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 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.
Judith Gilsenan is Commercial Director of the Irish Heart Foundation, where she is responsible for leading the Fundraising, Marketing and Communications Department and the Irish Heart Foundation’s strategic direction in these areas.
Prior to joining the Irish Heart Foundation, Judith was Director of Marketing and Fundraising at DEBRA Ireland where she was instrumental in transforming the charity into a solid and stable provider of critical services to families living with Epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a rare and hugely debilitating skin condition.
An award-winning marketer and fundraiser, Judith has more than 20 years’ experience in marketing, fundraising and communications. She previously served as Head of Fundraising and Marketing at World Vision Ireland and also established her own successful marketing company.
Judith has a number of qualifications in marketing from the Irish Direct Marketing Association and the Technological University of Dublin and has a wealth of experience in the charity sector.
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 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.
Helen Redmond is Director of Finance and Support Services at the Irish Heart Foundation and joined the organisation in May 2018.
Helen is a dedicated senior leader with extensive experience in operations and finance within large organisations and global teams. Prior to joining the Irish Heart Foundation, she worked with global IT company IBM in a number of senior roles from 2001 to 2018. Her last position with the company was Senior Finance Operations Manager with IBM Services Division.
During her time in this role, Helen was responsible for the day-to-day running of the business including key functions such as budgets, pricing, commissions, controls, projects, process improvements, risk and compliance.
Helen is a Member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.
