Dhivya O’Connor became CEO of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women in 2023, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience across the non-profit and corporate sectors.
Growing up in India, Dhivya witnessed deep-rooted inequalities, particularly for women and girls - an experience that shaped her lifelong commitment to championing gender equality and social justice.
She has led several impactful organisations as CEO, including The Girls’ Network, United World Schools, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and Children with Cancer UK. A skilled fundraiser and strategist, Dhivya honed her expertise in business development early in her career at GE Capital, Lloyds Bank, and OctopusTravel (now part of Expedia).
Beyond her executive roles, Dhivya is a Trustee of Book Aid International and a Steering Committee Member of Groundbreakers, a network supporting women leaders in the voluntary sector. She also served as a Governor at a London state primary school.
Passionate about amplifying voices in the non-profit sector, Dhivya is the host and creative force behind “The Charity CEO Podcast” (www.thecharityceo.com), a chart-topping platform featuring inspiring conversations with social sector leaders and change-makers.