Emma Balmaine, CEO
Emma Balmaine was appointed CEO of the Irish Heart Foundation in August 2023.
Emma was CEO of Saint John of God Hospital from 2011 to 2023. At Saint John of God Hospital, she led the mental health service based at the hospital in Stillorgan, the specialist dementia service (St. Joseph’s Shankill) and the national education and training service (Mental Health First Aid Ireland).
Prior to this she was General Manager of Blackrock Hospice with Our Lady’s Hospice and Care Services, Harold’s Cross and Blackrock. Emma previously worked in community child and adolescent mental health services and special education, and her early career was in the printing industry.
Emma is a very experienced chief executive with over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare, education and social care sectors.
She holds MSc in Business (Leadership & Management Practice) from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School and a Professional Diploma in Leadership Development, along with a Professional Diploma in Strategy, Development and Innovation and a Professional Diploma in Organisational Change and Transformation. She also has a Bachelor of Science in Management from The University of Dublin (TCD) and DIT (TU Dublin) as well as a Diploma in Management Law, a Diploma in Legal Studies and a Diploma in Print Management from DIT (TU Dublin).
Dr Angie Brown, Medical Director
Dr Angie Brown is the Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation and consultant cardiologist at the Bon Secours Hospital, the Hermitage Clinic and the Beacon Hospital in Dublin.
Dr Brown obtained her medical degree from Cambridge University and completed her cardiology training in King’s College Hospital London in the UK.
After completing a Doctor of Medicine at Cambridge University assessing platelet physiology, she moved to Ireland where she worked first in Beaumont Hospital and then St James’s Hospital, before taking up her role as Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation.
A Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland, Dr Brown has a special interest in imaging, particularly echocardiography, and is a strong advocate for tobacco control and cardiovascular disease prevention. She is one of the Irish national cardiovascular disease prevention coordinators working with the European Association of Preventive Cardiology and is president of the Irish Cardiac Echo and Imaging Group.
Tom Hickey, Director of Development
Tom Hickey joined the Irish Heart Foundation as Director of Development in January 2026. He leads our fundraising team and also has responsibility for digital marketing and engagement.
Tom is a leading expert in strategic fundraising with over 20 years’ experience in the charity sector, both in-house and as a consultant.
He founded What if Consultancy in 2021 and worked with leading charities in Ireland, UK, Australia and USA. Tom previously held the role of Director of Fundraising with the Mater Hospital Foundation (2015 – 2021) as well as senior fundraising positions with Crumlin Hospital (2005 – 2019).
He is a marketing graduate with expertise in digital marketing. Tom also has extensive commercial and healthcare experience prior to entering fundraising in 2005.
Chris Macey, Director of Advocacy and Patient Support
Chris Macey is Director of Advocacy and Patient Support at the Irish Heart Foundation, a position he has held since 2009. Chris is responsible for developing the evidence base, mobilising support and lobbying decision makers with the aim of protecting and enhancing the nation’s cardiovascular health.
A journalism graduate, Chris was a senior journalist with the Irish Press Group for 12 years, specialising in politics, health and social issues before being appointed as a Special Advisor in the Departments of the Taoiseach and Foreign Affairs in 1995. He later worked for the Sunday Independent and established a stable of quality local newspapers and magazines.
Chris has considerable experience in political strategy and policy development, and in addition to his role with the Irish Heart Foundation is chairman of the Volunteer Stroke Scheme and treasurer of the Stroke Alliance for Europe which represents stroke patient organisations from over 30 countries. He is also a former chairman of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI).
Janis Morrissey, Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training
Janis Morrissey is Director of Health Promotion, Information and Training at the Irish Heart Foundation and has worked in different roles for the organisation for almost 20 years.
Janis leads the Health Promotion, Information and Training Department. The department’s work includes health promotion programmes and campaigns in communities, schools and workplaces, as well as CPR training programmes for the general public and health professionals.
Janis works closely with her advocacy colleagues, particularly in relation to childhood obesity and climate change. She acts as media spokesperson on heart health matters, leads the Irish Heart Foundation’s annual health promotion awareness campaign and coordinates the organisation’s heart health information.
Janis is a registered dietitian and has an Honours BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from DIT Kevin Street/Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in European Food Regulatory Affairs from the University of Ulster. She is a member and past president of the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI), the professional body for dietitians.
Eimear Smith, Director of Marketing and Communications
Eimear Smith was appointed Director of Marketing and Communications in the Irish Heart Foundation in June 2025, having been in the role of Head of Marketing and Communications since 2023.
Eimear leads the Marketing and Communications function with responsibilities including brand management, PR and media relations, and campaigns.
A business and marketing graduate, Eimear is an experienced marketing and communications specialist with over 20 years’ experience primarily in the education and health sectors.
Her previous roles included Communications and Stakeholder Engagement Manager in the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), and Assistant Manager – Branding, Communications and Strategy Implementation in SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority.
Peter Davis, Interim Director of Finance and Support Services
