Dr. Avila Kilmurray

Avila Kilmurray works with the Social Change Initiative, Belfast to support work on learning exchange in the areas of migration/refugees, peacebuilding and social activism. Until recently Avila was the Director, Policy and Strategy with the Global Alliance for Community Philanthropy at the Global Fund for Community Foundations. Between 1994-2014 she served as Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland. She is a founder member of the Foundations for Peace Network. Previously she has held a range of positions over the years, including Development Officer with the Northern Ireland Council for Voluntary Action; Project Coordinator of the Rural Action Project (NI) and Women’s Officer with the Amalgamated & General Workers’ Union (Ireland). She has also served on the Executive Committee of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and on the Industrial Development Board for Northern Ireland. She is a member of the Board of Conciliation Resources. In a private capacity Avila was a founder member of the Northern Ireland Women’s Coalition and served on its negotiating team for the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Avila has been active in the Women’s Movement in Northern Ireland since her involvement in establishing Derry Women’s Aid in 1978, to provide shelter for victims of domestic violence. Avila has written extensively on Community Action, Women’s Issues and Peacebuilding. In 2014 Avila was appointed an Associate Professor to the Transitional Justice Institute, University of Ulster. In 2004, as Director of the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland Avila became the first ever recipient of the Raymond Georis Prize for Innovative Philanthropy in Europe for the Foundation’s contribution towards building peace in Northern Ireland. Avila maintains an active interest in the power of philanthropy to make a difference in difficult circumstances.