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Kim Jackson Smyth-7666

Kim Townsend Smyth 🇮🇪

Community Engagement Manager

Kim is a graduate of Zoology (BSc) and Wildlife and Conservation Management (MSc) from University College Dublin (UCD), and has worked in the management of sea turtle conservation projects in Greece since 2012. She has worked on both NGO projects and EU Life projects. She has gained extensive experience in field monitoring, volunteer management and public awareness activities while working at two of the biggest nesting sites for Loggerhead turtles in the Mediterranean. Kim is passionate about environmental education believing that informing and engaging people is the strongest tool we have to achieve conservation goals. She joined SRI as Community Engagement Manager in March 2019 and quickly made herself a vital asset to our long term team.

Hayleigh Gray-4455

Hayleigh Gray 🇮🇪

Animal Care Manager

Hayleigh has a strong background in animal sciences, having completed a Bachelor of Science from the National University Ireland Galway with a focus on Zoology in her final year. Keen to take on the challenges of the dynamic world of animal rehabilitation, she joined SRI in November 2019 as an Animal Care and Education Intern. Hayleigh was quickly recognized for her amazing work ethic, so it wasn’t long before she was invited to extend her stay with a promotion to Senior Animal Care Manager. Hayleigh is known to be incredibly efficient and effective at completing daily tasks, earning her the nickname “The Machine”. She is highly organized and is always coming up with new ways of improving our centre and animal hospital. Hayleigh is a great leader and mentor to all of our Animal Care Staff and Interns, and is an integral part of our team!

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Natalie Barry 🇮🇪

Senior Asst. Animal Care Manager
Giftshop Manager

Natalie has a BSc in zoology from University College Dublin, where she was lucky enough to travel to places such as Costa Rica and Kenya to carry out fieldwork. This influenced her love and appreciation of wildlife across the globe. These experiences inspired her to continue her education by completing an MSc in Global Wildlife Health and Conservation at the University of Bristol. She started as an Animal Care and Conservation Intern here at SRI in October of 2021. Her infectious enthusiasm and fantastic work ethic lead to her progressing to the role of Assistant Animal Care Manager. She also took on the roles of Giftshop Assistant and Sustainability Coordinator and has already become a valued member of the team.

Adoptions Coordinator and Assistant Animal Care Manager

Fionnuala Murphy 🇮🇪

Senior Animal Care Assistant
Adoptions Coordinator
Co-Rescue Network Coordinator

Fin received a BSc in Zoology from the University College Cork and a Masters in Wildlife Documentary Production from the University of Salford. After her studies Fin travelled and taught English to students in Thailand. Before returning to Ireland, she decided to detour and spend time in Namibia volunteering at a wildlife sanctuary. She has come home to pursue her career in Animal Conservation and has made huge strides with SRI, taking on a lot of responsibility within our Management Team.

Headshot of Assistant Animal Care Manager

Tiffany-Erin Brockman 🇮🇪

Asst. Animal Care Manager
Community Engagement Asst.

Tiffany studied Marine Science at National University of Ireland, Galway where her passion and knowledge for the environment developed. She grew up beside the ocean, swimming and surfing so it was a natural progression to get involved with marine conservation. During university she trained as a diver and saw firsthand the issues facing plants and animals in Irish waters.  Over the years she spent time in South Africa working with terrestrial animals with field research on elephants, and worked in wild animal care with rhinos, large cats and more. She also worked in the marine research studying sharks and whales on tourist boats, cared for penguins and was  part of several community projects helping to educate the public on the environment! Tiffany joined SRI in September 2019 as an Animal Care and Conservation intern, before taking on the role of Community Engagement Assistant, and Assistant Animal Care Manager! Tiffany is a well-rounded, team player who has become a great asset to the SRI team!

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Kathy Baker Walsh 🇮🇪

Media & Marketing Manager

Kathy received a H.Dip in Journalism from Griffith College Dublin, & a B.A. in Humanities from St. Patrick’s College Carlow where she studied, English, Philosophy, World Religions & Communications.  Kathy has a Sales & Marketing background working for the last 12 years with charity fundraising agencies & within charities themselves, including the Irish Deaf Youth Association, Cystic Fibrosis, Concern Worldwide, & Lakers Social & Recreational Club.  As a swimmer & hiker, and lover of the outdoors Kathy is very passionate about the environment, and the wildlife that inhabits it and is delighted to be a part of the SRI team, where she can help to make a positive impact! Kathy joined us in November 2022, and has already shown to be a great asset!

Our Board of Directors

Peter Hughes SRI Trustie

Peter Hughes 🇮🇪

Chair & Trustee

peter@sealrescueireland.org

IMG_0893.1-scaled-500x600 ally

Ally O’Sullivan 🇦🇺

Co-Founder & Trustee

After studying Captive Animal Management at Taronga Training Institute, and serving as an Animal Keeper at Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Ally ventured to Co Kerry, Ireland in 2011, during the very early days of SRI when it was known as ‘Dingle Wildlife and Seal Sanctuary.’ With the intent of volunteering as Resident Animal Handler for six short months, Ally fell in love with Ireland’s seals and never left. She persevered through unimaginable challenges as Animal Care Manager alongside the charity’s founder, Ciaran, and has been the backbone of what SRI has become today. Although she now has her hands full with her own human pup, she still provides support and guidance to her team on the ground through her invaluable role as a Trustee.

Samira Nicolo seal rescue ireland board member

Samira Wolton 🇮🇪

Secretary

samira@sealrescueireland.org

Neil Walton SRI Trustee

Neil Walton 🇮🇪

Trustee

neil@sealrescueireland.org

Ellen Trustee

Ellen De Vos 🇧🇪

Trustee

Ellen first came to SRI in April of 2018 and was almost immediately recognised for her exceptional capabilities. She was promoted to the key role of Operations Manager where she provided consistent leadership and made incredible improvements to the organisation’s systems and management to enable SRI to grow leaps and bounds into the future. Incredibly dynamic and hard-working, Ellen is cherished by our interns, volunteers, and management team with her bubbly personality and brilliant work ethic. There is no doubt that she will continue to lift SRI to new heights through her role as a Trustee.

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