Limerick woman appointed to board of children's charity

THE organisation Sensational Kids has appointed Limerick woman Kathryn Bermingham to their Board of Directors.

Kathryn is joined by Kildare native Ciaran Fitzgibbon on the board of the award-winning social enterprise and charity, which is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible developmental assessments and therapies to children and adolescents with additional needs.

A native of Limerick, Kathryn currently serves as School Manager for the School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology at University College Cork where she oversees operations, staff management and strategic initiatives. 

Kathryn also chairs the school’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee and plays an active role in the teaching and learning, research, health and safety, and infrastructure committees. 

Her leadership contributions extend to the Advance HE Ireland Panel, where she will continue to serve in 2025.

Kathryn’s passion for social change is reflected in her role as a 2024 Cork East General Election candidate, where she campaigned for improved services for children with special needs, individuals with disabilities, mental health services, and support for the elderly. 

A qualified HR professional, Kathryn holds a Higher Diploma in Human Resource Management from UCC and is an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). She is also trained in project management, digital marketing, and leadership development.

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Kathryn’s appointment to the board of Sensational Kids will be a welcome addition in the development of the new National Child Development Centre in Kildare just off the M7 motorway, which will cater for 15,000 children every year once open. A cutting-edge facility, the centre will feature multiple therapy and sensory  rooms, playgrounds, and gardens.

Kathryn said, “I’m delighted to join the Board of Sensational Kids. The work that Sensational Kids do is critical to all the children and families around the country who need help and support. Given the huge number of children on public waiting lists for assessments, diagnosis, and development therapies, it’s important more than ever that we continue to build a network of support around vulnerable children and their families. Every child needs to be supported to reach their full potential and timely intervention is a key priority for Sensational Kids and one that I wholly support.”

Karen Leigh, founder & CEO, Sensational Kids, said: “Kathryn’s dedication to inclusion, advocacy and operational excellence makes her a vital contributor to Sensational Kids’ mission of supporting children and families across Ireland.”