Meet the team
Aircraft Leasing Ireland is led by a Chair, Vice Chair, and Steering Committee. The affairs of the Association are directed by the Council, supported by a dedicated Director and Executive who drive our day-to-day initiatives.
Risteard Sheridan, Chair
Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, AerCap
Risteard Sheridan was appointed AerCap’s Company Secretary in May 2020 and Chief Compliance Officer in 2019. He joined AerCap in April 2017 as Head of Internal Audit. Prior to joining AerCap, he gained extensive experience advising companies on governance, financial reporting and control/process matters while working with the professional services firms KPMG and EY. Mr. Sheridan holds a Bachelor's degree in Business & Legal Studies and a Master's degree in Accounting from University College Dublin and is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland.
Risteard is also the senior independent director at daa plc, chairs its Audit & Risk Committee and is a member of its Finance Committee. He was previously a non-executive director of the Abbey Theatre.
Claire Walsh, Vice Chair
SVP and Head of Operations, SkyWorks Leasing
Claire Walsh joined SkyWorks in 2018 and currently serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Operations for SkyWorks Leasing (Ireland). Based in Dublin, she oversees the firm’s Irish aircraft leasing and office operations. Claire also contributes to the advisory and commercial side of the business. She has over 17 years of experience in aircraft leasing, financing, and operational leadership, with a proven record in executing complex transactions and optimizing portfolio performance. Claire has served on the SWLI Board of Directors since 2019.
Prior to joining SkyWorks, Claire was AVP at ORIX Aviation Systems, where she was responsible for new contract set-up and lease management within the Assets department and key member of the deal coordination team for new transactions.
Elizabeth Bowen
Director, Aircraft Leasing Ireland
Director, Aircraft Leasing Ireland
T: +353-1-605-1530
M: +353-87-188-2951
Vivienne McCarthy
Executive, Aircraft Leasing Ireland
Executive, Aircraft Leasing Ireland
T: +353-1-605-1568
M: +353-87-905-5633
Previous chairs
David Swan
ALI Chair 2018 - 2020
David was appointed Chief Operating Officer in 2004 and joined the Board of Directors in 2007. David is responsible for leading the company's operating platform along with risk and asset management across the business. David has been active in aircraft leasing and finance for over 25 years including 5 years based in Hong Kong. David served on the Board of ISTAT from 2011 to 2017 and currently sits on the Board of Trustees of the ISTAT Foundation. David was appointed to the Executive Board of Financial Services Ireland in 2017 and is a founding chair of Aircraft Leasing Ireland. He holds a degree in International Business and Economics from Trinity College Dublin and has completed various Executive Management Programs at Harvard and London Business Schools.
David Swan was replaced as ALI Chair by Declan Kelly in July 2020.
Declan Kelly
ALI Chair 2020 - 2022
Declan Kelly brings a depth of experience and knowledge from the aircraft leasing industry to the role, spanning a 30-year period. He began his career with Aer Lingus, later joined GPA and has previously held a series of senior roles within GECAS including most recently as Chief Commercial Officer.
Declan Kelly was replaced as ALI Chair by Marie-Louise Kelly in July 2022.
Marie-Louise Kelly
ALI Chair 2022 - 2024
Marie-Louise is the Chief Financial Officer of ORIX Aviation. In her role she is responsible for leading ORIX Aviation’s finance team and she holds a key position as a member of the leadership team in terms of strategic planning and directing a number of operational functions across the organisation. Marie-Louise joined ORIX Aviation in 2009. Prior to being appointed to her current role, she held various positions across finance, commercial, corporate planning and structuring. She was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2016, joining the Board of ORIX Aviation in 2018.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Studies from University College Dublin and is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Advisor.
Marie-Louise was replaced as ALI Chair by Karl Griffin in July 2024.
Karl Griffin was appointed Group Chief Executive Officer in 2019, Karl joined Genesis in 2018 with 30 years aviation industry experience, as Chief Commercial and Investment Officer. Prior to joining Genesis Karl was the Chief Operating Officer at AWAS, where he spent 11 years building AWAS into a $15bn global aircraft leasing business. Karl started his aviation career in 1990 as an apprentice in the Maintenance Repair & Overhaul sector with a GPA Joint Venture company, Shannon Aerospace.
Karl Griffin was replaced as ALI Chair by Risteard Sheridan in July 2026.