Niamh Kelly
Costa Rica
Summary
Strategic Advisor recognized for exceptional productivity and efficient task execution. Expertise in growth and transformation development, fundraising, stakeholder engagement, and risk management strategies. Proven ability to communicate effectively, adapt to changing environments, and solve complex problems to enhance organizational performance.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
Work History
Philanthropy Advisor & Social Impact Strategist
Costa Rica Recovery Center
Costa Rica, Costa Rica
2023 - 2025
- A comprehensive strategy was created to position addiction recovery as a social impact initiative, reducing stigma through corporate collaboration and media engagement.
- Enabled companies to donate funds that would cover treatment for employees or community members, creating a sustainable funding model.
- Engagement with blue-chip corporates built momentum for collective action, combining social good with corporate networking benefits.
- Explored partnerships with Microsoft, Liberty TV, Dos Pinos, CINDE, and the US Chamber of Commerce (Costa Rica) to strengthen visibility and credibility.
- Established a CSR model integrating philanthropy, brand positioning, and measurable community impact.
Business Transformation & Growth Strategist
Real Estate & Property Management Company
Costa Rica & USA, Costa Rica & USA
01.2022 - 01.2025
- Rebuilt the organization from the ground up using the EOS system, as requested by the client.
- Diagnosed performance across people, culture, operations, and finance.
- Implemented strategies for sustainable growth and cultural renewal.
- Delivered leadership alignment, stronger culture, and measurable revenue transformation.
Philanthropy Advisor & Social Impact Strategist
Revival of a Rural Town in Ireland
UK & USA, UK & USA
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Devised a visionary strategy from start-up drawing on legacy, emotion, and business.
- Led philanthropic fundraising in private and corporate sectors.
- Secured government grants and internships for first-generation school leavers to support long-term sustainability.
- Created a Business Counsel of corporates donating funds and expertise.
- Established a philanthropic network across Ireland, the UK, and the USA, including office space and shared networks.
- Secured a private event at the Irish Embassy in Washington, hosted by the Irish Ambassador, to engage corporate partners from three countries.
- Partnered with branding specialists, corporates, and media to amplify impact.
- Result: over $20M in funding, a government blueprint, a hub for first-generation students, a successful business centre and co-working space, refurbishment of heritage buildings and tourism attractions, retention of talent, corporate engagement, secondary corporate locations with tax incentives, and long-term sustainability for the town and community with a broad long-term view of retaining talent and people.
Philanthropy Advisor & Growth Strategist
The Irish Northern Partnership
UK, UK
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: funded by The Irish Embassy (UK)
- Assessed three charities and identified overlapping costs, duplicated donor outreach, and redundant staff skill sets.
- Recommended and developed a strategic rebrand and amalgamation, reducing costs, aligning resources, and enabling donors to consolidate giving into larger, more impactful contributions.
- Advised leadership on securing Irish government funding for setup, strategy, and long-term sustainability of the new entity.
- Conceived the name “Frea” (Irish for “root”), symbolizing community and heritage.
- Resulted in government funding, internships for first-generation school leavers, and stronger foundations for the new organization.
- Secured and orchestrated an exclusive donor dinner at the private residence of the Irish Ambassador, engaging new donor audiences in an intimate, high-profile setting.
- Partnered with branding specialists, corporate, and media to amplify impact.
- Negotiated pro bono contributions including national press coverage, branding services, and accountancy support to strengthen the launch.
- Engaged high-profile supporters, including a renowned Irish singer and his grandfather, enhancing the event’s prestige and donor appeal.
- Achieved immediate fundraising impact, including a donor cheque that fully funded a dementia programme within the new organization.
- Funded by The Irish Embassy (UK)
Business Developer
Peninsula TV
Ireland & USA, Ireland & USA
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Developed new relationships between Peninsula, The Discovery Channel, UKTV, and Cineflex, resulting in a TV series worth $5M+.
Interim Global Director
Irish TV
UK, USA & Ireland, UK, USA & Ireland
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Headhunted by John Griffin (Chairperson and revenue backer) to manage the start-up of the UK operation.
- Recruited and trained staff globally, focusing on partnership engagement in Ireland, UK and New York to build sustainable revenue streams.
- Negotiated buy-in from one of the UK’s largest distribution channels for a documentary series, reaching a global audience.
- Instrumental in negotiations with TATA Communications.
- Identified a critical flaw in contracts that safeguarded a further $15M investment, ensuring the channel’s continuation.
- Managed all press and crisis communications for John Griffin to protect his reputation and legacy.
UK
London Irish Rugby Club
, UK
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Secured corporate sponsorships for stadium, kit wear, and corporate boxes.
