VLM BOARD
Rory Dodd
Rory is a teacher at St. Paul’s College Raheny and has lead groups of 5th year students from the school to Ambo, as part of the VLM school immersion programme, since 2011. Rory is currently interim chairperson of VLM.
Fr Stephen Monaghan CM
Stephen is a Vincentian priest from Dublin who has recently been missioned to work in Ethiopia with the Ambo Lazarist School for the Deaf, a project he was instrumental in founding over five years ago. He previously served as chaplain at St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and to the Deaf Community in Ireland, as well as parish priest to the Parish of the Travelling People in Phibsborough. Stephen is currently chaplain in Castleknock College. Stephen is currently secretary of VLM.
Sr Geraldine Henry DC
Geraldine is a Daughter of Charity with extensive experience of mission in Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria, particularly in the areas of healthcare and service provision for those with intellectual disabilities. She is currently the Mission Development Coordinator for the Daughters of Charity Mission in Ireland, supporting the work of her colleagues on the ground in Africa.
Aidan Whyte
Aidan is a second level teacher at St. Vincent’s CBS Glasnevin, with qualifications from Mater Dei Institute, Maynooth University and Trinity College Dublin. He has volunteered on VLM’s summer programme in Mekele with the Vincentian Fathers three times and is a key facilitator of VLM’s alumni network of returned volunteers. Aidan chairs the VLM Fundraising and Social Media committees.
Miriam O’Regan
Miriam is an Electronic Technician with Horner APG based in Cork. She is the secretary and is a founding member of EDP and has been on the board of VLM since March 2021. Miriam is the parent of 2 children, both adopted from Ethiopia, one of whom is deaf. Her desire to assist deaf children in Ambo to access education led to the establishment of the EDP.
Ian Garrigan
Ian is a chartered accountant based in Dublin. He is a past man of Castleknock College and is currently treasurer of Castleknock College Union. Ian has volunteered with VLM in Ethiopia and joined the board of VLM in April 2019. He is chair of the finance committee.
Dymphna Cullen
Dymphna is a secondary school teacher and was Deputy Principal with City of Dublin VEC prior to her retirement. Since then, she volunteered with VLM in Ethiopia for two months in a teaching capacity development role. Dymphna joined the board of VLM in April 2019.
VLM STAFF
Madeleine Frissung – Coordinator
Madeleine has worked with VLM since September 2021. She has an undergraduate honours degree in geography and a post-graduate certificate in community education from the University of Edinburgh and has recently completed a masters in international development through UCD. Madeleine has professional work experience in the fields of youth work, community development and mental health and was Volunteer Outreach Coordinator with World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin.
