Working alongside the United Nations, NATO, European Union, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), international and national non-governmental organizations (NGO) and national governmental military structures. his experience also includes negotiations with diverse elements and warlords in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Somalia and Iraq and local militias throughout central and east Africa such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, the Darfur region, borders areas of Chad, Central African Republic and Uganda.

In 1985 he joined the humanitarian and development organization GOAL, leading emergency response deployments for prolonged periods in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, South Sudan, East Timor, Kosovo and Albania.

Between 2003-2006, he served as CEO of WarChild, an organization dedicated to assisting children affected by war. Since then, he has worked with a variety of international NGOs, including the Academy for Educational Development, FHI360 and Chemonics.

Liam has over 25 years’ experience in the food industry, having previously worked with Hazlewood Foods plc (later acquired by Greencore Group), Chase Food Service, Geest South Africa and John Rannoch Foods.

A lifelong advocate for social entrepreneurship, democracy building and leadership development for women, she is the Chair of the Board of Vital Voices Global Partnership, the NGO that trains and empowers emerging women leaders in 125 countries. She was the first International President of the International Women’s Forum, the global leadership organization now representing more than 3000 women of achievement.

John previously served as Ireland’s First Secretary for Agriculture, Food and the Marine at the Irish Embassy in Washington DC where he managed Irish agri food trade interests, as well as policy issues of interest to Irish agri food, and agricultural development. He was chair of the World Bank’s Global Food Safety Partnership Communications Group.

John has previously held senior positions in the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, including managing animal nutrition policy and enforcement and Ireland’s engagement in European research policy and foresight for Agriculture, Food, Biotechnology and Fisheries.