Chamber Board
Sandra Rusk, President
Sandra Rusk is the President of Tralee Chamber and a proud native of Tralee. She is the owner of Weardrobe Boutique, established in Tralee in 1997 and later expanding to Killarney in 2000. The business is built on a strong commitment to quality products and quality service.
Sandra is a graduate of the Cork College of Fashion Design and brings extensive experience in retail management and buying, having previously worked with Penneys and Carraig Donn before returning home to Tralee to establish her own business.
With decades of experience in the retail sector, Sandra is passionate about supporting local enterprise and contributing to the continued growth and vibrancy of Tralee’s business community.
Colette O’Connor, Chief Executive Officer
Colette O’Connor has served as Chief Executive Officer of Tralee Chamber Alliance since October 2021. She is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organisation in line with the delivery of its strategic objectives, while also focusing on strengthening collaboration between business, community and public stakeholders, supporting enterprise, and contributing to long-term economic and social development.
She has played a key role in developing cooperative forums, including cross-chamber and stakeholder networks, ensuring business perspectives are represented in constructive dialogue and decision-making.
Colette’s professional background spans event development, hospitality and tourism consultancy, project leadership and business advocacy. She is a founding member of the Listowel Business & Community Alliance.
Externally, Colette serves on the Kerry College Governance Board and the Economic Development, Enterprise, Tourism and Community Strategic Policy Committee. She is Vice Chairperson and Director of the Kerry Writers’ Museum, Treasurer of Tralee Tidy Towns, and an Ex Officio Board Member of the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation.
Daire McCann
Daire was formally appointed to the board in October 2024. She co-founded Crean McCann Property an all female estate agency firm in Tralee in February 2024, and brings over 22 years of combined experience to the property industry.
Her expertise extends to preparing comprehensive valuation reports, ensuring accuracy and insight in every transaction. With a dedication to excellence and a commitment to client communication and satisfaction, she strives to navigate the complexities of the real estate market with precision and integrity.
Daire has a degree in Estate Management Surveying and is a member of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers.
John Edwards
John Edwards is the Owner and Lead Guide at Wild Water Adventures (Fenit), delivering land and water-based corporate team-building, outdoor safety training, adventure tours, and open-water swim coaching. A Tralee native, he has been involved with Tralee Chamber for several years and represents the Chamber on the Kerry Tourism Industry Federation (KTIF) board.
Martha Farrell, Secretary
Martha Farrell is a Marketing lecturer at the School of Business, Humanities and Computing and is Chair of the MTU Green Campus committee at Munster Technological University. She has worked with Tralee Chamber Alliance since her involvement with the Heritage Council Collaborative Town Centre Health Check in Tralee in 2016; as a member of the Steering Committee (2016-22) and as board member and company secretary (since 2022).
She is a founding member and a director of Maharees Conservation Association CLG – an award-winning voluntary community group and registered charity which has become an exemplar in community-led climate adaptation and community resilience. She is currently secretary of Tralee Tidy Towns, working with local stakeholders to enhance the physical and social environment of Tralee for the benefit of the resident and visiting communities.
Sarah Flaherty
Sarah was appointed to the Board in December 2022 and is the External Services Manager, Munster Technological University.
15+ years’ experience in non-profit, start-up and financial investment companies in Ireland, the US and the UK. Supporting the activities of the Development Office, responsible for development of enterprise support initiatives at MTU and Kerry Innovation Centre, funding acquisition, innovation management, lifelong learning, and promotion and delivery of services to industrial, commercial and organisations, leading to enterprise development and employment.
Siobhán Ní Mhathúna
Siobhán Ní Mhathúna was formally appointed to the Board of Directors in November 2024. Siobhán is General Manager of the Award-winning Meadowlands Hotel and is the second generation of the family-run, 4-star hotel in Tralee.
Siobhán has embraced opportunities in the hospitality industry during her studies in Dublin and then her travels in Australia. Siobhán is from Baile na nGall in Corca Dhuibhne, and is a native Irish speaker. She settled in Tralee to help run the family business in 2005.
Leading her team as a top local Hotel in Tralee, she works with community organisations and sporting clubs to assist in sponsorship and events. She also leads the hotel in creating a sustainable future for staff, guests and the local community by adopting policies to protect our landscapes and environment.
Siobhán Rivas May, Treasurer
Siobhán qualified as a chartered accountants with PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2002 before joining a multinational company for 2 years as a consolidations accountant for EMEA prior to joining Peevers Slye Cotter, now PSC Accountants & Advisors in 2004, where she is a partner. Siobhán has extensive experience across a wide range of industries. She heads up the auditing division of the practice and specialises in the provision of audit, accounting and assurance services to medium to large sized companies, charities and owner managed businesses in all sectors of industry.
Siobhán is driven by working closely with her clients, developing great relationships and identifying areas of growth and efficiencies for them. She is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a graduate of Dublin City University.