Promoting Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Board of Directors
Kare's Board of Directors help to ensure that we achieve our vision, using resources to maximum effect while upholding our values at all times.
Matthew Behan | Chairperson
Matthew has been a Board Member since 2021 and was appointed Chairperson in 2024. A Chartered Accountant and Director, he has Board, CEO and Chair experience in national and international organisations across a number of sectors.
Matthew is also Chair of our Finance Audit Subcommittee. In the voluntary sector, he has been involved with the Construction Federation Employers Pension body, the London-based Institute of Operational Risk and Clongowes Wood College.
Rebecca Bolster | Vice Chairperson
Rebecca is a family representative on the Board of Directors since 2018 and currently Vice-Chairperson of the Board.
Her son, Ciarán, attends Kare’s Naas local service since graduating from St Anne’s in 2001.
Rebecca’s background in education, amongst other areas, helps her to represent family issues and support families, ensuring service users receive the best service to help them achieve their dreams.
Jennifer Dalton | Board Member
Jennifer is a family representative; her sister Frances attends Athy local service. Currently an Emergency Medical Technician, Jennifer’s background is in education and training in youth and disability-orientated services.
Jennifer joined the Board to give back and to help ensure that Kare continues to improve and provide excellent services to all service users, now and in the future.
Tom Lambert | Board Member
Tom has more than 20 years’ experience in operational risk management within the financial services sector and has held senior positions in the areas of internal audit and financial crime prevention.
Tom brings his experience to the Board to contribute to Kare’s work in the community. Tom is currently the Chairperson of the Quality, Risk and Safety Subcommittee.
Denis Maher | Board Member
Denis is Head of Corporate Partnerships for Special Olympics Ireland and has extensive experience in corporate partnerships, trusts and foundations, and major donor fundraising.
Denis has a degree in business management and a professional background in national and international sales and marketing roles within the private sector.
Noel Merrick | Board Member
Noel’s background is in education, as a former Principal of Naas CBS and former Chairperson of the Edmund Rice Schools Trust.
Noel is currently a School Building Advisor with the JMB, the body which represents voluntary secondary schools, as well as Chair of a number of Boards of Management and a member of the Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board.
Brian Murray | Board Member
Brian is a family representative on the Board. Brian’s son Alan attends the day service in Johnstown.
Brian brings experience from the world of business, especially in the areas of contracts and project management.
Geraldine O'Hara | Board Member
Geraldine joined the Board in June 2022 as a family member representative. Her brother Brendan receives services from Kare.
Geraldine’s background is in social care, psychology, trauma, psychotherapy and management and she has worked in a variety of settings including disability services, residential care, child protection, inspection and therapeutic family support and early intervention in Ireland, England and Germany.
Caroline Prendergast | Board Member
Caroline has more than 20 years’ experience as a full-time carer for her two sons, both of whom are supported by Kare. Conor attends Clane local service and Adam is supported by Outreach.
Caroline joined the Board to give back to the organisation that supports her sons, to represent all service users and their families and to help ensure the growth and development of Kare now and into the future so it can continue to provide vital services to those in need.
Caroline Wiseman-Kennedy | Board Member
Caroline joined the Board in 2024 as a family representative in order to support and contribute to the vital work that Kare carries out in the community. Her son Matthew is supported by Kare’s Outreach service.
Originally trained as a general nurse, Caroline has spent 30 years working in the area of environment, health, safety and wellbeing with the last 26 years for a multi-national within the technology sector where she continues to work. Caroline also sits on the Quality, Risk and Safety subcommittee for Kare.