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.