Minister Patrick O’Donovan TD announces appointments to the Board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA)

The Minister of Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, is today announcing the appointment of five new members to the Board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA).

The new appointees are:

• Ms. Ramatoulaye Adama Diallo
• Ms. Eibhlín Morley
• Ms. Catherine Opdebeeck
• Mr. Brendan O'Sullivan
• Dr. Barry Scannell

These appointments are each for five years and follow an open call for expressions of interest and subsequent assessment process operated by Publicjobs.

The details of the current Board members are available at this link: Irish Museum of Modern Art

Commenting on the appointments, Minister Patrick O'Donovan said:

"I am delighted to appoint five candidates of the calibre of Ramatoulaye, Barry, Catherine, Brendan and Eibhlín to serve on the IMMA Board and congratulate them on their appointments. I know their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise will be of great benefit to the organisation and to the cultural community.

"Boards are central to the governance, oversight and strategic direction of all our National Cultural Institutions. I wish our newest appointees all the very best during their terms on the Board of IMMA and would like to express my gratitude to each of them, and also to the existing members of the Board, for giving so generously of their time and bringing their strength and depth of experience to bear in guiding this important National Cultural Institution".

The Board of Trustees of IMMA consists of a maximum of twelve members, all of whom are appointed by the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport. Details of the current Board members are available at this link: Irish Museum of Modern Art

Ms Ramatoulaye Adama Diallo is an experienced board director and investment committee member with over 25 years of leadership experience in finance, technology, and governance across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. She has held senior roles with global organisations including Orange and Google and currently serves on several regulated financial services boards in Ireland and internationally. Deeply interested in art, culture, and creative expression, she is passionate about supporting IMMA's mission to remain an open, inclusive, and globally connected space for dialogue and discovery.

Dr. Barry Scannell is an expert in AI law and policy, specialising in intellectual property, AI compliance and governance, data protection, and commercial contracts. A Partner in the Technology Law Group at William Fry, one of Ireland's leading law firms, Barry advises major Irish and international organisations on the legal and regulatory challenges posed by AI technologies and is a recognised voice in public discourse on AI and its implications for the creative industries.

Barry holds a PhD in AI and copyright and plays an important role in helping shape Ireland's AI policy as a member of the Government-appointed AI Advisory Council, where he chairs its Working Group on AI and the Creative Sector. He has deep roots in the creative industries - as Director of Legal Affairs and Regulatory Compliance at IMRO, the Irish Music Rights Organisation, he worked at the intersection of technology, rights management, licensing, and cultural policy. He served on the Global Policy Committee of CISAC, the international body representing authors' societies and collective management organisations worldwide, and chaired its working group on AI and copyright. Barry has addressed global forums including the World Intellectual Property Organisation's (WIPO) ongoing conversation on AI and copyright, and is a regular contributor to national and international news and media. He also sits on the Law Society of Ireland's Intellectual Property and Data Protection Committee

Ms Catherine Opdebeeck has worked in design and construction, across both the private and public sectors, for the past 20 years. As a practicing Architect she has been involved in the delivery of award winning cultural and museum buildings, always with a focus on design innovation and resilience. Catherine is currently Director of Programme and Procurement at the Grangegorman Development Agency. She brings skills and experience in the area of sustainability extending from environmental and technical considerations, social engagement to corporate compliance and reporting. She is a graduate of University College Dublin, the Technological University of Delft and the UCD Smurfit Business School.

Mr Brendan O'Sullivan brings over a decade of professional legal experience as a qualified solicitor with legal, regulatory and governance roles across the financial services sector. He currently serves at senior executive level in CCH; an investment holding company and as a non-executive director and Audit Committee member of Lotus Care Limited; a provider of residential care services for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. As well as investment experience and a record of civic and cultural sponsorship, he brings expertise in corporate governance, risk management and compliance, alongside a strong commitment to cultural engagement.

Ms Eibhlín Morley is Co-Founder of Cara Advisory, a consultancy specialising in fundraising, strategy, and organisational transformation for non-profits across Ireland and globally. She has led and advised on campaigns raising hundreds of millions in private and corporate philanthropy and sponsorship, working with clients across education, arts, heritage, religion and health. She is an expert in end-to-end project management, external communications and storytelling, executive coaching, training, and facilitation across the non-profit sector.

Eibhlín is Co-Founder of Abú! Performing Arts, a Mayo-based performing arts academy serving the West of Ireland. She is an alumna of Trinity College Dublin, UCD Smurfit School, and Queen's University Belfast.