Mayo's Sinéad Keane appointed CEO of youth information and support platform

spunout, Ireland’s youth information and support platform, has today announced the appointment of Westport native Sinéad Keane as its CEO, marking a new chapter in its mission to support and empower young people.

With a background in communications and advocacy, extensive experience in the non-profit sector and first-hand experience as a psychotherapist, Sinéad brings a wealth of expertise and insight to spunout.

Before joining spunout, Sinéad had a variety of roles in the non-profit sector most recently as deputy CEO of Belong To where she led the campaigns, policy, communications and research team centring the lived experience LGBTQ+ youth.

Sinéad has also worked with Amnesty International and currently sits on the Board of CyberSafeKids.

In addition to her leadership in the non-profit sector, Sinéad brings specialised expertise as a mental health professional.

She is an accredited psychotherapist with the Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and holds an MSc in Clinical Integrative Psychotherapy from University College Cork.

Commenting on her appointment, Sinéad Keane, said: “I am thrilled to be appointed spunout’s new CEO.

"I am especially looking forward to working with spunout’s Action Panel to ensure that the lived experiences of young people remain at the centre of everything we do.

“As we approach Budget 2026, this is an exciting time to continue the impressive work that spunout has done to date advocating for young people in Ireland, including the launch of our youth-led Pre Budget Submission.

"To build on the important groundwork laid by spunout so far, it is vital that we continue to prioritise the issues that matter most to young people such as youth mental health a lack of spaces to socialise and youth work.

"I look forward to engaging with government and other key stakeholders on these important issues to ensure that young people’s voices are heard and that they are not left behind”

Tara Doyle, chairperson of spunout’s board of directors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Sinéad as the new CEO of spunout.

"Sinéad’s background in non-profit leadership and advocacy, combined with her first-hand experience as a mental health professional, will be invaluable as spunout continues our mission to work towards an Ireland where all young people are supported and empowered to thrive.

“I extend our thanks to former CEO Ian Power for all his dedication and vision in building spunout into what it is today. We wish him every success in the future.”