Team category

Class of 2027

Dr Naomh Gallagher

Specialty Registrar in Public Health, Public Health Agency
Dr Naomh Gallagher is a Public Health Specialty Registrar with over a decade of experience in public health practice and epidemiology. Naomh’s current role spans all areas of public health, working with organisations including the UK Health Security Agency, the Department of Health, and the Institute of Public Health in Ireland. She holds a PhD and an MPH from Queen’s University Belfast and a BA (Hons) in Human Sciences from the University of Oxford. Naomh is a member of the UK Faculty of Public Health and has published extensively in epidemiology, vaccination, and health systems research. Naomh is a former Trustee of Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid.
Chris Flynn

Chris Flynn

Centre Director, The Junction Retail & Leisure Park
Chris Flynn is the Centre Director at The Junction Retail & Leisure Park in Antrim. Chris has been working at the scheme since November 2019. He is also Treasurer at Antrim Chamber and a Trustee for leading Belfast inclusive and accessible arts venue, The Black Box. Chris is passionate about supporting the arts, with The Junction hosting many singers, street artists, and even a drive-in pantomime over recent years. In his spare time, he enjoys travelling and running, with a 5 km race around Belfast Zoo his proudest achievement to date.
Niall Downey

Niall Downey

Managing Director, Framework Safety Group Ltd

Niall Downey qualified as a doctor from Trinity College, Dublin in 1993 and received his FRCSI in 1997. Niall was a trainee in cardio-thoracic surgery in both Dublin and Belfast and subsequently retrained as an airline pilot with Aer Lingus in 1999. He recently retired from Aer Lingus after twenty-seven years, having spent his final three years operating the Airbus A330 from their Manchester long-haul base. Niall now focuses on implementing an aviation Human Factors approach to industry through his company, Framework Safety Group Ltd. Niall published his first book, Oops! Why Things Go Wrong, in 2023.

Bethany Carson-Ferris

Cllr Bethany Carson-Ferris

Deputy Mayor, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council

Bethany Carson-Ferris currently serves as the Deputy Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. Bethany was elected to represent the Carrick Castle DEA in 2023 and has been active in local politics in a number of roles over the past fourteen years. She is a Public Affairs Manager for a leading veterans charity in the United Kingdom, specialising in public affairs and campaigns in Northern Ireland. Bethany is active in her community as a member of the boards of governors at two local schools and supports a range of projects across Northern Ireland, focusing on inclusion and Special Educational Needs.

Phil Carson

Phil Carson

Policy Director, SDLP
Phil Carson serves as the Director of Policy for the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) in Northern Ireland, where he leads the development of the party’s strategic policy objectives. In this role, Phil oversees the development of a policy agenda aimed at addressing key economic and social challenges. He plays a central role in shaping the legislative priorities and research output for the SDLP’s Westminster and Assembly representatives.
Elaine Campbell

Elaine Campbell

Director, Mencap NI
Elaine Campbell is Director of Mencap in Northern Ireland, supporting people with a learning disability to lead full and fulfilling lives. Before joining Mencap, Elaine held senior roles with Alzheimer’s Society, Barnardo’s, and the South-Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, leading innovative, award-winning programmes of service transformation, improvement, and development. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Birmingham and a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy from Indiana University. An experienced Trustee, she currently sits on the board of Advice NI. Elaine is passionate about creating connection, championing equity, sustaining impactful change, and finding glimmers of joy.
Martina Byrne

Martina Byrne

Chair, Clonduff Development Enterprise
Martina Byrne is a community leader and project manager with over fifteen years’ experience bringing people together to create positive change through community-led initiatives. As Chair of Clonduff Development Enterprise, Martina is leading the restoration of the former church in Hilltown into a vibrant community arts and heritage space. She also works at NICVA on InsightLink, a new cross-border programme supporting community organisations through collaboration, shared learning, and capacity building. Martina co-founded Hilltown’s The Gathering storytelling festival and Back from the Booley heritage festival. Outside work, she enjoys live music, set dancing, and pretending to love cold-water swimming.
Dearbhla Boyle

Dearbhla Boyle

Strategy Director, Big+Bold

Dearbhla Boyle is Strategy Director at Big+Bold, a Belfast-based creative studio with a global client base, working across strategy, branding, advertising, and design. Dearbhla holds an LLB in Law and an MSc in Business Management from Queen’s University Belfast, alongside qualifications in Marketing and Project Management. Her multidisciplinary perspective informs work across the private, public, and charity sectors, helping organisations navigate complexity, challenge established ways of thinking, and translate ambition into strategic direction. Dearbhla’s work sits at the intersection of leadership and creativity, with a particular interest in building trust, influencing behaviour, and challenging siloed ways of working to create lasting, measurable impact for communities.