Mercy International Association announces appointment of Mary O'Donovan as CEO

Press Release - Monday 24 February 2025 - Immediate

Mercy International Association (MIA) is delighted to announce the appointment of Mary O’Donovan as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Mary will succeed outgoing CEO Sr. Patricia O’Donovan rsm, who will stay on with MIA in a leadership role on the Opening Doors initiative.

Mary has 30 years of experience working in the non-profit sector in Ireland and overseas, and she comes to MIA from the role of Executive Director at the National Maternity Hospital Foundation at Holles Street, Dublin, where she has been building capacity and funding to advance healthcare for women and babies.

Commenting on her appointment, Mary said, "I am very happy to be taking up the role of CEO at Mercy International Association. Especially now as the Mercy Family prepares for the celebration of the opening 200 years ago of Catherine McAuley's First House of Mercy on Baggot Street. From this sacred place in the heart of Dublin, Catherine's vision and mission has extended across the globe through generations of Mercy Sisters who continue to make an impact today.

"In my role as CEO of MIA, I will work with the Mercy Global Family to preserve Catherine's heritage and legacy, calling on her spirit of hospitality, charity and Mercy that is evident in every corner of what is now the Mercy International Centre.  I also hope to contribute my practical experience and skills from the global Health, Education and Environmental organisations I have worked for in Ireland and overseas.

"Catherine's work and legacy is an inspiration to me, and I feel both privileged and excited to be joining MIA at this time"

Commenting on the appointment, Sr. Sheila Carney rsm, Chairperson of the Board of MIA said, "Mary O’Donovan’s selection as the CEO of Mercy International Association marks a significant turning point in the story of the Mercy Family. The appointment of our first lay leader coincides with the Opening Doors process which urges us to move toward a time when all are equally invested in dreaming and creating the future of Mercy.

“We are confident that Mary will make a very positive contribution to the achievement of the vision, mission and values of MIA working with the dedicated management and staff, members, institutes and congregations to ensure that our objectives are achieved in the coming years.

“MIA looks forward to welcoming Mary who will take up her CEO role in March 2025.”

Sheila also paid tribute to outgoing CEO Patricia O’Donovan saying, “We are grateful to Patricia for her time as CEO of MIA which has been a period of change and growth. We are delighted that she has agreed to stay on with MIA to take on a leadership role for our Opening Doors Project.”

ENDS

Additional biographical notes on Mary O’Donovan

Mary started her career in in the not for profit sector at Barretstown Gang Camp soon after it was founded by Paul Newman in the 1990’s. She then spent 2 years volunteering with Action Aid in West Africa before returning to Ireland to achieve her Masters in International Relations at DCU. She went on to work with major international NGOs in the UK including the World Wildlife Fund, and CARE International where she worked on many projects in the global south.  Since returning to Dublin in 2010 to raise her children, Mary has raised millions of Euro for Irish Charities working to advance Children’s Health, provide Ethical Education and tackle Homelessness. She lives in Malahide with her partner and two children. She spends her free time rediscovering Ireland’s rich cultural and religious history through her OPW Heritage Membership.

About MIA

Mercy International Association is an organisation of the leaders of Mercy Congregations, Institutes and Federations throughout the world, founded to serve the Sisters of Mercy, their associates and partners in ministry. 

The purpose of this Association is to inspire Sisters of Mercy and their Associates to incarnate the spirit of Catherine McAuley in ways which are creative and appropriate to the needs of our time and to foster unity of mind and heart among Sisters of Mercy worldwide.

MIA has its base in Baggot Street in Dublin, in the original House of Mercy opened by Catherine McAuley in 1827. It also has a Justice office in New York linked to our advocacy at the UN.

See www.mercyworld.org for more information.

For media contact:

Brenda Drumm, Head of Communications, MIA on + 353 (0) 87 097 7112.

Photo: Shows (left to right) MIA CEO Mary O'Donovan with Sr. Sheila Carney rsm, Chair of the Board.