Meet the Board

Barry Smyth, Co-chair

I have over 20 years’ experience of working within the Community and Voluntary sector and has 11 years’ experience of working within the homeless field delivering and managing a range of services including direct access homeless accommodation, floating support services and family services. I am currently the Northern Ireland Area Manager for the Alzheimer’s Society and I’m responsible for the development and delivery of a variety of dementia services throughout Northern Ireland.

Why MACS?

I have been a member of the MACS Board of Directors for 3 years and I’m the current Chair. I became involved in the work of MACS as I believe that MACS makes a real difference in the lives of children and young people, providing them with the support and opportunities for them to thrive in life.

Harriet Long, Co-chair

I have worked in many roles across the women’s sector, LGB&/T sector and most recently the human rights sector. I’m also an adoptive parent and foster carer and I joined MACS board in 2017. In 2021 I became the Children's Services Coordinator for Belfast and Lisburn Women's Aid.

Why MACS?

I was drawn to support MACS because it is an organization that is creative and innovative, and it’s always finding new ways to relate and connect to young people. I like the way it priorities young people who haven’t had a fair deal or start in life. Everyone has potential and MACS tries to move the barriers in the way for young people.

Andrea McCooke

I’m an accredited CEDR Mediator and hold a BA in Business Studies and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management. I’m currently a Director in Local Government, with almost 20 years’ experience working in senior roles with responsibility for Human Resources & Organisational Development for a number of local Councils across Northern Ireland. I am also a volunteer for a local charity, Links2Pink, who raise money to provide support for families suffering from illness in the borough of Antrim.

Why MACS?

I joined MACS because of their mission statement: “Young people who haven’t had a fair deal deserve a chance”, and that’s what MACS offers so well - this resonated with me.

Brian McCormick

I am a professionally qualified counsellor/psychotherapist experienced working with clients across private practice; community counselling; public sector; and school counselling. I am also a former finance sector professional with senior management experience in strategic planning; business change management; leadership; and performance management.

Why MACS?

I first joined MACS as a volunteer mentor. In that role, I had the opportunity of seeing, at first hand, the great work that MACS does. I am always impressed by how MACS considers young people in every decision that is made and how MACS involves young people in the decision-making process. When I had the opportunity, I had no hesitation in joining the Board. I hope to bring to this role the experiences and knowledge I have gained both in the commercial sector and as a counsellor/psychotherapist.

Caroline King

I am currently Head of Northern Ireland for the UK Charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. The charity was set up by parents who lost a child to suicide and works to prevent suicide of young people under the age of 35. I took up my post in May 2020 and prior to that I worked for three years in the Victims and Survivors Service supporting victims and survivors of the Troubles/Conflict in Northern Ireland. I worked for almost nine years prior to that in the Lifeline service which is the suicide prevention helpline and wraparound in the North. I am a qualified counsellor and systemic practitioner working with individuals, families and groups in a therapeutic way. I bring my clinical and leadership experience to MACS NI Board including experience in Safeguarding, People Management, Clinical Governance, Trauma and special expertise in Suicide Prevention and Self-harm. I have lived in Belfast for over 17 years and originally hail from the hills of Donegal. I love rugby, music and Christmas and used to be a Mentor at MACS.

Why MACS?

I wanted to join the MACS Board to give back and to continue to learn. The team at MACS NI work so hard to support young people and I believe every young person deserves to have every opportunity to be the best version of themselves. I hope, through being on the Board of MACS, that I can support the MACS NI team to help young people find joy in life.

Eamon McCotter

I am a founder member of Mulholland After Care which changed its name to MACS in 2010. I am a retired Social Worker and I have 40 years’ experience in public service with both Voluntary and Statutory Social Work, with 2 decades of experience in managing three children’s homes.

Why MACS?

I was delighted to join MACS NI Board and look forward to working with Board members, Senior Management Team and all the Staff and Volunteers. MACS has been remarkably successful in providing support to children and young people who would otherwise fall through the net of Statutory Services. Its success in involving young people at every level, including Board Level is a credit to the board, Senior Management Team, staff and volunteers.

Joyce Agnew

After university, I spent around ten years working in Financial Services. After my second child was born, I took a complete career break but as I approached my 40th birthday, I knew that I wanted to work again and this time in a different environment. Re-entering the world of work meant starting at the bottom for a second time, but I was fortunate to secure a job with an incredibly supportive employer, Strategic Investment Board.

Why MACS?

It was through my employer that I was encouraged to apply for Boardroom Apprentice, which led me to MACS NI, first as an apprentice, and more recently as a board member. My interest in serving on the board of MACS was primarily because I feel that the young people whom MACS offers support to are some of the most vulnerable and overlooked in our society; too often they are unfairly held responsible for circumstances that are beyond their control, and are expected to function as adults in a world that is hostile to them. The work that MACS does is invaluable in supporting and empowering their service users in order to allow them to move on in life, and to look to the future rather than being defined by their past. It is my hope that by participating as a board member, I can make a contribution to this work

Liguori Dobbin

I am now retired after four decades in the Financial Services Industry, having senior management experience at strategic management, governance and regulation, leadership, and change management. I am also an adoptive mum and have experience and an understanding of the challenges facing young people who have not had a fair deal. I’m currently Interim Chair of Generaion Innovation @ Catalyst and I am a member of the Adoption UK Steering Committee in NI. I am currently a Board member of BOI Staff Third World Fund.

