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Mike Feerick founded Alison in 2007 in Galway, Ireland. Since then, he has been spearheading the organisation’s mission of empowering the world for free, and continues to do so today. Mike travels frequently around the world to meet Alison learners and graduates, and also to speak at various high level conferences on education equality and workplace skills development. He is open to speaking invitations, so if you are looking for someone to deliver a keynote speech on the power of free learning to change the world, reach out! Recent visits in 2023 include the USA, UK, France, Spain, Poland, Senegal and The Gambia. Mike has plans to visit the USA, Australia, Egypt, Romania, Mexico and South Africa over the next 12 months.
Mike is a graduate of the University of Limerick (BBS) and Harvard University (MBA). He is an Ashoka Fellow, and a UNESCO Award, WISE Award, and Arthur Guinness Social Fund Award winner. Mike is also Founder and Chairman of Ireland’s National Diaspora Programme, Ireland Reaching Out - a national volunteer-based charity which helps the Irish Diaspora connect to their place of origin in Ireland for free.
Patrick Lynch first funded Alison in 2008 and became its shareholder in 2010. Currently, Patrick leads the audit committee and plays an active role in the organisation’s legal matters . In 2022, he briefly led the finance team as an interim CFO.
Patrick is also an investor and director of several other technology companies in Ireland and the U.K. He founded and leads Texuna, a 20+ year old company that specialises in public sector bespoke software and data warehouse solutions. Currently, he is involved in a marine environment data collection project for DEFRA.
Patrick graduated from University College, Cork, Ireland with a BComm and MSc in Information Systems.
Andrea Sinclair first met Mike through Ashoka's Changemakers United initiative in 2020. She became a Non-Executive Director at Alison in January 2021 and is a strategic advisor in the organisation.
Currently, Andrea is also supporting female founders through the Alma Angel group, as well as social entrepreneurs through the Ashoka Support Network and the Zinc Venture Builder. She is also a Non-Executive Director at EasyPeasy, a Trustee at Apps for Good and Fight for Peace International, and Co-Owner and NED at Husky - a commercial and domestic refrigeration business.
Andrea graduated with an MEng from Imperial College, followed by an MBA from INSEAD. In 2022, she received the UKBAA Angel Investor of the Year award. In 2022, she received the UKBAA Angel Investor of the Year award.
Peter High is a strategist, lecturer, podcast host, columnist and author. Currently, he is the President of Metis Strategy, where he also hosts a podcast with top executives and thought leaders twice a week.
Peter graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in economics and history. He has been a judge for the Premier 100 awards, and authored and co-authored books like Getting to Nimble, Implementing World Class IT Strategy, and World Class IT: Why Businesses Succeed When IT Triumphs.
