Advisory Group

Dr Dec Ryan - Founder

Dec founded The One Foundation in 2004. He was inspired by Dale Carnegie and Chuck Feeney, especially the latter’s concept of “giving while living”. The One Foundation was named after the U2 song “One” which contains the lyric “We carry each other”. Dr Ryan is also the founder and Managing Partner of Irelandia Aviation which has built 5 low-cost carriers to date. 

Eoghan Stack - Chair

Eoghan Stack is Chair of the Advisory Group of The One Foundation. Eoghan has significant experience of working in philanthropy, having previously worked with The One Foundation as Director of Investment Impact during the foundation’s first phase of operation until 2013.  Eoghan has also served on the board of Philanthropy Ireland from 2013 to 2020, including as Deputy Chair, as well as a number of other non-profit organisation Board roles. Having previously worked in dotcom tech design and start-up ecosystem development, Eoghan is now the Commercial Director at Dublin City University Business School.

Michael Lynch - Director 

Michael joined Irelandia as Investment Director in 2017. In this role he focuses on supporting existing investments, as well as identifying new founders and teams to partner with. He graduated from UCD with a degree in Business and Law and previously worked in corporate finance and private equity having qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG. In his spare time, you will find Michael on his bike (if his daughters allow him). 

Aoife Gallen - Director

Aoife joined the Irelandia finance team in 2015. In her current role, she leads the finance, governance & compliance functions as well as supporting existing investments and the teams across both Irelandia and the One Foundation.  Aoife is a director of the One Foundation and Books at One and served as treasurer for PWN Dublin for 4 years to 2023.

Aoife graduated from NUI Galway with an international degree in Commerce and previously worked in tax compliance and advisory having qualified as a chartered accountant and tax consultant with KPMG. She has also completed a certificate in ESG Investing with CFA and is an avid reader with a keen interest in social & climate justice.