EX-TD COLLINS HEADS CORK FOUNDATION
FORMER FG TD Áine Collins has been announced as the Chairperson of The Cork Foundation. The Foundation, which connects Cork people globally to help Cork people locally was established four years ago and is a registered charity that matches donors to social enterprises, who through this funding can create sustainable jobs which positively impacts upon communities at grass roots levels across the region.
Áine Collins was piviotal to the establishement of the Cork Foundation and has two decades of experience in business development and managment consultancy, having run her own accountancy and business consultancy practice as well as working in both startups and established companies.
She said: “I am delighted to take on this role as Chairperson of the Cork Foundation. I would like to thank our former Chairperson Yvonne Barry, for guiding the Cork Foundation in the right direction. Her leadership, decision making and commitment has laid the foundation for progress for 2017.”
“By investing in social enterprises, we are creating jobs and making a lasting impact to the community.” said Áine Collins.
CEO of the Cork Foundation, Padraic Vallely said: “Áine brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this role. Her passion for Cork as well as her determination and will to succeed will help to position The Cork Foundation as the champion for social enterprises in the Cork region. I look forward to working pro-actively with Áine and the board to carry out the very important work of the Foundation.” IN addition to her appointment, the Cork Foundation have also welcomed three new board members, Deirdre Waldron, Founder of Fuzion Communications, Suzanne Kearney, Assistant CEO of SECAD (South and East Cork Area Development) and Frank Hannigan, Business Advisor. MR Vallely also thanked all their previous board memebrs who have sat on the board of The Cork Foundation, which helped them with their work by supporting Cork’s social enterpreneurs as well as providing guidance and expertise. “I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and engaging with Cork people globally and locally to make a difference for Cork. We want to connect and engage with the Cork community abroad, giving the opportunity to give back for Cork,” he said.
The work of the Foundation is carried out by CEO Padraic Vallely with the guidance of a voluntary Board led Áine Collins and including some leading figures from the private and public sector in Cork. The work of the Foundation is focused on identifying donors, which could be organisations or private philanthropists, either from Cork or with a tie to the region, who have an interest in giving back to the Cork community.
The Foundation matches these donations with vetted projects that are of interest to the donor. The criteria for funding is that all contributions must go towards creating sustainable jobs and these jobs in turn must help improve the lives and families of people living in Cork.