Paralympics Ireland President Lisa Clancy has been named in the 2025 Sport for Business 50 Women of Influence in Irish Sport, a recognition that reflects her long-standing commitment to leadership, equality and the advancement of Para sport in Ireland.
Elected President in May 2025, Lisa brings a wealth of expertise shaped by senior roles across Irish sport and the public sector. Her appointment marked an important moment for Paralympics Ireland, reinforcing the organisation’s ambition as it builds towards the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
Before stepping into the presidency, Lisa served as Vice President of Paralympics Ireland from 2021. During this period, she contributed significantly to strategic planning, governance reform, athlete support structures, and the growing visibility of Para sport nationwide. Her leadership is characterised by strong collaboration, clear communication, and a deep-rooted commitment to equality and inclusion.
Lisa has held senior strategic and communications roles across two of Ireland’s most influential institutions, the GAA and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
At the GAA, she contributed to organisational change, national programme development, stakeholder engagement and the modernisation of communications, helping to strengthen the Association’s connection to communities across the country.
Her subsequent work with the HSE further expanded her skillset, developing experience in public-facing campaigns, crisis response, nationwide programme coordination, leadership and organisational communication. These insights now inform her approach to athlete welfare, safeguarding, public advocacy and the delivery of high performance supports within Paralympics Ireland.
With a rare blend of cross-sectoral experience, Lisa is widely regarded as a champion of athlete voice and a key driver of pathways for emerging Para athletes. She continues to prioritise partnership building across the sporting landscape, reinforcing Paralympics Ireland’s commitment to long-term development and the growth of disability sport.
Lisa joins a distinguished group of leaders recognised in this year’s Sport for Business listing, which celebrates women shaping sport in Ireland across administration, governance, media, sponsorship and performance. Now in its 13th edition, the list highlights those who are challenging norms, driving progress and helping deliver a more equitable future for Irish sport.
Her inclusion reflects not only her extensive contribution to Paralympics Ireland, but also her role in ensuring that sport in Ireland continues to become more inclusive, more representative, and more reflective of the athletes and communities it serves.
