NILGA Team

Alison Allen

Chief Executive

Alison Allen has served as the Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Local Government Association since February 2022, bringing with her a wealth of public service experience.

Alison’s forward-looking perspective identifies new opportunities for collaboration, positioning local authorities to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. Under her stewardship, NILGA has championed policy innovation, enhanced local government resilience, advanced economic growth initiatives and influenced reform to strengthen the role of councils.

Alison’s strategic advocacy ensures that local authorities remain at the heart of decision-making, equipped to meet evolving challenges and community needs. Her collaborative leadership style emphasises partnerships across political, voluntary, community, statutory, and private sectors, ensuring the delivery of high-quality public services.

a.allen@nilga.org

Lisa O’Kane

Head of Impact

Lisa has been with NILGA since 2017. She is responsible for leading the development and implementation of services, partnerships and initiatives to strengthen NILGA's impact locally, nationally and internationally, with a particular focus on transformation and innovation. 

l.okane@nilga.org

Fiona Douglas

Regional Development Manager

Fiona has been with NILGA since 2016. She is responsible for the design, coordination and delivery of the NILGA Councillor Development Charter and Charter Plus for all councils in NI as well as leading the NILGA Regional Programme for Councillor and Officer Development.

f.douglas@nilga.org

Antoinette Kennedy

Regional Project Officer

Antoinette has been with NILGA since 2009. She is responsible for supporting the development and implementation of the NILGA policy and government frameworks, co-ordinating and delivering policy project work and providing secretariat services as required.

a.kennedy@nilga.org

Diane Anderson

Corporate Services Manager

Diane has been with NILGA since 1992. She is responsible for the smooth running of all aspects of NILGA's finance, human resources, audit, risk and governance functions ensuring compliance and adherence to best practice at all times.

d.anderson@nilga.org

Sarah Little

Business Services Officer

Sarah has been with NILGA since 2008. She is responsible for administering NILGA's Executive meetings and overseeing all aspects of the NILGA membership. Sarah also provides a personal assistant role to the Chief Executive and administrative support for other senior officers.

s.little@nilga.org

Mark Maher

Communications & Engagement Officer

Mark is responsible for supporting the effective delivery of NILGA’s media, events, public relations and social media activity in a positive and proactive way that promotes both NILGA and local government as a sector.

m.maher@nilga.org

NILGA Organisational Charts

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