News: SECBE Board Member Jacqueline O'Donovan speaks at major international event

13 September 2018

The Women’s Leadership Symposium at World Meeting of Families 2018 in Dublin.

A symposium dedicated to the global impact of women's leadership was held, for the first time on the 25^th August at the Royal Dublin Society Centre (RDS) and included a series of dynamic conversations and interviews with women leaders from around the work of which Jacqueline O'Donovan, SECBE board member, was invited to participate.

Held every three years, the World Meeting of Families is a major international event that brings together families from across the world to celebrate family as the cornerstone of lives, of society and of the Church and will this year be is attended by Pope Francis.

Titled ‘Voices of Impact: Women Leaders Shaping Global Change’, the conference saw women change makers from around the globe engage in dynamic conversations on unique initiatives and solutions to the world’s most pressing problems and was chaired by broadcaster and entrepreneur Norah Casey and US business executive Susan Ann Davis.  The key themes for the event were women’s economic empowerment and its impact on global growth; impact of women’s leadership in equality, human rights, philanthropy, peacekeeping and community building.

As MD of O’Donovan Waste Disposal in London, Jacqueline is widely recognised as one of the construction and demolition waste sectors’ most passionate pioneers of innovation, safety and change.  The family-run waste management business has flourished and has 160 employees and a turnover of over £20m.  Jacqueline is recognised as a regular industry speaker, an innovator and a leading force in the industry, with several accolades including Outstanding Woman in Construction, Vitalise Business Woman of the Year and Institute of Directors’ Family Business Director of the Year. She has been given the Freedom of the City of London and has been honoured by Irish President Michael D. Higgins with a Presidential Distinguished Service Award for her continuous support of the Irish community abroad.  She is a highly respected and successful member of the Irish business community and is a prominent and active member of several Irish business networks. 

Prior to the event, Jacqueline commented “It is a great honour for me to be involved in the Voices of Impact symposium and I look forward to discussing how we encourage the changing role of women across all walks of life including in business, to continue our constructive influence on the future of society.”