Our Team

…Derek inspires and uplifts people from all walks of life. In 2012, Derek was honoured as International Humanitarian of the Year by Variety International the Children’s Charity and many other humanitarian awards followed. CEO of many companies and founder of Creacon Wellness Retreat Centre in Wexford, Ireland, Derek continues to be of service to all walks of life in many facets of society.

…through his time as head of commercial, marketing and account management with the Dublin Chamber of Commerce. He has qualifications in marketing, business management and project management and has built a knowledge around GDPR and best business practice for database management, as both a data protection officer and a project manager.

…in Ireland, Leeds University, and Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital. Marianne is Currently a Disability Advocate, Board Director, Assoc. Med-Legal Society. Independent Consultant and has twenty years experience advocating for Autism and severe Intellectual disability with experience in compliance in relation to safe delivery to our most vulnerable cohort of people with Intellectual disability. Professional Qualifications: MSc. Law, MSc. Ethics, Fellow FFNMRCSI, BSc. (Healthcare Mgt.), HDip. Nursing, RGN, Hdip. (Psychology), HDip, (Counselling), Dip (ICC), Clinical Associate (Hon)FNMRCSI.

…with Accord and experienced in project management – having worked on projects and events with Irish and international charities and travelled extensively as part of her representative role.

…of their local national school. Sean has an engineering background works in communications and corporate affairs, he is currently working on environmental projects that focus on improving water quality, biodiversity and climate action. The projects that Sean has developed and implemented have been recognised nationally and internationally.

…by families and was delighted to be asked to join Variety in the role of Treasurer.

…Dr Jolanta is a vital team member of Variety Ireland who is working with Variety to develop several well-being and research programmes to help improve the lives of children and families living with various types of disabilities in Ireland. Jolanta is an Assistant Professor and researcher in the Department of Education at Maynooth University in Ireland who lectures in topics such as wellbeing, positive education, positive leadership and research. Jolanta works mainly with students completing their Masters, Ph.D. or Doctorate degrees. Dr Jolanta loves writing and has contributed to various academic journals, professional magazines, and other media. She is the current editor-in-chief for the Journal of Positive School Psychology and serves as a peer-reviewer of other academic journals. As well as her work with Variety Ireland, Jolanta is very passionate about research and loves collaborating with colleagues worldwide on various projects associated with wellbeing and leadership in schools. For her work on wellbeing, Jolanta has been acknowledged by the Irish Times as one of 30 people who make Ireland a better place.

… fund-raiser and event organiser. Rachelle in 2021 also returns to the Variety International Board as a Director and Chair of Variety International Children’s Fund. Previously Rachelle served as a Variety International Board Director from 2013-2015 and Variety International Young Variety Ambassador from 2010-2013. A Troubleshooter and Business Transformation Leader across Sales, Marketing, Operations and Technology with experience in corporate, consumer and investment banking. Rachelle has an extensive global network and has worked across the UK and Asia, and lived and worked in USA working for major finance houses including Citi, GE Capital and Barclays. Rachelle has an Executive MBA from Henley Business School UK. Regarded in General Electric as “GE Top Talent” she was selected to join a class of 120 from over 300,000 global employees to participate in GE’s premier global sales and marketing experienced commercial leadership development program.

…fundraising initiatives and awareness campaigns that has become a voice for all the children and families from disadvantaged backgrounds that Variety help here in Ireland.

…has been involved in developing new strategies and projects. Sharon has over 20 years experience in the IT industry, having previously managed an IT company. Sharon now runs her own business and is a proud mum of three.