Grace McArdle, BA Honours Degree in Business Studies and International Marketing, joined Rape Crisis North East as manager in 2007.  She started off her professional career in the corporate technology sector in marketing and sales in Dell Computer Corporation. 

Prior to her current role she was employed as Business Development Manager and Women in Enterprise Officer at Louth County Enterprise Board assisting with the development of the micro-enterprise sector in County Louth.  She mentored and provided support to small businesses through the provision of advice and business counselling, training and management development and by investing financially through funding she secured from government departments in selected projects and ventures. 

Coming from a background of Project Management, Entrepreneurial Experiences and Cross-Border and International Trade Initiatives; her varied career roles focused on business strategy, governance, advocacy, policy and business development and fundraising campaigns.

Grace’s professional journey has led her to working for the NGO sector at Rape Crisis North East, supporting and speaking up for the rights of survivors of rape and sexual violence.  She was the Chairperson of the National Network Rape Crisis Network Ireland, a position she proudly held for 4 years. 

While working for Rape Crisis North East, Grace’s managerial experience has contributed to the growth and expansion of the organization leading to increased number of employed staff and services.  She was involved with many research development projects, has led business transformation initiatives, has led a number of change management programmes and initiated and implemented new and innovative services and supports for example, new services for young people, expansion of services through the opening of a new outreach in Drogheda, Co. Louth and Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan.  She has served on various boards and committees and has worked in partnership with many organisations and the educational sector.

Grace is passionate about making a difference and facilitating positive change.  Her role in RCNE is to support, empower and encourage all involved within the service in their ambition to create change.

Jennifer Norton is our new part-time Finance Officer and comes to us with a broad spectrum of experience in all aspects of accounts, payroll, taxation and employment law. She is committed to RCNE as a support organisation, is an enthusiastic fundraiser and will ensure that we comply with ‘best practice’ in governance, accountability and transparency.

Diploma, Counselling and Psychotherapy
Certificate, Issues of Sexual Violence: The Counselling Process, RCC
Meitheal Practitoner: TULSA

Mary Mooney has been a counsellor for the past seven years, working with adults and adolescents, in a trauma and suicide prevention based capacity. She is currently studying for an MA in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and is passionate about the work that she does with RCNE and feels that the learning never stops.

Annmarie Kennedy has been involved in the area of psychotherapy and personal development for over 15 years and specifically in the area of trauma for over 10 years. She is a fully qualified Counsellor and Psychotherapist who gained a first class honours degree (B.Sc. in Counselling and Psychotherapy) at Middlesex University. Annmarie uses a combination of clinical approaches including ‘Humanistic – Person-Centred / Gestalt’, ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’, Solution Focussed Brief Therapy’ combined with the therapeutic use of ‘Mindfulness’. Annmarie works with both adult and adolescent clients and practises under IACP supervision and code of ethics.