Our Team
Neil Johnson
Executive
Director
About Neil
Neil Johnson is a founder and Executive Director of Global Heart Hub (globalhearthub.org), the first international alliance of heart patient organisations. Neil has over 32 years of experience in cardiovascular health – working across prevention, education, patient engagement, service innovation & implementation, and patient advocacy.
Neil was Chief Executive of the Irish Heart & Stroke organisation, Croí (croi.ie) from 1992–2023 and the Irish National Institute for Prevention and Cardiovascular Health (nipc.ie) from 2014–2023.
He holds a Master’s degree in psychology; is an Honorary Clinical Fellow of the School of Medicine, University of Galway, Ireland; and in 2023, University of Galway awarded Neil an Honorary Doctorate in Laws (LLD) in recognition of his work in cardiovascular health and patient advocacy.
You can contact Neil at neil@globalhearthub.org
David Kelly
Operations
Manager
About David
David Kelly is Global Heart Hub Operations Manager. He is responsible for a number of specific and standalone projects which represent the voice of patients living with a range of Cardiovascular diseases and for managing operational matters for the team. David has a background in general management having studied with Technological University of Dublin, Cornell University & the Club Managers Assoc. of Europe. David underwent a double heart valve transplant via the “Ross Procedure” in April 2021 – his second open heart surgery. It was during this time he became passionate about advocating for the heart patients voice. David joined the team at Global Heart Hub in November 2022 and is based in Galway, Ireland.
You can contact David @ david@globalhearthub.org
Teresa Glynn
Senior Executive,
Strategy & Partnerships
About Teresa
Teresa Glynn is Global Heart Hub Senior Executive Strategy & Partnerships. In this role she drives strategy development and execution for the Global Heart Hub as the organisation continues to grow and collaborates with key stakeholders globally in addressing the challenges of cardiovascular disease.
Teresa’s background is primarily in the medical technology industry and throughout her 20 year career, she held numerous roles building extensive experience in communications, customer engagement and philanthropy. More recently she has followed a path aligned with her special interest in patient advocacy. She holds an MSc in Leadership and lives in Galway on the west coast of Ireland.
You can contact Teresa at teresa@globalhearthub.org
Olive Fenton
Senior Executive,
Special Projects
About Olive
Olive Fenton is a Senior Executive with Global Heart Hub, leading the exploration and implementation of new strategic initiatives, in collaboration with international partners, aimed at enhancing Global Heart Hub’s impact in improving outcomes for those living with heart disease. Initiatives designed and implemented by Olive to date include the GHH Academy, the Unite Summit, the Cardio-diabetes Working Group and Think Tank, GHH’s engagement in EU Horizon Projects, the GHH Clinical and Specialist Advisory Panel, GHH’s patient engagement accreditation, and the Manifesto on Achieving Early Detection and Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease.
After an extensive career as a leader in the BioPharmaceutical industry and as a business consultant, Olive is delighted to now focus her skills, experience and professional interest in CVD, on supporting advocacy for and by those living with heart disease. She is based near Geneva in Switzerland.
You can contact Olive at olive@globalhearthub.org
Karen Padilla
Development Executive/
Council Lead – Heart Valve Disease
About Karen
Karen Padilla is Global Heart Hub Development Executive/Council Lead – HVD and leads the Heart Valve Disease Council engaging with patient affiliates globally to unite and strengthen the voice of those living with, or affected by, heart valve disease. Originally from Guatemala, Central America, Karen came to Dublin to pursue a Masters in International Business with a focus on Global Brand Management at Griffith College. She also holds a Masters in Marketing Management and Direction from URL Guatemala. Her background is mainly in marketing in the pharmaceutical industry, and she is now delighted to put her knowledge and experience at the service of those living with or affected by cardiovascular disease.
You can contact Karen at karen@globalhearthub.org
Aistė Štaraitė
Development Executive/
Council Lead – Heart Failure
About Aistė
You can contact Aistė at aiste@globalhearthub.org
Patricia Tiramani
Development Executive/
Council Lead – Cardiomyopathy
About Patricia
Patricia Tiramani, Global Heart Hub Development Executive/Council Lead – Cardiomyopathy leads the Cardiomyopathy Council engaging affiliates globally to unite and strengthen the voice of people affected by cardiomyopathy. For over 15 years, Patricia’s focus has been dedicated to creating cross-functional programs in collaboration with a various stakeholder that drive behavioral change and highlight patient perspectives. She has significant experience in developing stakeholder strategies and has designed and executed community-focused programs. She has led communications, marketing, patient engagement and advocacy programs nationally and globally from both agency and pharma industry perspectives.
