I suppose I would describe myself as a bit of a chameleon, in a good way. The truth is, I love so many things that I have learned to molt and change and adapt to situations, from a union negotiation meeting with Belgium in my HR role for a large airline, to the forest of a psytrance festival in the Irish midlands sitting in a yurt taking part in a Peruvian whistle blowing ceremony. I love all kinds of people and I love to really immerse myself in a wealth of cultures and experiences. You can’t learn if you don’t dive in. And there is nothing I love better than learning, especially from people who are undeniably enthusiastic about who they are, what they do, and how they live, or who are at least hungry to find out.

When it comes to LGBTQ knowledge, most of my education on the subject comes from experience, and the rest determined learning. I came out when I was 21 and was immediately consumed within the new world that had just opened itself to me. From this moment I made a conscious decision to absorb every ounce of confidence and comfort that comes with having a solid community behind you at all times, something I have never taken for granted. I have always believed the greatest asset to any LGBTQ person is their community, and I am so thrilled to be joining a team where I can be involved in giving back to that community, in whatever shape that may form.

My interest in this role undoubtedly stems from my interest in relationships, and (naturally!) those within my community. My wish is for everyone to feel happy, safe, supported and loved. Life can be tough and no matter how easy anyone makes it look, it’s not easy for anyone. I hope to be a positive, welcoming and educational voice within Re-Pair and offer insight while also questioning, challenging and always encouraging a flirtation with learning and development.