Irish Hospice Foundation Marks Changes to its Board of Trustees
Irish Hospice Foundation is announcing changes to its Board as Chair, Jean Callanan, steps down after six years in the role and hands the mantle over to new Chair, Leo Kearns.
Irish Hospice Foundation is delighted to benefit from a voluntary Board of non-executive trustees which was evaluated as a ‘high performing board’ by Board Excellence in 2025, the first time a not-for-profit Board achieved this standard in Ireland.
Speaking at an event to mark her departure, outgoing Chair, Jean Callanan, paid tribute to the team at Irish Hospice Foundation and Board members and highlighted the significant role IHF plays in Irish society. “Our job, as the leading national charity for dying, death, and bereavement, is to continually highlight the gaps in the system. We always need to remember our mantra, every death matters, and we have only one chance to get it right.
She added: “The incoming Chair, Leo Kearns, comes with massive experience and I am confident that I am leaving the Board of IHF in very good hands.”
Speaking as he took up the role this week, Leo said:
“I feel honoured to be taking up the position of Chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation. This is a truly outstanding and highly trusted organisation which, since its foundation over 40 years ago, has deepened our conversations about dying, death and bereavement. I have a strong sense of the legacy that is gifted to me in this role, and especially the contribution of Jean Callanan who, over the past six years, has led the organisation to where it is today. Through the work of its talented and highly committed staff, board, and network of volunteers, IHF is having a real impact on people’s lives. As Chair it is my goal to ensure that board continues to enable the purpose and mission of the organisation, through effective governance grounded in its values.”
Other Board members have also reached the end of their terms, and, as per best practice, and are also handing over the mantle to newer Board members. We would like to take the opportunity to wish Tony Holohan, Maeve O’Reilly and Gina Quin, the very best and thank them for their long and impactful service to the IHF Board of Trustees.
Full details about IHF Board and its members can be found by clicking here.
