Board members
Eileen McHugh
Founder, CEO & Secretary
Eileen McHugh is the founder and innovator behind Hair Together. With experience as an international stylist, barber, and educator, she has worked at major events like Paris and Copenhagen Fashion Weeks. As well as many years running her own highly successful business.
Eileen created Hair Together to address unemployment, mental health challenges, and substance misuse in Dublin’s Northside communities. She developed a 10-week personal development program that has helped young people reconnect with education and supported women leaving the prison system to build confidence, learn new skills, and find community.
Advocate for Social Change: Eileen’s passion and commitment to helping those most in need have made her a respected advocate for social change, influencing policy and practice within Ireland and beyond.
Eileen continues to innovate for social change and how best to serve & support her community.
Ado Carton
Chairperson
Ado Carton serves as Chairperson of Hair Together CLG, bringing a wealth of senior leadership experience across the consumer sector. Over the course of his career, he has held key roles with leading organisations including Kerry Group and Manor Farm, where he successfully led teams across Ireland, the UK, and Europe.
Ado has built his career on developing high-performing teams and delivering results in fast-paced, complex, and competitive environments. His leadership style is grounded in collaboration, strategic thinking, and a strong focus on people—qualities that align closely with the mission and growth ambitions of Hair Together CLG.
While he jokes that he has little personal need for hairdressing services, Ado is deeply motivated by the organisation’s purpose. He is passionate about using his commercial insight and leadership expertise to support the team, led by Eileen, as they continue to transform lives through confidence, skills development, and opportunity.
As Chairperson, Ado is committed to strengthening governance, supporting sustainable growth, and helping Hair Together CLG expand its impact within communities.
Padraig Fitzgerald
Treasurer
Pádraig Fitzgerald is a passionate advocate for community development and social impact. As Community Investment Manager with SSE, he leads the creation and management of transformative community funding programmes across Ireland. His role involves working hand-in-hand with local organisations and key stakeholders to identify and support innovative projects that foster social, economic, and environmental sustainability for communities in Ireland.
Previously, Pádraig was Head of Health at Rethink Ireland, where he developed and implemented funding strategies to support organisations working to improve youth mental health and wellbeing. Before working in philanthropy and grant funding, Pádraig worked in the NGO sector for years as International Programmes Manager for The Hope Foundation, and was responsible for the programme management of the organisation’s 60 projects in West Bengal, India, that supported vulnerable communities with healthcare, education and vocational training programmes. His efforts earned him recognition as one of the “Top 40 Under 40 Leaders” promoting EU-India relations by the Europe/India Centre for Business & Industry.
Pádraig holds a BA in History & Philosophy from NUI Maynooth and an MA in International Relations from UCC.
In his spare time, Pádraig is a huge sports fan. He coaches underage soccer, rugby and camogie teams and still plays soccer when his knees allow him to! He is a huge fan of the outdoors and is an avid hiker and also has a keen interest in gardening and rewilding.
Advisory Board members
DR SABINA BRENNAN
Advisory Director
Dr. Sabina Brennan is a health psychologist, neuroscientist, author, and internationally recognised advocate for brain health. She is the author of four Irish Times best-selling books, including 100 Days to a Younger Brain (2019), Beating Brain Fog (2021), The Neuroscience of Manifesting (2024), and Still Me, A Neuroscientist’s Guide to Caring for Someone with Dementia (2025).
Dr. Brennan previously directed a dementia research programme at Trinity College Dublin, where she led innovative work focused on brain health and cognitive wellbeing. She is a passionate advocate for people living with neurological conditions and their carers, and contributes her expertise to a range of advisory and advocacy groups, including the All Party Parliamentary Group on Longevity in the United Kingdom.
Fascinated by the potential of the human brain, Sabina is on a mission to empower individuals with the knowledge to better understand how their brains work, enabling them to unlock their full potential. A highly engaging and sought-after speaker, she is a familiar voice and face across radio and television.
Now working full-time as a writer and motivational speaker, Sabina brings to the Hair Together CLG Advisory Board a unique perspective on wellbeing, confidence, and the psychological impact of personal transformation, supporting the organisation’s mission to change lives through the power of hair.
Paddy O'Reilly
Advisory Director
Paddy O’Reilly is a highly experienced educator and community advocate, currently serving as Head Teacher at Trinity Comprehensive Secondary School in Ballymun, Dublin. With a teaching career spanning over three decades, he has been a dedicated member of the school community since 1989, where he began as a Physical Education teacher.
In addition to his teaching role, Paddy plays a key leadership position as Programmes Coordinator for the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA), Transition Year (TY), and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP). Through this work, he has demonstrated a strong commitment to inclusive education, student development, and creating pathways for young people to reach their full potential.
Deeply rooted in the Ballymun community, Paddy is actively involved in several local initiatives. He serves on the committees of Better Ballymun and Ballymun Health and Fitness, contributing to projects that promote wellbeing and community engagement. He is also involved with the 200th Dublin Ballymun Scouts, supporting youth development and leadership outside the classroom.
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Gilliane Quinn De Schonen
Advisory Director
Gilliane Quinn de Schonen has a background in retailing. She was President and Managing Director of a chain of juice bars throughout France and Europe, operating under the Zumo brand until 2023. She has a background in consulting and food marketing based in Paris. She started her career with Bain and Company in London and Paris, and subsequently specialised in importing food products from Ireland and France into the French distributors such as Auchan, Monoprix, Intermarché and Carrefour. In 2000 she co-founded Novalenext, a prospective marketing company which worked on new retail concepts such as Daily Monop in addition to showcasing new food trends at the SIAL Trade fair. She was President of NetworkIrlande, the network of Irish professionals in France, which was created in 2010. Gilliane was a Non-Executive Director of Superquinn, the family supermarket chain for 10 years until the sale of the company in 2005.
Gilliane was the Chairperson of the Trinity College Dublin Association and Trust until 2021 and is a Trustee of the Quinn Family Foundation. She studied Business in Trinity College Dublin and holds a diploma in Corporate Governance from the CGI.
Naill Stringer
Advisory Director