Ruairí McKiernan’s temporary homepage
Social innovations and consultancy on:
* Youth & Civic Engagement * Social Communications * Online *AdvocacyGet in touch:
Email: ruairi @ community . ie
LinkedIn | Twitter: @ruairimckiernan | Skype: ruairi.mckiernan
The bio bit
Cavan man Ruairí Mc Kiernan (33) is the founder of the Dublin based SpunOut.ie National Youth
Organisation. In October 2011 he stepped down from the role of CEO after 8 years to develop new projects and do civic engagement & social media consultancy in Ireland and abroad. See blog: http://bit.ly/jVLr4F
He is on the board of We The Citizens and is involved with a range of grassroots equality, justice & community initiatives.
Ruairí started SpunOut.ie from his bedroom in 2004 (aged 25) with the aim of empowering young people to create positive personal and social change. He was later joined by friends Keith Corcoran and Anna Lally from Donegal.
Watch 90 second video about SpunOut.ie: http://youtu.be/znaRDaL8dpo
He has since led it to become a world class, multi award-winning youth initiative that is respected as a pioneer in youth health and social development. From offices in Donegal, Galway and more recently Dublin, he led fundraising efforts raising €2 million via philantrophic, state and community sources, recruited a team of 6 full-time staff and a network of freelance workers.
SpunOut.ie work included developing one of the world’s leading youth websites (reaching 600,000 per year), rolling out national awareness campaigns, setting up a pioneering active citizenship academy, a mini-grants scheme, a youth media magazine & events including the acclaimed 2011 Youth Rising Presidential debate. This also included forging national & international partnerships, including co-hosting the Dalai Lama to Ireland as part of POSSIBILITIES 2011 social change summit.
Ruairí speaks regularly on social issues at conferences and events (incl. MacGill Summer School) and has been profiled in the Irish Times, on RTE TV and in a book on social entrepreneurs.
Background
Prior to setting up SpunOut.ie Ruairí worked as a Researcher, a Youth Health Promotion Worker, a Web Consultant, and in HR with various multinationals. He has a degree with distinction in Business Management specialising in HR.
Awards and scholarships
- Boston College Irish Insitute Programme (USA), 2010
- Ray Murphy Leadership Scholarship, 2010
- Junior Chambers International (Ireland) Award, 2009
- Digital Media Award, 2009
- Ulster Bank Business Achievers Award (Connaught), 2008
- Irish Internet Association: Net Visionary Award, 2008
- GK3 Young Global Social Entrepreneur, 2007
- Eircom Golden Spider Award, 2007
- Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Award, 2007
- Health Service Innovation Award, 2006Endorsements
Sean Coughlan,
Chief Executive, Social Entrepreneurs Ireland“Ruairi is one of the most impressive innovators I have worked with. He combines a strong and compelling vision with excellent leadership skills as can be seen in the growth SpunOut.ie, under Ruairi’s leadership, into one of Ireland’s premier youth organisations. Ruairi had the ability to keep his finger on the pulse of both the organisation and the market it served and was able to develop innovative new services that drove growth and generated significant positive impact in Ireland. He would make a powerful contribution to any organisation looking to increase civic engagement or develop a more effective communications platform.”
- Sinead Gibney, Google
“Ruairí is a visionary leader. As Social Action Manager for Google, I meet and work with many representatives of the NGO sector and few have understood Google and what we have to offer as well as Ruairí does. I’m delighted to endorse Ruairí and I believe we’ve only yet seen a glimpse of what he can achieve. He has inspired me and I believe he has a long and successful career ahead of him making a difference to the lives of many people. I look forward to our paths crossing again in the future.”- Jane Forman, The Atlantic Philanthropies
“Ruairi brings vision, creativity and passion to organisational challenges and opportunites. He is an excellent networker and has a very inclusive way of working.”
- Senator Jillian van Turnhout, Former Chief Executive, Children’s Rights Alliance
“Ruairi has always brought energy, creativity and commitment to all that he does in life. He is a driven person who encourgages others to shine. I have always found it a pleasure to work with Ruairi.”
