2. Board and Staff
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Bryan Patten
DIRECTOR OF ENGAGEMENT Claire Rumpsa
Jim Carroll, Chair
David Gavaghan, Vice Chair
Kristin Leary, Vice Chair
Heather McCormick, Secretary
Eugene Hillery, Treasurer
Kris Balderston
Jim Boland
John Buscher
Frank Cantrel Jr.
Lorraine Corcoran
Professor Roger G.H. Downer
John Feehery
Eamonn Fitzgerald
Joseph Kelley
Carmel Martin
B.R. McConnon III
Richard McHugh
Dr. Duncan Morrow
Jennifer O’Malley Dillon
Paul S. Quinn
Pamela Smith
Kevin J. Sullivan
Congressman Jim Walsh
Jim Carroll, Chair of WIP’s Board with Norman Houston, Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau
1
3. 2 3
Kevin Sullivan, Chair, with
President Michael D. Higgins
at a reception in honor of
WIP at Áras an Uachtaráin
Meet the Celtic Chefs of Washington DC’s culinary scene. Sample sumptuous hors d’oeuvre,
savory tastings and breathtaking desserts. We invite you to enjoy an evening of music,
dining and a silent auction to support the Washington Ireland Program.
HONORING JOYCE AND JOHN FLYNN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13 2016
7:00 PM — 9:00 PM
The St. Regis, Washington D.C.
923 Sixteenth and K Streets, N.W., Washington D.C.
FIND OUT MORE: wiprogram.org
An Evening with Celtic Chefs
Presented by the Washington Ireland Program
The Washington Ireland Program
Developing young leaders • Supporting new thinking • Creating a shared future
For more than two decades, the Washington Ireland
Program (WIP) has engaged emerging student leaders
across the island of Ireland in a visionary leadership-
building program committed to overcoming divisions of
the past and empowering present and future leaders with
skills and insights to build a shared future of peace and
prosperity for the island.
Twenty years ago, WIP set a bold strategy to bring
together young leaders from diverse and often hostile
communities for post-conflict relationship-building and
skills development. Ensuring the diversity of program
participants — geographically, socioeconomically and
otherwise — is a priority; one-third of participants come from
disadvantaged backgrounds and receive full scholarships.
Now a well-respected program of leadership training
and service, WIP has a growing network of 580 alumni
and prominent, influential supporters in Northern Ireland,
the Republic of Ireland and the United States.
WIP has a proven record of success in selecting and
contributing to the development of outstanding leaders in
all parts of the community.
WIP’s impact is seen through the growing number
of positive, determined and service-oriented leaders
who are making lasting change in communities across
Northern Ireland and Ireland today.
These leaders are active in a wide range of sectors
including politics; business; media; law; education; non-
profits; and technology.
WIP — Shaping the Future of Northern Ireland and Ireland
• We develop and support a community of leaders
and influencers from diverse backgrounds who share
a passion for a peaceful and prosperous Northern
Ireland and Ireland.
• We create opportunities for new thinking to address
substantive long-term issues through rigorous analysis,
reasoned negotiation and respectful dialogue
• We support individuals to take new action in driving
forward practical and principled solutions to challenges
facing the island today.
4. The Washington Ireland Program is delighted to
announce our Class of 2016.
There is no such thing as a typical WIP student, but
after an extremely competitive application process
we know that these students share the capacity
to thrive during our challenging and inspirational
leadership program in Washington DC.
Bringing together business, politics, law, media,
science and art students from across the island
of Ireland, this group will expand each other’s
horizons and form bonds that will span their
personal and professional lives.
Our active alum community, including elected
representatives, entrepreneurs and NGO leaders
acts as both an engine for change and a forum
for the difficult conversations that still need to
take place.
When the Class of 2016 return from the United
States they will join this community of change-
makers, innovators and collaborators, working
for a brighter future on the island of Ireland.
Class Intro
4 5
CRAIG ANDREWS
Ulster University
Craig is a second year Politics student at Ulster
University. He has a keen interest in volunteer
work both at home and abroad, having recently
helped with construction at an orphanage in
Nepal and worked with his local Samaritans
organization. He is also an active member of the
local Conservative Party and is passionate about
encouraging a change in mind-set, particularly
in politics, to create a more cohesive society for
future generations.
