Who We Are

Lesley O’Connor is the Founder and Executive Chair of Trifecta Energy CLG, a non-profit established in 2025 to reshape how the world thinks about the energy transformation. Through its two divisions – Trifecta Ireland and SupergridEurope – the organisation advances a systems-thinking approach, uniting stakeholders to drive a clean, secure, and affordable energy future for all.

For over a decade as a renewable energy practitioner Lesley held various management roles across the project lifecycle, with experience spanning global operations, from Ireland and Northern Europe to markets in Africa, LatAm and APAC. As an investor Lesley has been working to advance a range of decarbonisation initiatives for the energy system and other sectors. Lesley was a Non-Executive Director of Aker Mainstream Renewables and served on the Mainstream board for a decade. As Eddie O’Connor’s daughter, along with Eddie’s co-author Kevin O’Sullivan and team of expert contributors, she published the extensively updated, posthumous second edition to Eddie’s book Supergrid Super Solution: A Handbook for Energy Independence and a Europe Free from Fossil Fuels. Lesley holds an MBA from IE (Instituto de Empresa) Madrid, and a BA in Management Science and Information Systems Science from Trinity College Dublin.

Conall has two decades of development, markets and policy experience across the renewable energy value chain. As CEO of Solar Ireland (formerly the Irish Solar Energy Association), he was instrumental in unlocking the Irish solar sector, making it “the fastest growing renewable power source in Ireland” (ESB Networks). A systems thinker, he has been involved in multiple scales of project, from community and customer site projects to larger scale onshore and offshore wind development. He founded, led, and developed Cornwall Insight’s Irish operations. His international renewables experience includes Poland, Canada, and the UK. He holds an MSc in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh.

Jim has enjoyed a 30-year career in Ireland’s senior public service. He was Secretary General of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (2011–2014), the Department of Health (2014–2020), and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (2020–2023). Jim is now active as a strategic advisor to businesses and governments, including on renewable energy. He is a non-executive director of the Expert Oversight Body of the Defence Forces, St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, Ashdale Care, Green Ocean Foundation, and the Foundation for Fiscal Studies. Jim holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School, a Certificate in Business and Climate Change from the University of Cambridge, and a Diploma in Company Direction from the Institute of Directors. He was also a Policy Leader Fellow at the Centre for Science and Policy, University of Cambridge.

Aoife is a communications professional with experience across the renewable, retail, and higher education sectors. Before joining Trifecta, she led communications at SuperNode, managing media relations, digital strategy, and events. She has a background in digital marketing and holds a BA in English Literature and Sociology from Trinity College, Dublin.

Michael Barnard is a strategist focused on shaping the world’s low-carbon future, advising executives, boards, and investors on making informed, impactful decisions today that align with robust decarbonisation pathways 40–80 years ahead. His expertise spans critical areas including renewable aviation fuels, grid-scale energy storage, vehicle-to-grid integration, and the viability of hydrogen. Drawing deeply from physics, economics, and human behaviour, Michael provides actionable insights grounded in cross-sector innovation and rigorous analysis. His international leadership experience across North America, Asia, and Latin America brings a uniquely global perspective to his strategic guidance. Michael regularly publishes thought leadership in prominent media outlets, covering innovation, business, technology, and energy policy.