Executive Leadership Team

Helen Brophy

Position
Director General

Helen joined the IPA in October 2022 as Director General and working with the Institute’s Board, is responsible for setting direction for the Institute, leading the multi-disciplinary team in the fostering the development of best practice in public service management and the provision of innovative thinking and analysis through its research, conference and publications capacity.

Get in touch
Email
Telephone

Prof. Colette Darcy

Position
Professor of Public Service Leadership and Management Practice, and Registrar/Head of Whitaker School of Government and Management

Colette joined the IPA in Dec 2024 as Registrar and Head of the Whitaker School of Government and Management.In this capacity, Colette is responsible for the strategic oversight and leadership of the academic programmes offered by the school. With over 20 years in higher education, Colette is committed to advancing public service excellence through education, research, and professional development.

Get in touch
Email
Telephone

Noreen Fahy

Position
Deputy Director General (Designate)/Company Secretary

Noreen offers over thirty years’ experience across national, international, commercial and non-commercial sectors. A proven leader with a strong performance record, Noreen first joined the IPA in 2004 and has since developed a deep knowledge and understanding of IPA stakeholders across the civil service, local authority and state agency sectors, influencing the development and implementation of national policy on audit and governance.

Get in touch
Email
Telephone

Mary Gallagher-Cooke

Marygc

Position
Director of Professional Development

Mary joined the IPA in September 2024 as Director of Professional Development, and is responsible for leading the professional development and advisory services to the public service.

Get In Touch
Email
Phone

Dr Cedric Chau

Dr. Cedric Chau

Position
Director of Senior Public Service

Dr Cedric Chau, as Director of Senior Public Service, is responsible for leading the strategic leadership development, the continuous professional development and the executive coaching of the top level of civil and public servants across the public sector. Cedric holds a BSc in Electronic Engineering, a Master's in Business Studies and a Doctorate in Public Sector Leadership. He has been a faculty member of the Institute for over twenty years, formerly a Senior Lecturer and Programme Director at the Institute's Whitaker School of Government and Management. Prior to joining the Institute, Cedric worked in both industry and academia and was a visiting academic to a number of leading universities in Ireland, in the UK and in the People's Republic of China.

Get in touch
Email