(dw) Dean Black joined the IAF in June as Placemaking and Engagement Manager. They have over 8 years of experience in architecture and placemaking. A graduate of the Belfast School of Architecture and École Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Saint-Étienne, Dean also holds a master’s in Architectural History and Theory from the Bartlett School of Architecture. In addition to developing their own writing-design practice, they have worked as a design tutor at Ulster University and as Research Associate at the Royal College of Art, most recently serving as Research and Strategy Lead at Urban Scale Interventions. For the IAF Dean leads the Bog Bothy project, a durational project working with bog communities and New Life for Old Buildings.

Breena Cooper joins the IAF this week as our first Head of Strategic Communications. As part of this role Breena will lead out on a new transformational project which will see the IAF rebuild its communications strategy from the ground up. In her previous role in Drury, she worked across the agency building a strong creative ethos both culturally and structurally. She has led many award-winning integrated campaigns, creating, and implementing comprehensive PR and digital strategies for a variety of clients including Beiersdorf, LEGO, and National Gallery of Ireland. She is a Non-Executive Board Member of the Dublin Well Woman Centre and holds a BBS in Marketing & Languages as well as a professional Diploma in Creativity, Innovation and Leadership, and AI for Business.

Niamh McDaid is our new Production Officer with the IAF. Prior to joining the IAF, Niamh worked in academic publishing and the civil service. Niamh holds a postgraduate degree in Cultural Policy and Arts Management from University College Dublin. She has experience in marketing, event management, bookkeeping and administration. Having joined the IAF in 2023,  Niamh is now involved in a wide range of events and activities, leading on the popular Books Downstairs series in 2024 and assisting in the production of the IAF’s flagship international lecture series, New Now Next.

Welcome and congratulations to Dean, Breena, and Niamh!

You can see all staff profiles on our About page.

Photo: (L-R) Dean Black, Breena Cooper, and Niamh McDaid. Photo by Myles Shelly.