Meet Our Team
We are a small team of dedicated and committed professionals, who are here to help make a difference.
Please feel free to contact any of us or call the office to talk directly +353(0)21 435 8800 Ext. 204.
Gerry O'Connor
Chairperson, Board of Directors
Gerry is a member of the Redemptorist Congregation.
Gerry completed assignments working with GOAL in Sudan, Angola, Rwanda and Ethiopia. Worked in the state of Piaui, in the northeast of Brazil with the Redemporists between 1995-1997. Former member of the Advisory Board to Irish Aid. Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Department of Foreign Affairs from 2004 to 2009
After which Gerry become Chairperson of Saint Ultans education and childcare project in Cherry Orchard, Dublin. Director of the Regeneration Board for Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10. Faculty member of the Youth Studies Ministry Programme. Actively involved in parish work and community development work in Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10
Board member of Aidlink. Over the years, Gerry has also lead several groups to Brazil, the Philippines, South Africa and Mozambique.
Contact Gerry: gerry@serve.ie
John McCarthy
John is responsible for the management of the SERVE Development Programmes ((SDP) and a 3 year Irish Aid programme with Young Africa Zimbabwe and Mozambique, focused on building their ability to offer holistic training to young people. He also works with Young Africa to expand their model in southern Africa.
John also manages the following Development Programmes;
Mavambo Trust project for Dublin Province of Redemptorists in Zimbabwe
APD Disability Awareness Programme in India
The Tapologo HIV/AIDS Programme for Dublin Province of Redemptorists in South Africa
The Tsholofelo Community Skills Programme for the De La Salle Brothers in South Africa
Liaising with SERVE’s partners on funding, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and strategic planning issues.
Undertakes monitoring and planning visits to partners in India, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
MA in International Relations, University College Cork, 2005
SERVE Volunteer Programme leader in India from 2009 to 2012.
Contact John: john@serve.ie
Nicola Fitzpatrick
Programmes and Administration Manager
Nicola is responsible for ensuring the future development and sustainability of SERVE. She oversees the successful running of volunteer programmes, fundraising events, and future initiatives. She also ensures that legislative requirements are met, and best practices and procedures are in place to ensure maximum efficiency and transparency for key stakeholders and the public. She is also responsible for the general management and ensuring the day-to-day running of the office in Cork including line management, finances, and reporting.
SERVE Garda Vetting Liaison OfficerSERVE Data Protection OfficerSERVE Safeguarding Designated Liaison PersonMember of the Dochas Safeguarding Working Group and Comhlamhs’ Code of Good Practice Network.
Contact Nicola: nicola@serve.ie
Joanna Dukkipati
Jo is responsible for SERVE’s overall brand recognition and day to day communications and marketing activities including fundraising campaigns, volunteer programmes, development education, oversees work with our partners and our development programmes. She also manages and creates content for our social media and newsletters.
Since 2008, Jo has worked for SERVE in different roles in Belfast, Zimbabwe and Cork. She was the Volunteer Programme leader in India in 2010 & 2011.
Jo has an MA in Public Relations.
Volunteer experience in India, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Ireland.
Contact Jo: joanna@serve.ie
Sophie Lyons
Sophie is responsible for the organising and planning of events, marketing and promotional materials and outreach efforts that help SERVE meet its fundraising goals. She oversees the successful running of fundraising events, and donation initiatives. She manages and maintains a good relationship with SERVE supporters and donators and represents the organisation during different appeals. She also ensures that best practices and procedures are in place to ensure maximum efficiency for key stakeholders and the public in relation to fundraising.
Sophie also helps in the organisation of GCE workshops for school, corporate and community group settings and will be involved with the school champions project that SERVE is doing to teach kids about the importance of the Sustainable development goals.
Sophie has an MA in Public Health.
Contact Sophie: sophie@serve.ie
Nollaig Hulme
This role is co-facilitated by our partner Young Africa, and is based at Young Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe.
This role fulfils duties for SERVE and Young Africa. Nollaig’s role supports the implementation of SERVE’s development programme with Young Africa, The Skills for Youth Resilience Programme (SYRP), which is being implemented in Zimbabwe and Mozambique, especially in the areas of Monitoring & Evaluation.
Nollaig has been a valued member of SERVE since her first volunteer project to Young Africa in Mozambique 2017. Since then, she has led a volunteer group to Vietnam, worked for SERVE as the GCE and Volunteer Coordinator, and mentored volunteers in our Think Global Act Local Programme (2022). Nollaig was also a key member of our European Solidarity Corps group who turned Scala into a Sustainable Youth Village for Cork City (2021).
Nollaig holds a Master’s in International Relations in UCC.
Volunteer experience in Mozambique, Vietnam and Ireland.
Contact Nollaig: nollaig.hulme@youngafrica.org
