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.
RICHARD BARRY
Richard is currently the Chief Academic and Innovation Officer at Dublin Business School, and former International Director at the National College of Ireland. Bringing senior leadership experience across academic strategy, learning innovation and institutional growth. His strong track record of shaping institution-wide direction, enhancing academic quality, and aligning programme portfolios adds a broad scope of expertise to our non- executive board.
JACK O’MEARA
Jack O’Meara is Co-Founder of Aerska and a biotechnology entrepreneur with experience in building and scaling RNA medicines companies. He previously co-founded and served as CEO of Ochre Bio, where he advanced a pipeline of RNAi medicines targeting advanced liver diseases and established strategic partnerships to support its development.
Jack began his career in management consulting, supporting the global launch of Zolgensma at AveXis (now Novartis Gene Therapies). He holds technical degrees from the University of Galway, Ireland, and the University of Notre Dame, USA. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, and he has been recognised as a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree in healthcare.
Jack was also a recipient of the Global Undergraduate Awards in 2016, recognised as Ireland’s Regional Winner in the Engineering category.
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
