Carmel joined The Oesophageal Cancer Fund as CEO in January 2024 from the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation where she was CEO for over 5 years, having worked with the children’s charity primarily on the communications, advocacy and fundraising side. 

Carmel brings 30 years’ experience to this new role which marries both the personal and professional, as OCF supported her family throughout her husband’s cancer diagnosis and recovery since 2011.  She is committed to patient support, funding research and raising awareness of this cancer in line with OCF’s strategic plan and in building its reach and impact through collaboration and a patient centred approach at local community level. 

Having started her career in research with NCB Stockbrokers, Carmel then worked in corporate PR with Heneghan PR, Edelman, Keating & Associates and Text 100 before setting up her own communications business in 2001.  She is a graduate of both the Marketing Institute of Ireland and the Chartered Institute of Marketing, a former president and current fellow of the Public Relations Institute and has won several awards for excellence in fundraising, communications and good governance.