The Board of Directors of Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Aisling Hearns as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer. Dr Hearns will take up the role on 1 July 2026.
Announcing the appointment, Tom Arnold, Chair of the Board of Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, said:
“Following a highly competitive recruitment process, the Board is pleased to appoint Dr Aisling Hearns as the next Chief Executive Officer of Glencree. Aisling brings an exceptional combination of leadership, strategic vision, operational expertise, and a deep commitment to human rights, social justice, and reconciliation. Throughout her career, Aisling has worked with individuals and communities affected by trauma, conflict, displacement, abuse, and marginalisation. Her extensive experience leading complex national services and engaging with diverse stakeholders has equipped her with the skills, empathy, and integrity required to lead Glencree into the next chapter of its important work on the island of Ireland and internationally.”
Dr Hearns currently serves as Director of Services at Towards Healing, where she provides strategic and operational leadership for a national counselling and support service for survivors of religious, clerical, and institutional abuse. Prior to this, Dr Hearns held a senior leadership position with Spirasi – the Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture, where she led therapeutic services supporting survivors of torture and forced displacement from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Her work has involved extensive engagement with refugees, survivors of human rights abuses, and communities navigating the challenges of trauma, identity, and social exclusion.
Dr Hearns holds a PhD in Psychology from Trinity College Dublin and has pursued advanced studies in psychotherapy, cognitive science, addiction studies, leadership, supervision, and organisational development. She is widely recognised for her expertise in trauma-informed practice, intercultural dialogue, governance, and ethical leadership.
Speaking about her appointment, Dr Hearns said:
“I am honoured to join Glencree Centre for Peace and Reconciliation as Chief Executive Officer. Glencree has played a unique and vital role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation for more than fifty years. I look forward to working with the Board, staff, partners, supporters, and communities to build on that legacy and to help create a more inclusive, compassionate, and peaceful future.”
On behalf of the Board, staff, and wider Glencree community, Tom Arnold thanked the outgoing Chief Executive Officer, Naoimh McNamee, for her leadership and contribution to the organisation and wished her every success in the future.
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