Mairead Healy

Founder of Future Voices, an innovative award winning Irish youth human rights organisation, empowering the most at-risk young people in Ireland to transform their lives.

Background in law, human rights, policy/research and youth empowerment. Experience working in the public sector for the European Commission, experience working in political policy working for a senior British politician and also working for NGOs in the social justice and public interest law sector, including representing Irish Travellers and Gypsies. Aside from legal/advocacy background, have been involved in policy development- authored high level reports and have appeared before the UN and EU bodies, including drafting a National country report with the London School of Economics which was commissioned for the European Commission and authoring the first ever report on Irish Travellers/Gypsies in the UK to the UN Committee on Race Discrimination, in which my recommendations were adopted by the UN. Board member of various organisations.

Recent accolades include:
-Newstalk/WMB Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015,
-Ray Murphy CEO Award for leadership 2015.
-Listed in Tatlers Most influential women in the media 2015,
-Licensee of TEDx conference and awarded a TED scholarship to attend TED Global conference in Geneva in 2015.
-Appointed an Ashoka Fellow in 2014
-Social Entrepreneur Ireland Awardee 2014,
-Featured in Image Magazine “Irish Women Game Changers 2014”
-Finalist Image magazine Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2014
-Awardee for Bank of Ireland Social Enterprise Award 2014

Media contributor on inequality, youth and marginalized groups. Have appeared on many national shows including Prime Time, Morning Ireland, George Hook, Matt Cooper, RTE Drivetime etc. Regularly write columns for publications including The Irish Times and Journal.ie on issues of inequality, youth and diversity.