Voice - 25th anniversary - 1997 - 2022

Meet the Team

Chief Executive of VOICE

Tad Kirakowski

We’ve always described our work here as bottom up and top-down; we drive change from the grassroots level but also support the implementation of ambitious policies through engagement with communities. I think that mix is the real crux of VOICE's success and it’s why I love working with VOICE.  

VOICE has been in Ireland for over 25 years and currently has a team of 8 people, that cover policy, research, community engagement, and advocacy projects. VOICE has grown a lot over the last 5 years particularly. What has driven that has been a fantastic team of passionate people, I look forward to supporting them to deliver VOICEs mission.

We are at a crucial time with the next few years offering us the opportunity to move towards a more circular economy and away from the take-make-waste approach, but also to ensure that we do so while achieving our aims under the Sustainable Development Goals. We need strong voices, to ensure that we can achieve these goals..

Communications Director

Lyndsey O’Connell

As Communications Director I help our team internally to develop effective communication strategies for their campaigns and projects, and communicate their efforts and wins externally.

I also lead on a joint project with Fingal County Council focused on disposable cup waste. I enjoy building bridges between businesses, individuals, academics, communities, and policymakers in a bid to justly transition to a real and robust circular economy in Ireland.

Fun Fact: I'm fixing up a 1950s house using secondhand materials and DIY skills as much as possible.

Director of Policy

Abigail O’Callaghan-Platt

I manage the No Plastic Period Campaign, the Sustainable Communities Training Programme, the Zero Waste Communities Programme and the Ditch the Disposables workshops.

Through these programmes I work on sustainability issues with both communities and school groups. It’s amazing to get to work on issues that really matter to me and take action towards a better future!

Fun fact: In my spare time I work on LGBTQI+ advocacy for the West Cork based group, BROD. 

Project & Policy Lead

Colin O’Byrne

Working with VOICE affords me the opportunity to contribute to initiatives, both local and national, which help to reduce waste and to improve our environment. Be it communities or corporations, there’s always something we can do to effect positive change.

I represent VOICE on the steering committee of the Environmental Pillar, the advocacy arm of the Irish Environmental Network. In this role, I advocate for circular economy initiatives to policy makers at the national and European level.

Fun fact: Friends and family sometimes accuse of me going on a bit. Whilst I would never suggest that a position so confidently advanced is without a certain internal coherence of its own, it must nevertheless be observed – after due consideration – that it does not, in any material or substantive respect, correspond with the reality of the situation, such as it is.

Finance Manager

Leonard Dowling

I am delighted to join the VOICE team and am enjoying supporting the team in the delivery of their key projects. I look forward to enhancing my environmental knowledge in the new role.

After a Finance & Business career in Ireland across the Financial Services & Payments sectors. I spent the last 8 years working internationally in the Middle East and Asia.

Fun fact – Music, History, and Sport are my key interests, with Hurling being my sporting passion.

Picker Pals Programme Manager

Gary Jones

I love working with VOICE because it gives me the opportunity to focus on my passion, which is environmental education for young people. My mission is to help create lots of little environmental activists!!

Fun Fact: In the early days of my former career as a primary school teacher, I undertook a series of lessons with my class on the life cycle of woodlice. An inspector was present for two of them and in his report, he noted the lovely resources, the children's high levels of engagement & understanding of the concepts being taught.....but cautioned against me getting "so excited that I forgot the rest of the curriculum".....noting that "Caring about woodlice is great, but the children still need to learn how to read!". I curbed my enthusiasm appropriately afterward!

Programme Lead Finance

Sandra Glynn

I have recently joined the Picker Pals team and I am excited to work on such an innovative and fun program! My background is in the financial sector. I completed a Professional Diploma in Innovation in Sustainability in UCD in 2023 with the hope of transitioning into a career in sustainability. As a mum to the next generation of litter pickers, I am delighted to work on an educational program to help nurture good habits in our children to look after our planet!

Fun Fact: When I was in school I was in my local school band, playing the (not very Irish) glockenspiel in many a St Patrick’s Day parade. Before my time, our small country national school band even played in the New York St Patrick’s Day parade!

Campaign Lead

Solene Schirrer

Working at VOICE is an amazing way for me to contribute to the change I wanna see in our society. By working on sustainable fashion and packaging waste I hope to reshape people's perspective of what is means to be citizen first and not a consumer. I truly believe in the power of new narratives to create a more just economy rooted in wellbeing for all. Coming from France I'm still amazed at the power and engagement of Irish communities across the country working for more sustainable and resilient local life.

Fun fact: I flew here with both of my cats Halloween and Citrouille (=Pumpkin) and have the apparently horrifying default of not liking vinegar on my chips.

VOICE Associate

Chiara Napolitano

As a former higher education professional with a strong interest in environmental advocacy, I’ve extensively volunteered with NGOs across Switzerland and Ireland, and developed skills in project coordination, partnership building, and community engagement. I’m currently pursuing a postgraduate programme in International Peace Studies at Trinity College Dublin, and I'm excited to complete my internship at VOICE Ireland, where I'd like to contribute to environmental sustainability and support efforts toward systemic change. I’m particularly interested in connecting local initiatives with wider sustainability goals, and I bring a collaborative and globally minded perspective to my work.

Fun fact: I am a polyglot and language enthusiast. I’m fluent in five languages and trying to learn (a little less successfully) five more. ;)

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