Meet AnCosán's Team

An Cosán offers a range of courses to support people from nought to ninety years to develop their capacities and experience a sense of empowerment in their lives and community. Meet the team that have welcomed tens of thousands of students to An Cosán since it opened its doors in Jobstown in 1999. Our team can now help you find An Cosán courses delivered in communities across Ireland.

Yvonne Emmett, Co-ordinator of Higher Education programmes

A native of Dublin West, Yvonne Emmett joins An Cosán’s team as coordinator of higher education programmes in 2016. She has over 20 years experience in public administration in diverse roles and functions, including ICT, training and development, and corporate governance. She has also worked with the School of Education Studies in Dublin City University over several years and volunteered in a range of community education settings. Yvonne identifies with An Cosán’s commitment to widening participation in higher education. Accessing higher education as a mature, part-time student, she has completed a B.Sc. in Information Systems, an M.Sc. in Education and Training Management, and a Doctor of Education, as well as a Certificate in High Tech Assistive Technology. At Masters and Doctoral level her action research focused on educational leadership and the use of digital technologies in education and training. Yvonne is looking forward to supporting An Cosán’s students to access, participate and thrive in higher education.

Sinéad Kelly, Education Programme Coordinator

Sinead Kelly has been the Education Programme Coordinator at An Cosán since 2010 where she leads out on the Women in Technology (WIT) programme. Sinead also delivers a range of QQI, ICT, Leadership and Social Networking programmes. Sinead is a strong advocate for marginalised groups and is active in bringing about social change. She has made numerous appearances on television, radio and at large corporate events, and has been identified by Silicon Republic as one of Ireland's Bright Sparks in STEM for the second year running. Sinead has worked in the areas of mental health and drug prevention and is extremely passionate about community education and its ability to transform individuals and communities. Sinead holds a BA in Leadership and Community Development and has completed a SPA in Transformative Education.

Liz Whelan, Counselling Service Coordinator

Liz Whelan is the Counselling Coordinator at An Cosan. She is an experienced and established Counsellor and Psychotherapist with over sixteen years’ experience in the field. There are 10 IACP Accredited Counsellors at An Cosan meeting clients on a weekly basis. Liz specialises in trauma, stress and anxiety management, bullying, sexual abuse and suicide prevention. Liz has a private practice in Bray, County Wicklow and is an affiliate counsellor for Towards Healing, EAP Consultants Care Call. She has worked extensively in the area of relationships, stress, anxiety, bullying, depression, panic attacks, trauma, sexual abuse, bereavement and separation issues. Liz has compiled a stress management course run at An Cosán which is being rolled out to companies experiencing stress difficulties in the workplace. Before her professional career in Counselling & Psychotherapy, Liz worked as a professional Singer with Musical Societies all over the country and is still passionate about musical theatre.

Bernie Coleman, Lifestart Coordinator

Bernie Coleman has worked in all areas of Early Education and Care throughout her long history working at An Cosán delivering a wide range of QQI Early Years Childcare programmes, acting as Parent Support Coordinator with Fledglings and coordinating The Lifestart Growing Child Programme. This evidence based programme is a free universal programme designed to educate and support parents of children from 0-3 years of age and delivered at home. Bernie recognizes the importance of parent and child relationships and supports families by providing practical parenting programmes. Bernie Coleman is also an IACP Accredited Counsellor and Psychotherapist and an active member of An Cosán’s counselling team.