Circle VHA Board
Circle VHA’s voluntary Board of Directors plays a vital role in guiding the organisation and supporting our vision to provide high-quality homes and services to people and communities across Ireland.
Board members bring significant experience from across the housing, finance, legal and governance sectors, helping to ensure
Circle VHA is well governed, financially sustainable and strategically focused for the future.
The Board is responsible for overseeing the organisation’s strategy, performance and governance, while supporting strong leadership and accountability throughout the organisation. Directors are volunteers who receive no fees or remuneration from Circle VHA.
The Board meets regularly throughout the year to oversee organisational performance and strategic priorities.
Current Board:
Chair of Board
John O’Connor
Chair of the Board, Board Member
John O’Connor has over 30 years experienced in the Irish housing and construction sectors. He has significant experience in policy development and implementation in relation to social, cost rental and affordable housing. He was the CEO of The Housing Agency and prior to that CEO of the Affordable Homes Partnership; and Executive Manager of the Housing & Communities Department in Dublin City Council. He worked in the construction and manufacturing sectors before moving to the public sector. He holds degrees in both civil and structural engineering along with qualifications in project management and organisational governance. He chaired the Housing Commission and is the chair of the Pyrite Resolution Board
John O’Connor has over 30 years experienced in the Irish housing and construction sectors. He has significant experience in policy development and implementation in relation to social, cost rental and affordable housing. He was the CEO of The Housing Agency and prior to that CEO of the Affordable Homes Partnership; and Executive Manager of the Housing & Communities Department in Dublin City Council. He worked in the construction and manufacturing sectors before moving to the public sector. He holds degrees in both civil and structural engineering along with qualifications in project management and organisational governance. He chaired the Housing Commission and is the chair of the Pyrite Resolution Board.
Director
Richard McDonagh
Director
Richard is a Vice President with Realstar Group, where he is responsible for acquisitions, asset management, and financings in Ireland. Prior to joining Realstar Group, he worked with Bain Capital where he focused on investments in real estate or real estate backed opportunities. Richard holds a B. Comm from University College Dublin.
Richard is a Vice President with Realstar Group, where he is responsible for acquisitions, asset management, and financings in Ireland. Prior to joining Realstar Group, he worked with Bain Capital where he focused on investments in real estate or real estate backed opportunities. Richard holds a B. Comm from University College Dublin.
Director
Sheenagh McNally
Director
Sheenagh recently retired from her role as Head of Corporate Services at Supporting Communities NI, an Independent Charity dedicated to championing tenant and community participation. Throughout her career Sheenagh has garnered a wealth of experience in housing management, community development and tenant engagement. She was the principal architect in the design, development and implementation of Irelands Tenant Participation Standards Accreditation, a forensic examination of a landlords’ engagement practices. Sheenagh has over 35 years’ experience and holds a BSc Honours degree in Social Policy & Housing Studies from University of Ulster.
Sheenagh recently retired from her role as Head of Corporate Services at Supporting Communities NI, an Independent Charity dedicated to championing tenant and community participation. Throughout her career Sheenagh has garnered a wealth of experience in housing management, community development and tenant engagement. She was the principal architect in the design, development and implementation of Irelands Tenant Participation Standards Accreditation, a forensic examination of a landlords’ engagement practices. Sheenagh has over 35 years’ experience and holds a BSc Honours degree in Social Policy & Housing Studies from University of Ulster.
Director
Todaishe Mangwiza
Todaishe is a Senior Consultant at KPMG Ireland in the Financial Performance and Transformation practice, with over 7 years of experience in compliance, data analysis, and process improvement. He advises corporate clients on enhancing processes to align with strategic goals and manage risk. He is the chairperson of the KPMG Multicultural Network, where he champions diversity and inclusion initiatives.
His expertise spans external audit management and process improvement across diverse industries, including Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, FMCG, Aircraft Leasing, and Agriculture. Prior to KPMG, he worked as an external audit consultant with a Big Four firm in Ireland and gained additional experience in the US and Zimbabwe.
