Moira is the CEO of Canoeing Ireland since December 2018 and has extensive sports administration experience having worked with Athletics Ireland for twelve years in senior roles. Moira has been instrumental in leading Canoeing Ireland during a period of transformational change, which included the implementation of a professional high-performance system and strategy, increased membership, increased turnover by 175% and comprehensive governance restructuring programme. Canoeing Ireland was the recipient of the prestigious Irish Sport Industry Award NGB of the year 2024.
Having graduated from UCD Michael Smurfit Business School with an MSc Business, (Leadership & Management Practice), Moira successfully completed the IPA Professional Certificate in Governance programme in 2020 and is a certified mediator with the Mediation Institute of Ireland. Currently a member of the board of OFI, The Federation of Irish Sport, Comhairle na Tuaithe and Meath Local Sports Partnership and European Canoe Association Governance Committee, Moira is a passionate advocate for equity, fair play and a drug free sport.
| Skill Set | Detail |
|---|---|
| Financial | As CEO of Canoeing Ireland, I have extensive experience overseeing budgets and managing financial operations. I was responsible for increasing turnover by 175% over 5 years, ensuring financial sustainability through careful budget planning and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, I worked closely with auditors to ensure full financial transparency and compliance with financial reporting standards. |
| Legal | In my leadership roles, I have been directly involved in managing legal affairs, including contract negotiations. I have a good understanding of employment law, ensuring that the organisation complies with all legal requirements while protecting its interests. |
| Risk / Compliance | Risk management and compliance are critical in sports administration, and I have overseen the development and implementation of risk management frameworks across multiple areas, including financial risk, operational risk, and athlete welfare. Through a proactive approach, I implemented policies that minimised risk exposure, ensured ethical standards, and safeguarded the organisation against reputational risks. These efforts were instrumental in maintaining trust with stakeholders. |
| Sports Administration | I have over 17 years of experience in sports administration, where I’ve managed the full spectrum of operations, from talent development to event management. I’ve worked closely with government agencies, sports federations, and community organisations to develop policies and programs that foster sports development and participation, while strategically growing the organisation’s influence and reach in the sports world. |
| Governance | My governance experience includes serving on various boards and chairing committees, where I ensured alignment between management and the board. I am well-versed in corporate governance principles, having led governance reforms that enhanced accountability, transparency, and board effectiveness within Canoeing Ireland. I’ve implemented policies to improve the decision-making process and set up frameworks to regularly review organisational performance against strategic goals. Additionally, I’ve worked on succession planning to ensure strong leadership continuity and long-term stability. Finally, I hold a professional certificate in governance. |
| Information Technology | In today’s sports landscape, technology plays a crucial role, and I’ve led digital transformation efforts that leveraged technology for fan engagement, performance analytics, and operational efficiency resulting in measurable performance improvements. I also prioritised data security and privacy, ensuring compliance with cybersecurity standards and protecting sensitive organisational data. |
| High Performance Sport | Overseeing relationships, processes, policies and procedures within the HP sports sector is a crucial function of a CEO in HP sport. This important work has led to improved performance results and increased the organisation’s reputation on the global stage. |
| Commercial / Marketing | Commercial growth is key to sustaining any sports organisation. I have excellent knowledge and experience of stakeholder management in this area. |
| Human Resources | I have extensive experience in managing human resources, from recruitment and talent development to cultivating a strong organisational culture. I’ve implemented leadership development programs that improved employee retention and engagement while also focusing on diversity and inclusion initiatives, ensuring that our workforce is reflective of the broader community we serve. My leadership style emphasises empowerment, accountability, and clear communication, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment that drives organisational success. |