How We Are Governed
Our key decision makers
A number of bodies work together to ensure that Breakthrough Cancer Research makes the best use of the funds we receive and continues to carry out world-class research.
In this section you can read about the key decision makers for the charity and their roles and responsibilities:
- our Executive Management Team, which is responsible for the day to day operations of the organisation including the implementation of the strategic direction of the research
- our Board of Directors, which performs and advisory and governance role for the charity
- our Scientific Advisory Board, which advises on the organisation's scientific strategy and policy
- our Development Committee, which advises and supports fundraising strategy
Executive Management Team
The Executive Management Team brings together the leaders for the operational functions of Breakthrough Cancer Research and include:
- Professor Gerry O’Sullivan – Director in Chief
- Dr. Declan Soden – General Manager
- Orla Dolan – Fundraising Manager
- Dr. Sharon McKenna - Principal Investigator
- Dr. Mark Tangney – Principal Investigator
Board of Directors
The Boards of Directors of the Breakthrough Cancer Research encompass a group of highly dedicated individuals with diverse backgrounds who bring expertise and passion to our vision and mission.
- Dr. Declan Farrell - Chairman
- Prof. Gerald C. O'Sullivan - Founder/Director
- Dr. Ita Lynch
- Mr. Bryan Mohally
- Prof. Eamonn Quigley
- Prof. Brendan Buckley
- Leslie Buckley
- Michael Horgan
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) meets once a year to provide advice to the Executive Management Team and Board of Directors on key scientific strategy and policy issues.
The SAB has the following members:
- Dr. Owen O’Connor
(Deputy Director of Clinical Research and Cancer Treatment & Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology and Hematologic Malignancies, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, USA) - Dr. Kevin Harrington
(Senior Lecturer at The Institute of Cancer Research and Honorary Consultant Clinical Oncologist at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, UK) - Dr. Michael Goggins
(Professor of Pathology, Medicine and Oncology at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, USA) - Elaine Harrington
(Chief Executive Officer of Socrates Healthcare, Former SVP of Life Sciences at Enterprise Ireland)
Development Committee
- Robin O’Sullivan
- Sean Ryan
- Niall Welch
- Niamh Sullivan
- John Dwyer
- Orla Dolan
- Helena Slattery


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