Our Board

John Riordan

Chair of the Board

John has been engaged with Sanctuary Runners since the very first event - the 2018 Cork City Marathon - an event which brought him back into the world of running and opened his eyes on the need for a better integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland. John is a leading voice on Remote Work and is chairman of the board of Grow Remote, a community project bridging the disconnect between remote work and local impact in rural areas. John also serves on the IRFU Commercial & Marketing Committee as well as being on the board of three start-ups. Prior to retiring in 2021, John was Chairman of Shopify International Ltd, and previously worked at Apple Inc, and Virgin Atlantic Airways in a variety of Customer Service and Sales & Marketing roles. John is a member of the Cork group.

Sibusisiwe Mhlophe

Director

Sibusisiwe is from Zimbabwe originally and moved to Ireland in 2017 where she discovered her love for running! Her running story has taken her from tentatively taking on a leg of the Cork Marathon relay in 2018 to the Dublin City Marathon a few short years later - and also to joined Togher running club in Cork. In 2023 Busie graduated from University College Cork with a first-class honours degree in International Development and Food Policy – and as part of her Erasmus programme she studied at the University of Oulu in Finland in 2022. Since 2023 Busie has worked for Cork City Council. A proud supporter of Sanctuary Runners, in June, 2024 Busie travelled to Geneva to help launch the Global Solidarity Run with the Sanctuary Runners team. She says: “Joining the Sanctuary Runners remains the best decision I have ever made. Solidarity, friendship, and respect are not just words - they are values I have embraced and continue to cherish every day".

Padraic Moran

Director and Company Secretary

Padraic is a Business Consultant specialising in technology governance and regulatory compliance in the Financial Services sector. With a long career in software and technology innovation, he has previously been a director of a technology venture fund where he held board positions with a number of investee companies, was the Founder and CEO of a financial services start-up, and held a number of executive positions with IBM. An enthusiastic if not particularly talented runner, Padraic has been involved with Sanctuary Runners since its inaugural event - the 2018 Cork marathon relay - and has been an active advocate ever since. Padraic is a member of the Corkagh group.

Sinead Walsh

Director

Sinead Walsh is Climate Director in the Department of Foreign Affairs. Prior to this she served as the EU Ambassador to South Sudan and Ambassador of Ireland to Sierra Leone and Liberia and the Head of Irish Aid in the two countries. Before joining the government, Sinead spent ten years in the NGO sector in India, Pakistan, Rwanda and South Sudan, mostly working with Concern. She has a PhD in Social Policy from the LSE. She is the co-author of Getting to Zero: A Doctor and A Diplomat on the Ebola Frontline. After returning from South Sudan in 2020, Sinead heard about Sanctuary Runners and joined our Poppintree group after COVID restrictions ended. She now runs, not particularly fast, in Fairview.

Our Team

Anna Pringle

Chief Executive Officer

Anna has been involved with Sanctuary Runners since 2018, when she was inspired by participating in the Cork half-marathon to help bring the movement to Dublin. She served in a voluntary capacity as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Sanctuary Runners for four years prior to becoming CEO in November 2025. Actively involved in environmental issues Anna serves on the board of Friends of the Earth and has been a director of the NTR Foundation, which provided targeted financial support to climate action projects. She is also co-host of the Climate Alarm Clock podcast. Previously, she held senior human resources and communications roles in the corporate sector. Anna is a member of the Fairview Sanctuary Runners group, where she particularly enjoys the occasional road trips and celebration cakes!

Graham Clifford

Head of International Development

Graham is the founder of the Sanctuary Runners. He previously worked as a feature writer and broadcaster in Ireland, the UK and Australia and his work brought him to parts of the world enduring conflict, poverty and oppression. A passionate advocate for community integration he is also the founder of the 'One Town One Voice' Community Singing initiative and in 2020 co-founded the award-winning 'Translate Ireland' multilingual video messaging service. Graham's main focus is on the growth of Sanctuary Runners internationally, the expansion of the Global Solidarity Run and the establishment of Sanctuary Runners GB. He also oversees the communications strategy of Sanctuary Runners. His mantra in life is 'Be Sound'!

Berta Quiñonero

Communications and Advocacy Manager

Berta joined Sanctuary Runners in 2023 as part of the Tallaght group, drawn by the movement’s focus on community-building, inclusion, and wellness through sport. Originally from Barcelona, she has lived in Ireland for over 10 years, working in the non-profit sector on community engagement and intercultural initiatives. With a background in communications and public outreach, she supports projects that promote participation and connection across diverse communities. Berta is also a Director in a volunteer-led drama group that uses theatre to encourage creativity and cultural exchange. Berta will usually sign up for a marathon or half-marathon the very next day after finishing one, despite swearing mid-race that she’d never do it again.

John Doyle

Head of Operations and Finance

John is an active member of the Limerick Sanctuary Runners, where he’s taken part in everything from running and mountain biking to hiking and post-race coffees with the group. John is also involved as a coach and administrator with local sports clubs, neighbourhood initiatives, and Community Games. Professionally, John brings a global perspective and a diverse background. An accountant by trade, with qualifications in IT, Project Management, and Economics, he has worked across the USA, Australia, Russia, and various parts of Europe. His career has spanned a wide range of sectors — including construction, aviation, professional services, IT, and waste management — giving him a rich mix of experience and insight that he brings to every project he’s part of.

Helen Basini

Project Manager Global Solidarity Run

Helen Basini or Bas, has worked in the not-for-profit sector on and off for over 20 years. She has worked in both international development in Africa and Asia, and local Irish community initiatives in fundraising, monitoring and evaluation and project management roles. As a doctoral graduate in peacebuilding, Bas is an expert on post-conflict reconstruction processes with a particular focus on gender concerns. A busy mum of two, with a passion for singing, Bas is seen at times plodding very slowly at the back of the Limerick Sanctuary Runners group, upholding the walking/jogging arm of the organisation!

Annie Doran

Community Development Manager - East and North

As Community Development Manager for the East and North of Ireland, Annie supports running groups in these regions and identifies areas for new groups. Annie has demonstrated her passion and commitment for community development through sport during her career spending 15 years working in the community and voluntary sector in Sports Development & Mental Health. Outside of her career Annie is a sports fanatic and has represented Ireland in compromise rules and triathlon, she is an All-Ireland football winner and an Ironman podium athlete who puts weighted value on connection through sport.