An Cosán CEO shortlisted for Excellence in Charity award

HEYDI Foster, the CEO of the Jobstown-based education service An Cosán, has been shortlisted in the Excellence in Charity Leadership category of Charities Institute Ireland’s Charity Excellence Awards 2023.

Ms Foster took up the role of CEO of An Cosán in 2019, following the retirement of the previous CEO, Liz Waters. Prior to joining An Cosán, Ms Foster was a commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and was the CEO of Misean Cara.

Since Ms Foster became CEO of An Cosán, the quality and breadth of An Cosán’s services has been expanded, with the organisation’s leadership in digital inclusion widely noted.

It has also secured a firm organisational and financially sustainable footing under Ms Foster’s leadership, which has been recognised in her award nomination.

On hearing the news of her shortlisting, Ms Foster said: “I am honoured to be shortlisted by Charities Institute Ireland for their Excellence in Charity Leadership Award.

“It has been my privilege to work with and grow our outstanding team to build on the incredible vision of An Cosán.

“Today we are positively impacting the lives of adult learners, families and communities across Ireland and providing an example to policy-makers and educators here and internationally of what community education can achieve.

“It’s a thrill to have this spotlight shone on the work we are doing!

“We are grateful to our funders, partners and supporters for enabling us to continue our work empowering women, families and communities.

“Working together, we will achieve a more just and fair society, and a better and brighter future.”

The Charity Excellence Awards will take place in the Round Room in the Mansion House on Wednesday, October 11, when the winners will be announced.