Our People

Sarah Tecklenborg

CEO

Dr. Sarah Tecklenborg was appointed CEO in November 2024 after ten months as Interim CEO. Sarah joined CFI in December 2019 as Senior Research and Policy Coordinator, bringing extensive research and management experience with her. Sarah established Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) programmes, support groups such as the Pregnancy Support and Advocacy Group, and has been instrumental in campaigning for better CF care and access to medications. Sarah graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a BA in Microbiology, a MSc in Global Health and a PhD in Molecular Epidemiology.

Jolyn Mulvey

Finance & HR Senior Co-ordinator

Agata Adamaszek

Finance and Audit Senior Co-Ordinator

One of the longest members of staff, Agata joined CFI in 2008. In her role as Finance and Audit Senior Coordinator, she looks after the financial side of the organisation. Reporting regularly to the CEO, Staff & Finance Committee and Board, she works with the auditors to prepare annual Financial Reports which showcase CFI’s financial activity to the public in transparent way. Agata has a Masters in Economics from the University of Szczecin, a Diploma in Accounting & Finance from Dublin Business School and is an ACCA accounts technician.

Naisa Almeida

Financial Management Specialist

Naisa joined CFI in September of 2023 as part of the finance team. Naisa has three degrees - most recently obtaining a BA with Honours in Business Studies here in Dublin, complementing a degree in Library Science (transferred to an early career in Librarian Science in Northeast Brazil) plus a degree in Travel & Tourism. Naisa's passions outside of work lay in books & document preservation within library science, best demonstrated through her publication: https://repositorio.ufrn.br/handle/123456789/39863.

Emma Wallace

Member Services and Advocacy Senior Coordinator

Emma joined CFI in May 2024 as Member Services and Advocacy Senior Coordinator. Emma completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology and prior to that was Lead Services Coordinator with ARC Cancer Support. Emma was with ChildLine for seventeen years, where she started as a volunteer, and ended her time there as National ChildLine Manager. An avid runner and athlete, Emma is passionate about exercise and volunteers at her local ParkRun every week.

Caroline Heffernan

CF Advocate

Caroline started working for CF Ireland in September 2007 as Patient Advocate on the Member’s Services Team. In her role as advocate she supports members from diagnosis through teenage years and into adult life. In addition to member advocacy, Caroline organises the annual conference and is involved with fundraising and raising awareness by visiting schools, colleges and medical institutes informing the public and future medical staff about aspects of living with CF. Previously Caroline worked for over 20 years as a liaison tutor for children with learning difficulties.

Rory Tallon

CF Advocate

Rory works as CF Patient Advocate as part of CFI’s member service team to help and support people with CF and families affected by CF through information, guidance, grants and advocacy. Rory joined CFI in 2016 having previously worked as a clinical data manager in a pharmaceutical research organisation for 20 years. Rory qualified with a BSc (Hons) in Industrial Microbiology with Chemistry from University College Dublin and an MSc in Biological Sciences from Dublin City University.

Jen Balfe

Research and Policy Coordinator

Jen Balfe is currently Research and Policy Coordinator for CFI. Jen was an English teacher and Leaving Cert examiner for many years and holds an Honours Masters Degree in Creative Writing with UCD. With experience in research and a passion for public and patient involvement she believes that the concerns, expertise and voices of pwCF and the CF community are central to shaping policy and research. Jen is a person with CF and with CFI, she founded the Pregnancy Support and Advocacy Group. Jen facilitates the group with CF Advocate

Nicola Delaney Foxe

Strategic Communications Senior Coordinator / DPO

Nicola joined CFI as Public Awareness & Social Media Officer in Jan 2022, moving to the role of Communications and Awareness Raising Senior Coordinator in Sept 2023 & Strategic Communications Senior Coordinator in Feb 2025. Being self-employed since 2012, Nicola partnered with not-for-profit, public & private sector organisations until she changed careers in 2021, graduating from DCU with a first class Masters degree in PR & Strategic Communications. Gaining valuable experience as volunteer Communications Officer for Innisfails GAA Club and interning with Alice PR, Nicola has also worked closely with other key stakeholders such as the IDN & CFRI

Stewart Lee

Office Manager

Stewart joined the CF Ireland team as Office Manager in May 2024. Prior to his current role, Stewart established and ran his own company which specialised in family and sporting events. He holds a BSc (Hons) in Business and Management from TUD. In his spare time, Stewart is very active. He plays football, tag rugby and takes part in his local Park Run every week.

Fergal Smyth

Fundraising Manager

Fergal was appointed Fundraising Manager in 2015 having previously worked as Fundraising Manager for The Asthma Society of Ireland and following a long successful career in the Grocery Sector. He is responsible for developing and implementing the fundraising strategy for CFI. A graduate of Letterkenny IT (H-Dip in Marketing & Small Business Management) and Sligo IT (Diploma in Business Studies), in his free time, Fergal likes to play Traditional Irish Music. He is involved in voluntary work / fundraising associated with his music, including running the Seosamh MacGabhann Summer School.

Jude Chettiar

Digital Marketing Specialist

Jude joined CFI in July 2022 in the position of Digital Marketing Co-Ordinator within the Fundraising team. Prior to CFI, Jude worked in Member First Credit Union as a Marketing Executive and in Vodafone as a Data Analyst. Jude holds a Master’s Degree in Data Analytics and is currently completing his Masters in Digital Marketing from TU Dublin. Jude has experience working both in analytics and marketing field both in multinationals and small organisations. Originally from Mumbai, India, Jude has lived in Dublin for over 4 years now.

Hazel Doran

Community Events Officer

Hazel joined us in July 2023 as the Events & Individual Giving Coordinator before stepping into the role of Community Events Officer in February 2025. Now leading the events team, she works closely with her colleagues to plan and deliver campaigns that help support CFI’s mission. She holds a degree in Event Management from TU Dublin and previously served as Vice President for Welfare and Equality at TUDSU. Born and raised in North Dublin, Hazel has a real passion for social justice and enjoys contributing meaningfully within CFI.

Jackie Farias

Community Events Coordinator

Jackie joined CFI officially in February 2025 as the Community Events Coordinator. She interned with CFI autumn of 2024, which led to her official employment. Jackie is a Master’s student studying Business focusing on Women in Leadership at Texas Woman’s University, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the same institution. Born and raised in the heart of Texas back in the USA, she is more than happy to be living in Ireland again where she is able to grow individually and professionally, especially with the team here

Kevin Downes

Fundraising Executive

Kevin joined CFI as Fundraising Executive in November 2025. He was hired as part of the 65 Roses campaign team for 2026. He works closely with our volunteers and the rest of the fundraising team to ensure that this year’s campaign is a success. Kevin recently graduated from TUD with a Bachelor of Business in Management and is excited to begin his career journey at CFI. He and his family have been involved with the organization for many years now and he believes his history with the organization will only benefit him