Board of Directors

Adele has over 20 years’ experience working in the public sector in a variety of service development roles. Her career started out as an Environmental Health officer and then she gained experience over many years developing services for Older People in Belfast City Council, and regionally in the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Her skills include leadership, strategy, governance and partnership working - all things she will bring to Dementia NI. On joining the board, Adele said “My work with older people initially attracted me to Dementia NI however I am very quickly learning about the complexities of dementia and the wide range of people living with dementia."

John was a commercial fisherman for almost 40 years and travelled throughout the world for his work and pleasure. In 2008 John was diagnosed with early-onset dementia and sound support through the Alzheimer’s Society Antrim Friendship group. John became the driving force behind establishing an independent group of people with dementia, which went on to become Dementia NI. John still has an active role within Dementia NI and has been actively involved with consultation and assisting other people with dementia to have their voices heard.

Davie was diagnosed with Fronto-temporal dementia at the age of 54. Originally a chef, his life changed dramatically with his diagnosis. Being involved with Dementia NI has really helped him grow in confidence and given him a voice. Having met loads of the most incredible people on his journey, he has clearly seen that there is a full life after the diagnosis. Davie is very proud to sit on the board of Dementia NI and help to shape the future of the charity and to try and help and to support people when they receive the shocking dementia diagnosis.

A Registered Mental Health Nurse Siobhan retired in October 2019 after 38 years nursing service mainly in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust. After 20 years working in Dementia services, Siobhan retired from her post as Head of Memory Services in the Trust, where she was responsible for outpatient, inpatient and community services for people living with Dementia. Working alongside my colleagues in the statutory, voluntary and private sector across Northern Ireland to develop policy and inform strategy to promote better access to assessment, diagnosis and treatment for those people and their families living with Dementia.

Denise is a chartered marketer with almost 30 years of business experience in marketing, business development and PR. Denise has successfully worked within a number of different industries and sectors including executive education, security printing/graphics and telecommunications/ICT. Denise is a postgraduate of Strathclyde University, Glasgow with an MSc Marketing and also undertook an Executive Leadership programme at JFK School of Government, Harvard University in 2002. Denise was appointed in 2010 at the William J Clinton Leadership Institute – Queen’s University to establish the Leadership Institute and launch an extensive executive education portfolio for clients from all sectors over the last ten years.

Leanne is a chartered accountant with experience in the charity, banking, financial services and retail sectors. She is currently the finance manager for Oxfam Ireland and has been in this post for 6 years which has provided the opportunity to develop an in-depth knowledge of charity accounting. Leanne is from Fermanagh, however with a keen passion for travel she has explored much of Australia, South East Asia and Central America. Although at the moment her adventures are much closer to home with two small children dictating the pace. Leanne said “I am honoured to be given the role of treasurer for Dementia NI and to have the opportunity to support this fantastic local charity. I am looking forward to giving something back to our community by raising awareness of Dementia and helping improve the lives of those living with Dementia. I hope I can use my skills to help Dementia NI realise its’ exciting new strategy over the next three years.”

Aisling has worked in marketing roles for more than 20 years across organisations including Heinz, Famous Grouse, C&C Group, Queen's University, and her current role is with Dale Farm. Aisling works predominantly at a strategic level, on long-term plans, brand strategy, and business development, but through her career has experience across all aspects of marketing; from communications to digital marketing and everything in between. Aisling is from Magherafelt and is married to Robbie, with a young family, 3 children aged 7, 6 & 2. On joining the board, Aisling said “I have personal experience with dementia, as I lost my father to dementia 9 years ago when he was 57 about 3 years after he was diagnosed, and on his side of the family, there is a high occurrence of dementia. As such, I am very keen to be involved with Dementia NI and play my part in demystifying dementia and helping society and people with dementia to live a more positive life with the diagnosis than my experience with my dad”.

Siobhan is the sole carer for her father who is living with vascular dementia. This has given her an insight into the realities of life for those living with dementia and the need to have their voices heard and appreciated. She is on the Carer Steering Group of tide (together in dementia everyday) and has helped co-produce a Handbook of support available for carers of those living with dementia in Northern Ireland. When asked why she wanted to join the Board of Dementia NI, Siobhan said; 'I am grabbing this opportunity to help raise the profile of those living with dementia, and what that life is like every day, the good and the bad. We need to change how people think about dementia and more importantly how those living with dementia are treated. I joined Dementia NI to help give something back and help bring about those changes. I'm doing this for my Dad, for me, and for all those out there who battle on every day. I hope that I can use my professional expertise in digital fundraising, community building and corporate sponsorship and engagement to grow Dementia NI to be a shining light for the way forward.