Our People

Aoife joined the Board in April 2023. She is a qualified youth worker and is the Youth and Education Officer with the Irish Refugee Council, where she supports young people aged 16-25 who are seeking international protection in Ireland. Prior to joining IRC, Aoife worked with Nasc Ireland in Cork and with young people fleeing persecution in Thailand and Myanmar. Although Aoife is new to the KDYS Board, she has been involved with the organisation over the years, initially as a youth work placement student and more recently as a project partner, running an integration project for young women in Direct Provision. Aoife has an MA in International Education and Development, a PGDip in Youth Work and is currently undertaking a PhD in Social Science with UCC, where she is a 2023/2024 UCC Excellence Scholar. Aoife is passionate about supporting young people to realise their goals, access their rights and reach their full potential. 

Bernie Lenihan is a University Programme Director (profession specific), lecturer and practice placement coordinator of the Social Care Programme at Munster Technological University Kerry. Bernie’s qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care and an MA in Teaching and learning in Higher education. Bernie has a special interest in quality practice development and improving standards of training and education of Social Care students.

As Programme Director, she played a key role in the successful CORU accreditation of the Social Care programme at Munster Technological University Kerry. Bernie has over 17 years of experience in the Social Care sector including working with marginalised groups, children and families, including at management level. Bernie has expertise in strategic management, policy development, risk and change management to enable better outcomes for service users, their families and the wider community.

Having dedicated her life to education, volunteerism, community involvement, as well as Boards of Management. She has been an active and committed member of the organisation since 1986 and a member of the KDYS Board since 2009.

She graduated from the University of London with a B.Ed. in Mathematics. She holds a M.A. in Spirituality from Loyola University, Chicago, USA as well as a Professional Diploma in Psychotherapy and Supervision from the Irish Gestalt Institute.

A part time tutor and facilitator with Cork Social and Health Education since 1997,she is currently focusing on Reflective Practice training.

Having taught in England, Italy and Ireland, She supported young people and families in her role as School Chaplain and counsellor. She lectured on the M.A. in Chaplaincy in DCU and served as a member of the National Chaplaincy Executive for many years.

Arlene started her accountancy career in Ireland but has been fortunate enough to work and live in both the UK and the US, working with large multinationals to provide insight into key business drivers and results.

Following several years as an independent consultant delivering sales plans, business valuations and business transformation programs she returned to Kerry and currently leads a team responsible for the forecasting and planning cycles at Glanbia Nutritionals.

She is passionate about giving back and sharing knowledge , she is a first line judge in the Good Governance Awards, a mentor at work and treasurer of the employee resource group – Network of women.

She holds a degree in Accounting and Finance from Dublin City University, a Diploma in Business administration from Henley Management College and is a member of the Association of Chartered Management Accountants.