Senior Management Team

Maeve Mahon: CEIST’s Chief Executive Officer.

Maeve Mahon is a native of Co Meath and has worked in the Diocese of Kildare & Leighlin supporting Catholic primary education for the past thirty years. As Diocesan Secretary for Primary Education she has effectively worked alongside the Patron, school principals, chairpersons, board members and parents to develop structures that support and scaffold Catholic school communities. This framework is built on a living ethos, good governance and a recognition that everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. She believes that this expertise in building and sustaining strong, cooperative relationships will enable her  to foster a positive and collaborative work environment at CEIST, encouraging teamwork and excellent communication with all stakeholders.

An established author of parish based sacramental preparation programmes and religious education textbooks for primary schools, Maeve, has also contributed articles to books, journals, periodicals and newspapers. She has been a guest speaker at conferences nationally and internationally and has hosted programmes on the iCatholic media platform.

Maeve has been very fortunate as both a board member and chairperson of CEIST to build relationships with both staff and stakeholders. The work has given her a deep appreciation of all that has already been achieved and a real desire to build on this very strong foundation to ensure that CEIST continues to grow as a key player in the education landscape in Ireland. She is a highly motivated and dedicated individual, committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of her work. She has a proven ability to navigate complex challenges, make sound decisions, and deliver sustainable results. With a passion for education and a drive for success, Maeve is excited about the opportunity to lead CEIST into a future of continued growth and success.

Maeve can be contacted at  ceo@ceist.ie

Fiona Gallagher: Director of Education.

Fiona Gallagher began her educational journey at Mater Dei Institute of Education where she completed her degree in Religious Education and English. She went on to teach in a variety of school settings across both Meath and Dublin, gaining valuable experience in diverse and dynamic learning communities.

Her career expanded beyond the classroom when she was seconded to Marino Institute of Education and was part of the Centre for Education Services team contributing to wider educational initiatives and system development. She later spent four years with the Edmund Rice Schools Trust, further strengthening her expertise in leadership, governance, and values‑based education.

A committed lifelong learner, she completed two Master’s degrees, each of which deepened her understanding of educational leadership and informed her approach to school development.

In 2013, she was appointed Principal of CBS Roscommon a role she held for eight years, guiding the school community through significant growth and change. In 2022, she joined Presentation College Headford, where she continues to lead with a strong commitment to student wellbeing, academic excellence, and the CEIST values that shape her work. Fiona took up the role of Director of Education, which she was very excited about, on the first of August 2026. Fiona can be contacted at fgallagher@ceist.ie

FLG (Faith Leadership and Governance)

CEIST Faith Leadership and Governance (FLG) co-ordinators support our schools throughout the country.   They provide information, guidance and training to Boards of Management and senior leaderships teams.  Their core role is assisting school communities in upholding and celebrating school ethos, in the CEIST tradition.

Pádraigin Uí Riordain

Pádraigin  Uí Riordain from Tipperary, studied English and Mathematics at UCC, where she also received  a Higher Diploma in Education  and Diploma in Catechetics. During her career she has taken numerous  courses in school management and leadership. She is currently involved with CSL as a mentor for new principals. Recently she completed a Higher Diploma in Education Law at Kings Inns .

Her early teaching career was spent at Coachford  College, Co. Cork, where she became a Deputy Principal before being appointed as Co. Cork VEC’s  first woman Principal in 1992 at Davis College Mallow, a position she held until 2002, when she was appointed as Chief Executive with Clare VEC . She returned to Cork in 2004 when she was appointed Principal at Mount Mercy College.

She has served in a variety of DES, JMB and NAPD committees, committed to innovation and change in the education field. Throughout her career she always remained  active in TUI and ASTI at local and national level.

Pádraigin took up her current position as Leadership Officer for Community Schools and Designated Community Colleges at CEIST in 2019 and can be contacted at puiriordain @ceist.ie.

Rita Meagher

Rita Meagher graduated from Galway University with a BA in Gaeilge and French and a H. Dip in Education. She began her teaching career in a Special School in London before returning to Ireland in 1990. She taught for several years in the voluntary and community education sectors. She worked for a time as Guidance Counsellor before her appointment to Deputy Principal. In 2011, she moved to St Joseph’s Mercy Secondary School in Navan, where she worked first as Deputy Principal and later as Principal.

Rita completed post graduate studies in both Guidance Counselling and Leadership and Management in Maynooth University. She holds a Post-Graduate Diploma in Christian Leadership in Education from MIE and a Diploma in Education Law from the Law Society of Ireland.

She joined the Faith Leadership and Governance team in CEIST in November 2024 and can be contacted at rmeagher@ceist.ie

Yvonne Bane

Yvonne has built a distinguished career in second-level education, working as a teacher and Guidance Counsellor before progressing into school leadership. A graduate of the University of Galway, she returned to University College Cork to complete postgraduate studies in Guidance and Counselling, as well as a Master of Education (M.Ed).

