Our Governance Structure
The day-to-day operations of The Global Undergraduate Awards are managed by a small Executive Team based in Dublin, Ireland.
The Global Undergraduate Awards is driven by a small, dedicated team passionate about fostering academic excellence. This close-knit group manages all operations with a commitment to quality and impact, ensuring every detail is meticulously handled. Despite their size, the team’s collective energy and vision enable them to deliver a world-class programme, connecting and empowering students from around the globe. Their hands-on approach and personal investment in the success of the Awards reflect the heart and soul of the organisation. Meet the team.
The GUA Board of Directors
The GUA Board of Directors oversees the Executive Team, and maintains legal and fiduciary responsibility for the organisation. The Academic Advisory Board consists of representatives from GUA’s Partner Institutions, who meet annually to advise on the academic rigour of the awards programme.
JIM BARRY, CHAIR
Jim Barry is former Chief Investment Officer of BlackRock Alternatives Investors & Global Head of BlackRock Real Assets.
Boasting nearly 25 years of extensive executive leadership experience, steering large multi-national organisations toward success in a dynamic global landscape. His track record reflects a story of adeptly navigating complex challenges and delivering transformative results. A graduate of University College Cork and Harvard Business School his philanthropy is not limited to the Global Undergraduate Awards, sitting on the Council of Patrons for the Special Olympics, Ireland as well as a board member of The Ireland Funds.
LOUISE HODGSON
Louise joined the GUA in April 2010 as Programme Manager, becoming Executive Director in January 2011 until January 2017. Prior to the GUA, Louise spent her career in management positions within the publishing sector. As editorial manager of Business & Finance Media Group, she led the Client Publishing department and was editor of many titles, including Who’s Who in Irish Business. She is currently a Board Member of the independent publisher Tramp Press, and in 2013, she edited the book New Thinking, New Ireland, featuring contributions from young Irish high-achievers. She currently works as Head of Group Editorial at Allied Irish Bank.
RUAIRÍ QUINN
Ruairí is is a former Irish Labour Party politician who served as Minister for Education and Skills from 2011 to 2014. Before entering public life, Ruairí was an architect and town planner. His depth of experience and political acumen is extensive, having served as a Minister in six different Departments, including as Minister for Finance from 1993-1997. He was director of elections for Mary Robinson’s Presidential Campaign in 1990 and is recognised as being one of the most reforming Ministers for Education since the foundation of the state.
TERENCE O’ROURKE
Terence has been Chairman of Enterprise Ireland since August 2013, a director of Hibernia REIT plc since its flotation in December 2013, and joined the board of the Irish Times Limited in May 2013. He was previously Managing Partner of KPMG Ireland until his retirement from the firm in April 2013. From 2007 to 2013, he was also a member of KPMG’s Global Board, Global Executive Team and EMA Board. Terence is a Fellow, and was President in 2004/05, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland. A former member of the Chartered Accountants Regulatory Board, he is currently Chairman of Enactus Ireland, President of the Advisory Board of Kinsale Capital Management, and a member of the boards of the Irish Management Institute, the Dublin Theatre Festival, Dublin City University and the Irish Film Institute. Terence graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in Economics and History.
The GUA Academic Advisory Board
CONOR BRADY
Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland
PROF. ALAN DEARLE
Dean of Science, University of St. Andrews, Scotland
MARISA MOAZEN
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Policy, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
LISE LAPORTE
Senior Director International, Western University, Canada
BEN WILDAVSKY
Author & Scholar, University of Virginia, USA
BARRY SHEEHAN
Head of Design at TU Dublin School of Art & Design, Ireland
JIM BARRY
Chairman, The Global Undergraduate Awards
