Meet our team

Our highly skilled facilitators come with a wide range of qualifications and experience working with young people in a variety of roles, from education, health, youth work, social care and many more personal life experiences.  Meet the team below and take a look at our Programs Page to find out more of what we offer - although the possibilities are limitless - just like the potential of young people

Faye Hayden

Faye is the Director of Services at CAIM Empowers, she is the lead on the identification of target groups and works with them to design, delivery and evaluate programs, projects and training. I am proud and privileged to coach on European and Solidarity Corps projects. The youth of today are spectacular and mentoring is the absolute best part of my work.

Faye led an CCM award winning Quality and Compliance team in the financial sector where training design and delivery was part of her daily role, she brought this skillset to the community and volunteer sector when she changed her career direction in 2014. Faye has led various social justice and youth programs since and led the Roscommon Young Carers Project to the National Lottery Good Cause Best Youth Project award in 2023.

Faye is a mum to 3 neurodivergent children (Autism, PDA, situationmutism, dyslexia, OCD) and was diagnosed with ADHD herself at age 47. Faye has 30 years youthwork experience in volunteer and paid roles. She has a degree in Law, an Ma in Social Justice and Public Policy and is a trained SNA. She guest lectures at UCC in Advocacy and Autism Studies, Faye is also the chairwoman of “ Not Ok In School Ireland ( NOISI ) and member of Families Unite for Services and Support ( FUSS ).

Faye’s favourite foods are chocolate and hummus, she is a dedicated Dermot and Dave fan, patiently waiting for the day they reunite.

Mick Hayden

Mick is the Director of Administation and has worked in the finance industry for over 27 years. He is a highly experienced and motivated Programme Manager, successful at directing change management initiatives requiring fast-paced execution. Over 13 years in project management roles specialising in complex technical migration implementations across multiple systems & partners.

Mick has previous financial background ensures strong vendor management and financial skillset resulting in on time and on budget delivery.

Mick has volunteered with the Arch Club, various youth clubs and as coach for youth sports teams, Sport is his passion, most especially rugby but if it is on a sports channel, he’ll watch.

Shona Golden

Shona, a seasoned secondary school teacher with a degree in Art and Design, devoted advocate for neurodiversity and inclusion. With over 20 years of experience, she actively participates in advocacy groups for dyspraxia, visual impairment and SEN. Shona’s passion extends to teaching art across diverse age groups, running her own art school, pursuing a diploma in Diversity, Equity, Belonging and inclusion. Beyond her professional endeavours, she is overcoming a fear of water, cherishing family time at the beach and enjoying her love for animals and the outdoors.

Joanne Lawrie

Joanne Lawrie is a Leitrim resident since 2001, a dedicated mother of two children with dyslexia. Her career in supporting children and families began in the 19080s, culminating in her qualifications as a Social Worker in the UK during the 1990s. Joanne’s extensive professional background included roles in residential care, women’s refuges, family support, child protection and Child and Adolescent mental health, specialising in trauma and abuse issues, a qualified counsellor adolescent psychotherapist, play therapist, she previously owned and operated Oaktree Counselling and Psychotherapy service.

Currently, Joanne devotes her time to caring for her elderly mother and as part of her hugely effective Family Resource Network in Ireland.

Sheila Flynn

Sheila a mother to two neurodivergent teenager with Autism, ADHD and Dyslexia, brings over 30 years of experience in Early Years, Children, Youth and Families, With qualifications in Early education, Community Childcare Centre and working closely with the Traveller Community. She has expertise in delivering QQI Childcare Education Courses and has recently taken on a role working with families in the community.

In her leisure time, Sheila indulges her passion for crafting, amassing materials for meticulously planned future projects.

Bernadette Herby

Bernadette, a mother to three boys including two adults, a primary caregiver to her youngest who has ADHD, ASD, PDA and possibly dyslexia. The middle child also has dyslexia and undiagnosed ADHD, while Bernadette herself deals with ADHD and dyslexia.

With 16 years of experience, Bernadette is a fully qualified youth worker and child advocate, holding expertise in sexual health and drug addiction training.

Outside of her professional life she finds relaxation in crafting, particularly in making miniature houses and knitting.

Noelle Younkin

Noelle Youkinis is a mom to two incredible young adults facing various challenges. Formerly a paediatric nurse, she has shifted to a full-time caregiver role , specialising in her children’s unique needs. As a foster and adoptive mom Noelle advocates for children in care and those with adverse childhood experiences.

Noelle is actively engaged in support groups for Autism, special needs, care-giving, she currently chairs on all-island group for FASD, Noelle’s happy place is in her garden, appreiating the resilience of plants under her care.

Rachel Martin

Rachel, autistic and ADHD mother of three Neurodivergent kids, holds a BSc in Nursing from DCU earned in 2009. After nursing at Beaumont Hospital until 2019 she took a career break to care for her children, eventually founding FUSS Ireland in 2022.

Ad a Resource Consultant for the group, Rachel utilises her nursing background and advocacy work to fight for properly resourced services and educational settings. Beyond her commitment she indulges in her love for painting, creatively applying it to anything, even cakes !

Lourdes Sanchez

Lourdes Sanchez is a Spanish citizen who has been living in Ireland for over 25 years. Her professsional expertise is in Human Resources and Buisness Management. She has a strong interest in social justice, specially gender equality, most recently in disability rights. Her thesis was on work life balance and gender equality for while she recently received a special mention and was first in her class.

Having a 17 year old autistic child has driven further interests in psychology, advocacy, and politics. When time allows, her favourite hobbies are reading and travelling, but most of all spending quality time with her husband, three children and her mother.

Her autistic child has enriched her life to the point that she considers herself a better person because of him, Conor has made her life highly meaningful, filled with purpose and satisfaction. Conor has also empowered Lourdes in unimaginable ways turning her into a strong woman she currently is.

Lourdes is almost as devoted to Metallica as she is to her family.