Sophia is dedicated to meeting all Governance and Regulatory requirements for the Housing Sector and the Not for Profit Sector. Sophia is committed to attaining the standards outlined for Tier 3 Approved Housing Bodies by the Regulation Office for Approved Housing Bodies.
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In particular, Sophia prioritises adherence to the Financial, Performance and Governance Standards for Approved Housing Bodies as produced by the Regulation Office for Approved Housing Bodies.
Sophia is also committed to adhering to the Charities Governance Code which sets out a mandatory standard for governance in Irish charities.
Meet Our Board
Michael McCarthy
Chair of the Finance Commitee
Michael McCarthy is the C.E.O of the Irish Solar Energy Association and they represent all of the providers of solar energy and their members plan to make a major contribution to helping Ireland meet its climate change objectives. Michael is a former Labour TD and Senator and a former Chair of Oireacthas Committee on Housing and was Appointed Chairman of the National Oversight Audit Commission by Eoghan Murphy TD Minister for Planning, Housing and Local Government in 2018.
Jean Quinn D.W
Founder and Former C.E.O
Jean is a Daughter of Wisdom who having worked with Focus Ireland for a number of years saw a need for a different type of housing, one which provided wrap-around holistic supports and in 1997 she founded Sophia. Jean's tireless work has lead her to take up the role of Executive Director of UNANIMA International a United Nations-based coalition of Catholic congregations focused on concerns of women, children, migrants, and the environment. She advocates for people who experience homelessness at a national and international level.
Seamus Dooley
Director
Seamus is a former journalist who has worked with a number of local and national publications and is the current Irish Secretary of the National Union of journalists.
Elizabeth Madden
Director
Liz Madden is a Community Activist and advocate. She works with the Cork Anti-Poverty Network and with Men Overcoming Violence. Liz is also lecturer with Centre for Adult Education in UCC. She has an MA in Women's Studies and is a co-organiser of Cork Feminista, a Cork based feminist group
Sr Ann Marie Quinn PBVM
Board Member
Sr Ann Marie Quinn PBVM has worked in educator and community development for many years. With her Presentation Sisters she founded "Notschool Ireland " and currently is a board member of the award-winning Irish digital education non-profit iScoil. Ann Marie is Executive Director of the International Presentation Association which advocates for Social Justice at the United Nations in New York.
Majella Gallagher
Board Member
Majella Gallagher is a HR professional with over 20 years experience in media and publishing . In addition to her role as HR Director of The Irish Times Group of companies, she also served as Managing Director of the Irish Examiner and Echo publications. Majella has a career history of successful leadership, particularly in the areas of managing and delivering organisational change, managing industrial and employee relations and in supporting diversity and inclusion. She played a key role in the acquisition and successful merger of the examiner group of publications, which now form an important part of the portfolio of companies, within the Irish Times Group.