It was announced today, June 21, that Sara Phillips has stepped down from her role as chairperson of TENI, capping ten years of service.

“I would like to thank all the board and staff of TENI and our wider community, for their support over the past ten years,” she said. “It has not always been easy but we have achieved so much and yet there is still a lot more to do.”

With her term officially coming to its end on June 30, shortly after Dublin Pride 2022, Sara will continue to play a part in supporting Trans rights in Ireland, while also maintaining her roles with organisations such as the National Women’s Council, Transgender Europe (TGEU) and the International Trans Fund.

Sara Phillips to step down as TENI Chair, Sam Blanckensee is appointed as new chair. The Board and staff of TENI want to say thank you Sara, for everything. Read more: https://t.co/6ufIjZpskN pic.twitter.com/6AxYbk1F3E

— TENI (@TENI_Tweets) June 21, 2022

“I look forward to the future with excitement and wish the Organisation and new team, the greatest of successes,” Sara continued. “TENI and our community have been in my heart for so long and I will continue to support the work we do in any way I can.”

Sara, who has always been a pivotal player in the Irish Trans community as well as the TENI team, was also instrumental in securing a Gender Recognition Act 2015 based on self-determination, significantly progressing Trans rights in Ireland.

She will be dearly missed in her capacity as TENI chairperson, but she will be supporting Sam Blanckensee as they step up to take the reins on July 1.

Sara has done such amazing work over the years for TENI, and I know Sam is the perfect person to take over the role! ? so thrilled for Sam! https://t.co/aagUiaHjZJ

— Conor O'Neill ?️‍??️‍⚧️ (@conoroneill15) June 21, 2022

“I am honoured to have been selected by the board as TENI’s new chair,” said Sam, a non-binary trans masculine person who was on the 2017 Forbes 30 under 30 list for their work on the Gender Recognition Act 2015.

“I have been involved in TENI since the TGEU council in 2012. Ten years after that landmark event for the trans community in Ireland, we are facing new challenges as a community and a changing conversation. I look forward to working with TENI’s staff and board to take on these new challenges and create a better Ireland for trans people and their families.”