Breda McCague

Book Breda McCague for Your Event

When organizations face disruption, transformation, and increasing complexity, they need leaders who can inspire confidence and create lasting change. Breda McCague brings a rare combination of military leadership experience, executive banking expertise, and internationally recognized thought leadership to every stage she steps onto.

As a TED speaker and recipient of the Global Women Changing the World Award in both London and Australia, Breda has established herself as one of the most respected voices in leadership and transformation. Her keynote presentations are energetic, practical, and designed to create immediate impact, helping audiences translate ideas into meaningful action.

Organizations that book Breda McCague gain access to proven frameworks, actionable strategies, and leadership insights developed through years of leading large-scale transformations in highly complex environments.

From Battlefield to Boardroom

Breda's leadership journey is unlike most. She spent more than 20 years serving in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces, gaining invaluable experience in leadership, decision-making, resilience, and performance under pressure. These lessons continue to shape her approach to leadership development and organizational transformation.

Alongside her military career, Breda rose to become CEO-2 in one of Ireland's largest pillar banks, where she led significant international IT, payments, operational, and cultural transformation initiatives. Working at executive level in a rapidly changing industry gave her firsthand experience of navigating uncertainty, driving innovation, and aligning people around a common vision.

This unique blend of military discipline and corporate leadership enables Breda to connect with audiences across industries, providing practical lessons that resonate with executives, managers, and emerging leaders alike.

Leadership That Creates Lasting Impact

Breda's keynote presentations focus on helping leaders develop the skills needed to succeed in today's demanding business environment. Her approach goes beyond motivation, providing audiences with practical tools that can be implemented immediately.

Her areas of expertise include:

• Leadership excellence and executive presence
• Leading through change and uncertainty
• Emotional intelligence and self-awareness
• Building resilient and high-performing teams
• Mindset mastery and personal growth
• Organizational transformation
• Innovation and cultural change
• Inclusive leadership and diversity
• Sustainable performance and growth

By combining research-backed insights with real-world experience, Breda helps leaders strengthen their ability to communicate effectively, build trust, and inspire action at every level of an organization.

Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Advantage

A certified Emotional Intelligence Coach, Breda is passionate about helping leaders understand the critical role emotional intelligence plays in performance, engagement, and business success.

Her keynote sessions demonstrate how self-awareness, empathy, adaptability, and effective communication can strengthen leadership effectiveness and improve team outcomes. Participants gain practical strategies for managing pressure, building stronger relationships, and creating environments where people can perform at their best.

In a world where technical expertise alone is no longer enough, Breda shows organizations how emotional intelligence can become a competitive advantage that drives both people and business performance.

Championing Inclusion and Growth

Beyond her corporate and military achievements, Breda is widely recognized for her commitment to advancing opportunities for women in business and leadership. As co-founder of Lean In Ireland, she has inspired and supported thousands of professionals around the world.

Her work promoting inclusive leadership helps organizations create cultures where diverse perspectives are valued, innovation flourishes, and individuals feel empowered to contribute fully. Breda's insights are particularly valuable for companies seeking to strengthen engagement, improve collaboration, and build future-ready workplaces.

Her ability to address inclusion within the broader context of leadership and business performance makes her a sought-after keynote speaker for conferences, leadership events, and organizational development programs.

Why Organizations Choose Breda McCague

Breda's audiences consistently value her authenticity, energy, and ability to transform complex concepts into practical leadership tools. Whether speaking to senior executives, leadership teams, or large conference audiences, she creates memorable experiences that inspire action long after the event has ended.

Her achievements include TED.com Speaker status, the Global Women Changing the World Award in London and Australia (2025), and Woman of the Year in Finance (2021). These recognitions reflect both her leadership expertise and her commitment to helping others reach their potential.

When you book Breda McCague for your event, you bring in a speaker who understands transformation from every angle. She has led teams in military settings, guided large-scale corporate change initiatives, coached leaders, and inspired audiences across international stages.

For organizations seeking stronger leadership, greater resilience, enhanced emotional intelligence, and a culture that embraces change, Breda McCague delivers keynote presentations that create lasting impact. Her powerful combination of experience, insight, and practical frameworks equips audiences to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose in an increasingly complex world.