Embark on the inspiring journey of Breda McCague, a dynamic leader who transitioned from military excellence to impactful roles in global finance and emotional intelligence. Her story exemplifies a paradigm shift in leadership, blending resilience, innovation, and emotional acuity.
At 17, Breda McCague embarked on an exceptional journey, joining the Irish Reserve Infantry Defence Forces and becoming one of the first girls in Irish history to do so. Her early years in the military, where she rose to the position of the unit’s first female lieutenant, laid the foundation for her future roles in leadership.
Transitioning from military to finance, Breda McCague has been a transformative figure in global financial institutions since 2000. Her part-time role as Director of Emotional Excellence in an International Financial Consultancy highlights her unique approach to leadership, blending financial acumen with emotional intelligence.
Breda’s commitment to empowering women in leadership manifested in co-founding Lean In Ireland in 2016. This initiative, part of a global foundation, focuses on helping women achieve ambitious goals, addressing critical issues like gender pay gaps and representation in senior boards.
In 2017, Breda’s focus shifted to Emotional Intelligent Leadership. Accredited as a coach, she began delivering insightful talks on leadership, decision-making, and emotional intelligence. Her keynotes, renowned for their liveliness and depth, are sought after globally for their transformative impact.
Breda McCague’s efforts in leadership and empowerment have earned her significant accolades, including the Women of the Year title at the Women in Finance Ireland Awards in 2021. Her recognition as a finalist in the STEM Mentor of the Year Awards underscores her influence and dedication.
Breda McCague’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptive and emotionally intelligent leadership. Her experiences, from military service to the forefront of global finance and emotional intelligence, offer invaluable insights for…
Dame Kelly Holmes is a double Olympic champion, former British Army sergeant and inspirational keynote speaker. Best known for winning Olympic gold in both the 800m and 1500m at Athens 2004, she now shares powerful lessons on peak performance, resilience, mental health and achieving ambitious goals.
Colonel Terry Virts is a former NASA astronaut, International Space Station commander, Space Shuttle pilot and retired United States Air Force colonel. With 213 days in space across two missions, he brings first-hand lessons on leadership, risk and teamwork to corporate audiences. As a keynote speaker, Terry shares an extraordinary perspective shaped by life in orbit and decades of high-pressure decision-making.
Speaker Ideas is proud to recommend Marit Bouwmeester, the most successful female Olympic sailor in history. Drawing on an extraordinary career at the pinnacle of elite sport, she equips organisations with practical strategies for resilience, personal leadership, growth mindset and performing with confidence under pressure.
Dominic Alldis is a distinguished musician and innovative business speaker, renowned for creating transformative learning experiences. He combines rich musical insights with business wisdom, addressing key areas like leadership, innovation, and collaboration in today’s dynamic business environment.
The Wool Act is a lively, interactive keynote experience created for corporate events. Using humour, surprise and audience participation, it turns a room full of delegates into an enormous web of connection, making collaboration, shared purpose and collective energy impossible to miss.
Nicholas McCarthy is a concert pianist and motivational speaker whose story of resilience and determination inspires audiences worldwide. Born without his right hand, he became the first one-handed pianist to graduate from the Royal College of Music. Through keynote talks and live performances, he challenges audiences to rethink what is possible.
Cathy O’Dowd is a South African mountaineer, author, and speaker, best known as the first woman to summit Mount Everest from both the north and south sides. She shares lessons from expeditions like Everest and the Mazeno Ridge on Nanga Parbat, focusing on leadership, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making under pressure.
Frank Dick OBE is a motivational keynote speaker and high-performance coach who helps leaders and teams build winning habits, stronger culture and sustained performance. He is a popular choice for conferences, leadership events and corporate team sessions.
Aidan McCullen is a keynote speaker on permanent reinvention, change leadership and digital transformation. An Irish change consultant and executive coach, he helps executive and organisational teams update mental models, change business models and embrace change with a practical, accessible and visual approach, building additional capability so organisations remain relevant amid galloping change.
Aimée Mullins has redefined what versatility looks like. From the track to the runway, from film and television to the speaker’s podium, her life is a masterclass in breaking through conventional boundaries.
