Our Team

CADA is led by a small, dedicated team consisting of a Development Officer and a volunteer Management Committee of trustees made up of experienced professionals from the international development sector.

Our Trustees

Peter Heaney (Chair), Trócaire

Peter Heaney is the Head of Region NI for Trócaire and has over 15 years professional experience in the International Development Sector in a range of roles both based in Ireland and Internationally. Peter joined the Management Committee of CADA NI in 2023 and assumed the role of Chair in 2024.

Ruth Cooke, Christian Aid

Ruth is currently the Head of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement for Christian Aid Ireland where she has been for five years, leading the team responsible for all of Christian Aid’s public fundraising across Ireland. She is passionate about highlighting issues of global inequality and injustice – and empowering people to respond within their spheres of influence. She is married to Ed, and they have two kids and a greyhound!

Chris Thompson, Tearfund

Chris leads the work of Tearfund in Northern Ireland. He is passionate about the role of faith and faith communities in supporting the most vulnerable and bringing lasting change. When he isn't leading the amazing Tearfund team, he is probably running or reading (though not at the same time!)

Séamus O’Gorman, Children in Crossfire

Séamus O’Gorman is Head of Global Citizenship Education (GCE) at Children in Crossfire, based in Derry/Londonderry. He works with a small team, leading the design and implementation of Children in Crossfire’s Educating the Heart Whole School Approach. He is the convenor of the CADA Working Group on GCE which works to build support for GCE in Northern Ireland. Séamus has worked in the international development sector for 30 years, and believes strongly in the critical importance of collaboration to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of NGOs.

Eithne McNulty

With 20 years experience in the International Development Sector, Eithne McNulty best celebrates her work with grass roots village groups in N.E. Uganda where people rely on subsistence farming to survive. Her commitment is to women's empowerment and leadership, gender equality and more latterly climate justice. In the past she has held positions in Trocaire, War on Want, Self Help Africa and has also worked with Habitat for Humanity Ireland. Eithne holds a Masters in Social Science and has been inspired most by resilient, feisty women in the global south with whom she has been lucky enough to work.

Andrea Brown (Treasurer), Disability Aid Abroad / Disability Action

Andrea is the Treasurer of CADA and a passionate advocate for disability rights and international development. She is CEO of Disability Action, where she leads efforts to uphold the rights and improve outcomes for disabled people, their families, and carers. Andrea brings over 15 years of business and financial management experience, having held senior roles in both the private and voluntary sectors. She is also a Co-Founder, Director, and Treasurer of Disability Aid Abroad.

Jackie Trainor, Concern Worldwide

Jackie Trainor is the Northern Ireland Director of Concern Worldwide (UK) and brings over two decades of experience in the charity and international development sector. She began her career with Concern in 1997 and has since held senior roles with organisations including Habitat for Humanity, War on Want, and NI Chest Heart and Stroke. Passionate about humanitarian work and community engagement, Jackie rejoined Concern in 2024, and is committed to expanding its impact across Northern Ireland.

Our Staff

Ellie Irving, Development Officer

Ellie is CADA NI’s Development Officer, with extensive experience in education, the charity sector, and network building. She has led projects focused on innovation, community empowerment, and linking schools with businesses, and is also an experienced educator and facilitator. Ellie joined CADA in 2025 to strengthen the network and support collaboration, learning, and advocacy.