CV and Organisations

Feb 2017 – Present: Founder, Genealogy.ie

 Nov 2016 – Present: Founder, Jillian van Turnhout

  • Consultancy specialised in Corporate Governance, Executive Hiring and (Children’s Rights) Advocacy and Training.
  • www.jillianvanturnhout.ie

May 2011 – Apr 2016: Senator, Seanad Éireann

Dec 2011 – Present: Chair, Early Childhood Ireland

  • Early Childhood Ireland supports and represents the people who play a role in the development, delivery and oversight of early childhood care and education in Ireland.
  • www.earlychildhoodireland.ie

Jun 2011-Sept 2013 Board Member, Women for Election

  • Women for Election is a non-partisan organisation seeking balanced gender participation in political life, and seeking to inspire and equip women to succeed in politics.
  • www.womenforelection.ie

Oct 2008 – Present: Vice Chairperson, European Movement Ireland (EMI)

  • EMI is an independent, voluntary membership organisation that works to publicise the work of the EU, and Ireland’s role in it.
  • www.europeanmovement.ie

2001 – Present: Irish Girl Guides (IGG)

  • The Irish Girl Guides is a girl-only, youth-driven, active and dynamic organisation.

2001-2007: Chief Commissioner

  • Chair, Programme Review Steering Group
  • Code of Ethics Trainer
  • District Commissioner
  • Director of the Irish Girl Guides Trust Corporation.
  • 1998-2005: Representative of World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) on the EU Affairs Commission of the European Youth Forum.
  • www.irishgirlguides.ie, www.wagggsworld.org/en/world

Aug 2005 – Dec 2011: Chief Executive, Children’s Rights Alliance

  • The Alliance is a coalition of over 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working to secure the rights and needs of children in Ireland, and campaigning for the full implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Led the strategic direction of the organization, member of the National Children’s Advisory Committee, Chair of the Children’s Mental Health Coalition, and on the Management Committee of the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF).
  • www.childrensrights.ie

1998 – May 2011: Vice President, European Economic and Social Committee (EESC)

  • Appointed to the EESC by Government, after being nominated by the Community and Voluntary Pillar in 1998, reappointed in 2002, 2006 and 2010.
  • Vice President of the EESC.
  • Social Affairs, External Relations and Communications.
  • Represented the EESC on the Steering Group of the EU Forum on the Rights of the Child and the EU-China Round Table.
  • www.eesc.europa.eu

1997 – 1999; 2007 – 2012: Member, National Youth Work Advisory Committee

1998 and 2001: State appointee to the Council of the President’s Award

  • Ireland’s most prestigious National Challenge Award for young people.
  • www.gaisce.ie

1993 – 1999: President, National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI)

1993 – 1996: Secretary General, ECB-BEC

  • Brussels-based European Coordination Bureau for International Non-Governmental Youth Organisations.
  • Co-founder of the European Youth Forum.

Up to 2004: Office Supplies company

  • Parallel to my voluntary work, I worked for some 15 years in an office supplies company, gaining experience in IT, Accounts, HR and Sales before being appointed Director.