Yvonne has been part of the CEIST community since 2011, serving as Principal of St Aloysius School, Cork (2011–2013), and Principal of St Mary’s Secondary School, Mallow (2013–2024). She joined the CEIST team in October 2024 and currently serves as Primary Schools Liaison and Faith Leadership and Governance Coordinator for schools in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.

Yvonne can be contacted at ybane@ceist.ie

John O’Roarke

John O’Roarke studied English and Philosophy in NUI Maynooth before completing a degree in Theology.  He received a H.Dip in Education in Trinity College and a Masters in Education Management through CLEO and Hull University.

He began his teaching career in St. Mary’s Moyderwell and, on amalgamation in 2001, became Deputy Principal of Mercy Secondary School Mounthawk in Tralee, taking up the role of principal there from 2008 to 2026. Through the years, John has lectured and tutored on the Diploma in Catechetics course in UCC and on the Masters in Education programme in MIC. He has also worked with the CSL as a mentor.

John joined the CEIST team in April 2026 and can be contacted at joroarke@ceist.ie

Shane Hallahan

Shane Hallahan graduated from University College Cork with a BA in Gaeilge and Geography and a Higher Diploma in Education in 1991. A proud Déise man, he began his teaching career in CBS Tramore before moving into school leadership. He served as Deputy Principal at CTI Clonmel for six years, before his appointment as Principal at Presentation Secondary School, Kilkenny, a position he held with distinction for 17 years.

Shane completed post-graduate studies in Education Management at South East Technological University (SETU), where he holds a Master’s Degree in Education Management and currently lectures on the programme. He also collaborates with the University of Limerick (UL), working on the Post Graduate Diploma in School Leadership (PDSL) course.

He joins the CEIST team in September 2026 and can be contacted at shallahan@ceist.ie

Rogi Rusch

Rogi Rusch joined CEIST in October 2026 as Building Officer. Originally from Brazil, he holds a degree in Business Administration and an MBA in Strategic Management. His background spans finance, operations, project and facilities management.

In Brazil, Rogi worked for the State of Paraná’s Department of Finance, supporting public budgeting and strategic planning and helping deliver training to public-sector professionals and decision-makers across the state.

In Ireland, he worked in event and project management, followed by operations in the education sector. Most recently, he was a Facilities Coordinator in a healthcare organisation, overseeing maintenance, contractors, budgets, compliance and facilities projects, with an emphasis on efficiency and process improvement.

Rogi was also involved in the Scout movement for approximately ten years, which shaped his appreciation of the role education, community and positive role models play in young people’s development.

Rogi can be reached at rrusch@ceist.ie

Lisa Newman

Lisa Newman is the Head of Finance and Administration at CEIST, where she has been a valued member of the team since 2023. With a diverse professional background spanning finance, administration, education, and corporate services, Lisa brings a wealth of experience and a people-focused approach to her role.

Prior to joining CEIST, Lisa built her career in the corporate pensions sector, working with some of Ireland’s leading insurance companies. During this time, she developed extensive expertise in financial management, client service, operations, and regulatory compliance. She also spent a period working within the Early Childhood sector, where she had a particular focus on supporting children with special educational needs, an experience that reinforced her commitment to inclusion, empathy, and service.

Known for her professionalism, integrity, and attention to detail, Lisa is passionate about building strong relationships and creating positive outcomes for colleagues and stakeholders alike. She values open communication, collaboration, and a practical approach to problem-solving, helping to ensure that the organisations she serves operate effectively and efficiently.

Lisa’s broad range of experiences across both corporate and educational environments allows her to bring a balanced perspective to her work, combining financial expertise with a genuine commitment to supporting people and communities.

Lisa can can be contacted at lnewman@ceist.ie

Aislinn Egan

Aislinn Egan was appointed Administrator and Financial Assistant with CEIST in August 2026. Originally from Nurney, Co. Kildare, she has extensive experience in financial services and client management. Following her college education, Aislinn worked for seven years with Ulster Bank, then spent five years in the equine industry as a Client and Account Manager. Her professional experience supports the effective administration and financial operations of CEIST.

Aislinn can be contacted contacted:aegan@ceist.ie.

David Murray 

David Murray began his career in education in 2006, spending 15 years working in the sector. David is passionate about education and firmly believed that learning was a two-way process, with teachers having as much to learn from their students as students had to learn from them.

In 2023, David decided to pursue a new career path and joined CEIST in August of that year. In his role within the CEIST Office, David has a diverse range of responsibilities, including IT support, event management, and general office administration.

David can be contacted at dmurray@ceist.ie