Charities Institute Ireland welcomes New Chair & Board Members

Charities Institute Ireland (Cii) has announced the appointment of six new members to its board, strengthening the organisation’s leadership at a crucial time for the sector.

The new members are:

• Peter Cosgrove, Managing Director of Futurewise and Chair of Cii
• Lisa Cuthbert, CEO of Mental Health Ireland
• Ronan Gilmartin, Partner at RSM Chartered Accountants
• Pauline Williamson, Director of Finance at Rethink Ireland
• Becky Bristow, CEO of the Dillon Quirke Foundation
• Justin Caffrey, Non-Executive Director and Executive Coach

They join existing board members Gwen Dempsey, Noreen Dempsey, Pat Dennigan, Sarah McCague, and Kathleen Stack, creating a diverse and experienced leadership team.

Board members play a vital role in charities, bringing governance, expertise, and accountability that underpin public trust. They provide strategic guidance and ensure organisations remain focused on mission and impact.

With backgrounds spanning finance, fundraising, mental health, leadership, and coaching, the newly appointed members reflect the breadth of knowledge needed to navigate today’s challenges in the nonprofit world. Their collective experience will help Cii champion high standards, support professional development, and advocate on behalf of the sector.

Welcoming the appointments, Cii CEO Áine Myler said: “Strong boards are the cornerstone of strong charities. We are delighted to have leaders of such calibre joining us, bringing a wealth of experience across finance, governance, mental health, coaching, and the wider nonprofit landscape. Their insight will help us continue to support charities to thrive and deliver for communities across Ireland.”