Our Vision Statement
Our vision for every child, life in all its fullness.
Our prayer for every heart, the will to make it so.
Who we are
World Vision is an international partnership of 37,000 staff, supporters, volunteers and partners in almost 100 countries.
Led by Chief Executive Officer, Gillian Barnett, we have passionate and talented staff from all over the world. Meet some of the people who are transforming the lives of some of the world’s most vulnerable children, starting with our senior leadership team.
Our Senior Leadership Team
Chief Executive Officer
Gillian Barnett
Gillian joined World Vision Ireland as Chief Executive in May 2021. She has nearly 20 years of experience in the charity sector, with a specialism in fundraising and communications. Throughout her career, she has significantly grown income in a number of small, medium and large organisations, to fund vital work. This has involved developing meaningful partnerships with supporters, and ensuring maximum impact for beneficiaries. She has a keen interest in supporting vulnerable children, and has held a number of voluntary roles including counselling, and working with children with physical and learning difficulties.
Prior to joining World Vision Ireland, Gillian was at World Vision UK and has held a number of senior positions at the MS Society, ChildLine and Rennie Grove Hospice Care. She has a BA hons degree, and holds the Professional Diploma in Marketing.
Programmes & Policy Director
Maurice Sadlier
Maurice Sadlier is World Vision Ireland’s Programmes and Policy Director and has overall responsibility of WV’s development and humanitarian Programmes. He is a development specialist with a background in programme management including climate justice, health, nutrition and livelihoods programmes. Maurice has worked at senior management level for the last 13 years managing both Non-governmental and government development programmes in Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania.
Prior to joining World Vision Ireland, he was Deputy Director of the Mary Robinson Foundation – Climate Justice. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Studies from NUIG and a Masters in Development Studies from UCD.
DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & OPERATIONS
Dean Parkinson
Dean Parkinson is World Vision Ireland’s Director of Finance & Operations. He was appointed into this role in April 2023. He joined World Vision Ireland in December 2018 as the Finance Manager and in June 2022, was promoted to Finance Director. He is a Finance enthusiast with a background in developing strong business partnerships, together with budgeting and forecasting to ensure maximum impact for shareholders and attention to detail.
Prior to joining World Vision Ireland, he held numerous Finance roles across several countries, including Ireland, Australia and the UK. As a CPA Qualified Accountant, he has gained his Finance and Operational experience within the IT, Retail and Sporting sectors.
DIRECTOR OF FUNDRAISING AND COMMUNICATIONS
Živa Newman
Živa Newman joined World Vision Ireland in June 2024 as Director of Fundraising and Communications. She has 20 years’ leadership experience in the nonprofit and private sectors, including International Aid, Academic Philanthropy and Disability. Živa has been a non-executive Director on various charitable Boards, currently serving on the Board of Alpha Ireland and as the patron’s representative on the CRC Special School’s Board of Management.
Živa is passionate about social justice and equitable society and believes that every child should have a safe and carefree childhood and a guaranteed access to education.
Živa is a Diocesan Lay Minister ministering in North Dublin, and she holds a BA in International Relations from American College Dublin, MA in Politics from UCD, and MBSc in Business Practice from UCC.
Employer Excellency
We are delighted to have won the CII Employer Excellency Award in 2024. In a time where it’s important to see the whole person and not just an employee it is great that our efforts to foster a positive work environment are being recognised.
All things in life and work require cooperation, collaboration and compromise and are a “two-way street” and here in World Vision Ireland the team, at every level, practice these qualities. Fostering a positive workplace is everyone’s responsibility and the team works together to create this culture.