LUCY BRADFIELD
Mary Immaculate College, Limerick
Lucy is in her first year studying a Professional
Masters in Education at Mary Immaculate
College, Limerick and has been involved in
many projects, most notably the European
Youth Parliament (EYP). With the EYP, she led
logistic teams through the organization of
conferences such as Cork 2014. She has also
led international academic teams through the
presidency of a number of conferences, most
recently in Amsterdam this February.
OLIVIA BUDDE
University of St Andrews
Olivia is in her second year of studying
International Relations at the University of St
Andrews. She is an active member of Tayforth
University Officer Training Corps and sits on
the Officer’s Mess Committee. She is also a
university Ambassador, helping with tours and
inductions. Olivia’s passion for politics has led to
a number of internships in the Northern Ireland
Assembly and as a member of the Church
Mission Society Ireland she was involved with a
mission trip to Zambia.
DEIRDRE CAMPBELL
Maynooth University
Deirdre is a final year Law and Politics student
at Maynooth University. Deirdre has a passion
for LGBTQ+ rights, campaigning for the
Marriage Equality movement and serving as
president of the Maynooth Pride Society. She
has also developed her own social enterprise,
the Suicide Awareness Movement, to help push
for mental health reform. Deirdre travelled
to Indiana University in 2014, as the Irish
winner of a scholarship to the Global Social
Entrepreneurship Institute.
JEMMA CLEGG
Queens University Belfast
Jemma is currently completing a Postgraduate
degree in Violence, Terrorism and Security at
Queens University Belfast. As an Undergraduate,
Jemma completed a Bachelor’s degree in Politics
and International Studies and her dissertation
focused on the Northern Ireland Peace Process.
She spent time living and working in India,
volunteering with the Deep Griha Society.
Jemma is passionate about resolving issues
related to homelessness, volunteering her time
to assist with homeless outreach, support and
fundraising within Belfast.
LISA COLLINS
University of Limerick
Lisa is a final year History and Politics student at
the University of Limerick. She is heavily involved
with the UL Con Colbert Cumann of Ógra Fianna
Fáil. She has been involved with many projects
such as the Yes to Equal Marriage Campaign
in 2015 and canvassing in the recent General
Election. In 2014, Lisa interned with MediaHQ
and subsequently attended the University of
Gothenburg in Sweden to study specialized
peace and conflict resolution modules.
ANTHONY CURRAN
Trinity College Dublin
Anthony is currently in his final year studying
Politics and Sociology at Trinity College Dublin.
Anthony has a history of activism with Sinn
Fein, having held the positions of Education
Officer and Chairperson of Trinity Sinn Fein.
Anthony is a passionate human rights advocate
and has been active with the Ireland-Palestine
Solidarity Campaign. Anthony has many years
of voluntary experience with Trinity’s Disability
Service and currently holds the position of
Student Ambassador.
AMR DAWOOD
Trinity College Dublin
A Trinity Global Ambassador, Amr is a
Bioengineering student with a passion for
innovation and social entrepreneurship. Over
the last year, Amr has secured funding in the
prestigious “Ireland’s Best Young Entrepreneur”
competition and was one of the youngest ever
recipients of the “Presidential Volunteering
Awards”. He has served as the Irish Delegate
in a number of international conferences and
recently spoke about youth empowerment at
the EU’s Education Council.
CHRISTOPHER DICKISON
Queen’s University Belfast
Chris is a first year Law and Politics student at
Queen’s University Belfast. He volunteers in
Sandy Row Estate in Belfast with Friendship
House and the Child Evangelism Fellowship, as
well as through practical community outreach
events with Legacurry Presbyterian Church and
Exodus Lisburn. Chris believes strongly in the
power of integrated education to secure lasting,
durable peace in Northern Ireland.
TIM DURKAN
Queen’s University Belfast
Tim is currently studying Medicine at Queen’s
University Belfast. As well as being an elected
representative for his year group, he also
provides mentoring support to younger students.
Tim has previously graduated from Queen’s
University with a First Class Honors degree in
Biomedical Science. During these studies he was
awarded a yearlong Research Associate post in
the Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology,
allowing him to work within a multidisciplinary
team investigating hereditary breast cancers.
ROBERT KERR
Ulster University
Robert is from Belfast and is in his final year
of Ulster University studying Politics BSc (Hons)
with a particular interest in the mechanics
of government and British and American
constitutional issues. Robert is active in his local
church, where he currently sits on the youth
committee. During the summer he volunteers with
an organization called Beach Missions who run
family and community events on beaches in the
Republic of Ireland.
