Limavady Alderman Aaron Callan Selected For US Leadership Programme

Causeway Coast and Glens Alderman Aaron Callan has been named among a select group of Northern Ireland participants in a transatlantic leadership initiative run by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP).

Mr Callan, who has represented the Limavady area on Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council since 2014, will join the third cohort of the Northern Ireland Emerging Leaders Program. The nine-month mentorship scheme brings together community leaders working on issues ranging from economic development and climate action to social policy and democracy-building.

The programme will culminate in spring 2026 with a conference in New York, where participants will present policy papers and recommendations to US policymakers and diplomats.

Local leadership

As well as serving on the council, Mr Callan holds a number of civic and public roles. He is a governor of Limavady Grammar School and a commissioner at Coleraine Harbour, where he chairs the Strategy Working Group.

He also works as a parliamentary researcher for Gregory Campbell MP. His professional background includes financial crime compliance with Danske Bank and FinTrU, and risk assurance with PwC.

Mr Callan has appeared as a political commentator on BBC and UTV, and is a fellow of both the Royal Society of Arts and the Institute of Leadership.

Academic background

The Limavady representative holds an LL.M. in Law and Governance from Queen’s University Belfast, alongside a Master’s in Peace and Conflict Studies and a History degree from Ulster University.

He has also completed international leadership programmes, including the Washington Ireland Program and the Fellowship for Political and Civic Leaders with the Centre for Democracy and Peace Building.

‘Strengthening transatlantic ties’

Announcing the latest intake, the NCAFP said the initiative aims to “empower community leaders to drive change and strengthen transatlantic ties”.

This year’s 13 participants will tackle challenges such as boosting tourism, developing green energy, addressing skills gaps in the workforce and preventing youth involvement in paramilitarism.

The programme is supported by the Government of Ireland’s Reconciliation Fund, Invest Northern Ireland, and a range of philanthropic organisations.