
Elaine’s role includes working in conjunction with the CEO liaising with stakeholders, the Board of Trustees and she is responsible for preparing stakeholders budgets. Elaine also works closely with the Management Team in developing policies and procedures and as office manager Elaine oversees the head office in Mullingar.
In her spare time, she likes to spend time with family and friends.
Phone: 0860273117
Email: elainefitzgerald@eplus.ie