As CEO, Karen provides strategic leadership for All Ireland Institute of Hospice and Palliative Care (AIIHPC) including brokering relationships between the Institute’s 27 member organisations (universities, hospices, health and social care organisations and charities), funders and key stakeholders. Karen leads the Institute Team and oversees the delivery of the Institute’s Business Plan across education, research, policy and practice, service user and carer engagement and raising awareness. Karen also represents the Institute on key regional and national fora and contributes to palliative care policy and strategic discussions.

Karen has worked both in the UK and Ireland and has significant leadership and management experience in a range of sectors including housing, economic development and offender management. She was previously a Programme Manager within the Institute where she led on the education programme and the development of the Palliative Hub.