- David Hughes, Head of Enterprise Solutions,
Vodafone Ireland
“Being on the Board of the Vodafone Ireland Foundation I had the pleasure of meeting & working with Ruairi and his SpunOut colleagues during 2010 & 2011. Ruairi was absolutely committed to the ambitions of empowering & supporting the youth of Ireland, was passionate at all times and a consumate professional. Smart, energetic & overall a great guy to deal with.”
- Brian Howard, CEO of Mental Health Ireland
“I have known Ruairi in his work in developing the SpunOut organisation. I have found him dynamic, courteous and crucial to the development of SpunOut as a youth organisation. In this context Ruairi was central to promoting the area of mental health and youth in Ireland today.”
- Anna Lally, Deputy CEO of SpunOut.ie
“I worked with Ruairi for 7 years at SpunOut.ie. As a social entrepreneur, Ruairi is skilled at inspiring others to become change makers. He is an innovative and visionary leader who is passionate about finding creative solutions to social issues. Ruairi has an in-depth knowledge of social change, non profit ICT initiatives both nationally and internationally, and community organising.”
- Deborah McMullin, Youth Worker
“Ruairí Mc Kiernan is a rare jewel in the midst of a very turbulent chapter in Irish and Global development. His insight and passion for social justice stems from a wonderfully refreshing ability to actively listen to all sides, adopt a measured response and therefore act with humility whilst representing those people who do not have a voice. Ruairí is a ‘do-er’ with a proven track record as a driver of positive change through innovation and creativity. His energy and potential knows no bounds, and Ruairí certainly will never allow limitations to become barriers in any project he undertakes. I commend and wish him all the best in all future endeavours!”
Media and other links
- Irish Times: Presidential debate:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1017/1224305919548.html
- SpunOut.ie ‘Presidential Youth Rising’ debate http://youtu.be/LYAK_enZCHE
- Irish Examiner: http://bit.ly/mSrG7L
- Video of MacGill summer school: http://bit.ly/os8yV8
- Video question to Presidential candidates: http://bit.ly/r7B6l8iWitness RTE TV
http://www.spunout.ie/about/Blog/SpunOut.ie%2527s-double-bill-on-the-tellyRTE Frontline TV – Op Ed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo3f4M_6mpIVideo – intro to Mary Robinson at POSSIBILITIES 2011
http://bit.ly/qv0rgjVideo interview with Professor Noam Chomsky (Also published in The Examiner)
http://www.spunout.ie/action/Be-inspired/SpunOut.ie-chats-with-Noam-ChomskyRTE Radio 1 interview
http://bit.ly/qqJcAwRTE Radio 2FM interview
http://www.youtube.com/spunoutmedia#p/u/9/VzXrqFCDcZEAcademy of Youth Activism 2010 video
http://www.youtube.com/spunoutmedia#p/u/1/pcGmE4XjFZoIrish Times profile – Magazine supplement
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/magazine/2011/0409/1224293917028.htmlOne Wild Life book – interview (not online)
http://www.amazon.com/One-Wild-Life-Journey-Discover/dp/1905172885Silicon Republic: ‘We shouldn’t wait for others’
http://www.siliconrepublic.com/strategy/item/19374-ireland-shouldnt-wait-on-oIrish Times: 2010 Academy of Activism
http://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/news/activism-academy-focus-young-peoples-role-politicsThe Examiner: Opinion piece on youth
http://www.spunout.ie/about/Blog/Young-people-can-help-build-a-new-IrelandMore about SpunOut.ie
One of Ireland’s most popular youth initiatives, SpunOut.ie is an independent youth powered national charity working to help people create personal and social change. SpunOut.ie combines an interactive online community providing health and lifestyle information, signposting to help services, an alternative youth media space, dynamic discussion forums, and a platform for youth engagement, participation and advocacy. Issues covered include mental health, sexual health, education, work, travel, politics, campaigning and environment.
SpunOut.ie reaches over 600,000 users online each year, and many more via over 18,000 Facebook fans, and Twitter, YouTube and regular national media coverage. SpunOut.ie has won numerous awards including a Golden Spider Award and a Net Visionary Award.
SpunOut.ie also runs the Academy of Activism, which provides free practical training for young people interested in creating change, as well as the ´SpunOut Super-Heroes Mini Grants Scheme´ and youth forums and events.
Investors have included the Atlantic Philanthropies, the One Foundation & the HSE.
