Michele Bryans serves as Chief Executive of EastSide Partnership, the leading regeneration charity dedicated to transforming east Belfast into a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving community.

Since joining the organisation in 2015 — initially as EastSide Greenways Manager — Michele has led the strategic development of a range of initiatives designed to enhance quality of life across the area. Under her stewardship, flagship projects such as the Connswater Community Greenway, C.S. Lewis Square and the EastSide Visitor Centre have helped open up green spaces, celebrate local culture and heritage, and strengthen connections between people, place and opportunity.

Michele is deeply committed to social regeneration. Grounded in decades of youth and community work across east Belfast, she believes in the power of “connecting people and place” — building resilient communities through thoughtful placemaking, inclusive engagement and sustainable development.

As CEO, she oversees the overall management and strategic direction of EastSide Partnership and its subsidiary companies, working with partners across local government, business, voluntary and community sectors. Through her leadership, she guides the charity’s mission to “make east Belfast a Thriving, Welcoming and Connected Community".

Looking ahead, Michele is focused on delivering the organisation’s 2025–2030 strategic framework — a plan centred on community-led regeneration, environmental sustainability, arts and culture, youth opportunity, and place-based investment that puts people first.