Eve wins DCU Alumni Award for exceptional contribution in transforming lives and societies
Clonmel woman Eve Kerton has scooped a DCU Alumni Award in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences catagory.
Each year, these awards recognise the exceptional contribution that DCU alumni make to the DCU mission to ‘transform lives and societies’.
Given the extraordinary times we live in, this year’s awards gave particular recognition to those who have had a positive impact in response to the global challenge of COVID-19.
Eve graduated with a BA in Communications Studies (2014), Certificate in Fundraising Management from the Charities Institute of Ireland (2018), and most recently secured a Certificate in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals from Trinity College Dublin (2020).
Elected Vice President of DCU Students’ Union, Eve was the Chair of DCU Yes Equality throughout the Marriage Equality referendum, kick-starting a career driven by a discerning sense of injustice. Working in non-profit organisations, Eve has focused on tackling the effects of LGBTQ+ discrimination and homelessness in Ireland through a wide range of fundraising streams, from developing programmes of legacy giving, managing philanthropic giving circles to engaging trusts and foundations and major, high value donors.
Eve has appeared as a panellist at events, on radio and podcasts to discuss her work in highlighting the significant impact of legacy giving, and establishing best practice in the workplace to ensure equality for LGBTQ+ people internationally.
In 2020, Eve played a key role in securing in excess of €4 million for Focus Ireland. Keeping human impact at the forefront, she secured €45,000 to provide laptops to maintain connection between customers and support workers.
Outside of office hours, Eve co-founded Certified Proud, a membership accreditation body that strives towards the safety of LGBTQ+ people, with fellow DCU Alumnus, Liam Redmond. With 20 members including Brown Thomas Arnotts, Leman Solicitors, Chupi and sign-ups across the UK and Europe, 40% of membership fees will return to the LGBTQ+ community through the Certified Proud Fund.
After receiving her award, a very proud Eve recalled her first introduction to the awards ceremony.
“In 2017, I worked on the Inaugural Alumni Awards with Padraig, at Dublin City University, picking out trophies, coordinating the nominees and even deciding the menu with the Helix team.
“Fast forward to 2021, after four years working in the charity sector on human rights issues, I’m beyond grateful to have been nominated and to win in the overall category for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
“While the award is for contribution to society and leadership since leaving DCU, there was a special focus on our work throughout the pandemic. Work that was heavily impacted by both Liam and Donya as we worked together every day in Focus Ireland and many, many evenings and weekends, as we brought our experiences together to co-found Certified Proud.
“I would like to share this moment with them, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.”
Eve is a past pupil of Gaelscoil Chluain Meala and Loreto Secondary School, where she was head girl. She studied Communications Studies at Dublin City University, followed by a certificate in fundraising from the Charities Institute of Ireland.
She jointly launched an accreditation membership body that strives towards LGBTQ+ equality throughout businesses in Ireland with Liam Redmond and Donya Anvari.
Certified Proud ensures the safety of staff and the comfort of customers, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Eve says her mother Susan Kerton has been a huge influence in terms of work ethic throughout her career, and for her artistic guidance with Certified Proud.
Member organisations pay a fee to join and sign an agreement to incorporate the Certified Proud Principles into their company culture, promising a safe, equal, respectful and visibly inclusive environment all year – not just for the month of Pride.
Each member is provided with guidelines on how to make their business more inclusive for customers and employees of the LGBTQ+ community. They will also receive training and networking opportunities throughout the year.
Members can also apply to The Bród Awards – an annual celebration of the companies in Ireland who are doing their best to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Once a year, Certified Proud conducts an audit of each member organisation through an online survey, for both staff and customers. Each business needs to reach a satisfaction rate to remain Certified Proud under the current contract.
If this is not met a review will take place, with steps to be taken for improvement.
Member organisations of Certified Proud give back to the LGBTQ+ community by way of a membership fee, 40% of which is donated to charities and projects dedicated to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Ireland.
Eve was also nominated for a Network Ireland Businesswoman of the Year Award 2021.