Sherene Powell-Okafor Founder & Director, HOPE Autism Care Centre Sherene Powell-Okafor is the Founder and Director of HOPE Autism Care Centre, a leading organisation dedicated to supporting children and families living with autism and additional learning needs. HOPE was born from Sherene’s personal journey as a parent navigating the challenges of finding suitable support and inclusive education for her own daughter from the age of two.
That experience inspired her to create a space where every child could be understood, accepted, and helped to reach their full potential. With over two decades of experience in education and behaviour analysis, Sherene holds degrees in Primary Education and Psychology, along with a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education and a Master’s in Applied Behaviour Analysis. She is also Deputy Principal and Director of Scoil Sinéad Ltd, the Patron Body promoting inclusive education across Ireland, and a member of the EY Entrepreneurial Winning Women Class of 2025. Sherene’s vision for HOPE is grounded in empathy and excellence, to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that empowers children and families to thrive.
 

Dr Okafor is a co-founding director of the company and is in charge of the operational aspects of the management of the company. He brings with him a wealth of experience in clinical and healthcare management and has an outstanding understanding of the strategic vision of the company and how to deliver this vision.

Felicia Dejicoo joined the Hope team in March 2015 as a teacher and climbed to the position of the Director of Education in the company. She currently oversees all school Centres in the different counties in the Republic of Ireland.

Her job includes managing the admission of new children, overseeing all aspects of the children’s educational programs, recruiting and training teachers, liaising with other professional bodies on the welfare of the children, meeting with parents to discuss Individual Education Plan (IEP) and the progress of the children.

She is a trained teacher with a Bachelor honours degree in Education from Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria. She also holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behaviour Analysis from the Queen’s University, Belfast, United Kingdom and a registered teacher with the Teaching Council of Ireland.

Kate O’Connell started in Hope in 2019 as Cork center manager and since then I have moved to Area Manager and as of 2022 the company Regional manager.  I have a degree in Early Childhood care and Education. I graduated from Mary Immaculate Collage in Limerick in 2010. I have also completed the Linc course at Mary Immaculate College.

I have been working with children from an early age. I have experience working in centers both here in Ireland and in New Zealand. I love to work with children as they are amazing little people. Watching them grow and learn each day is so special.

I oversee all our wonderful services in Hope, Recruitment, company compliance, staff and management training. I liaise with external departments such as Pobal and Tusla.