The Board of Directors oversee the strategic direction and good corporate governance of HUGG. Our dedicated, expert Board Members ensure that HUGG, its practices and volunteers comply with all requirements under the relevant legislation, giving our members and funders the reassurance that the charity is being managed effectively and sustainably.

Each Board Member is voluntary and agrees to the Code of Conduct for Trustees. To learn more about our governance, please visit our Policies page. Board meetings take place 8 times a year with a number of subcommittees set up to address specific areas. All committees have written terms of reference.

Tom Rourke

Chairperson

Tom was appointed Chairperson of HUGG in March 2023. He has had a long career in ICT, Financial Services and Education and is currently Vice President and Global Leader for Kyndryl Vital. Tom’s experience as a non-executive director in the non for profit sector includes a number of years on the board of Unicef Ireland and as Chairman of Fast Track to Information Technology (FIT) Ltd. Tom is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, the UCD Smurfit School of Business as well as holding a Certificate in Executive Leadership from Cornell University

Catherine Brogan

Catherine has an established track record of formulating, implementing and refining strategy, coproducing and delivering training programmes, adept at event organisation as well as managing the professional development of staff. In 2001, in a voluntary capacity, Catherine co-founded and co-ordinates Turas Le Cheile which provides compassionate support for those bereaved, including those bereaved by suicide, and the provision of Psychological First Aid to communities in the aftermath of tragic incidents. Catherine is also a Director of Alcohol Action Ireland.  Among Catherine’s portfolio are qualifications in nursing, project management, events management, executive coaching, QQI in Training, Delivery, Evaluation, Certification in Charity Law, Governance, and Trusteeship with the Law Society.

Ronnie O’Toole

Ronnie is an independent economist with a strong interest in applied policy implementation.

His particular research focus is education and training, labour market economics and strategy and performance in the non-for-profit sector. He has a Ph.D. in Economics from Trinity College Dublin, is a Partner of Indecon Economic Consultants, and previously worked as Chief Economist of Danske Bank in Ireland. He also served as Honorary Economist to the Irish Exporters Association from 2017 until 2023.

Laura McDonnell

Laura has over 15 years of marketing experience, encompassing digital marketing, brand building, PR and communications, international marketing and stakeholder relationship management. She has a strong track record of building brands, most notably Keelings, Bewley’s and as the head of a global marketing department for the Irish sports apparel business, Horseware Ireland. She holds a Masters in Marketing and is a Member of the Marketing Institute in Ireland.

Úna Moore

Úna joined the HUGG Board in December 2022. Úna has worked for many years in the areas of medicine regulation, with a focus in biological medicines,  and is currently the Pharmaceutical Assessment Manager of the Health Product Authorisation and Registration department in the Health Products Regulation Authority. Prior to this Úna actively worked in Research and Development, with the aim of identifying new therapeutics in the treatment of atherosclerosis.  Úna is a science graduate of Trinity College Dublin and has a Ph.D. in Medicinal Biochemistry awarded from University College Dublin in conjunction with the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin. She also holds a certificate in Leadership Development certified by the Institute of Leadership and Management, Staffordshire, UK, and a Higher Diploma in Education awarded from Trinity College Dublin.

David Varian

David is a Business Studies graduate of Trinity College Dublin and a Chartered Accountant. He has over thirty years of financial experience in the industry. David sits on several Boards as a Non-Executive Director, typically heading up the Finance committee and/or the Remuneration Committee. After some full-time CFO roles in his early career, in 2002 he established his own Interim Financial Control and General Financial Consultancy business. He has a breadth of experience in dealing with the financial function of many companies. He typically works closely with owner managers & senior management and in the course of this business, he has spent much time implementing financial control, financial reporting, and financial systems while assessing the key business success factors that affect start-up and high-growth companies.

Victoria Groome

Joining the HUGG board in September 2023, Victoria has over two decades of experience across several industries and major Irish brands. Currently serving as a senior executive in the retail energy industry, working across multiple geographies to successfully drive strategy development and implementation, brand strength, and new growth opportunities, Victoria marries her commercial experience with the lived experience of suicide bereavement to bring a unique perspective to the HUGG Board.