- Developed quarterly magazine with Exclusive Magazines to expand audience reach and enhance brand awareness.
Ireland & UK
Gowan Group Ireland – KAL Group
, Ireland & UK
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Advised construction industry clients on strategies to scale revenue growth.
- Secured over $1M in new revenue from one of UK's largest construction firms, establishing it as primary client.
- Developed strategic vision for expansion into UK market, enhancing competitive positioning.
Chief Executive Officer
The Irish Post
UK, UK
01.2010 - 01.2014
- Promoted to youngest female CEO of Thomas Crosbie Holdings, overseeing P&L across multiple divisions.
- Achieved $500K in initial cost savings through operational restructuring and supplier contract renegotiation.
- Restored advertising revenue by bringing services in-house, resulting in 40% growth year one and 50% year two.
- Reversed losses and restored profitability via new revenue streams and corporate sponsorships.
- Launched new magazine brands targeting younger demographics, diversifying readership and revenue sources.
- Recreated Irish Post Awards, securing $200K sponsorship, growing attendance to over 500, generating $500K in revenue.
- Orchestrated 'Save the Irish Post' campaign, garnering support from 75 MPs and achieving successful sale within two months.
- Negotiated distribution with Daily Mail Group, enhancing circulation standards and recognition from senior leadership.
Commercial Development
Thomas Crosbie Holdings Media Group
Ireland, Ireland
01.2000 - 01.2011
- Company Overview: Cork, Ireland
- Promoted rapidly from telesales through executive and management roles to Head Office Commercial Development Director, before progressing to Commercial Director and later CEO of The Irish Post, which was owned by the group.
- Managed national high-value accounts with annual revenue targets of $5M, consistently achieving and exceeding targets.
- Delivered a 30% increase in client spend by creating new strategic opportunities that cross-developed across the group’s 14 national and regional newspapers.
- Represented the full TCH portfolio to media agencies, consistently surpassing targets and strengthening group-wide market presence.
- Recognized as strategic, results-driven, and a trusted problem-solver, leading to progression into group-level leadership positions.
- Cork, Ireland
Sales & Marketing Executive
Blue Chip Marketing & Events
Waterford, Ireland
01.1998 - 01.2000
Sales Executive
Gleeson Real Estates
Waterford, Ireland
01.1996 - 01.1998
Education
Degree - Business & Marketing
University College Cork
IrelandIreland
Skills
- Strategic planning and fundraising
- Corporate partnership development
- Social impact strategy
- Performance diagnostics
- Business networking
- Problem solving
- Cultural transformation
- Stakeholder management
- Client engagement
- Performance analysis
Sports Performance
- Former International Basketball Player for Ireland (10 caps, MVP)
- Ranked Top 10 at the World Championships in Irish Dancing
Music
Achieved Royal Academy of Music credentials in piano
Volunteer Experience
- ICAP, UK, Development Committee Board, Engaged corporate sponsors and raised funds.
- Nosara Crece, Costa Rica, Advisor, Advised on securing $1M in government funding.
- Celebrity Agency, Los Angeles, USA, Support, Supported a senior executive through a sexual harassment claim.
- Legal Support, Costa Rica, Support & Fundraising, Fundraised legal fees in a homicide case.
Additional Information
WIN, IIBN, TLICN, LIBS, BITA, Awaken Hub, London Irish Rugby Business Alliance
Board Committee Roles
Development Committee Board of ICAP (UK)
Locations
- Costa Rica
- USA
- Ireland
- UK
- Waterford, Ireland
- Cork, Ireland
- Los Angeles, USA
Timeline
Business Transformation & Growth Strategist
Real Estate & Property Management Company
01.2022 - 01.2025
Philanthropy Advisor & Social Impact Strategist
Revival of a Rural Town in Ireland
01.2019 - 01.2022
Interim Global Director
Irish TV
01.2015 - 01.2016
UK
London Irish Rugby Club
01.2015 - 01.2016
Ireland & UK
Gowan Group Ireland – KAL Group
01.2015 - 01.2016
Philanthropy Advisor & Growth Strategist
The Irish Northern Partnership
01.2014 - 01.2019
Business Developer
Peninsula TV
01.2014 - 01.2019
Chief Executive Officer
The Irish Post
01.2010 - 01.2014
Commercial Development
Thomas Crosbie Holdings Media Group
01.2000 - 01.2011
Sales & Marketing Executive
Blue Chip Marketing & Events
01.1998 - 01.2000
Sales Executive
Gleeson Real Estates
01.1996 - 01.1998
Philanthropy Advisor & Social Impact Strategist
Costa Rica Recovery Center
2023 - 2025
Degree - Business & Marketing
University College Cork