Todaishe holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and is a qualified accountant, with interests that include hiking, tennis, and basketball
Todaishe is a Senior Consultant at KPMG Ireland in the Financial Performance and Transformation practice, with over 7 years of experience in compliance, data analysis, and process improvement. He advises corporate clients on enhancing processes to align with strategic goals and manage risk. He is the chairperson of the KPMG Multicultural Network, where he champions diversity and inclusion initiatives. His expertise spans external audit management and process improvement across diverse industries, including Pharmaceuticals, Manufacturing, FMCG, Aircraft Leasing, and Agriculture. Prior to KPMG, he worked as an external audit consultant with a Big Four firm in Ireland and gained additional experience in the US and Zimbabwe.
Director
Breege-Anne Murphy
Director
Breege-Anne Murphy is a solicitor with over 14 years post qualification experience working in the not for profit sector, specialising in financial services, regulatory and corporate law. She began her legal career with the Legal Aid Board and subsequently with the Irish League of Credit Unions where she held the position of Head of Legal & HR for eight years. She holds a degree in Law and European Studies from the University of Limerick and a Law Society Diploma in In House Practice.
Breege-Anne Murphy is a solicitor with over 14 years post qualification experience working in the not for profit sector, specialising in financial services, regulatory and corporate law. She began her legal career with the Legal Aid Board and subsequently with the Irish League of Credit Unions where she held the position of Head of Legal & HR for eight years. She holds a degree in Law and European Studies from the University of Limerick and a Law Society Diploma in In House Practice.
Director
Keith Gillmor
Director
Keith Gillmor is an experienced finance professional. Keith has worked in domestic and international corporate and asset-backed lending roles with KBC Bank and with Bank of Ireland. Keith currently works at KBC Fund Management Ltd in Dublin where he is responsible for portfolio management of global fixed income and equity funds.
Keith Gillmor is an experienced finance professional. Keith has worked in domestic and international corporate and asset-backed lending roles with KBC Bank and with Bank of Ireland. Keith currently works at KBC Fund Management Ltd in Dublin where he is responsible for portfolio management of global fixed income and equity funds.
Director
Damian Kennedy
Director
Damian Kennedy is an experienced Finance Director/CFO. His focus is on core finance operations, reporting, turnarounds, ERPs implementations etc., having led large teams in Mars Ireland, Applegreen and Primeline Logistics. He qualified as a chartered accountant, while working as a consultant in KPMG Management Consulting, and holds a B. Comm. and Masters in Management Science. He is the Membership Manager of CAIM, the Interim Managers group of Chartered Accountants Ireland and an active networker/ facilitator.
Damian Kennedy is an experienced Finance Director/CFO. His focus is on core finance operations, reporting, turnarounds, ERPs implementations etc., having led large teams in Mars Ireland, Applegreen and Primeline Logistics. He qualified as a chartered accountant, while working as a consultant in KPMG Management Consulting, and holds a B. Comm. and Masters in Management Science. He is the Membership Manager of CAIM, the Interim Managers group of Chartered Accountants Ireland and an active networker/ facilitator.
Director
John Deegan
Director
John has over 35 years’ experience in the commercial and residential construction industry. He is Founder and CEO of DC Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical Contractors 1988-2006). Currently, John is the managing director of construction and fit out company DC Contracts Ltd.
John holds a MBS in Business Practice from UCC as well as Diplomas in Leadership and International Business from the IMI. John is also a qualified executive coach.
John has over 35 years’ experience in the commercial and residential construction industry. He is Founder and CEO of DC Engineering (Mechanical and Electrical Contractors 1988-2006). Currently, John is the managing director of construction and fit out company DC Contracts Ltd. John holds a MBS in Business Practice from UCC as well as Diplomas in Leadership and International Business from the IMI. John is also a qualified executive coach.