Breda McCague

Award-winning TED speaker Breda McCague empowers leaders with military precision and financial acumen to drive innovation, resilience, and growth

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Ireland

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“Breda is exceptional and one of our highest rated speakers at First Derivative. I had the pleasure of listening to Breda on numerous occasions (Aspiring Leadership Programme, Early Career Programmes, Networking Events for Women). I witnessed first-hand the raised energy levels in the room because Breda has a unique way of encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone. If you want a fun, high-energy, relevant and thought-provoking talk delivered to any level of leadership in your organisation then I would highly recommend Breda McCague!”

Associate Director

Head of L&D Partnerships at First Derivative

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Non-binding request for Breda McCague

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Why book Breda McCague for your next event

Breda McCague has graced the TED stage and was honored with the Global Women Changing the World Award in London and Australia, affirming her status as one of the most influential voices in leadership and transformation today. Her keynotes translate global recognition into practical frameworks that empower leaders to act with clarity and confidence.
As a former CEO-2 in one of Ireland’s largest pillar banks, Breda led complex international IT, payment, and cultural transformations. She brings unparalleled corporate insight to the stage, offering strategic guidance to organizations facing high-stakes change and rapid digital evolution.
Breda co-founded Lean In Ireland to empower women in business and has since inspired thousands globally. Her keynote talks are infused with inclusive leadership principles and actionable tools that help companies build cultures of equity, innovation, and growth.

Non-binding request for Breda McCague

From Battlefield to Boardroom: Leading Through Change

TED speaker and global award-winner Breda McCague combines 20 years of military leadership with executive-level banking transformation expertise. Her electrifying keynotes equip organizations with the tools to lead through change, boost emotional intelligence, and unlock sustainable growth. From boardrooms to global stages, Breda inspires action, sharpens focus, and empowers teams to thrive in complexity. Book her to transform mindsets and elevate leadership performance across every level of your business.

Keynote Speaker Breda McCague is widely recognized for her powerful ability to drive transformation through mindset, leadership, and emotional intelligence. With over two decades of leadership experience, both as a commanding officer in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces and as CEO-2 in one of Ireland’s leading banks, Breda blends military precision with high-level corporate strategy to deliver truly impactful keynote experiences.

Her keynote talks are rooted in practical tools and proven frameworks that empower leaders to navigate complex change, build resilient teams, and foster innovation. Whether addressing high-performing executives or emerging leaders, Breda's sessions ignite action, deepen self-awareness, and provide clarity in fast-paced environments.

Breda’s accolades include Global Women Changing the World Award (London & Australia, 2025), Woman of the Year in Finance (2021), and TED.com Speaker status. She is also co-founder of Lean In Ireland and a certified Emotional Intelligence Coach. Her unique career journey and international recognition make her an ideal speaker for companies seeking transformation, inclusion, and sustainable performance growth.

Book Breda McCague for your event to inspire your audience with a high-energy keynote that delivers lasting value. Her insights into leadership excellence, mindset mastery, and emotional intelligence are game-changers for organizations ready to elevate their people and culture.

Don’t miss the opportunity to bring keynote speaker Breda McCague’s world-class expertise to your stage.

Customer Reviews

Associate Director Head of L&D Partnerships at First Derivative

“Breda facilitated a leadership keynote for one of our operations team effectiveness sessions. Breda skilfully wove in key leadership insights whilst sharing her leadership journey in a style and was relatable to individual contributors and leaders of large teams in equal measure. Breda is facilitates with high energy transitioning key talking points into practical actions for the team. I'm happy to recommend Breda as a leadership facilitator or trainer and wish her continued success.”

Associate Director People & Culture Alexion AstraZeneca Pharma

“Hi Breda, Thank you for an insightful presentation. You managed to catch the attention of the team and created a very interactive session with lots of positive energy. The practical recommendations we gave, I believe, will definitely be used and tried out. Really grateful also that you took time to attend our dinner in the evening, it gave everyone the opportunity to continue the dialogue with you and ask questions.”

Director Group Treasury, Swedbank, Sweden

“I wanted to take time to write a recommendation for Breda McCague, an award-winning, inspirational, and globally recognised TED Keynote Speaker due to her natural ability to inspire resilience, motivation and inspiration. Her passion for inspiring massive performance and ambition is evident in her talks on diversity, inclusion, and equity. Breda’s talks are nothing short of a breath of fresh air, refreshingly different, and totally inspiring.”

Founder & CEO Junior Einsteins Science Club

“itag engaged Breda to give a talk to over 80 of our Digital Women’s Network. Her Presentation was Insightful, Engaging and Entertaining. She talked about Vision Boards and how we should use them to make a difference. She also discussed the importance of having a good and diverse network and limiting beliefs. Her down to earth, High-Energy Delivery was very well received. Plenty of Takeaways for everyone.”

Dee Timoney Network Manager itag Skillnet

“Breda was instrumental in designing and facilitating our 2024 summit. She held calls in advance to understand how we wanted to work, and to share ideas from her own experience, combining them with our vision to create a meaningful and collaborative event. Introduced a hackathon in a “Dragon’s Den” format. Encouraged collaboration and inclusive environment. Served as MC for our Christmas event – SFG Oscars” “We would happily have Breda work with us again in the future.”

Marie Kearns HR Director Speed Fibre Group

Keynotes

Keynote by Breda McCague:

Leading Through Change: Unlocking High-Performance Leadership

Is your leadership team struggling to adapt, connect, or perform at the level today’s challenges demand?

In high-pressure environments, outdated leadership models fall short, leaving teams disengaged and transformation stalled. That’s where keynote speaker Breda McCague steps in.

With a unique blend of military precision and corporate transformation expertise, Breda delivers high-impact leadership keynotes that reignite purpose, sharpen emotional intelligence, and unlock high performance across all levels. Her talks, ranging from “Re-imagining Leadership Mindsets” to “High Performing Teams, Communication & Culture” are crafted to tackle industry-specific challenges and drive tangible results.

Whether you’re in tech, finance, pharma, or construction, Breda’s keynotes empower leaders to confidently navigate change, inspire collaboration, and build resilient, future-ready teams.

Book Breda McCague for your event to shift mindsets, elevate leadership, and activate powerful, people-centered transformation. Because great leadership doesn’t just manage change, it drives it.

Audience takeaways

Learn how to lead effectively through rapid change and organizational transformation
Gain actionable strategies to boost emotional intelligence and team engagement
Discover leadership techniques that drive high performance and sustainable growth
Understand how to foster collaboration and build resilient, future-ready teams
Explore people-centered leadership models tailored to your industry’s challenges

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Keynote by Breda McCague:

Accelerating Careers and Transforming Talent for the Future

Struggling to attract top talent, retain rising stars, or future-proof your workforce?

In today’s competitive landscape, traditional recruitment strategies and outdated career frameworks no longer inspire loyalty or performance. Organizations need powerful tools to motivate, develop, and transform their teams, and that’s exactly what these keynote talks deliver.

Through high-energy, insight-driven keynotes on Recruitment, Transformation, and Career Acceleration, audiences are equipped with real-world strategies to elevate talent pipelines, accelerate leadership potential, and ignite personal growth at every level.

These talks deliver a transformational experience that aligns personal ambition with organizational goals, helping teams embrace change, take ownership of their development, and thrive in fast-evolving industries.

Whether you're reshaping your workforce or empowering your next generation of leaders, these keynotes offer lasting impact.

Book Breda McCague for your event to energize your people, transform your culture, and accelerate success from the inside out. Talent wins, but only when it’s activated.

Audience takeaways