Mr. Patrick McDermott - Chief Executive

Telephone: (353 1) 700 5467
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: patrick.mcdermott@dcu.ie

Patrick McDermott was named Chief Executive Officer of the Dublin City University Educational Trust by the Board of Trustees and the President in October 2002. In this role, Patrick has overhauled and re-developed the Trust, DCU 's philanthropic foundation and alumni office. During his tenure, the DCU Educational Trust has grown and strengthened its Board of Trustees while establishing strategic priorities and evaluating the role of the foundation on campus. In conjunction with the Trust team, Patrick has led the implementation of an alumni giving programme, a major gift structure, a donor recognition society, a legacy initiative, and a comprehensive endowment strategy. Patrick joined the Trust in September 2001 as Special Adviser to the President. In this capacity, his primary responsibilities were in building international partnerships and strategic alliances with other institutions of higher education, multinational corporations, philanthropic organisations, and institutions interested in innovative practices in higher education.

Prior to joining DCU , Patrick served as White House Liaison and Trip Director for United States Secretary of Education, Mr. Richard W. Riley. As a member of the Secretary's Senior Staff, Patrick worked on a variety of educational issues and policies. He helped recruit and manage hundreds of Clinton Administration appointees at the US Department of Education and oversaw appointments to over thirty federal Boards and Commissions. In addition, Patrick was responsible for Secretary Riley's visits to schools and campuses across America and around the world, promoting excellence in education and building community partnerships for the betterment of public education. Patrick earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from Washington and Lee University , where he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award from the faculty for his ‘genuine and disinterested service to others.'

Ms. Orla Holmes

Telephone: (353 1) 700 5467
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: orla.holmes@dcu.ie

Orla Holmes joined the Educational Trust in 2001.  As Director of Operations, Orla manages the day-to-day operations of the financial, administration and the Alumni Relations team and is responsible for the co-ordination and management of all donor recognition undertakings, speaker series, fundraising briefings and special events. Orla oversees all interaction with the DCUET Board of Trustees including the management of quarterly board meetings, board material circulation and recording and the annual board retreat. The Director of Operations manages the Human Resources of the Trust and advises the Chief Executive on all HR matters and policies.  The Director of Operations is a member of the DCUET management team and works closely with the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Development. Prior to joining the Trust, Orla worked within the corporate sector in various sales and marketing capacities. Notably, Orla co-ordinated the recruitment and supervision of a marketing and telesales team for a leading storage solutions provider, playing an important part in developing the company's marketing and sales strategies. Orla holds qualifications in Administration and Computer Applications.

Ms.Catherine Brady

Telephone: (353 1) 700 7726
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: catherine.brady@dcu.ie

Catherine Brady joined the DCU Educational Trust in April 2004. As Director of Development, Catherine serves as counsel to the Chief Executive regarding development related projects within the DCU Educational Trust and is responsible for coordinating the work of the Development Team. Catherine, along with the Chief Executive and the Director of Operations, helps to develop and maintain quality relationships with key individuals within the university with the aim of creating a more aligned culture of advancement within DCU. She also works with Chief Executive to identify high-profile projects that underpin the strengths of the university and attract philanthropically- minded individuals and serves as project manager for a number of priority projects. Catherine develops and maintains high-level relationships with prospects and donors in support of the Trust’s priority projects. Prior to joining the DCU Educational Trust, Catherine held a number of senior positions in Eircom, including Brand Development Manager. She was also a key member of the management team responsible for the restructuring of Operating Services, and the introduction of Eircom’s 11811 national directory enquiries service. Catherine has been awarded qualifications in marketing by the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Ms. Emma Flynn

Telephone: (353 1) 700 8686
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: emma.flynn@dcu.ie

Emma Flynn joined the Educational Trust in June 2007. As Alumni Relations Officer, Emma is responsible for developing relationships with alumni, designing an annual programme of events for alumni to take part in and fostering life-long relationships between the University and its 35,000 or more Alumni. As part of her role within the Educational Trust, Emma also develops Alumni Giving through the DCU Annual Fund Telethon held bi-annually. Emma graduated from DCU with a Bachelor of Business Studies (honours) Degree specialising in Human Resource Management and also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Event Management & PR from the Fitzwilliam Institute.

Ms. Claire Whelehan-Pettibone

Telephone: (353 1) 700 8639
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: claire.whelehan@dcu.ie

Claire Whelehan joined the DCU Educational Trust as a Development Officer in September 2005, where her role is to develop and maintain a portfolio of alumni, individual, and corporate donors. Claire has 6 years of experience in development and alumni relations, within higher education. Claire came to DCU from The Roxbury Latin School in the United States, where she was Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. Prior to that Claire worked as a Development Assistant at the Harvard College Fund. Claire originally hails from Dundalk and holds a BA Degree in Hotel and Tourism Management from the University of Ulster.

Mr. Tom Connor

Telephone: (353 1) 700 8369
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: tom.connor@dcu.ie

Tom Connor joined the DCU Educational Trust as Finance Officer in October 2010. Tom works with the Chief Executive and Director of Operations on maintaining the Trust’s finances. He produces reports for review for bi-monthly budget and expenditure meetings and liaises with the DCU Finance Office, Trustees, Trust Finance Committee Chair, external Accountants and Donors to maintain accurate accounts. Tom has worked for many years in similar positions in the Private Sector and is a qualified Accounting Technician.

Ms. Celine Nic Oireachtaigh

Telephone: (353 1) 700 8689
Fax: (353 1) 700 5651
Email: celine.nicoireachtaigh@dcu.ie

Celine NicOireachtaigh joined the Educational Trust in December 2010 as Alumni Relations Officer, where her role is to foster life-long relationships between DCU and its 35,000+ Alumni. As part of the Alumni Relations Team, Celine is responsible for developing relationships with alumni and implementing an annual programme of events in which alumni can participate. Celine has over six years journalistic and communications experience and came to DCU from Wicklow County Tourism, where she worked as Press & Marketing Officer. Prior to that Celine worked as Reporter with the Wicklow Times and Broadcast Journalist with Dublin’s Q102. Celine graduated from DCU in 2005 with a BA Degree (honours) in Journalism.