Meet Our Team

Raquel Noboa

Founder & CEO 

Everyone's green journey has to start somewhere and it was no different for Fifty Shades Greener founder & CEO. From the age of 17, Raquel worked in the hospitality industry following her move from her native Spain to Ireland, until 2017 when she decided to take the plunge & start her own business.

“The idea for my business began to form in my head during my time as green manager in Doolin. If I could achieve these results at Hotel Doolin, then surely I could teach others how to begin their green journey, just like I did? That’s how Fifty Shades Greener was born.”

Raquel believes in small wins and going at your own pace, because 'going green' should not make people jump through hoops. It is about understanding the environmentally sound options that are available and applying them in a way that make sense to each individual business. Start small - win big and THEN look at possible investment projects to become even more sustainable.

Patrick Flanagan

Director

Patrick has more than 30 years of international business experience in the Tertiary education and training sectors.

Together with City & Guilds, Patrick has consulted and managed multiple projects both for the UK and global markets. He brings expertise in skills gap analysis, strategic planning, and programme development in line with national frameworks.

Kiri Spanowicz

Communications Officer

Kiri grew up in a sustainable, nature-loving household, and at the time she doesn't think she realised that not everyone has a compost in their backyard or that paper towels were strictly not allowed. Unsurprisingly, this led Kiri to a master's degree where she specialised in sustainability and biodiversity. Kiri also learned that not everyone is able to have a compost in their backyard, or can avoid buying single-use plastics, or even just have the time and energy to devote to our climate crisis. It is big, and it is scary, but it is all about taking small steps and meeting yourself where you are at! 

"I am thrilled to be a part of the FSG team, where small steps are considered big wins and education is the platform on which we can build a greener future."

Isabel O'Brien

Trainer & Learner Support

Isabel holds a Master’s degree in Economics from Maynooth University, where she developed an interest in the role sustainability plays in our economy and the urgent need to protect our planet.

This passion drove Isabel to pursue additional training in sustainability. She has always been a fan of the work of Fifty Shades Greener, where both people and the planet are top priorities!

Isabel is excited to be a part of the FSG team, and to help support learners in any way she can!

Leza Forrester

Sales Lead

With over 25 years of experience in sales and business development across both the private and public sectors, I bring a deep understanding of how to drive growth and build lasting client relationships. My background includes significant expertise in the education and learning space, where I’ve spent much of my career helping children access meaningful education.

At Fifty Shades Greener, I lead our B2B sales strategy—developing and implementing effective plans, leveraging both creative and analytical tools, and ensuring we meet our financial objectives. A key part of my role is supporting clients to truly understand and benefit from our comprehensive sustainability training, helping them embed greener practices into their operations.

Sustainability has long been a personal passion of mine, and I’m proud to be part of a mission-driven organisation that is making a real difference.

Ish Anand

FSG India Representative 

Ish linked up with Raquel and Fifty Shades Greener because of his passion for the cause and the team. He is driven by a very clear objective to change the world, making it more aware about the environment & sustainability. 

Chris Beehner

Content Writer 

Chris is a college professor and practitioner who is passionate about the environment, and believes business has a significant role and responsibility in achieving sustainability. Business leaders need to understand that they can contribute to a better planet while maintaining, and even increasing their profitability. He is excited to be a part of the Fifty Shades Greener team and helping deliver high quality sustainability education programmes.