About Us

Our Management Team & Staff

Our operating model consists of a small management and staff complement, with over 400 trained Volunteers delivering our support services and c. 50 Training Partners contracted on a sessional basis to deliver our suite of education programmes. 

Our small but effective staff team of 17 (11 full-time and 6 part-time) hold the relevant professional competencies and skills required to ensure the organisation and its services operate effectively, professionally and in line with clinical best practice. 

The CEO’s salary was €97,850 in 2022, to include pension contributions. The breakdown of management and staff salaries is provided in our Financial Statements each year.

Dominic Layden
Chief Executive Officer | dominic.layden@aware.ie
Prior to joining Aware, Dominic held senior executive roles in the UK, USA and Ireland and has also run his own restructuring and turnaround advisory business. He is former Country Manager for Motorola Ireland and a former Vice President and General Manager for a global networks division with Motorola based in the USA. He was also a former Chief Executive for Meridian Ltd and has served on numerous boards of directors. He has a B.Sc. in Management from Trinity College.
Dr Susan Brannick
Senior Management Team | Clinical Director | susan.brannick@aware.ie
Susan is a Clinical Psychologist with several years’ experience of service development and innovation as well as offering psychological consultation and training to health and community organisations. She is passionate about tackling stigma in mental health and understanding how the socio-political context that people live within may impact on psychological difficulties including depression and bipolar disorder. She is dedicated to the provision of effective, equitable and accessible services to people living with mental health difficulties. Susan holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Surrey and a MSc in Neuroscience from Kings College London.
Stephen McBride
Senior Management Team | Director of Services | stephen.mcbride@aware.ie
Stephen is a chartered counselling psychologist and group psychotherapist accredited with these relevant professional bodies. He has a breadth of experience operationally leading teams and working as a psychotherapist in the health service and charity sector. He is passionate about the development and delivery of excellent support, education and information services for people experiencing depression, bipolar disorder and other mood related conditions. Stephen holds a MSc Counselling Psychology and MSc Group Analytic Psychotherapy.
Stephen Butterly
Senior Management Team | Head of Fundraising and Business Development | stephen.butterly@aware.ie
Stephen has held senior roles in a variety of industries in Ireland. He was Head of Sales with Sky TV for several years, and most recently held the role of Head of Operations with Hickey’s Pharmacy. Stephen brings extensive experience of business development, marketing and operational management to Aware. He holds a BA in Economics from Trinity College.
Jamie Good
Senior Management Team | Head of Communications | jamie.good@aware.ie
Prior to joining Aware in 2017, Jamie spent 11 years working in PR agencies managing a diverse portfolio of clients across the consumer, technology, corporate and charity sectors. She holds a BA Hons in Psychology from NUI Galway, a Diploma from the Public Relations Institute of Ireland and a Diploma in Project Management from UCD Professional Academy.
Siobhan O'Mara
Digital Marketing Manager | siobhan.omara@aware.ie
Siobhan joined Aware in 2023 after 7 years working in Marketing and Communications roles in the not-for-profit sector in Amnesty International Ireland and The Irish Cancer Society. She holds a BA Hons in Contemporary Culture and Society from DCU, a diploma in TV and Film Production and Photography, and is a Certified Digital Marketing Professional with The Digital Marketing Institute. Siobhan is also a qualified Yoga teacher and has been teaching Yoga, meditation, and mindfulness for over 10 years.
Miriam Ryan
Corporate & Foundation Fundraising Manager | miriam.ryan@aware.ie
Miriam joined Aware in 2023 after more than 15 years working in Communications and TV in Ireland and the UK, much of which has been in the health space. She’s produced TV series for BBC, C5, C4, E4 and E!, including Channel 5’s flagship series GPs: Behind Closed Doors. Other career highlights include managing PR for the launch of Ireland’s first children’s hospice, LauraLynn House; PR and marketing for the no. 1 Irish best-selling book What Every Woman Needs to Know About Her Gut and leading fundraising and advocacy campaigns for clients. Miriam has a BA in Communication Studies and an MA in Public Affairs and Political Communication.
Karen Bergin
Senior Management Team | Online Services Manager | karen.bergin@aware.ie
