MMETT Board and Strategic Governance
We provide strategic oversight and governance for the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), ensuring our advocacy and research remain rooted in the lived experience of migrant and minority ethnic communities across Northern Ireland.
Our Board of Directors
Eileen Chan-Hu
Chair
Eileen Chan-Hu is a social entrepreneur, educator and community activist with more than 25 years’ experience advancing racial equality and inclusion across Northern Ireland.
As founder and CEO of CRAICNI, she delivers award-winning cultural competency training that strengthens understanding, empathy and inclusion within diverse communities. A former Equality Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Eileen brings significant experience applying anti-discrimination frameworks and connecting grassroots priorities with statutory policymaking.
As Chair of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), she provides strategic governance and advocacy, working to advance systemic equality and ensure migrant and minority ethnic voices are heard, valued and empowered in civic life.
Alfred Abolarin
Honorary President
Alfred Abolarin is an experienced strategist, mediator, facilitator and anti-racism and hate-crime trainer with more than two decades of civic leadership experience in Northern Ireland.He has founded and led several influential organisations, served on numerous boards and contributed to initiatives promoting equality, inclusion and community development. His work spans local, national and international settings, bringing together communities, institutions and decision-makers to address discrimination, strengthen understanding and support meaningful social change.As Honorary President of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), Alfred provides strategic insight and leadership grounded in extensive experience. He remains committed to advancing racial justice and inclusion.
Muhammad Al-Qaryooti
Board Member
Muhammad Al-Qaryooti is a Belfast-based community advocate and digital creator with a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity and supporting migrant and minority ethnic communities in Northern Ireland. He is associated with Ethnic Language Support Ltd and has studied at Ulster University. Muhammad has a particular interest in language support, community engagement and helping people from diverse backgrounds participate more fully in social and civic life. Through his community involvement, he works to strengthen representation, improve understanding between communities and ensure minority ethnic voices are heard. His experience and commitment closely reflect the values and wider mission of MMETT
Ola Sobieraj
Vice Chair
Ola Sobieraj is a linguist, bilingual advocate, trainer, facilitator and project manager who has made Northern Ireland her home since 2001.
She has experience supporting migrant communities, managing frontline EU Settlement Scheme services and coordinating a network of more than 300 organisations working in rights, equality and diversity. At the3million, Ola serves as Community Organiser for Access to Justice, connecting communities with legal practitioners and helping people access advice, exercise their rights and build collective power.
As Vice Chair of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), she contributes practical advocacy experience and a commitment to equality, participation and migrant rights.
Orla McKeating
Board Member
Orla McKeating is an inclusion practitioner, storyteller, educator and founder of Still I Rise Voices, a diversity storytelling organisation helping to create more inclusive schools, communities and workplaces.Since 2019, she has worked with thousands of children, young people, educators and organisations across Ireland and the UK. Through lived experience and storytelling, she facilitates conversations about race, migration, identity, neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+ inclusion, family diversity and belonging.Orla believes storytelling can challenge stereotypes, build empathy and turn good intentions into meaningful action. She brings practical experience, a community-focused perspective and a strong commitment to equity and inclusion to the board.
Aisling O’Boyle
Board Member
Dr Aisling O’Boyle is a Reader and Director of the Centre for Language Education Research at Queen’s University Belfast.
Her research explores the relationship between dialogue, language and education, drawing on discourse analysis and corpus linguistics. She has extensive experience in multilingual education and examines how language teaching is shaped by social context, particularly for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Her work also addresses gender equality, community language programmes and educational practice.
As a board member of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), Aisling brings research expertise, educational leadership and a commitment to participation, inclusion and equitable access to learning.
Maurice Macartney
Maurice Macartney is a community advocate and volunteer with a longstanding commitment to social justice, inclusion and sustainability.He has supported organisations including Amnesty International, Oxfam and Beyond Skin, contributing his time and experience to initiatives that promote human rights, intercultural understanding and positive social change. Maurice studied politics at Queen’s University Belfast, where he now works as University of Sanctuary Coordinator, helping to foster a welcoming environment for people seeking sanctuary.As a board member of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), Maurice brings expertise in advocacy, communications and community engagement. He is also a musician and documentary filmmaker.
Board Member
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Delwyn Thomas
Board Member
Delwyn Thomas is an information technology professional and community advocate with experience spanning application support, organisational leadership and grassroots engagement.
He has served as a trustee of the African Voices Forum and Women’s Health Advocacy Network, led a team within the Black Professional Network and previously chaired the Sierra Leone Bristol Association. Delwyn currently works for Civica as an Application Support Manager.
He has a strong interest in grassroots politics and the role communities play in shaping decisions that affect their lives. As a board member, Delwyn brings technical expertise, leadership and a belief in helping others create lasting change.
Lata Sharma
Board Member
Lata Sharma is a Belfast-born broadcaster, actor, writer, singer and journalist whose work explores identity, culture and belonging in Northern Ireland.
Drawing on her Northern Irish and Indian heritage, she uses storytelling and the creative arts to build understanding between communities and amplify women’s voices. Her career includes television and radio broadcasting, playwriting, community development, mediation, race relations and work addressing hate crime. She is also a trustee of Beyond Skin and an advocate for peacebuilding.
As a board member of the Migrant and Minority Ethnic ThinkTank (MMETT), Lata brings media expertise, experience and a commitment to equality and intercultural dialogue.
