Team category

Class of 2027

Cllr Ciarán McQuillan

Sinn Féin Councillor, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council
Ciarán McQuillan is a Sinn Féin Councillor representing the Ballymoney DEA and has served his local community for over four years. Originally from Dunloy, Ciarán has been actively involved in the GAA throughout his life, developing a strong commitment to community service, teamwork, and leadership. At just 22, he became the youngest Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, a role in which he championed local engagement and inclusion. Passionate about strengthening democracy, Ciarán is committed to encouraging more young people to participate in politics and ensuring their voices are heard in shaping the future of their communities.

Colm McKeown

Strategic Transformation Manager, NIE Networks
Colm McKeown is a Strategic Transformation Manager at NIE Networks, where he leads initiatives focused on resilience, innovation, and preparing communities and critical infrastructure for future challenges. Having spent nearly two decades in the electricity sector, Colm brings experience in engineering, operations, programme delivery, and strategic leadership. He is particularly interested in how collaboration, technology, and community engagement can help create more resilient and inclusive societies. Outside work, Colm enjoys cycling, running, and volunteering as a coach with his son’s football team, helping young people develop skills, confidence, and a strong sense of teamwork.

Sinead McIldowney

District Commander, Derry City and Strabane, PSNI

Growing up in West Belfast during a period of profound change inspired Sinead McIldowney’s lifelong commitment to public service and leadership. Sinead has spent more than two decades leading complex policing, organisational, and community challenges across Northern Ireland. An authentic, strategic, and values-driven leader, she is recognised for building trusted partnerships, leading organisational change, and strengthening public confidence. Passionate about bringing people together across organisational and community boundaries, Sinead is committed to helping Northern Ireland navigate complexity and build a stronger future. She believes leadership is about creating the conditions in which people with different experiences and perspectives can work together to deliver lasting, positive change for society.

Victoria Magreehan

Head of Advocacy and Communications, National Trust NI
Victoria Magreehan is the National Trust’s Head of Advocacy and Communications for Northern Ireland. As part of the charity’s country leadership team, Victoria works collaboratively to influence change and inspire more people to care for nature and heritage. With more than twenty years’ experience in the environment sector, she has worked on issues including nature recovery, climate adaptation, environmental governance, and coastal conservation. A board member of Northern Ireland Environment Link, Victoria also serves on Climate NI’s Steering Group. She believes everyone should have the opportunity to benefit from nature and green space, regardless of where they live.

Séamas Mac Eochaidh

Education Manager, Gael Linn
Séamas Mac Eochaidh is Education Manager with Gael Linn. Séamas leads the organisation’s work in educational policy and manages Scoil Spreagtha, the largest initiative for the teaching of a second language at the primary level in NI. He is passionate about improving educational opportunities for all pupils through evidence-informed policy, stakeholder engagement, and educational innovation. Séamas believes that both education and language have a central role to play in creating a more reconciled society. Formerly an Irish-medium primary teacher, he has also published multiple books promoting independent reading through the medium of Irish.

Dr Clare Kettle

Head of Strategy and Transformation, Queen's University Belfast
Dr Clare Kettle has built her career leading strategy, transformation, and organisational improvement across government, higher education, and multinational organisations. Clare is passionate about collaborative leadership, organisational performance, public service improvement, and bringing people together to solve complex challenges. She is Head of Strategy and Transformation at Queen’s University Belfast and was previously an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company. Clare also founded and chaired TanzaniAID, a charity delivering education and infrastructure initiatives in Tanzania. She holds a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University Belfast and a Postgraduate Certificate in Innovation & Entrepreneurship from Trinity College Dublin.

Carol Jordan

Content Editor, UTV
Carol Jordan is an award-winning journalist with over two decades of experience across international, national, and regional broadcasting. Based in Belfast, Carol works at UTV where she produces original journalism for all platforms as well as hosting a positive news podcast. She’s been involved in projects such as the Camera in Courts and is contributing to a pilot involving media access to family courts. A former CNN Producer/Editor, Carol believes local media is a cornerstone of a democratic society and is interested in the areas of information governance and the protection of independent local journalism.

Jonathan Herron

Research and Communications Officer, DUP

Jonathan Herron is a Research and Communications Officer for DUP Newry and Armagh MLA, Gareth Wilson. Originally from just outside Markethill, County Armagh, Jonathan studied Media Studies and later completed a Master’s in Journalism with Distinction at Ulster University. His career has spanned roles in journalism, communications, and audience engagement, including work with the BBC and local media. Since moving into politics in 2023, Jonathan has supported both Stephen Dunne MLA and Gareth Wilson MLA in research and communications roles. He is delighted to join the Fellowship Programme and looks forward to learning from and collaborating with leaders from across Northern Ireland.

Rebecca Harper

Campaigns and Membership Manager, SDLP
Rebecca Harper co-founded Melted Parents NI, a grassroots movement of over 20,000 parents that drove the Northern Ireland Childcare Subsidy Scheme, which has saved parents over £25 million since its launch. Seeing grassroots campaigning deliver real change accidentally drew her into politics, and she now serves as Campaigns and Membership Manager at the SDLP. Rebecca has fourteen years of experience across the charity, voluntary, and political sectors. A mum of two girls, she is driven to build a Northern Ireland with real gender equality and an end to violence against women and girls.

Cllr Córa Groogan

Sinn Féin Councillor, Mid Ulster District Council
Córa Groogan from Ballinascreen was elected to Mid Ulster District Council in 2019 for the Carntogher DEA and has previously been Council Chair. Córa is a long-time Sinn Féin activist. She studied Modern History and Politics and has worked in various roles within Sinn Féin, advocating on welfare advice, housing, roads, and rights. Córa is passionate about her local community and is a member of An Ráth Dubh committee, Ballinascreen Community Forum, and Chair of Moneyneena in Bloom. A strong campaigner, Córa works to ensure a brighter future for everyone, which she believes can only be fully achieved with Irish unity.