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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).
Janis Morrissey is Deputy CEO & Director of Services at the Irish Heart Foundation and has worked in various leadership roles within the organisation for 25 years.
Janis acts as a strategic partner to the Chief Executive, supporting delivery of the Foundation’s mission and priorities. She provides executive leadership and operational oversight for the organisation’s health promotion, prevention and patient support services. An experienced media spokesperson and advocate, Janis represents the Foundation at national level and deputises for the CEO when required.
Janis holds board memberships of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland Faculty of Public Health Medicine and of The Wheel, the national association for charities and social enterprises. She was appointed by the Minister for Health to the Food Safety Authority’s Consultative Council.
A dietitian by background, she is educated to MSc level and holds multiple postgraduate business qualifications in finance, governance, leadership and digital transformation.
Dr Catherine McGorrian, Consultant Cardiologist and General Physician in the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, and an Associate Clinical Professor in University College Dublin, was appointed Medical Director of the Irish Heart Foundation in 2026.
Having graduated from RCSI in 1997, Dr McGorrian has been a doctor for nearly 30 years, with a career still founded on clinical work with patients. She completed her specialty training in Cardiology and General Medicine in Ireland and Canada.
Dr McGorrian worked and studied at McMaster University in Ontario and UCD, where she graduated with an MSc in Health Research Methodology and PhD on Cardiovascular Epidemiology, respectively.
An author and co-author of more than 60 scientific publications, she has been working in the Mater Inherited Cardiac Conditions Clinic since 2008, along with work on the hospital wards and emergency department.
As well as her clinical work, she has worked as a hospital Clinical Director, and the chair of the Clinical Advisory Group in Acute Medicine through the RCPI.
Kevin Gregory was appointed Director of Finance and Operations with the Irish Heart Foundation in 2026. Prior to this Kevin was Director of Social Enterprises & Employability at Rehab, from 2023 to 2026 where he led the international team, providing employment for people with a disability in Social Enterprises.
Kevin has extensive experience as Director for Corporate Services including Finance, HR, IT and Governance in national charities Barnardos, Focus, Vita and Business in the Community / Community Foundation Ireland. Kevin also worked in the private sector in Savills and qualified as a Chartered Accountant with PWC.
Additionally Kevin holds a Bachelor of Commerce (UCD). His postgraduate education includes an MSc in IT Applications (DCU), a Diploma in Project Management (UCC), an IMI Diploma in Organisational Development & Transformation, and a Law Society Certificate in Charity Law, Trusteeship, and Governance.
Kevin has also contributed as a board member with organisations such as Volunteer Ireland, the Irish Penal Reform Trust, and currently the Irish Blood Transfusion Board.
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.
Mark Murphy is the interim Director of Advocacy at the Irish Heart Foundation. Since joining the Foundation in 2018, Mark has worked in a variety of roles within the Advocacy department.
Mark leads the work of the Advocacy department in developing the evidence base, mobilising support, and lobbying decision makers with the aim of protecting and enhancing the nation’s cardiovascular health. The Advocacy team work across a range of topics including campaigning for improved clinical services and community support for patients, as well as strengthening prevention policy across tobacco, nicotine, childhood obesity, and environmental health.
A graduate of economics and business from Trinity College Dublin, Mark attained a master’s in international public policy and diplomacy in University College Cork. Before joining the Foundation, Mark worked in the field of public affairs in Brussels and Dublin. He is a board member of the Neurological Alliance of Ireland.
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.