The finalists in this category are:

Maeve Monaghan

Maeve is Chief Executive of the NOW Project in Belfast. The NOW project has developed significantly as an organisation in recent years, in relation to both quantity and quality of work. Maeve recognized the need for her Board to be developed and refreshed as an important part of this process and invested heavily in training, development and support for the Board over a three year period. As a result, the Board developed a tailored governance manual, setting out the structures and processes needed to govern the organisation appropriately. Maeve has shown an amazing ability to support the Board to think strategically and ambitiously within these new structures.

Liz Cuddy

Liz is Chief Executive of Extern. Liz began a complete reform of Externs governance structure in 2007 and researched, sought legal advice and found live examples of a number of models which she presented to the Board with SWOT analysis for each. Liz has since invested heavily in improving the functioning of the Board. In less than 2 years, Liz has facilitated the public recruitment of 15 Board members. She has rewritten and standardised the Articles of Association and there is now a robust induction process for new Board members. Liz has led Extern through a period of significant and turbulent change and despite this her new governance structures are exemplar for this and other sectors – even more so because of the challenges involved in operating across jurisdictions in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.  

Carol O’Bryan

Carol is Chief Executive of the Simon Community Northern Ireland. Carol recognises the importance of having clarity among all involved regarding her role on the Board and the support it needs to enable it to function effectively. With her guidance, and the provision of regular information, the Board of Simon Community plays a key role in driving the performance of the organisation towards the agreed vision. She has supported the development of a clear Planning and Control framework which includes definitions of roles, levels of delegated authority and policies and procedures to ensure good employment practices. A risk management system ensures that the Board agenda includes attention to all key issues. Carol ensures there is a culture of regular governance review and ongoing development.

Our winner is Maeve Monaghan

Donna Traynor; Maeve Monaghan, NOW Project; Jenny Ebbage, Cleaver Fulton Rankin