Local heart and stroke charity Croi have announced an impending change in leadership which will mark a new chapter in the history of the organisation.
After 32 years at the helm of the Galway based charity, CEO Neil Johnson will be stepping down at the end of this year.
He is being replaced by Tipperary native Mark O’Donnell, who has been with Croí since January 2022, working as Chief Operations Officer and Head of Foundation.
Mark has been living in Galway for more than three decades, and in that time has worked at senior levels of public services in the city and wider region, along with the non-profit sector.
Announcing details of the new appointment, Croi Chairman Mark Gantly paid tribute to Neil Johnson’s long service and leadership which has seen Croi make an enormous contribution to the fight against heart disease and stroke in the west of Ireland.
“This is a change that has been carefully planned as part of the organisations succession planning and we are delighted to announce that Mark O’Donnell will take over as CEO from the beginning of next year,” Mr Gantly said.
Speaking about his appointment, Mark O’Donnell said “It is a genuine honour to be appointed to the senior leadership role in Croí from next January, and one that comes with a substantial weight of responsibility.”
“Neil has shown exemplary leadership over the past thirty years, working with an outstanding team and a committed Board, to develop a fantastic organisation with a critically important mission as its focus.”
“Reducing the burden of heart disease and stroke on our communities is a considerable challenge. However, building on the strong foundations that have been laid, and with the exceptional team in Croí, I have no doubt that we can collectively make a significant positive impact.”
Neil Johnson said that he is not ready to hang up his boots just yet, and will be moving to work in international patient advocacy with the Global Heart Hub.
This is an umbrella organisation of heart patient groups which is currently based in Galway, while continuing to support a major project at Croí.
“Additionally, for the next year or two, I will be supporting Mark and all the Croi team on a part time basis to oversee the implementation of a transformational community health project which is being made possible by a very substantial legacy gift which Croi has received in recent months.”
Details of this project are expected to be announced by Croí in the coming weeks.
“Mark and I have worked very well together for almost two years now and I know he will bring a fresh perspective and take on his new role with vigour. I wish him every success as he continues our mission to tackle the burden of heart disease and stroke”
