Our Team

Ellen Burke - Community-Employment Staff Member

Rosaleen Doherty

CEO

Bio

Rosaleen Doherty has devoted her working career to the Independent Living Movement and the disability sector. Having worked within the first ever CIL in Ireland from 1993 based in Dublin, she was promoted to a national role which seen her support the development of seven further CIL’s throughout the country. In 1999 she returned to her native Donegal where she was instrumental in the establishment of the Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) and has played a central role in its growth and development ever since. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of roles spanning coordination, development, and management, leading to her current position as CEO of DCIL. She holds qualifications in Health & Social Care, Disability Studies – NUI Maynooth together with Supervisory and Management NCIR Dublin.

Jonathan McLaughlin

Operations Manager

Bio

Jonathan McLaughlin has been a dedicated team member at DCIL for many years, taking on a variety of roles that reflect his passion for supporting people with disabilities. He has worked as a Personal Assistant, an Education Support Worker, and later as a Service Support Co-ordinator, before stepping into his current role as Operations Manager. This journey has given him a unique insight into the challenges and benefits in delivering independent living services. Jonathan is committed to helping DCIL grow while staying true to its core values of independence, options, rights, and empowerment.

Jennifer Arenhold

Finance & Compliance Manager

Bio

Jennifer Arenhold is a qualified Financial Accountant with over 14 years of experience in finance and managerial roles. Prior to joining DCIL, she spent a year with the HSE as a Business Analyst in Procurement Compliance. In her current role as Finance and Compliance Manager, Jennifer oversees the effective operation of the Finance Department, ensures compliance with HSE National Financial Regulations (NFRs), and manages contracts and funding arrangements with the HSE. She also leads on tendering processes and plays a key role in policy development and review.

Fiona Mullen

HR Manager

Bio

Fiona brings over 10 years of valuable experience in Human Resources, having worked both within HR departments on-site and as a trusted HR and employment law consultant. She has supported a wide range of organisations across various sectors including the health care sector, offering guidance in all aspects of HR.

Fiona has a deep understanding of employment legislation across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.

With a genuine passion for people, Fiona is committed to supporting DCIL in nurturing a positive, supportive, and enjoyable work environment for all employees.

Her expertise will help ensure that DCIL continues to empower its team and uphold the vital support it provides to leaders across the organisation.

Meadhbh Guinney

Service Support Co-Ordinator

Bio

Meadhbh Guinney is a Service Support Coordinators at the DCIL. In this role, she is responsible for managing and coordinating service schedules to ensure seamless support for all DCIL leaders. She also oversees the recruitment of Personal Assistants, ensuring the organisation has the right personnel in place to deliver high-quality, person-centred support. In addition, Meadhbh liaises with the HSE on existing and potential services, advocating for the necessary resources to support independent living opportunities. With strong organisational and communication skills, she plays a key role in maintaining efficient operations while promoting the principles of Independent Living.

Marty Friel

Service Support Co-Ordinator

Bio

Marty Friel brings over a decade of experience from the residential care sector, where he worked as a Senior Care Assistant supporting both people with disabilities and elderly individuals. He has been associated with the Donegal Centre for Independent Living since 2014, initially working part-time as a Personal Assistant. In 2023, Marty joined the management team as a Service Support Coordinator and is also the organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Officer. A key part of his role involves engaging with DCIL leaders and staff to ensure the Personal Assistant service operates as effectively as possible. He plays a vital role in setting up new services and instructing new Personal Assistants to provide high-quality support. Marty holds a qualification in Leadership & Management and is dedicated to promoting independence, dignity, and high-quality support for all DCIL leaders.

Susan Wasson

Services Support

Bio

Susan Wasson joined DCIL as an Office Administrator and moved into her current Service Support role in 2023. With over 20 years of experience in office administration and coordination, she brings a strong background in organisation and service delivery.

Susan works closely with the Coordination Department, providing essential support in the planning and organisation of training for Personal Assistants. She also plays a key role in the delivery of DCIL’s Educational Support Worker (ESW) service, helping ensure that supports are in place for students who need them. Her structured, reliable approach contributes to the smooth running of services across the organisation.

Michelle Murphy

Payroll Operator

Bio

Michelle Murphy is a dedicated Payroll Operator in DCIL’s Finance Department, known for her accuracy, efficiency, and strong attention to detail. With over 18 years of experience in payroll, she plays a vital role in ensuring employees are paid correctly and on time. From processing payroll and resolving discrepancies to navigating compliance requirements, Michelle takes pride in keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her commitment to getting the details right helps support the wider team and the smooth operation of the organisation.

Laura McLaughlin

Office Administrator

Bio

xxxx

Ellen Burke

Community Employment

Bio

Ellen Burke joined DCIL in 2023 through the Community Employment (CE) scheme and quickly became a valued member of the team. In her role, she provides essential support to the Finance Department, assisting with a range of administrative and financial tasks that help ensure the smooth running of day-to-day operations.

Ellen’s attention to detail, willingness to learn, and proactive approach have made her a reliable and trusted colleague. She plays an important part in supporting key processes within the finance team, contributing to payroll preparation, record-keeping, and general office duties.

Ellen’s role highlights the important contribution of CE participants at DCIL.

Kevin Reilly

Caretaker

Bio

Kevin Reilly first joined DCIL in 2015 through a Community Employment (CE) scheme before becoming a permanent staff member in 2021. With a diverse background in maintenance, environmental work, and property management, Kevin brings a wealth of practical experience and a strong hands-on approach to his role.

Acting as a key point of support he is responsible for a wide range of maintenance duties, manages DCIL’s Accessible Vehicle Service, and regularly supports the reception team when needed. Over the years, he has completed numerous training courses, including Health and Safety, First Aid, and Hard Landscaping.

Kevin is known for his reliability, adaptability, and deep commitment to DCIL. His dedication is evident in every aspect of his work, making him a highly valued and trusted member of the team.

Atlanta Mcgee

Office Administrator

Bio

Atlanta joined Donegal Centre for Independent Living (DCIL) in 2025 as an Office Administrator after returning to Ireland from Canada. During her time abroad, she gained valuable experience working as an Office Manager across both the hospitality and technology sectors.

A graduate of Atlantic Technological University (ATU) with a degree in Business Management, Atlanta brings strong organisational skills and administrative expertise to the team. At DCIL, she works closely with the HR, Payroll and Coordination teams, helping to ensure the smooth running of the office while supporting the organisation’s mission to empower people with disabilities to live independently and fully participate in their communities.

Louise Callaghan

Tús Programme

Bio

Louise Callaghan has been a Leader with DCIL for over ten years. She joined the Donegal Centre for Independent Living in 2025 as part of the Tús programme. She holds a Level 7 degree in Film and Media Production, which she completed between 2022 and 2025.

In her role, Louise manages the organisation’s website and social media platforms, helping to create engaging and accessible content for Leaders and the wider community. Alongside her digital media responsibilities, she also supports the administration team with a range of day-to-day tasks when needed, including answering phone calls and assisting with general office duties.

Louise is passionate about using her media and communication skills to support the work of independent living organisations and to help connect people through clear, engaging online content.