Alison McCullagh
Chief Executive, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, and Solace Northern Ireland Branch Chair
Alison McCullagh took up post as Chief Executive of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council on 1 February 2020; from December 2014, she had been the Council’s Director of Regeneration and Planning. Prior to this, Alison had been Omagh District Council’s Head of Development, she has also worked in higher education and in the voluntary and community sector.
She is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast, the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia, and also studied at Boston College.
Alison has led a number of strategic capital and partnership projects within the Council district and on a cross border basis and has a particular interest in community led regeneration and wider place shaping initiatives.
She was Vice Chair of Solace NI June 2024-2026 and is currently Solace NI Chair for June 2026-2028.
Alison is also the current Co-Chair of the Northern Ireland Emergency Preparedness Group (NIEPG).
10:00–11:00
Main Stage
What does it take to lead when barriers to leadership are not experienced equally? Beyond Barriers explores the challenges women and people from other minoritised communities face in senior local government leadership, including discrimination, exclusion and workplace cultures. Building on previous research, this engaging, honest conversation will examine why inequalities persist, while celebrating leaders and organisations driving positive change. Speakers will share experiences, challenge assumptions and explore practical ways to create more inclusive leadership cultures.