Why MACS?

After having successfully been accepted by Boardroom Apprentice in 2018, I began my apprenticeship with MACS NI for 12 months before being accepted onto their Board in 2019. I was extremely impressed with their pioneering approach especially around the Therapeutic House and Muddy Paws. I continue to be inspired by how MACS provide development opportunities for young people and how they empower them by incorporating young people in the decision-making process which may change their lives.

Eve Brennan

I am a Young Leader in Led By You. I began volunteering for Led By You in 2018 after having received support from MACS as a teenager. I joined the MACS Board in September 2020 and I am currently working as a software engineer while completing a degree in Digital Technology Solutions.

Why MACS?

I chose to volunteer for MACS because of its friendly atmosphere and youth led approach to tackling issues that affect young people.

Stephen Green

I am an ACCA qualified accountant and the Financial Controller of Simply Nuc Limited, a US owned technology company based in Bangor. I was the Finance Manager at Fold/Radius Housing Association for twelve years where I was a member of the Finance Committee and Audit & Risk Committee. I am also the treasurer for Kids in Control, a local professional theatre charity engaging with young people, and treasurer for North Down Cycling Club.

Why MACS?

I previously worked with MACS during my time at Fold Housing Association with the construction of their accommodation for young people in Lisburn. I also have two friends who work as Support Managers and loved hearing the progress the Lisburn scheme was making and was invited to attend a BBQ at Lisburn just after the opening. I was also talked into attending the Sleepout event. When MACS advertised the recruitment of Board members then I jumped at the chance.

Conor Coughlin

I currently work for the NI Housing Executive responsible for the organisation’s Programme and Project Management. I achieved a Masters qualifications in Corporate Governance and Business Development & Innovation. I have professional qualifications in Strategy, Risk Management, Project Management and Programme Management. I have extensive public and private sector experience of Project and Programme Management, Strategy Development and Implementation, Risk and Issue Management, Governance, Planning, Auditing and Performance Management and Review

Why MACS?

I joined MACS NI board because of the reputation of the organisation, the work it does and the impact it has, and I wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of children and young people in Northern Ireland.

Laura-Lee Quigley

I have a professional background in Health and Social Care working in Performance Management, Fostering and Health and Wellbeing. Most recently I have been working within a Recruitment and Business Development capacity providing employment opportunities and HR advice for Health and Social Care Teams in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland including organisations like MACS.

Why MACS?

I first came across MACS during my time sourcing placements for children and young people requiring foster placements and support leaving care. I was impressed with the feedback from the young people who had visited and worked with MACS. I am excited to be part of an organisation that listens to the voices of young people and designs services that make a positive and long-term impact in their lives.

Aidan Sloane

I am member of the Senior Leadership Team at Belfast Metropolitan College, the largest Further and Higher Education College in Northern Ireland. I lead on Skills, Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement within the College which includes a broad range of professional & technical curriculum, professional development provision and social inclusion programmes. I have over twenty years of senior leadership experience within the private, public and charity sectors at both Executive and Non-Executive Director level.

Why MACS?

I am highly passionate about youth engagement and social inclusion, and improving the life chances of young people, to ensure we support young people to achieve the necessary education and skills required to progress into the world of work or into further education or training.

Martin Meek

I have over 16 years’ experience working within the social housing/supported housing sector, with over 12 years of these years in management/leadership roles. Since graduating from University after completing the BSc Housing Management Degree, 10 years of my career saw a focus working with the more vulnerable tenant groups assisting with those with varying degrees of accommodation support needs e.g. those with mental ill health, a learning disability, dementia, autism, those with addictions, homeless and young people leaving care. I have extensive experience working with Voluntary Organisations and local Health Trusts both in Northern Ireland and ROI. Throughout my working life I have always championed the rights of those with complex housing needs and I was very involved in the management and development of new supported living schemes. In recent years I have returned to core housing management and maintenance services in Belfast as Area Manager for Choice Housing. Therefore, I have a broad knowledge & understanding in dealing with housing management issues, supported housing and Joint Management Agreements.

Why MACS?

I believe in the culture and ethos of MACS and see it as something I would very much like to be a part of. I previously worked with MACS senior staff on former and current accommodation projects through my work at Choice Housing. During this time I personally seen the excellent work the staff do in delivering great services and empowering young people. When I saw an opportunity to work closely with the Board and Senior Team I knew it was a position I would enjoy. I am very keen to get more involved with MACS as I have a passion for the work they do and I believe my attributes and experience can support the wider team on their journey onto greater opportunities.