5. 6
CIAN LEAHY
University College Dublin
Cian is a fourth year UCD Medical student. He
has been extensively involved in student society
life, serving as Treasurer of the University’s
Literary and Historical Society and Social Justice
Officer of the UCD Branch of St. Vincent De Paul.
He has also spent two summers abroad with
UCD Volunteers Overseas in Haiti and Uganda.
He founded the Outreach program, which has
trained hundreds of students from disadvantaged
areas of Dublin in public speaking and debate.
GINTARE LENKEVICIUTE
Ulster University
Originally from Lithuania, Northern Ireland has
become home for Gintare. She sees educating
individuals about immigration as fundamental
to the prosperity of Northern Ireland. She has
undertaken a Tutoring in Schools program and was
one of the founding members of the Advertising and
Marketing society at university. Having completed
a placement year with the Northern Ireland Chest
Heart and Stroke Association, Gintare is now
in the final year of a Marketing degree at Ulster
University, Jordanstown.
RICHARD LOOBY
University College Dublin
Richard is a Business and Law student at
University College Dublin. He served on the
national policy committee of Young Fine Gael
and as Auditor of the UCD branch, leading them
to become one of the most active youth political
societies in the country. Having previously
interned in Dáil Éireann, Richard has most recently
interned in digital marketing during the General
Election and also served a term as Honorary Life
Membership Convener of the Law Society.
VIKKI LUTTON
Ulster University
Vikki is a Fine Art student at Ulster University.
She is currently the Ulster University Belfast
trustee, the art school representative in student
council, chair of the Art and Culture Society, and
on the women’s committee in NUS-USI. She has
worked for the Cabinet Office as Young Social
Action Ambassador of Northern Ireland, created
the Raise and Give Society in Ulster University,
and volunteered with Arts Care NI.
SEÁN McGINNITY
Trinity College Dublin
Seán is in his second year studying Law at
Trinity College Dublin. He became an All-Ireland
Scholar and was also awarded an Entrance
Exhibition Scholarship. He has undertaken
community work in the area of youth education,
particularly in relation to drug addiction. Seán
has recently been accepted to study for a year in
the University of Leiden. He has a keen interest
in history, politics and rugby.
COLLETTE McALLISTER
Queen’s University Belfast
Collette is currently in her second year studying
Law with Politics at Queen’s University Belfast.
She is an elected representative on Q.U.B.
Student’s Union Council and was recently elected
the Women’s Officer for NUS-USI. Collette is an
active member of Sinn Féin Republican Youth,
currently holding the position of youth officer on
the North Antrim Comhairle Ceantair Officer
Board of Sinn Féin. She is currently campaigning
for her local MLA ahead of the upcoming
Assembly elections in May.
ADAM McAVOY
Newcastle University
Adam is a final year undergraduate studying
Law at Newcastle University. He sits on the Eldon
Law committee, which is the largest society in the
University. Adam volunteers as a student mentor
to first year law students, helping them through
their transition into tertiary education. Adam
believes that more creative steps need to be taken
to solidify the peace process in Northern Ireland,
namely through the integration of education.
GÁIBHIN McGRANAGHAN
Queens University Belfast
Gáibhin is completing his final year as an
English Literature and Politics student at Queens
University Belfast. A long time Features and
News Correspondent for The Gown student
newspaper, he is currently serving as its
News Editor. Gáibhin is also an advocate for
special needs education and youth mental
health, drawing on his own experiences as an
individual living with Asperger’s Syndrome, as
well as volunteering for organizations such as
The Orchardville and National Autistic Societies.
CHINEDUM MUOTTO
Dublin City University
Chinedum was raised in Nigeria and
immigrated to Ireland, where he spent most of
his teenage years. He has participated in the
Google Building Opportunities for Leadership
and Development Immersion Program. He also
founded and chaired the Africa Society at Dublin
City University. He has previously interned at
SAP SE HQ Deutschland and is set to graduate
from Dublin City University this year with a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Studies.
CAOIMHE NÍ MHAOLAGÁIN
Dublin City University
Caoimhe is currently studying Economics, Politics
and Law in DCU. Growing up in a big family,
Caoimhe learned early how to use her voice to
advocate for herself and others. She currently
serves as the Chairperson of DCU’s Raising
and Giving Society, a charity in which she runs
social projects in Ballymun and the surrounding
area. Service acts as a constant inspiration and
motivation for Caoimhe as she strives to help
those most in need.