Karen joined the Aware team in spring 2017. Karen holds a BA from Maynooth University and Masters in Sustainable Rural Development from UCD, as well as in Cyberpsychology from IADT Dun Laoghaire. She enjoys the varied nature of the work at Aware, given our small team and is passionate about mental health. She previously volunteered with Aware for a number of years on the Support Group service, before moving to work in the charity sector. She is currently undertaking a BSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Drew Flood
Business Development Manager | drew.flood@aware.ie
Drew joined Aware in summer 2014 and actively seeks new opportunities for Aware to partner with companies on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and corporate partnerships. With a background in the hospitality sector, Drew came to Aware following a hugely enjoyable 17 years with The K Club. He is passionate about Aware’s work, particularly the positive mental health programmes which deliver wellbeing and resilience skills to students and employees across Ireland.
Dee Lynch
Recruitment and Training Manager | dee.lynch@aware.ie
Dee is responsible for the training and development of existing and new Contract Trainers, a post that she started in November 2015. Prior to this, for a number of years, Dee was delivering the Life Skills Programme for adults and also in secondary schools for young people as well as Wellness@Work training for a variety of corporate clients. She is passionate about training and really enjoys interacting with Contractors to help them achieve a high and consistent quality of training aimed at helping people experiencing, and/or effected by depression, make a real difference to their lives. Dee finds her role extremely rewarding.
Rosemary Carvill
Support & Self Care Group Manager | rosemary.carvill@aware.ie
Rosemary has worked with Aware since 2012. As the National Coordinator for Support Groups, she is involved with the recruitment, training and support of volunteers who facilitate Aware’s nationwide groups. She formerly worked with Business in the Community, The Sunday Tribune and worked in the UK. Rosemary has a Bachelor of Business Studies from UCD.
Leah O'Brien
Education and Online Services Manager | leah.obrien@aware.ie
Leah joined the Aware team in December 2017, where she is responsible for the operational management of the educational programmes in Aware. Prior to her time in Aware she has worked in both Ireland and Australia in the Events Industry. She originally studied Business and Marketing in TU Dublin and while in Australia completed a Diploma in Event Management in the Fitzwilliam Institute in Perth WA.
Lauren Smith
Support Line Manager | lauren.smith@aware.ie
Lauren proudly joined the Aware team in 2022. She volunteered as an Aware Support and Self Care Group facilitator since 2019 and as a Life Skills Online supporter. Lauren is completing her BA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at DBS and holds a diploma in Counselling Studies. She has completed 200 hours of Yoga and Meditation teacher training in India and brings a passion for self-care, emotional wellbeing and resilience. She has worked in telecoms, customer care and radio. Lauren is passionate about emotional health and supporting volunteers in delivering support, education and information while caring for and nurturing their own wellbeing.
Amanda Vaughan
Recruitment, Learning & Development Manager | amanda.vaughan@aware.ie
Amanda joined Aware in 2022 and is involved with the recruitment, training and development of our fantastic volunteers who deliver Aware’s nationwide support services. She has formerly worked in a variety of learning and development roles within consultancy, retail, pharmaceutical and most recently healthcare, with the LauraLynn Children’s Hospice. She has a Masters in French and English from Trinity College Dublin and a Masters in Learning and Teaching from the National College of Ireland.
Elisha Kenny
Accounts Administrator | elisha.kenny@aware.ie
Elisha joined the Aware Team in 2005 as the Accounts Administrator with responsibility for the day to day accounting function, independently audited each year. Prior to Aware, Elisha worked in the corporate sector in the same capacity for 10 years. Outside Aware she enjoys spending her free time with her 8 year old son who keeps her very active.
Cherie Hyland
Fundraiser Executive | cherie.hyland@aware.ie
Cherie joined the Aware team in July 2022 as Fundraising Executive, providing planning and logistical support to the fundraising team. Prior to Aware, Cherie has over 20 years’ experience working in the corporate sector with organisation such as IWP, State Street and Ardagh Group in senior administration roles. She is delighted to have the opportunity to work in an organisation such as Aware.

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