The Team

Ranae von Meding

My name is Ranae and I am the CEO and Co-Founder of Equality for Children. I am based in Dublin where I work as a writer, celebrant, speaker and activist. My wife Audrey and I have two young daughters (Ava and Arya). We conceived through Reciprocal IVF and I carried both pregnancies. I believe that all families deserve respect and recognition, no matter how they were created. I became involved in this area of advocacy as I firmly believe that ‘no one is equal til we all are.’

I write for many national publications, speak regularly at events and have a day job as a marketing professional.

Fun fact about me:

I once lived on a boat in Malta for a year at the age of 7 and did zero school work the entire time I was there.

Gearoid Kenny Moore

I’m Gearoid Kenny Moore, the team leader for the Awareness team. I have been part of the Equality for Children project since its inception. I am married to Seamus and together we are parents to our twins Sean and Mary and our newest addition to the family, Baby Anne who arrived in July. Yes, life is very busy. I stay at home full time with the kids and I think it’s the best job I’ve ever had!

I got involved in this campaign as I am tired of having to find ‘work-arounds’, every time that we interact with the state. For children born to gay dads, simple things like; getting a PPS number, accessing for child benefit, registering for the GP etc. etc. require us to explain the children’s conception story and why there is no mother available to sign the form. I am tired of doing that, especially when it’s in a crowded office or waiting room.

Fun fact about me:

I was once (in 2001) airlifted by the Bolivian army from the airport in the Bolivian city of La Paz after civil unrest broke out while I was on a backpacking holiday there.

Elaine Cohalan

I’m Elaine Cohalan and I am a founding member of Equality for Children. I am currently Chairperson for Equality for Children and Chairperson for the Assisted Human Reproduction Coalition. I am also the team leader for the Political Engagement team.

I am married to Jenny Synnott, we have one daughter, Cate, aged 3 and we live in Dublin.

I got involved in the campaign because I want Cate, and every child, to be treated as an equal citizen in Ireland. In my day job, I work as Innovation Manager for the National Adult Literacy Agency.

Fun fact about me:

In 2012 I made my TV debut by taking part in the Dublin County Council Tackle Litter campaign. Unfortunately, I was cast as the bin.

Leanne Nolan

I am Leanne Nolan, and I am the treasurer of Equality for Children. I have been involved with

Equality for Children since 2020. I am married to Niamh and together we have two daughters,

Frankie who is 3 and Gigi who is 2 months old. I am a qualified accountant but have run my own business for close to 10 years.

I got involved with Equality for Children as I believe all children have the right to be treated equally no matter who their parents are.

Fun fact about me:

I once made it onto the Argentina national news for being one of the few Irish people in Buenos Aires on St Patrick’s Day.

Mary O’Dwyer

I’m Mary O’Dwyer and I’m the current team leader of the Legal Team. I joined EFC last year and am excited to be part of achieving equality for all children. My partner, Paola and I have been together for 8 years and we have a little boy Fredy who’s almost 2 now. I’m a barrister by trade and I hope that my years of experience representing others will be of value to Equality for Children. 

Fun fact about me:

I hate pineapple and still don’t know what a tracker mortgage is! 

Kelly Socol

I’m Kelly and I’m a director and board member at Equality for Children. I helped to found this beautiful organisation to achieve Equality for our children.

I have a son Luca with my wife Gabriela who just turned 2 and we’re expecting our second child, a girl in September this year. I work as an IT consultant and brought a little bit of that to help with the work at Equality for Children.

I will keep campaigning and supporting until every single child receives full equality.

Fun fact about me:

I once did a skydive… and I absolutely hate heights!!

Claire Murphy

Claire Murphy is a board member of the Equality for Children campaign. In her day job she is the administrative and communications officer of LGBT Ireland. During the past 7 years Claire has worked in political and advocacy roles with extensive experience in strategic campaigning.

Lynne Tracey

Lynne is a board member of Equality for Children. Lynne has worked in the advertising industry for most of her professional career and was the first female President of the Institute of Advertising Practitioners in Ireland (IAPI) and has held a number of board level positions in that sector during her career.  She currently lectures on various programs in the Technological University of Dublin.   

Lynne has extensive experience working with not-for-profit Boards.  She served on the Well Woman Board for five years and chaired the Board for two years.  She is also a Board member of TENI (Transgender Equality Network Ireland) and is Chairperson of the Board of the New Theatre in Dublin’s Temple Bar. This experience is of vital importance to the Equality for Children campaign.