Fionnuala O’Donovan Profile

Fionnuala O’Donovan began her career in the disability sector working with National Council for the Blind Ireland (NCBI) in West Cork, where she experienced first hand the realities of living with a disability in rural Ireland. At this early point she understood the importance of developing local services together and the principle of working in partnership to improve the services provided to the end user. 

Later Fionnuala worked throughout Munster and then in senior management positions in Dublin, always remaining in the disability sector. She was instrumental in developing services, integrating services into local communities and fostering a strong partnership with the HSE and other State agencies.

Fionnuala joined Enable Ireland in December 2001 as Chief Executive. Since joining, with the assistance of the management team and staff Fionnuala has presided over a period of growth and development for the organisation. New children’s and adults centres have been built and services have been extended into the communities. She maintains a continued focus on the long term development of the organisation in line with the needs of service users.

Under her leadership the organisation has adopted a rigorous approach to continuous improvement. This has brought with it a focus on quality, innovation, collaboration and personal responsibility of each employee to play a role in achieving Enable Ireland’s mission. Fionnuala attributes much of Enable Ireland’s ability to consistently improve the quality of services through the commitment and professionalism of Enable Ireland staff.

Born in Waterford, Fionnuala has had a lifelong interest in the disability sector. She has a masters degree from University College Cork and has completed further disability related studies in Leeds and business studies in DCU. She has a deep sense of social justice and recognition that we all have a responsibility to stand up for the more vulnerable people in our society and to make a positive contribution to society.