Dhivya O’Connor has been announced as the next chief executive of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women.
O’Connor joins the foundation from her role as the interim chief executive of The Girls Network, which she took up in October 2022.
In a statement, the foundation said O’Connor would bring “a wealth of experience in the non-profit and for-profit sectors and a unique blend of strategic vision, operational excellence and a strong passion for gender equality” to the role.
It said that under O’Connor’s leadership the foundation would significantly scale up its work to revolutionise business opportunities for one million more women entrepreneurs in low- and middle-income countries by 2030.
O’Connor, who will take up her new role in November, previously served as chief executive of the education charity United World Schools from November 2021 to July 2022, and was the interim chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising between May and October 2021.
She is also the founder and producer of The Charity CEO Podcast, a trustee of Book Aid International and has spent time volunteering with NGOs in India, South Africa and Cambodia.
Mathias Terheggen, chair of the board of trustees at the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women, said he was “delighted” to welcome O’Connor to her new role.
He said: “Dhivya brings a wealth of expertise and experience with her to the foundation, and clearly demonstrates a passion and commitment to women’s rights around the world. I am confident with Dhivya leading us we will achieve our goal to reach one million more women, continue to grow our impact and influence, and bring women entrepreneurs further into the heart of our work.”
O’Connor said: “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.”