Director of Development, DCU Educational Trust

Jason Sherlock

picture of jason sherlock
I have benefitted throughout my professional and sporting career from having good coaches and supportive mentors and always enjoy the chance to repay some of their generosity by taking any opportunity I can to pass along those life lessons to young people. Maybe now more than ever before we must work alongside teachers and families to let younger people know that we each need to be encouraged and even when things don’t work out at first, every challenge can be a learning opportunity. Serving as a positive mentor and role model for young people is an investment well worth making.

Jason Sherlock is Director of Development for DCU Educational Trust and is responsible for developing and implementing the Trust’s overall fundraising strategy. He is inspired by DCU’s mission to transform lives through education, research, innovation and engagement and in keeping with those values, has given generously of his time in working with students of all ages on a number of JA initiatives.

Through his involvement in Irish sport, Jason is a well-known sporting personality having represented Ireland in soccer and basketball and also played for the Dublin Senior Football Team for 15 seasons. He was a selector with the Dublin Senior Football Team that won 5 All-Irelands in a row from 2015-2019. Jason has over 15 years’ experience in Sales and Business Development in the corporate sector. He graduated with an Executive MBA from DCU in 2014.

Assistant Professor, School of Mathematics & Statistics, UCD

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin

Taking time to engage with young people and answering their questions on career paths and related matters is time well spent. We each have our own stories to share and these can demonstrate that everyone has their own strengths and interests. Having teachers, coaches and mentors that care about their students’ wellbeing and are engaged in thinking about their futures can really help in developing young peoples’ ambitions for their role in the world. Acting as a teacher or mentor can also play a part in tackling stereotypes and promoting diversity, in terms of gender, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. I am delighted to participate as an educator, role model and mentor for those who are considering studying or working in STEM.

Dr Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin is Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Mathematics & Statistics with extensive experience working in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Education. She is a skilled science communicator, director of public engagement programmes and is a high profile champion for diversity in STEM.

Professor, School of Health and Human Performance, DCU

Niall Moyna

Spending time with young people to share any knowledge and experience I have gained is time well spent. I would encourage everyone to find the time to be briefed by the JA team and be willing to be matched to a request from a school for a guest speaker. Like me, I have no doubt you will find engaging with students a worthwhile and rewarding experience.

Niall Moyna is a well-known advocate for health and wellbeing and took the opportunity recently to work on a JAI initiative to promote key lifestyle messages to younger students.

In his academic career, Niall serves as Professor in the School of Health and Human Performance and a member of the Centre for Preventive Medicine in DCU.  He has published over 90 research papers in international peer reviewed journals and presented his work at international conferences.

In addition to his work within the university he is also Principal Investigator on the Science Foundation Ireland-funded CLARITY research centre and continues to use his expertise for the public good in making the science of health and wellbeing as accessible as possible to a wide audience.

Among many sports-related achievements, Niall has contributed to management of several successful GAA sides including the Irish U-17 International Rules team, DCU senior football teams, St Vincent’s and Dublin.

Senior Engineering Manager Digital & Automation Systems, DePuy Synthes

Donal Óg Cusack

Role-models are so important for all of us. And, giving back as a role- model through Junior Achievement is just as important for young students all over Ireland: it’s important for the individual student, their community and our society.

Senior Engineering Manager Digital & Automation Systems, DePuy Synthes, Johnson & Johnson. President Gaelic Players Association.

Country Managing Director, Accenture in Ireland

Alastair Blair

Now more than ever we need to equip young people with the skills to adapt and drive change and to reassure them that their strengths and interests and passions are important. Encouraging students to acquire and practice key life skills like team working, critical thinking, and effective communication, as well as encouraging digital literacy, creativity and risk-based decision-making will help them identify and build the skills, attitudes and behaviours they will need to shape their own future.

Alastair Blair is country managing director for Accenture in Ireland. A senior managing director in the company, he also sits on the UK and Ireland Leadership Team. In his role, Alastair has overall responsibility for the growth and success of Accenture’s business in Ireland. Accenture has been operating in Ireland for over 50 years and is a major local employer with approximately 4,500 people serving clients across multiple industries. Ireland is home to The Dock, Accenture’s flagship R&D and Global Innovation Centre based in Dublin, as well as Accenture’s Corporate Services Hub which services the firm’s internal operations globally.

Alastair joined Accenture in 1987 and, during his career, has held a number of senior roles with a particular focus on the financial services sector. He has extensive knowledge of business strategy and driving organisational change through innovation and agility and has worked with many major organisations in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East & Europe on a broad range of strategic and innovation led change initiatives.

Alastair is a strong believer in the value of inclusion and diversity and in driving a culture of equality, where a person can bring their whole self into the workplace.  He is instrumental in driving Accenture’s goal of a 50:50 gender balanced workforce by 2025.

Alastair is also sponsor of Accenture’s Corporate Citizenship programme, which he drives with great passion given the vital nature of this area which is increasingly front and centre for Accenture and its clients.

Alastair holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from Trinity College, Dublin. He is married to Leslie and they have three children. He is an avid sports fan and he enjoys travelling and listening to music in his spare time.