IAPC
Our Dedicated Team
Sean McCrave
CEO
Sean is an experienced Chief Executive Officer with over 30 years of leadership experience in the representative and business development sectors. He has a proven track record in P&L management, strategic planning, change management, and people leadership, gained across both non-profit and commercial environments.
A strategic thinker with a meticulous approach to execution, Sean is numerate, commercially astute, and results-oriented. He has successfully led organisations through periods of growth and transformation, with particular expertise in advocacy, representation, and stakeholder engagement.
Sean has extensive experience working within member-based organisations and voluntary board structures. He possesses specialised knowledge in business development, government liaison, influencing, and advocacy — with a strong commitment to representing the interests of members and their patients.
Before his current role, Sean served as CEO of a number of representative bodies and held senior positions in the Irish media industry, including more than 12 years with The Irish Times. He is also actively involved in a number of charities in a voluntary capacity.
Sean is married with two grown-up daughters.
Cathy Herbert
Accounts and Administration Officer
Cathy Herbert joined the IAPC in March 2021 as an Accounts and Administration Officer. Cathy’s background is in the Banking Sector where she held the role of Customer Service Manager. She took voluntary redundancy from the bank in 2016 to raise her young family. During this time, she also under-took courses in Childcare and SNA, and was successful in gaining a part-time position in childcare. Her role in the organisation as Accounts and Administration Officer is to assist the CEO with the administration needs of the organisation, to ensure it is an efficient and professional organisation. Her main duties include maintaining the Accounts, preparation and administration support for the Education & Research Seminar and AGM, together with updating and maintaining membership. This is a developing role and will ultimately expand during her contract period.
Zara O’ Reilly Dempsey
Digital Marketing and Communications Officer
Zara O’ Reilly Dempsey joined the IAPC in September 2023. With over 5 years of experience in the tech industry, she holds a Master’s degree in Public Affairs and Political Communications. Her aim is to bring a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic communication skills to her role with a mission to enhance and expand the organisation’s communications department. Zara’s primary responsibilities revolve around increasing the IAPC’s presence across various communication channels. Her role includes efforts to amplify the IAPC’s reach in both digital and traditional media platforms, encompassing the monthly newsletter, Twitter, Press releases, LinkedIn pages and Website updates to name a few. This is an ever-developing role which will continue to evolve throughout the course of her time at the IAPC.