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As a team, we believe in creating an equitable society rooted in belonging, individuality and respect.
CEO
Strategy and Business Development Manager
Assessment and Support Lead
Assessment and Support Executive
Assessment and Support Executive
Process Improvement Specialist
Administration & Compliance Manager
Programme Manager
Senior Training and Tutoring Support Executive
Assessment and Support Executive
Business and Support Executive
Digital Marketing Executive
Accountant
Chair
Director
Director
Director
Director
Patron
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CEO
Barry Hennebry is the CEO of Specialisterne Ireland. Barry leads our organisation to achieve our strategic goals through its people and stakeholders. With a proven track record of driving growth and spearheading strategic initiatives, Barry brings over two decades of senior management experience.
Barry has worked in the construction industry and more recently in the public sector with senior management roles in Revenue, the ODCE, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and as Deputy Director of the CCPC.
Barry is passionate about diversity and inclusion and working with partners to create a more understanding neurodiverse workplace.
Barry has a BA(Hons) in Business and a MSc in Finance.
Strategy and Business Development Manager
Terry is a Business Development Manager with Specialisterne. She has a BSc in Business and qualified as an accountant, and previously worked in finance in the pharmaceutical sector. Terry then took an extended career break to stay at home with her family. Her son was diagnosed with autism at a young age; she describes navigating supports and school as challenging, as was learning how her son experiences the world. This was her biggest and most important education.
Terry joined Specialisterne in 2018, initially working in operations before moving to a strategic role in 2021. In 2024 Terry got a diagnosis of dyslexia, which greatly helped her to understand why she struggled with her job as an accountant – she could do it – but it was stressful.
Terry feels privileged to be working in Specialisterne with its diverse team, all of whom are so committed to creating inclusive workplaces. When she isn’t working Terry spends her time with family, friends and her dog. She loves being outdoors and reading, both of which ground and recharge her.
Assessment and Support Lead
Megan is an Assessment and Support Lead at Specialisterne Ireland. She currently leads on our In This Together project supported by PEACEPLUS, facilitating social groups for neurodivergent individuals in the border counties. She also helps candidates with their interview skills and supports them in employment, facilitates trainings for companies and assists with Workplace Needs Assessments.
Megan holds a BSc in Psychology and an MSc in Psychological Science – Clinical Stream, and more recently completed a programme in Leading Remote and Hybrid Teams. Her interest in neurodiversity was sparked by working as an assistant psychologist in secondary mental health, and she has also worked in social care, particularly in the homelessness sector.
In her free time, Megan loves being around animals, reading and gaming, especially playing PlayStation games.
Assessment and Support Executive
Sarah is an Assessment and Support Executive here at Specialisterne Ireland. Her role requires her to support candidates to refine their CV, develop interview skills and explore employment opportunities, and she assists with workplace needs assessments to help ensure successful employment outcomes.
Sarah also helps deliver our In This Together programme supported by PEACEPLUS, assisting with the recruitment of neurodivergent adults in border counties as well as planning events and facilitating social groups.
Sarah has recently graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Masters in Applied Developmental Psychology. She has much experience working with neurodivergent individuals in both educational and recreational settings, and is passionate about neurodiversity. When not working, she enjoys reading, colouring and going for walks.
Assessment and Support Executive
Rachael works directly with neurodivergent candidates to support employment readiness through person-centred sessions. These sessions focus on building confidence, identifying strengths, and preparing for the job application process. She also partners with organisations to deliver training, workplace needs assessments, and tailored supports that help foster more neuroinclusive workplaces.
With a background in psychology, Rachael has extensive experience supporting both neurodivergent adults and children. Her work is rooted in a strengths-based approach and a commitment to helping individuals and organisations to create environments where everyone can thrive.
Outside of work, Rachael is a qualified Pilates instructor. When she’s not teaching or attending classes herself, she enjoys going to the cinema, spending time outdoors on walks, and connecting with friends and family.
Process Improvement Specialist
Lorna is a Process Improvement Specialist at Specialisterne Ireland. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and has over 16 years’ experience in process development and improvement across the pharmaceutical, chemical and biotech industries. Her focus is on creating efficient, scalable processes that enable Specialisterne to reach and support more neurodivergent individuals. Lorna is also dyslexic, and that experience shapes her straightforward, people-focused approach to improving how things work.
