Karen Leigh is the CEO and Founder of Sensational Kids. She is an award-winning Social Entrepreneur who is passionate about Social Enterprise and making a difference to the lives of children with additional needs. Inspired by her vision of a better future for children with additional needs based on her own experience of being a parent to children with additional needs, Karen has led Sensational Kids from foundation in 2007, directly impacting the lives of over 7,000+ children from all over Ireland. Karen completed the Social Enterprise & Governance Programme at the DCU Ryan Academy and has a Diploma in Management and Employee Relations from the National College of Ireland. Karen is also a voluntary founding director of SERI (Social Enterprise, Republic of Ireland). Under Karen’s leadership Sensational Kids has won several awards Rethink Ireland; Growth Fund Awardee (2020-2022) Ireland Funds Flagship Awardee (2018) Social Innovation Fund Ireland; Social […]
Read More
Marie Brennan joined Sensational Kids’ Senior Management Team in 2020 as Head of Marketing and Business Development. In her role, Marie is responsible for creating the marketing strategy for the organisation and thus, growing the number of children who benefit from the services at Sensational Kids. With over 14 years’ experience in marketing and PR, Marie brings a wealth of retail marketing knowledge having joined from Newbridge Silverware where she oversaw the brand’s marketing and communications strategy for seven years. Prior to that, Marie worked in public relations both internationally for Edelman PR in the UK and the US and in Dublin based agency, Elevate PR. Marie is a busy mum to four children, Doireann, Róise and twins, Conn and Ruairí. Conn happens to have Down’s syndrome. As a mum to a child with additional needs, Marie fully understands the challenges and therapies that are required to ensure children with […]
Read More
Paula joined the Senior Management Team at Sensational Kids in 2020 as Financial Controller and member of our Senior Management Team. Paula is a fully qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) with the Irish Institute of Chartered Accountants since 2006 and also hold a Masters of Accounting from Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD. With over 15 years’ experience, both in Ireland (Equilume Limited, Dublin Airport Authority and Deloitte & Touche) and internationally, Paula’s extensive financial work experience includes Financial Controller at Dublin Airport Authority, and Senior Finance Manager at TD Bank, Toronto, Paula is also a working Mum and proud parent who is delighted to bring her financial expertise to the non-profit sector. QUALIFICATIONS & EDUCATION Chartered Accountant (FCA), Irish Institute of Chartered Accountants 2006. Masters of Accounting (1.1 Honours), Michael Smurfit Graduate School of Business, UCD, Dublin, 2004. Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies (1.1 Honours), University College […]
Read More