PATRICIA O’LYNN
Queen’s University Belfast
Patricia is a DEL scholar currently studying at
doctoral level, with her current research focused
on the right to education in Northern Ireland.
Patricia is the School of Education Representative
on the Graduate School Postgraduate Forum,
Chair of the Child Rights Scholars Group, and
President of the Children’s Rights at Queen’s
Initiative. Patricia is in the process of publishing
her first article in the Northern Ireland Legal
Quarterly Journal.
CONOR O’MEARA
Trinity College Dublin
Conor is a final year Business Economics
student at Trinity College Dublin. Having worked
in organizations including Social Entrepreneurs
Ireland and Enactus Ireland, Conor is
enthusiastic about leveraging the power of
social entrepreneurship to tackle entrenched
social issues. He has previously volunteered as a
teacher in Kolkata, India with Suas Educational
Development. An accomplished performer,
Conor is currently pursuing a Diploma in Music
Performance at the DIT Conservatory of Music.
JULIA O’REGAN
University of Liverpool
Julia is a final year student of History and Politics
at University of Liverpool. She is currently co-
chair of her university’s Labour Students society.
Julia is highly active in the Liverpool community
with homelessness, anti-fascist and feminist
movements. From a working class, single parent
background, she has a keen interest in welfare
and education reform. Recently she founded the
Diversity in Feminism project, which was aimed
at encouraging discussion on women’s issues.
KATHERINE PARKE
University of Liverpool
Katherine is in her final year of study at the
University of Liverpool, studying Irish Studies and
French. Since her first year of university, she has
been involved with the Student Representative
and Peer Mentoring Schemes for Combined
Honors. In 2014, She worked in a school in
France as an English Language Assistant with the
British Council. Subsequently, she volunteered
as a Study Abroad Mentor and was elected
President of the Combined Honors Society.
KYLE PARKS
Queen’s University Belfast
Kyle is a second year Politics, Philosophy and
Economics student at Queen’s University Belfast.
He sits as a Trustee and Honorary Secretary on
the board of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum,
and previously served as the elected UK Young
Ambassador to Europe. In June 2015 he was
awarded a Queen’s City Scholarship to work in
New York, and worked in London for the Institute
of Ideas. At university he is the elected Student
Representative for the School of Politics.
VIVIENNE PHELAN
University College Dublin
Vivienne is a fourth year student of Veterinary
Medicine at University College Dublin. She enjoys
working with people from diverse backgrounds
and is a former Auditor of UCD International
Students’ Society. In March 2015, she received
the UCD President’s Award for Excellence in
Student Activities. Vivienne sits on the U.S.
Embassy Dublin Youth Council, and was chosen
as a member of the Glencree Centre for Peace
and Reconciliation Young Peacebuilders Group.
JESSICA RICHTER
National University of Ireland Galway
Jessica is a second year student of Corporate Law
with German at the National University of Ireland
Galway, where she is currently the Vice-Auditor
of the student Law Society. Jessica is currently
working with The Olive Branch for Children,
Tanzania, creating micro finance training apps
for business owners with challenged levels of
literacy. In her own community, Jessica has been
a Student Mentor, and she has participated in
and directed plays with her local youth theatre.
ANYA RYAN
Waterford Institute of Technology
Anya Ryan is currently a final year Social
Science student studying in Waterford Institute of
Technology (WIT) and has previously graduated
from National University of Ireland Galway with
a foundation certificate in Youth Leadership
and Community Action. She is heavily involved
in student life at WIT, serving as a Class
Representative and Student Ambassador. Anya
previously volunteered as a mentor in WIT’s
Learning for Life Program for which she received
WIT’s Community Service Award.
BEN SLIMM
Institute of Technology Tralee
Ben holds an honors degree in TV, Radio and
New Media Broadcasting from the Institute of
Technology Tralee. He was President of the IT
Tralee Students’ Union for the academic year
2014-2015, and is currently serving a second
term. Ben has worked on many initiatives,
including sexual consent, as a founding member
of the IT Tralee’s Sexual Consent steering
committee. He has also worked on the Transition
Year Teaching Program as a voluntary tutor to
students.
7
6. 8
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