Our Leadership Team

  • Angela Hayes - Founder and CEO

    A long-time community advocate, Angela had worked in the sector for over a decade prior to her setting up Teac Tom. Her own tragic story of dealing with suicide helped her to identify the huge need for a community-based approach to dealing with mental health. After the loss of her son, Angela spent a number of years working with a multinational financial company while at the same time setting up and formalising the structure of Teac Tom. In 2016 she was appointed full-time CEO of the organisation and has been committed to its mission and development ever since.

    Angela and Teac Tom have become an integral part of the communities in Kilkenny and Laois and she has been recognised locally and nationally for her work in the community. In 2014 she was named Kilkenny Person of the Year. In 2019, Angela was a finalist in the Laois Person of the Year Awards and was the national winner of the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Social Enterprise category.

    Teac Tom has won the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards twice, in 2018 and 2021.

    Angela holds a BA in Business, Enterprise and Community Development, a BA in Social Enterprise, Leadership and Management, and a Women in Leadership from Oxford University.

    Angela is a native of Kilkenny and a proud mother to five children and nan to two beautiful grandchildren.

  • Nicola Kent – Chair

    Nicola is a start-up consultant and business mentor. Nicola is passionate about social entrepreneurship and works with individuals, businesses and marginalised communities to empower their ability to establish strong frameworks for change from the beginning.

    A long-time advocate for mental health, Nicola joined the Board in 2020 and brings a wealth of expertise in management and strategy from her years in the construction industry.

  • Jack Kavanagh - Branding & Marketing

    Jack is an Account Director at LinkedIn where he has worked since graduating from the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School in 2019. Jack has been a member of the Board since March 2020 and is the lead on Brand and Marketing Strategy for the organisation.

    Jack has been an avid supporter of Teac Tom for many years. He previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and ran a marathon to raise funds for this cause close to his heart.

  • Paul Moriarty - Community Engagement

    Paul is the Director of Student Experience in UCC, a position he has held since 2018. Previously he held the role of Head of Student Counselling and Development. Paul has served as Chair of Student Affairs Ireland (SAI) and VP of the European Council of Student Affairs. In June 2022, the 6th Global Summit of Student Affairs and Services will be held in UCC with a particular focus on intentionally progressing the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals.

    Paul is a strong advocate for the holistic development of students as an integral part of education. Paul brings his expertise to lead on Teac Tom’s Community Engagement and Education Outreach Strategy. He is a member of the Board since 2020.

  • Alan Hayes - Director

    Alan has been involved with Teac Tom since its foundation in 2014. His song 'Survivor' was recorded and launched on The Late Late Show as Teac Tom’s first ever fundraiser. Alan has a BA in Social Science from University College Cork. During his time in UCC he was elected as Students' Union President 2018/2019 representing over 20,000 students in all areas of welfare, education, campaigns and entertainment. Currently Alan is in his final year of studies at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, where he is working towards an MA in Occupational Therapy.

    Alan serves as a director on the Board and brings his experience and expertise to support the mission and values of the organisation.

Our Leadership Team

  • Angela Hayes - Founder and CEO

    A long-time community advocate, Angela had worked in the sector for over a decade prior to her setting up Teac Tom. Her own tragic story of dealing with suicide helped her to identify the huge need for a community-based approach to dealing with mental health. After the loss of her son, Angela spent a number of years working with a multinational financial company while at the same time setting up and formalising the structure of Teac Tom. In 2016 she was appointed full-time CEO of the organisation and has been committed to its mission and development ever since.

    Angela and Teac Tom have become an integral part of the communities in Kilkenny and Laois and she has been recognised locally and nationally for her work in the community. In 2014 she was named Kilkenny Person of the Year. In 2019, Angela was a finalist in the Laois Person of the Year Awards and was the national winner of the Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Award in the Social Enterprise category.

    Teac Tom has won the Laois Community and Voluntary Awards twice, in 2018 and 2021.

    Angela holds a BA in Business, Enterprise and Community Development, a BA in Social Enterprise, Leadership and Management, and a Women in Leadership from Oxford University.

    Angela is a native of Kilkenny and a proud mother to five children and nan to two beautiful grandchildren.

  • Nicola Kent – Chair

    Nicola is a start-up consultant and business mentor. Nicola is passionate about social entrepreneurship and works with individuals, businesses and marginalised communities to empower their ability to establish strong frameworks for change from the beginning.

    A long-time advocate for mental health, Nicola joined the Board in 2020 and brings a wealth of expertise in management and strategy from her years in the construction industry.

  • Jack Kavanagh - Branding & Marketing

    Jack is an Account Director at LinkedIn where he has worked since graduating from the UCD Michael Smurfit Business School in 2019. Jack has been a member of the Board since March 2020 and is the lead on Brand and Marketing Strategy for the organisation.

    Jack has been an avid supporter of Teac Tom for many years. He previously climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and ran a marathon to raise funds for this cause close to his heart.

  • Paul Moriarty - Community Engagement

    Paul is the Director of Student Experience in UCC, a position he has held since 2018. Previously he held the role of Head of Student Counselling and Development. Paul has served as Chair of Student Affairs Ireland (SAI) and VP of the European Council of Student Affairs. In June 2022, the 6th Global Summit of Student Affairs and Services will be held in UCC with a particular focus on intentionally progressing the UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals.

    Paul is a strong advocate for the holistic development of students as an integral part of education. Paul brings his expertise to lead on Teac Tom’s Community Engagement and Education Outreach Strategy. He is a member of the Board since 2020.

  • Alan Hayes - Director

    Alan has been involved with Teac Tom since its foundation in 2014. His song 'Survivor' was recorded and launched on The Late Late Show as Teac Tom’s first ever fundraiser. Alan has a BA in Social Science from University College Cork. During his time in UCC he was elected as Students' Union President 2018/2019 representing over 20,000 students in all areas of welfare, education, campaigns and entertainment. Currently Alan is in his final year of studies at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, where he is working towards an MA in Occupational Therapy.

    Alan serves as a director on the Board and brings his experience and expertise to support the mission and values of the organisation.