Based in Montreal, Canada, Patricia is fully bilingual in French and English.
You can contact Patricia @ patricia@globalhearthub.org
Joanna Ten-Kate
Development Executive/
Patient Community Development Lead
About Joanna
Joanna Ten-Kate is Global Heart Hub’s Patient Community Engagement & Development Lead, where she focuses on developing and delivering resources, support, and engagement opportunities for affiliates, advocates, and partners. While currently based in Galway, Ireland, Joanna is originally from the U.S. She has a background in policy research and development, having worked for federal and state agencies in the U.S., and in organising for non-profit advocacy. She holds an MSc in Public Policy and Administration from the London School of Economics.
You can contact Joanna at joannaT@globalhearthub.org
Mary Heskin
Financial
Manager
About Mary
Mary holds ACMA (Chartered institute of Management Accountants) qualification, as well as a B.Comm (Hons) from University of Galway. Mary is delighted to use her knowledge to help with the growth of Global Heart Hub.
You can contact Mary at mary@globalhearthub.org
Edel Kenneally
Communications
Manager
About Edel
Edel Kenneally is Global Heart Hub’s Communications Manager, responsible for leading the internal and external communications programme. Projects include award-winning public awareness campaigns, publications, website and digital development, social media outreach and media relations.
Based in Ireland, Edel has worked with the Global Heart Hub since 2018. Edel completed a BA in New Media and English in the University of Limerick, Ireland, and earned a Master’s Degree in Literature and Publishing from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
You can contact Edel at edel@globalhearthub.org
Joanna Perkowska
Graphic & Website
Design Specialist
About Joanna
Joanna is Global Heart Hub’s design-focused communications specialist. She joined our team earlier this year to support various awareness campaigns and projects, bringing her expertise in graphic design, web design and design for mobile apps.
Having experienced the cardiovascular disease in her own family, she recognises the significance of Global Heart Hub’s efforts to promote better cardiovascular health. Joanna studied web and graphic design at Dublin Institute of Design and TU Dublin. She holds a Master’s Degree in language education, a B.A. in international relations and recently completed a three-phased business development programme ‘New Frontiers’ at TUS Midwest.
You can contact Joanna at joanna@globalhearthub.org
Karen McGarty
Senior Communications
Specialist
About Karen
Karen McGarty is Global Heart Hub’s Communications Specialist, playing a leading role in developing and executing Global Heart Hub’s communication strategy with hands-on management of activities including public awareness campaigns, special events, publications, social media management, and more.
For 15 years Karen has been working in marketing communications roles across a number of different industries including commercial, not-for-profit, and NGO where she has executed campaigns and developed brands. She holds a BBS in Business from the Atlantic Technological University, an MSc in Marketing and a Professional Diploma in Management Excellence – both awarded from UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.
With a special interest in social enterprise and purpose driven organisations, Karen joined the GHH team in July 2024 and is based in Sligo on the West coast of Ireland.
You can contact Karen at karenm@globalhearthub.org
Konstantina Boumaki
Development
Executive/
Administration & Advocacy
About Mary
Mary holds ACMA (Chartered institute of Management Accountants) qualification, as well as a B.Comm (Hons) from University of Galway. Mary is delighted to use her knowledge to help with the growth of Global Heart Hub.
You can contact Mary at mary@globalhearthub.org
Marta Bragagnolo
EU Projects Manager
Patient & Stakeholder Engagement Executive
About Edel
Edel Kenneally is Global Heart Hub’s Communications Manager, responsible for leading the internal and external communications programme. Projects include award-winning public awareness campaigns, publications, website and digital development, social media outreach and media relations.
Based in Ireland, Edel has worked with the Global Heart Hub since 2018. Edel completed a BA in New Media and English in the University of Limerick, Ireland, and earned a Master’s Degree in Literature and Publishing from the National University of Ireland, Galway.
You can contact Edel at edel@globalhearthub.org
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