Meet Our Team

CEO (she/her)

Hello! I’m Tracey and I joined Soar in April 2024. For me, Soar represented a unique opportunity to combine almost 20 years of senior operational experience with a passion for facilitating safe spaces for young people, which I’ve been doing in a voluntary capacity since 2010.  The “essence” of Soar is found in the depth of the work that we do for the young people that we support. Witnessing firsthand the impact that our team of talented and deeply relatable facilitators have on the groups of teens that we support was extremely powerful, humbling and exciting. 

Acceptance and validation is something that I think a lot of young people struggle with as they navigate the teenage years in a complex world. I know that if I cast my mind back (way, way back!) to when I was a teenager growing up in a 1980’s Ireland, acceptance and validation amongst my peers was probably the most important aspect of my life. I struggled to accept who I was because we didn’t really have the safe space to explore that in any depth and so would look to my peers to validate who I was, something which I’m sure many of us can relate to.

My role and purpose in Soar is to support the team to deliver our mission to reach every teenager in Ireland. I will do this by ensuring we have a full strategy in place supported by a sustainable funding pipeline. I’m really excited about the next chapter in the story of The Soar Foundation and count myself extremely fortunate to work with a bunch of talented, energised and passionate people who put young people at the heart of everything they do.

Operations Executive (they/them)

My name is Naoise and I currently look after booking in workshops, administration, and supporting the facilitator team. I was drawn to Soar after a good friend recommended I come along to an open evening and I immediately felt connected to the mission. I spent a lot of my youth feeling unheard and misunderstood, not knowing who to talk to. Soar creates space for young people to be authentic and have honest conversations and I love being a part of that.

In my personal life I am a songwriter and musician and enjoy making original music. I also love spending my time volunteering at my local youth centre with youth groups centred around music and holding a safe space for LGBTQIA+ young folks. I strongly value inclusion and acceptance, and understand the importance of honest self expression, which is why I'm passionate about working for Soar. I love working with such empathetic and courageous individuals to create an empowering and magical space for young people.

Programme Delivery Team Manager (she/her)

Hello! My name is Harriet, I am the Programme Delivery Team Manager at the Soar Foundation. My role is focused on supporting the continuous development of our team and ensuring the highest quality of programme delivery for young people across Ireland. 

Outside of work I love to read fantasy books, do yoga, dance to hip-hop and rnb at the club, and travel as much as I can around Europe! 

Facilitator (she/her)

My name’s Ciara, and I work with Soar as a Facilitator. I get to be involved in the amazing experience of travelling the country weekly and meeting so many incredible humans in this space. It never ceases to amaze me how much I learn from the young people that partake in the programmes.

I have a background in psychology, now graduated from UCD, so I like to think this work suits me nicely. I got involved with Soar when I was 16 in Transition Year through a week of work experience, and that stuck with me until I ultimately came full circle and joined the team during my final year of college in 2022! I often think that doing this work is like giving back to my 16-year-old self. Self-conscious, nervous teenage Ciara would have benefited from a workshop. When I’m not working, you’ll find me swimming in the sea all times of the year, at a concert with my mates or scouring charity shops for my 100th dad-jumper.

Facilitator (she/her)

Hi, I’m Hazel and I am a facilitator. As part of the programme delivery team, I get to travel around the country running workshops! The best part of the job for me is definitely meeting so many brilliant young people every week. It is a privilege to get to create space for them to recognise how much they already know and can learn from each other. The reason I love Soar is because when I was 16, I knew I had lots of smart opinions and ideas, and I often felt that the adults in my life didn’t take me seriously. Now, I get to be the person that hears and values the thoughts young people share with us at workshops, and I always learn something from them.

Before I joined Soar, I spent time working in volunteer management, university admin, and learning & development. Plus, I studied English Literature and Sociology at university! When I’m not working, I am a board game fiend, an avid sea swimmer, and a messy cook. I also love to read, watch movies (particularly at the cinema), and lose at trivia nights!

Facilitator (he/him)

My name is Donal, I work as a Workshop Facilitator. I’ve been with Soar for nearly 3 years, but up to now it has been part time as I was also working as a Games Promotions Officer with Dublin GAA. I’m really excited about working with Soar, as it is such a rewarding experience for me as I see myself in a lot of the young people we get to meet.

Sport plays a massive role in my life and hurling and football for my GAA club are my greatest passions, I enjoy watching nearly every sport. In my spare time I love coffee, podcasts and a good conspiracy theory. A guilty pleasure of mine would have to be a bit of pre-bed TikTok.

Facilitator (he/him)

Hi, my name is Liam and I’m a facilitator with Soar. Every week, I travel to different schools around the country delivering workshops to the young people of Ireland. My favourite part of this work is listening to this next generation, who are so bright and capable, and hoping to empower them to live their lives to the fullest. If I come away from a workshop having impacted them as much as they impact me, then I consider that a good day’s work!

My ‘why’ for working at Soar is that I believe it’s absolutely vital to encourage our young people to be themselves in the face of an ever-changing and demanding world. When I was in school, I definitely would have benefitted from a Soar workshop, and since then I have side-stepped through different industries to get to where I want to be - right here!

I’m dedicated to engaging with each group and showing them the value of following their dreams. I’m so privileged to do this for a living and I have found purpose and fulfilment through my work. Outside of Soar, I love to read, write, exercise and hang out with my friends and family.

Facilitator (they/them)

I’m Amy and I’m a part-time Facilitator. I’ve been involved with Soar’s Youth crew ever since they came to facilitate a workshop when I was in TY. Soar gave me my power back – it was a safe and inclusive space where I was able to try out new ways of living my life, see which one fit the best and roll with it. Now, I want to give the gift of Soar back to other young people who may need it just as much as I did!

My passion for social justice led me to study social work in college – I’ve even begun a journey towards activism and volunteering! I’m obsessed with Pokémon and I’m really excited for their new game to drop! I also play Gaelic football with my club, but love all sports, and have gotten really into long distance running – I particularly enjoy running challenges set by different mental health organisations.

Facilitator (she/her)

Hi! I'm Marnie, and I'm a Facilitator at the Soar Foundation. Being part of the programme delivery team means I get to deliver workshops to young people all over Ireland.  I love getting to hear their stories and listen to their opinions. I always come away inspired by their honesty.  I am passionate about providing a safe space for young people to share and explore their authentic selves and feel very lucky to work with Soar to help provide this. 

I have been working with young people for the past ten years. Before joining The Soar Foundation, I worked in the charity sector delivering therapeutic recreational outreach programmes to children in hospital. I am currently studying Youth Mental Health Promotion at Galway University with the National Youth Council of Ireland. I also work as a facilitator and writer with Youth Theatres across Ireland, devising issue based theatre with young people which I greatly enjoy! 

In my downtime I love to go for hikes, travel, read, play my guitar (very badly, I've only just started learning!) and hang out with my very cute, very nibbly, very fluffy, lil puppy called Louis.  

Facilitator (she/her)

Hey! My names Becky and I am a workshop Facilitator at Soar. As part of my job I get the opportunity to visit schools around Ireland and meet lots of amazing young people. I joined Soar as I found school a challenging environment to express myself and my opinions. I love being able to create a different environment for young people today, somewhere they can feel safe to be themselves and explore their opinions!

My background is in fine art, specifically textile art. In my art work I focus on how art can have a positive impact on mental health and change the way we live our lives. I am passionate about creating spaces and objects that people can engage with, explore and learn. 

I spend most of my spare time embroidering or drawing. However, when I’m not doing that you’ll find me reading fiction novels, doing a spin class, spending time with my friends and family, walking my dog and going to any gig I can get tickets for!