Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laura Brien
Laura Brien has over 25 years experience in the area of regulation across a number of industries, in particular the energy sector. Prior to appointment as CEO of MARA, Laura was Chief Executive/Registrar of the Health Insurance Authority.
She was previously a Director at the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (2014-2020), where she held various roles covering responsibility for Energy Markets, Water, and Compliance. She was a member of the Bureau of the OECD Network of Economic Regulators. Prior to joining the CRU, she was senior economic advisor to ComReg, the Irish telecommunications regulator, from 2012 to 2014.
Earlier in her career she worked advising utilities, governments and regulators in the energy sector in the US, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Areas of work included introduction of private sector investment, development of renewable energy projects, financing and regulation.
She holds a Commerce degree and a Diploma in Corporate Governance from University College Dublin, Ireland and an M.Phil in Economics from Oxford University, UK.
Director of Maritime Authorisations, Karen Creed
Director of Compliance, Enforcement & Revenue Collection, Yvonne Doris
Yvonne Doris has over 25 years’ experience working in the area of environmental protection. Previous to her appointment as Head of Compliance, Enforcement and Revenue Collection, MARA, she was Assistant Principal in the Foreshore Unit of Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, responsible for rent collection and estate management of foreshore leases and licences.
She held a variety of roles in the Environmental Protection Agency including regulating local authorities, Irish Water and the Waste sector, ICT Business Architect and Director of Licensing, Enforcement and Monitoring Application Development team. She has driven a number of strategic change management initiatives in the EPA and DHLGH to enhance environmental protection objectives for the State and its citizens.
She holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Science from National university of Ireland, Galway, a Masters in Environmental Sciences from Trinity College, Dublin and a Master of Science in Environmental Decision making from the Open University.
Director of Assessment, Research & Data, John Evans
John Evans has worked in the marine and maritime area since 2002. For the six years prior to his joining MARA, John worked as an independent consultant in the field of policy assessment, programme review and strategy development with most of his clients coming from the public sector. He is a member of the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board and was a Deputy Chair of the Forestry Appeals Committee.
He previously worked at the Marine Institute in a number of roles including Information Services and Development Manager, Co- Programme Manager of the INFOMAR seabed mapping programme, Director of Marine Environment & Food Safety, and Director of Policy, Innovation & Research.
In his earlier career John worked in the field of software engineering. He holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Limerick, a MSc in Computer Applications from Dublin City University, and an MBA from the University of Galway. John is a Chartered Engineer and member of Engineers Ireland.
Director of Strategy, Governance & Stakeholder Engagement, Rory O’Leary
Previously responsible at Head of Business Unit level within the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to lead the establishment of the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority. With over 20 years of experience as a civil servant Rory has served in a variety of roles across the Housing, Local Government, Environment and Corporate areas. He is graduate of UCC (BSc Zoology) and holds an MSc in Environmental Economics, Policy and Risk from Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh.
Director of Corporate Affairs, Frank Ronan
Frank Ronan is a widely experienced finance professional with over 25 years senior management experience across a range of industries and sectors.
Prior to joining MARA Frank’s career included the roles of Finance Director (Stafford Group), Managing Director (Wexford Creamery) and Chief Executive (Port of Waterford).
He is a Fellow of Chartered Accountant Ireland.