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At JumpAgrade, we empower students to reach their full potential by providing tailored educational support. Our programmes not only enhance academic performance but also build confidence and resilience. Together we are creating a brighter future for our communities.
Discover who we are, what we do, and why we’re working to make education fairer for every student in Ireland.
Meet the team behind the mission, and the board guiding them to success.
Joan Connolly became CEO of JumpAgrade in 2024, but she's been part of the journey for years as a mentor and board member. With 15 years’ experience across education, innovation and social enterprise, she’s all about breaking down barriers and making sure every student gets a fair shot.
Clodagh Ryan has been Director of Development at jumpAgrade since September 2021. She is passionate about jumpAgrade's mission and plays a key role in supporting partners and stakeholders to deliver meaningful impact for students.
Clodagh Guerin has worked with jumpAgrade since 2019. Back then she started off in student support. Now, Clodagh is Programme Manager, and is responsible for the research, design, resourcing, and implementation of jumpAgrade’s programmes.
Liz Waters is the former President of AONTAS (The Irish National Adult Learning Organisation) and director of An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC). She has also worked as the CEO of An Cosán and has been a member of the steering committee which helped to establish the Community Education Network (CEN). Liz joined the jumpAgrade board in 2023 and is experienced in community education and development.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Ciara has over 15 years experience working in the financial services sector and most recently in the Central Bank of Ireland. She has a background in corporate governance, risk management and regulation. She has first hand experience of tutoring young people and jumpAgrade's mission resonates with her.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Mairea Doyle Balfe is a senior leader with Cliste Hospitality, heading up corporate development. Mairea has worked in both the US and Ireland across the hotel industry and has a strong background in strategy, communications, and organisational development. She has played a strategic role across various hospitality and service organisations, where she has contributed to strategy development, groupwide planning, stakeholder engagement, and longterm growth initiatives. As hospitality is a people-centred industry Mairea is an advocate for access to education and skills to give fair opportunities to succeed. Mairea has a B.Sc. in Management from Trinity College, a H-Dip in Hotel and Catering Management from DIT Cathal Brugha Street and an MBA from TUD.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Denise is the Finance Director of an educational publishing services group. She joined Doubleodesign Ltd in 2002, a year after start up. The group now includes US subsidiary DoubleInk Publishing Services Inc. Denise has a proven track record in supporting sustainable export services growth and her approach combines financial management experience with a practical understanding of the industry's evolving landscape. Denise began her career at KPMG where she worked across both Ireland and the US. She brings experience in strategic financial leadership, governance and risk oversight.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2024. Pádraig is current COO of Nurture; a technology platform helping schools to embed formative assessment practices that improve student outcomes and reduce teacher workload. Pádraig co-founded jumpAgrade in 2017.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2023. David is the co-founder and CEO of Nurture technology. He co-founded jumpAgrade in 2017, and joined the board in 2023.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Carmel is a tax partner specialising in advising domestic businesses and their owners. Carmel works with a wide variety of domestic Irish businesses, from start-up phase right through to maturity, assisting them with scaling up, foreign expansion, acquisitions, restructurings, and exit planning where relevant. Her experience spans industries including manufacturing, retail, construction, life sciences, and the food and beverage industry.
Meet the individuals behind the mission.
Joan Connolly became CEO of JumpAgrade in 2024, but she's been part of the journey for years as a mentor and board member. With 15 years’ experience across education, innovation and social enterprise, she’s all about breaking down barriers and making sure every student gets a fair shot.
Clodagh Ryan has been Director of Development at jumpAgrade since September 2021. She is passionate about jumpAgrade's mission and plays a key role in supporting partners and stakeholders to deliver meaningful impact for students.
Clodagh Guerin has worked with jumpAgrade since 2019. Back then she started off in student support. Now, Clodagh is Programme Manager, and is responsible for the research, design, resourcing, and implementation of jumpAgrade’s programmes.
Liz Waters is the former President of AONTAS (The Irish National Adult Learning Organisation) and director of An Cosán Virtual Community College (VCC). She has also worked as the CEO of An Cosán and has been a member of the steering committee which helped to establish the Community Education Network (CEN). Liz joined the jumpAgrade board in 2023 and is experienced in community education and development.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Ciara has over 15 years experience working in the financial services sector and most recently in the Central Bank of Ireland. She has a background in corporate governance, risk management and regulation. She has first hand experience of tutoring young people and jumpAgrade's mission resonates with her.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Mairea Doyle Balfe is a senior leader with Cliste Hospitality, heading up corporate development. Mairea has worked in both the US and Ireland across the hotel industry and has a strong background in strategy, communications, and organisational development. She has played a strategic role across various hospitality and service organisations, where she has contributed to strategy development, groupwide planning, stakeholder engagement, and longterm growth initiatives. As hospitality is a people-centred industry Mairea is an advocate for access to education and skills to give fair opportunities to succeed. Mairea has a B.Sc. in Management from Trinity College, a H-Dip in Hotel and Catering Management from DIT Cathal Brugha Street and an MBA from TUD.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Denise is the Finance Director of an educational publishing services group. She joined Doubleodesign Ltd in 2002, a year after start up. The group now includes US subsidiary DoubleInk Publishing Services Inc. Denise has a proven track record in supporting sustainable export services growth and her approach combines financial management experience with a practical understanding of the industry's evolving landscape. Denise began her career at KPMG where she worked across both Ireland and the US. She brings experience in strategic financial leadership, governance and risk oversight.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2024. Pádraig is current COO of Nurture; a technology platform helping schools to embed formative assessment practices that improve student outcomes and reduce teacher workload. Pádraig co-founded jumpAgrade in 2017.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2023. David is the co-founder and CEO of Nurture technology. He co-founded jumpAgrade in 2017, and joined the board in 2023.
jumpAgrade Board Member since 2026. Carmel is a tax partner specialising in advising domestic businesses and their owners. Carmel works with a wide variety of domestic Irish businesses, from start-up phase right through to maturity, assisting them with scaling up, foreign expansion, acquisitions, restructurings, and exit planning where relevant. Her experience spans industries including manufacturing, retail, construction, life sciences, and the food and beverage industry.
