MEET THE TEAM
Rural Action offers a team with over 30 years combined experience in engaging people to build a better rural future
Teresa Canavan
Founder and Chief Executive
The ‘Make Things Happen’ One
Teresa leads by example. Her motto is ‘make a difference every day‘ to constantly push ourselves to be our best, to focus on solutions and to arrive every day inspired to make an impact.
Olga Gallagher
Head of Programme
Delivery
The ‘Safe Pair of Hands’ One
When we deliver for others we know what is important. We know you want a professional service delivering maximum outcomes with robust processes and monitoring systems, you want a safe pair of hands that can lead, direct and create the right results. You also want opinion, someone who can think, create and produce ideas. Olga is this and more!
Michael Kelly
Head of Regeneration
and Communities
The ‘Get Involved’ One
Most of our team are involved in some form of grass roots, community development activity or enterprise. This is part of our ethos and we actively encourage this. When we deliver for communities we want you to know we understand where you are coming from, not because you have told us, but because we have lived it. Michael is a dedicated community ‘actioneer’ who enjoys nothing more than getting out there and engaging with communities in a practical, hands on delivery way.
Jane Thom
Head of Finance
and Governance
The ‘Cheques & Balances’ One
We all need one. Someone who looks after the money but much more than that. They ensure we operate an effective and efficient organisation in terms of finance, skilled resources, social capital and governance. There is no messing with Jane, if it’s not right it’s not done!
Completing our staff complement:
Gillian Maxwell (Programme Officer)
Gillian has been a member of staff with Rural Action since April 2019. She is employed as a Project Officer, primarily working on the RiSE PEACEPLUS Project which aims to unlock the potential of rural innovation & social enterprise within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Her role is to ensure the effective implementation and progress of the RiSE Project through animation, project delivery, mentoring, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluation. Gillian has over 25 years’ experience working within youth enterprise programmes and rural development.
CONTACT: gillian@ruralaction.co
Joyce McMullan (Engagement Officer)
Joyce has been a member of staff with Rural Action since August 2019. She is employed as an Engagement Officer, primarily working with the Support Partnership on the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme. Her role is to raise awareness and to support applicants through the application and monitoring phases of the Programme. She is also involved in the Rural Action Awards scheme and plays an integral role in the delivery of this scheme to grass roots beneficiaries. Joyce has over 25 years’ experience working within rural development, has been an active volunteer with a local sporting club for many years and is from an agricultural background.
CONTACT: joyce@ruralaction.co
Kirsty Lancashire (Monitoring & Evaluation Officer)
Kirsty has been a member of staff with Rural Action since April 2019. She is employed as a Monitoring & Evaluation Officer, primarily working on the RiSE PEACEPLUS Project which aims to unlock the potential of rural innovation & social enterprise within Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. Her role is to ensure the effective implementation and progress of the RiSE Project through the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation systems. Kirsty has over 20 years’ experience working within rural development alongside extensive involvement in church-based youth work.
CONTACT: kirsty@ruralaction.co
Marian Teague (Finance Officer)
Marian has been a member of staff with Rural Action since April 2019. She is employed as a Grants officer, primarily dealing with grant support and claim administration to groups and organisations funded through the International Fund for Ireland programme – Personal Youth Development Programme. Marian has extensive experience in finance and funding, supporting groups for over 20 years and was previously employed with the Civil Service for 15 years. Nowadays, Marian divides her time between work and her family commitments.
CONTACT: marian@ruralaction.co
Margaret O’Hagan (Training & Development Officer)
Margaret joined Rural Action in December 2025 as Training and Development Officer for the PEACEPLUS Maximising Community Space (MCS) Programme. She is a dedicated lecturer, facilitator, and complementary practitioner with over 25 years’ experience in health and social care, and community development. Margaret will coordinate the design, accreditation, and delivery of bespoke MCS training, supporting rural community organisations to develop inclusive shared spaces. She will work closely with partners to co-design programmes, support facilitators, and participants, and ensure quality, accreditation, and funder requirements are met. Margaret enjoys travelling and reading and brings curiosity, enthusiasm, and a love of learning to the role.
CONTACT: margaret@ruralaction.co
Nuala Disney (Finance & Procurement Officer)
Nuala has been a member of staff with Rural Action since November 2022. She is employed as a Finance and Procurement Officer on the PEACEPLUS Funding Programmes and previously worked on the International Fund for Ireland Communities in Partnership Programme. Nuala has over twenty years’ experience working in Banking and Finance. She is a busy mum of teenage twins and enjoys keeping active and travelling.
CONTACT: nuala@ruralaction.co
Samantha Morrow (Support Officer)
Samantha has been a member of staff with Rural Action since April 2019. She has recently been appointed as Support Officer working primarily with the Support Partnership on the PEACEPLUS Change Maker Funding Programme. Her role is to support applicants through the application process. Samantha has almost 20 years’ experience of proactive administration and grant support to rural communities. She is from an agricultural background and regularly helps on the family farm evenings and weekends in between balancing family life.
CONTACT: samantha@ruralaction.co
Séana Quinn (Communications Lead)
Séana joined Rural Action in April 2019 as a Programme Officer and has since worked across the International Fund for Ireland’s PYDP and the PEACEPLUS RiSE Programmes. Since May 2026, she has taken up the role as Communications Lead for the organisation, supporting strategic communications and engagement. With almost 25 years’ experience in rural development and project management, she has gained extensive experience in funding application assessment, monitoring and evaluation, claim verification and ensuring strong governance and financial compliance across programmes. Séana has a proven track record in supporting youth and community-based initiatives and delivering impactful outcomes through effective stakeholder engagement. Outside of her role, she is Chairperson of CannyMan Community Arts, where she actively promotes local arts, drama and creative opportunities within the community.
CONTACT: seana@ruralaction.co
Yvonne Breen (Project Officer)
Yvonne joined Rural Action in January 2026 as Project Officer for the PEACEPLUS Maximising Community Space (MCS) programme. Her role involves promoting the programme, recruiting participant groups, and providing ongoing mentoring and development support to help strengthen their presence and enhance the range of activities and services they deliver within rural communities. A proud Fermanagh girl, Yvonne brings over 25 years’ experience in the Northern Ireland community development sector, with particular skills in victims’ support, good relations, and grants and community fundraising. She is also actively involved in her local church and women’s group. Yvonne enjoys working with people and is passionate about supporting and strengthening communities so they can thrive and make a real difference in people’s lives.
CONTACT: yvonne@ruralaction.co