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.
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.
Dr Liz Murphy RSM
Company Secretary
Liz Murphy is a former Secretary General of AMRI. She is a Doctor of Psychology with a Masters Degree in Adult & Community Education and Executive Leadership. Liz has a huge amount of experience working with NGOs and Religious Congregations both nationally and internationally.
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.
Majella Gallagher
Board Member
Majella Gallagher is the former Managing Director of Irish Examiner Media Group having previously held the position of HR Director for the Irish Times and Examiner.
Before her role working with the Examiner Media Group Majella worked in investment banking.
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.
Andy Caffrey
Board Member
Andy Caffrey is the Finance Director with Chime, the national charity for deafness and hearing loss. Andy has years of experience working in non-profit finance and management and is a graduate from UCD.