Karen Coventry is the Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics Ireland, where she leads one of Ireland's most impactful sporting and social inclusion organisations. Passionate about the transformative power of sport, Karen is dedicated to creating opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to thrive, develop confidence, build relationships and reach their full potential.

She has dedicated more than two decades to the Special Olympics movement and is passionate about the power of sport to transform lives, strengthen communities and create a more inclusive society. In June 2026, she led the organisation in delivering the highly successful Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games, the largest inclusive sporting event held in Ireland that year.

Her leadership experience spans organisational development, governance, strategic planning and partnership development, with a strong focus on delivering meaningful social impact through sport.