Alongside her professional background, Lorna is an accredited dog trainer and brings her coaching skills into her work by delivering training sessions at Specialisterne.
Outside of work, Lorna is passionate about sport and animals. She competes in dog agility and won the Large ABC Novice Final at Crufts in 2024 with her Viszla, Drico. She also represented Ireland at the World Agility Open in 2025 in the Netherlands. Lorna is a dedicated supporter of Leinster Rugby.
Administration & Compliance Manager
Hilary brings 20+ years across the charity sector and HSE specialising in mental health, autism and disability services, and holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology. She is passionate about creating neuroinclusive environments and championing initiatives that empower neurodivergent talent.
At SPI, Hilary leads Governance, Compliance and HR, combining experience with assurance and impact.
Outside of work, Hilary dances Salsa, Tango, practises Tai Chi and is currently learning Japanese!
Programme Manager
Sinéad is a Programme Manager at Specialisterne Ireland, where she oversees the Assessment and Support Team and leads the WorkAbility Programme. She plays a key role in delivering the In This Together project supported by PEACEPLUS and provides neurodiversity training, in-work support and consultancy to employers, candidates, and universities. Sinéad works closely with university partners to design clear pathways of support for students aiming to secure placement and graduate opportunities, helping to bridge the gap between education and employment.
Sinéad holds an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology and a BA in Psychology and Sociology. She also completed Front Line Management training with the Irish Management Institute. Her early experience as a special needs assistant sparked her interest in neurodiversity and inclusive employment, which continues to shape her work today.
Coming from a musical family, Sinéad has played Irish traditional music since childhood. She plays the fiddle and tin whistle and enjoys the sense of community and creativity that music brings. Outside of work, she loves sea swimming and spending time on arts and crafts projects.
Senior Training and Support Executive
Susan is a Senior Training and Support Executive at Specialisterne Ireland. She supports and empowers our candidates to gain and maintain meaningful work by providing them with a one-to-one coaching service, ongoing support and confidence building strategies. She also collaborates with our partner companies and facilitates them with their recruitment, on-boarding and retention needs through the variety of services offered to them.
With several years’ experience in workplace coaching, recruitment, HR and business management, Susan is passionate about working with neurodiverse individuals and supporting companies to create more inclusive workplaces for all. She holds a BA in Applied Psychology from UCC, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, and a Professional Diploma in Coaching with Neuroscience.
Susan also has a keen interest in empowering candidates to look after their wellbeing. She enjoys yoga, pilates and walking, and is a member of a book club.
Assessment and Support Executive
Business and Support Executive
Melissa is a Business and Support Executive who assists in the administration of the day-to-day services Specialisterne provides to candidates and employers.
Melissa holds a BA in Applied Languages with Political Science and has worked extensively in the supported employment space, particularly in coaching and supporting neurodivergent individuals into employment. Shaped by her own lived experience as a neurodivergent person and a lifelong passion for inclusive employment, Melissa has also been a public speaker at neurodiversity awareness events across Ireland, including events run by AsIAm, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick.
Digital Marketing Executive
Sarah is a Digital Marketing Executive at Specialisterne Ireland. She leads the planning and delivery of our digital strategy, including social media management, website optimisation and advertising campaigns, creating engaging content to increase awareness of our programmes and services. She has a BSc in Multimedia and MA in Radio Production, and spent several years working in the radio and podcast industry across editing, production, broadcast assistant and digital content roles.
Sarah is autistic, which gives her an eye for detail and a creative, highly focused approach to problem-solving. She also has lived experience of some of the challenges and employment barriers that can come with being neurodivergent, and this has fuelled her commitment to advocating for inclusive workplaces through her role at Specialisterne.
Outside of work, Sarah loves spending as much time around dogs as possible. She recently completed a dog training course and enjoys practising her skills on her beloved border collie rescue. She also loves music, reading, writing and going to the gym, and has a newfound obsession with trying to identify different bird species on nature walks.