A message from CEO Mark McDonnell

After nearly 11 years with Soar, our CEO Mark has decided that now is the right time for him to step aside and take his next adventure. You can read Mark’s words below.

We are so grateful for everything that Mark has given to Soar. He has been one of the key drivers of the organisation since the very early days when we were just figuring things out, and since then he has played almost every role in the organisation. He volunteered for Soar for 6 months at the start to help make Soar happen, he facilitated workshops, raised funding, he hustled. And for the last 5 years he has lead the organisation as CEO through a pandemic, school lockdowns and an important stage in our growth and development.

He leaves the organisation on an exciting trajectory, with a great team and a strong foundation for the new CEO to build on. To ensure a smooth transition, Mark will stay on as CEO until the 1st April 2024, to allow time for a new CEO to be recruited and to continue the momentum that we are building in the meantime.

While we are sad to see Mark go, we are excited about this next phase for Soar and looking forward to appointing our next leader. Teenagers need Soar more than ever, and we will continue to deliver for them as we make this internal change. With this announcement, we will be commencing our recruitment process for the new CEO so please help us spread the word to find a great candidate who is committed to helping teenagers to thrive.

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For now though, thank you Mark and we can’t wait to see what you create next. 

“What an incredible privilege, what a wild adventure. After nearly 11 years immersed in helping create and build The Soar Foundation. I believe the time is right to step aside as CEO and welcome the next leader to take this special organisation into a new and exciting phase.

Since running our first workshops in 2012 our unwavering mission has been to build an organisation with the sole purpose of serving teenagers. To create brave environments where teenagers get to explore themselves and the world around them. Where they are respected. Where they understand their value. Where they won’t be judged. Where their wild and wonderful teenage spirit is welcomed and celebrated. Where we call on their own wisdom to navigate their challenges and be there for each other.

Witnessing teenagers come alive in those moments and break free of what may have been holding them back has been some of the most profound and moving experiences of my life.

There is no doubt this decision is somewhat bittersweet. I believe in the transformative power of our work more than ever. Teenagers are craving real environments where their truth is welcomed. Our pioneering emotional and character development work has now reached approx. 62,000 teenagers all over the country of Ireland. Teenagers, parents, teachers, and wellbeing professionals are telling us our work is more essential now than ever before. I am incredibly excited about Soar’s future and our mission to reach every teenager in the country with our programmes. We have an incredible Soar team, support partners, and Board of Directors working towards this every day.

Yet, I must also acknowledge, the timing is right for me to move on and experience new adventures. I will carry Soar’s essence in my heart and continue to be involved and support where I can, but the time is right for a change.

To ensure a smooth transition I will remain as CEO until April 1st 2024. During this period I will continue to build the organisation in line with our objectives, and also assist the integration of the incoming CEO so they, and the organisation, are fully supported in the transition process.

There will be loads of time for conversations and connections in the coming months, but for now I want to express my deep gratitude to the incredible team at Soar. Your passion for our work has inspired and driven this organisation. I would like to thank Soar’s Board of Directors for your commitment and dedication to ensuring Soar is moving forward with ambition, and for your unrelenting support to me over the years. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to Soar’s generous partners and supporters who allow this organisation to flourish – we have been very fortunate to have you alongside us.

Lastly, I would like to express my gratitude to our two co-founders Tony Griffin and Karl Swan who didn’t listen to reason, but rather listened to their hearts and made this vision a reality. Thank you all.”

- Mark McDonnell