Homecoming and a New Chapter: Magi Livadaris Canny Takes the Helm at iCare

There’s a strong sense of both homecoming and fresh momentum in Buncrana for World Autism Month this April, as Magi Livadaris Canny steps into her new role as Chief Executive Officer of iCare. 

For many people across Inishowen, her appointment feels less like a new beginning and more like a continuation of a story deeply rooted in family, community, and care.

Though Magi’s voice carries a Scottish accent, her ties to Inishowen run deep. “My father, Henry Canny, was from Carndonagh, a very proud Carn man, and my mother, Mary, was from Gleneely,” she says. “We came here every summer, every Easter. This is home.”

Five years ago, that connection became permanent when she and her family relocated to Inishowen. Now, the Glasgow woman finds herself leading one of the region’s most valued community organisations and one she had, in many ways, been connected to long before she realised it.

“When I met Doreen, I discovered that my aunt, Margaret Canny, had worked with the founding parents in the early days, looking at care initiatives for their children. That gave me a very meaningful reason to look more closely at iCare.”

What Magi has experienced since taking over has left a lasting impression in three short weeks.

“I’ve been so touched by what’s been put in place here. The commitment of the staff and the community. iCare is not just a service, it’s an organic part of life in Inishowen.”

Magi brings more than 25 years of international healthcare experience to the role, including two decades in the Middle East, where she helped establish complex services across both public and private sectors. 

Originally trained as an ICU nurse, her career evolved into leadership roles spanning rehabilitation, hospital development, and community care.

A pivotal chapter came in Dubai, where she led the opening of a children’s specialist hospital and began focusing on neurodiversity, an area that would shape her future direction.

“From a nursing point of view, we look at the medical condition that we're treating the patient for, and autism came second. Over the last 15 years, we've had to flip that around because autism is the individual as well. I saw a massive shift in the way we manage autistic individuals within healthcare.”

That philosophy now underpins her vision for iCARE. Magi steps into the role at a crucial time. With increased demand for autism services both nationally and locally, iCARE is preparing to expand, and her appointment marks the first step in delivering an ambitious five-year strategy.

Among the key priorities is the development of what Magi describes as a “full ecosystem of care” for service users and their families.

“We’re looking at introducing a preschool service, strengthening children’s supports, building out adolescent services, and expanding adult programmes, particularly around pathways to employment.”

That employment focus reflects a broader goal in ensuring that autistic adults in Inishowen have the same opportunities for independence, social life, and meaningful work as anyone else.

“Our adult members deserve everything that everybody else does,” echoed Chairperson Doreen Friel. “That includes employment, housing, and a social life.”

Alongside long-term structural growth, Magi is also focused on practical, immediate improvements, many inspired by conversations with families. One such idea is a mobile sensory unit, designed to support autistic individuals in public settings.

“If a family is at an event such as a festival, for example, and their child becomes overwhelmed, they often have no choice but to leave,” she explains. “We want to create a space where they can step away, regulate, and return.”

Transport is another key area under review, with plans to make services more accessible to families across the peninsula.

“We want to make it easier for people from all over Inishowen to access iCare. There’s great work already being done, and we're looking at how we can broaden that to meet the needs of the growing autism population that's there.”

Despite her global experience, Magi is clear that the strength of iCare lies in its local roots. “The culture here is something special. It’s intimate, it’s caring, and it’s built on community. That’s one of the most valuable things any organisation can have.”

Doreen agrees, describing Magi’s appointment as a “full circle moment” for the organisation.

“We feel very fortunate to have secured Magi as our CEO. She brings a wealth of experience, but also her aunt Margaret was an inspiration to us in the early days.”

“The need is there, and we are delighted to be able to provide it. Magi has hit the ground running, and the sky's the limit here. We feel that we're in a very good place now to increase our reach.”

For Magi, the journey is both professional and deeply personal. “This is home. When we decided to move, it was really because I wanted my children to have that exposure, that community link.”

“When I came home to Ireland, it became something that I wanted to put my attention on. A very vulnerable part of the community. That we need to support and advocate for.”

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As iCare looks to the future, it does so with a leader who understands both the global landscape of healthcare and the unique, powerful bond of the Inishowen community.