Teresa Heeney graduated with a Masters of Business Science from Maynooth University in 2013. She led the merger of the Irish Preschool Play Association and the National Children’s Nurseries Association in 2011 and since March 2014, has been in the role of Chief Executive Officer with Early Childhood Ireland. Prior to that Teresa worked as the Manager of Cherish and as Training and Research Manager in ISPCC, following roles in youth and community work. Teresa received her undergraduate degree in Social Science from UCC.  Teresa lives in Maynooth with her family and is originally from Donegal.