Charity CEO podcast host Dhivya O’Connor has been named as the next chief executive of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.

O’Connor will take the permanent role in November from The Girls’ Network, where she has been interim CEO since last year. She replaces the Foundation’s interim CEO Peter Sargent.

Her charity sector leadership roles include two years from 2018 as CEO at Children with Cancer UK and a six-month stint as interim CEO at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising in 2021 amid a safeguarding and complaint handling scandal to hit the sector body.

She has also been global CEO of United World Schools and in 2020 launched the Charity CEO Podcast.

The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women was set up in 2008 by the lawyer and wife of former PM Tony Blair to support women entrepreneurs from low- and middle-income countries.

We are delighted to announce the appointment of @DhivyaOConnor as our CEO!

Bringing an impressive track record in leadership, a wealth of expertise & a deep commitment to empowering women, Dhivya will lead us to new heights as we deliver our new strategy: https://t.co/cdhwi7k6Vh pic.twitter.com/2wMFqfzCpq

— Cherie Blair Foundation for Women (@CherieBlairFndn) August 31, 2023

“I am very much looking forward to working together to take our vital services to even more women entrepreneurs and to challenge the systems that are holding women back from economic gender equality,” said Blair.

O’Connor added: “It is truly a privilege to join the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women at this pivotal moment for women’s rights across the world.

“As a passionate supporter of gender equality, I am excited to build on the Foundation’s impactful work, advancing global economic gender justice and empowering more women entrepreneurs in the Global South to reach their potential and drive global prosperity.”

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