Who We Are

The Open Doors Initiative is dedicated to enabling access to employability for all marginalised people, through actions, opportunities and programmes, aimed at removing barriers faced by job seekers. We promote the necessity of diversity, equity and inclusion in the working world, epitomised by the concept of Corporate Social Justice. In an evolving Ireland, we strive to support businesses and individuals to create a society and workplaces that are truly inclusive, stronger and more adaptable, because of diversity at all levels.

We support our participants on their journey to employment, further education or entrepreneurship, and collaborate with a network of corporate partners and supporting community organisations to create positive change.

The people we work with include

Refugees and Asylum Seekers
People with Disabilities
Members of the Traveller and Roma communities
Disadvantaged youth
LGBTQ+ community
People with a criminal history
Any intersectionality between these groups

Launched in 2018, fourteen Irish employers came together with a plan to address employability issues and assist people from these groups in Irish society into employment. Since then, we have supported over 130,000 people on their pathways to education, employment and entrepreneurship, with growth year on year.

Equitable opportunity is at the core of our work in the Open Doors Initiative. The people we support are there on merit. It is not tokenism; they have the skills to do the work and progress in their career. Sometimes they just need support to overcome the barriers in their way.

Our Team

We are a dedicated team of experts drawn from a wide range of disciplines - policy, research, communications, community development, and more. What unites us is not just professional expertise, but also diversity and lived experience. Each member of our team brings personal insight into the challenges and opportunities we work on daily with our partners and participants.

This strengthens our campaigns, shapes our research and deepens our commitment to meaningful, inclusive change. We understand the real world impact of the issues we explore and offer opportunities through reducing barriers, thought leadership and meaningful action to bring about positive, evidence based, change.

Together, we work collaboratively to turn insight into action, and deliver impactful work

Our Values

Collaborative

We leverage our unique position to foster collaborative working relationships among our partner companies, stakeholders and participants to magnify our impact and ensure the best outcomes

Impact Driven

We focus on high impact work that supports employability of marginalised people and changes the lives of participants and their families; we regularly monitor and evaluate our work to ensure maximum impact

Thought Leadership

We work with our business partners and Government to embed Corporate Social Justice thinking and actions in all their organisations to have positive impact on business outcomes

Participant Centred

We commit to the rights and needs of our participants in securing pathways to employability, guided by the relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals

Open & Transparent

We ensure openness and transparency through effective governance and clear communication with all board members and stakeholders

Agile

We continue to be agile to remain relevant in responding to participant needs and company needs and adapt to changes in the market.

Research Led

We leverage and conduct relevant research to ensure our work is targeted and impact driven

Did you know?

32.6%

According to the 2022 census, the employment rate for people with a disability is 32.6%, almost 20% below the EU average of 51.3%

20%

One in five people living in Ireland are from a migrant background – yet many have difficulties finding appropriate work due to stamp and permit confusion, discrimination and language barriers

200%

The unemployment rate among our long-term unemployed under 25s is twice the national average.

61%

In 2022, the overall or national unemployment rate was 8%, while the unemployment rate for Travellers was 61%

board & governing bodies

Chairperson Paddy Hayes, CEO, ESB
CEO Jeanne McDonagh

DIRECTORS

Patrick Doyle, Director, e-Frontiers
Veronica Cabazes
David Stanton
Sharon Murphy, MD, Wilson Hartnell
Ursula Mapley, COO, Bank of America Europe
Sharon Vize, Head of HR, CPL
Barry O’Sullivan, MD, Diageo Ireland
Hilary O'Meara, Country Managing Director, Accenture
Marian Cronin, Director, Sodexo Ireland
Denis Doolan, Head of People Experience, AIB
Professor Thomas Stone, VP Partnerships, TU Dublin
Noeline Blackwell

Secretary Gerard Kiernan, MD, Icon Accounting

Necessary/Essential

Analytics

Third-Party Function & Marketing

Who We Are

The people we work with include

Our Team

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