Our Board of Directors

John Green – Board Chairman

John has been associated with Festina Lente since its inception in 1988. As Chairman of the Board, he works closely with the CEO and the rest of the Board to provide governance oversight and support to the operation of Festina Lente’s range of activities. His background has included directing financial services companies, and he has significant experience in taxation and auditing. Outside of his work with Festina Lente, John has an interest in history and current affairs, and has also served on the Board of the Glasnevin Cemetery Trust including as Chairman. He enjoys golf, rugby and equestrian activities, and lives in Kilpedder, County Wicklow.

William Micklem – Board member

William has been involved in Festina Lente since its’ foundation in 1988. His specialism is as a Coach. Williiam is a Fellow of the British Horse Society, a Horse Sport Ireland coach and coach educator, and author of the Complete Horse Riding Manual.  He was formerly National Coach for Bord an gCapall, coach to the Irish Junior and Young Rider Event teams and Training Director at the Gleneagles Mark Phillips Equestrian Centre. He champions a kinder approach to our work with horses and is the inventor of the more humane Micklem bridle and girth.  William also breeds horses, including the Olympic horses Mandiba and High Kingdom. His current main interest is in performance improvement for all performers and in developing structures to enable this, including ‘The GO! Rules’ and ‘The EDGE’.  William was a keynote speaker in the 2018 HETI (Horses in Education and Training International) conference hosted by Festina Lente. 

Caroline Crowley – Board Member/ Company Secretary

Caroline is a solicitor and partner in a legal firm, and brings her knowledge of legal issues and management to our Board of Directors. She has also served on the board of other charities, so has an excellent knowledge of the day-to-day challenges that can arise in a charitable organisation. Her son has attended lessons at Festina Lente so she has a great understanding of the organisation’s operations. Caroline enjoys learning more about the services and opportunities offered at Festina Lente as part of her role on the Board, and aims to be of service wherever possible. She is inspired by the work done by the team across the organisation. Caroline enjoys golf, spending time with family, and is a proud Leinster Rugby supporter.

Greg Jones – Board Member

Greg is a marketing and communications specialist, and was Marketing Director for Guinness Peat Aviation. He later joined McConnells advertising, then Ireland’s largest communications group, where he became Deputy Managing Director. He kept horses for many years so understands how important they can be for learning and therapeutic opportunities. His favourite part of being a part of the Board is getting to meet with staff and students taking part on the programmes, and seeing them develop and grow in the organisation.

Mary Mangan – Board Member 

Mary Mangan is a registered general nurse with a specialty in Urology, Midwifery, and Gerontology. My career includes a role as Director of Nursing in the Care of the Older Person sector in the United Kingdom, where I honed my leadership skills and deepened my commitment to providing high-quality care. I returned to Ireland, where I am Director of Nursing in a private nursing home. My interest in nursing extends beyond my clinical responsibilities; I have also contributed to the healthcare community as a former board member of Open Door and as a member of the Ladies Committee at Tallaght Hospital. I am passionate about improving healthcare services and fostering a supportive environment for both service users and staff. 

Sonia Rowland– Board Member

As Global Head of Payment Operations at Meta, Sonia drives programs that enhance payment experiences and deliver operational excellence. With a background as a Management Consultant at Accenture, she brings a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic vision.  Sonia is passionate about harnessing technology to drive positive change, with a strong commitment to inclusivity and diversity. Her love for horses and nature drew her to Festina Lente, where she values enabling individuals from diverse backgrounds to thrive. Outside of work, Sonia loves exploring new destinations with her husband and three children, embracing fun and adventure along the way. Her energy and enthusiasm make her a valuable addition to any team.

John Vaudin – Board Member

John is a recognized real estate Industry expert with over 30 years career experience and with a proven track record in cross asset class development, investment and asset management. He is a skilled communicator with a significant contact network within the Irish and International Real Estate industry.

 

Wendy Lee – Board Member

Wendy has been nominated by Riding for the Disabled Ireland (RDAI) and she brings a vast range of experience to Festina Lente. Wendy started as a helper with RDAI, progressing to qualifying as an Instructor and she currently runs the Carrickmines branch of RDAI. She is currently a Director of the Irish Pony Club and is serving as a Director of two other Charitable Foundations. She is also a Director of an IT Services company. Among her other achievements Wendy is a qualified nursery nurse and founded and ran her own playschool for many years while she also served as DC of the Bray Pony Club for 10 years. Wendy still keeps ponies at home and rides socially, while also fitting in some golf, tennis and gardening.