Meet our Board

Commitment to Care

Stephen Kennedy – Chairman

Stephen has served on the Board since October 2018.

Stephen’s background is in facilities management and he had a long career with Belfast City Hospital where he also was a member of the Executive Council of a large Trade union.

Stephen has loved animals all his life and currently he and his wife enjoy the companionship of two dogs and two cats.

His key priority is on improving education on animal welfare and animal well-being.

Helen Kerr – Treasurer

Helen joined the board in June 2023 with experience of working in the third sector for over 13 years. She is passionate about the work of charities and social enterprises, and is particularly experienced in income generation, organisational development, strategic planning and communications.

Helen is a lifelong lover of animals, particularly dogs. Her beloved dog, Bentley, sadly passed away in 2022 having rescued him from an animal shelter after being abandoned as a puppy over 15 years ago. Helen believes all rescue animals should have a loving, family home where they can live out the rest of their lives, just like Bentley found his forever home, and so was delighted to join the board of Mid Antrim Animal Sanctuary to support our work in making this possible.

Freda Waite – Secretary

Freda joined the Board in October 2019 and has also volunteered her time in Reception at the Sanctuary since 2016.

Now retired, Freda has had a varied career working in communications and business management as well as running her own business.

Freda has owned dogs for over 50 years and is passionate about animal welfare. At present she shares her life with a chihuahua and three Yorkshire terriers, one of whom was adopted from the Sanctuary.

Dr Andrew Godden – Trustee

Andrew joined the Board in April 2024 with an extensive background in law, policy and programme management. He leads the Continuing Professional Development portfolio at the Law Society of Northern Ireland, having been a Lecturer of Law at Queen’s University Belfast for several years, where he led multiple education and outreach programmes at School and Faculty level.

Andrew is a passionate animal lover and aims to support the Sanctuary in the main areas of governance, policy and education.