Board of Directors

Lianne serves as Chairperson of the IDS board. She has worked in the Financial Sector with Northern Trust and holds a BA (Hons) in Business, Economics and Social Studies (TCD, 2006) and a Certificate in Equality studies for Deaf people (UCD, 2014). She is a former treasurer of the Irish Deaf Youth Association, co-chairperson of the ISL Recognition Campaign and a committee member on the ISLA Sub Committee group Deafhood Ireland and involved in the Justisigns 2 Project. Lianne is a Deaf interpreter following CPD in Deaf Interpreting from CDS in 2021. She is a member of the ISL Act Cross Community group and a representative for IDS on the DPO network and the Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN).

John Bosco is a former secretary and chairperson of the Irish Deaf Society. He has been involved in many committees and working groups; within the Civil Service and other Government bodies monitoring the progress of Deaf people in society. His recent publications have focused on Deaf people in society, such as the level of poverty within the Deaf community and equality-related issues affecting the Deaf communities. He graduated with a doctorate from University College Dublin. Dr. Conama lectures at the Centre for Deaf Studies, Trinity College, University of Dublin.

Sofiya has completed a BCL Degree from UCD Law School and is studying for a Barrister-at-Law (BL) Degree at the Honorable Society of the King's Inns. She has professional experience in law firms, non-profit organisations including IHREC. Sofiya is working in SLIS on the Interpreter registration service.

Mary has worked in Reach Deaf Services (formerly CIDP) as a HR and governance manager and is currently employed as Acting CEO. Mary parents are Deaf and a CODA (child of a Deaf adult) has a lifetime of direct experience in the Deaf community.

Carol works with Bank of Ireland as an in-house solicitor having qualified as a mature student in the early 2000s. Since qualifying she worked both in London and Dublin as well as in private practice prior to joining Bank of Ireland. Before becoming a solicitor she was self-employed and managed a training and development business. She has worked across a range of different organisations where leadership and personal development programmes were at the core of the businesses.

Lynn holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science (UCD, 2006) & a post-graduate diploma in Education (TCD, 2007). She is a qualified Teacher of the Deaf (University of Birmingham, 2011). In the past Lynn has taught in both St. Mary's & St. Joseph's schools for the Deaf in Maths, Science & IT. Since 2013 Lynn works with Diona, a software company. Lynn has served as chairperson for Leinster Deaf Sports and was involved with Deaf Sports Ireland as part of the executive committee. She is currently part of the IDS Digital Education committee, where she provides some of her expertise in both teaching and information technology for the IDS Further Education & Training.

John has worked as CEO of IDS since December 2018. He is carrying out Company Secretary duties temporarily while the board seeks a new person for that role.