Book IWD Speaker: Breda McCague

Breda McCague is an unforgettable, high energy, high impact, award-winning leadership equality specialist, TED speaker and bestselling author who helps people and organisations turn potential into Exceptional performance.

At 17, she became one of the first women to join the Irish Reserve Defence Forces. She progressed to become her unit’s first female Lieutenant, serving for 20 years managing situations on the contensious Irish border. By 23, she was coaching, mentoring and leading up to 100 men and women in tactical exercises, weaponry, explosives and high performance leadership.

Alongside her military career, Breda spent two decades driving global corporate transformation, reaching a CEO-2 leadership position in a Global banking brand. Her experience spans complex international IT projects, cultural change and commercial innovation.

Headhunted in 2022 as Director of Leadership Excellence for an international fintech consultancy, she delivered bespoke programmes across global hubs and client organisations on growth mindset, emotional intelligence, productivity, innovation and high-performing teams. Breda has since delivered in person across Dubai, New York, Canada, Germany, France, Sweden, Albania, UK and Ireland for a variety of Global Brands.

In 2016, Breda co-founded Lean In Ireland to support professional women across business and community life. Her work led to an invitation to Sheryl Sandberg’s own home in Palo Alto, marking a turning point in her career.

An accredited RocheMartin Emotional Intelligence Coach since 2020, Breda combines practical leadership experience with insights into human behaviour and growth mindsets. Through AIMING4AWESOME, she delivers motivational keynotes, innovation hackathons, mindset bootcamps, leadership masterclasses and workshops across sectors and international markets.

Her approach is energetic, practical and people-centred, equipping leaders with the confidence, clarity and tools to inspire their teams, navigate change and deliver lasting, measurable results.

As the BITA Global Growth Ambassador and Board Member, she injects innovative thinking and enables live collaboration across cultures and territories all across the Globe.

Breda’s book, OPERATION GROWTH, launched on Times Square billboards in New York and became an Amazon bestseller. It explores transformational leadership and personal growth. She is also an award-winning contributing author to the Lioness anthology series on resilience.

Selected Accolades

• Gold Stevie Award, New York.

• Global Women Changing the World Award, Corporate & Public Sector, London, 2025.

• Woman of the Year, Women in Finance Ireland Awards, 2022.

• Award-winning Lioness anthology author.

• Author of Amazon bestseller OPERATION GROWTH.

• TED speaker and accredited Emotional Intelligence Coach.

Website, TED talk and LinkedIn:

https://www.bredamccague.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcROZ8bdRMA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/breda-mccague-global-motivational-ted-speaker-49910452/

Signature Keynotes Talks:

•  The Art of the Possible: Think Bigger. Achieve More.
•  High Performance, Military Style: Self-led Success
•  Wired for Success: The Neuroscience of High Performance
•  Your Next Promotion: Position Yourself to Progress
•  Own Your Brilliance: Making Your Value Visible
•  Networking with Confidence: Building Connections That Count
•  The Five Elements of an Exceptional Life
•  What Limits? Innovatively Redefining What You’re Capable Of!

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