Deirdre joined Plan International Ireland in July 2017 and has many years’ experience working in the international development sector. An early posting with VSO as a teacher in China influenced her career progression, working in project management in Ireland with African students, international development workers, migrant women and asylum seekers. She spent 6 years in Ethiopia, managing emergency and livelihoods programmes and working as a gender advisor for fields in East Africa. Deirdre has a Masters in Development Studies and also in Management (Community and Voluntary Sector) and has been involved in managing Certificates in Leaders for Change and Project Management at the National College of Ireland.