Pat has been Director of NEA NI for eight years. She is an Economics graduate of Queen’s University Belfast. After graduation she spent a year teaching primary and secondary education before moving into the voluntary sector. She has also trained as a social worker and holds a Diploma in Social Work. Before starting with NEA, Pat spent 10 years at Help the Aged where she managed their SeniorLine advice and advocacy services. 

She has worked with Government sitting on the previous Fuel Poverty Advisory Group and the now Cross Sectorial Fuel Poverty Partnership Group where she chairs the Affordable Warmth Thematic Action Group. She has built and consolidated strong partnerships across the voluntary, community and statutory sectors to find solutions to tackle fuel poverty. 

Her experience covers a wide range of disciplines, such as Strategic Planning, Conflict Resolution, Project Management, media and leadership skills. She has a passion for social justice, sitting on the board of the Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network and her campaigning and lobbying experience has been instrumental in raising awareness of fuel poverty both within the political and social arena. She is the current Chair of the Northern Ireland Fuel Poverty Coalition which consists of over 150 organisations across the private, public, voluntary and community sectors.