The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women announces leadership transition

London, UK, 20 October 2025 – The Cherie Blair Foundation for Women today announced a transition in its leadership as the organisation looks ahead to its next phase of strategic growth and impact, with the departure of CEO Dhivya O’Connor.

During her time at the Foundation, O’Connor, along with the wider leadership group and Board, guided the organisation through a period of significant transformation and growth, strengthening its ability to support women entrepreneurs and expand its global reach.

“On behalf of the Board and staff, I extend our gratitude to Dhivya for her contributions” said Tanya Joseph, Board Chair.

Kate Mulhearn, hitherto Director of Finance and Operations, will become Executive Director of the Foundation, leading the organisation in the next phase of its evolution.

Joseph said: “The global context for INGOs continues to evolve rapidly. We are reviewing our strategy to remain resilient and relevant, from adapting to shifts in the fundraising landscape, to understanding how emerging technologies such as AI affect our work and the lives of the women we support. The Foundation remains committed to maximising its impact for women entrepreneurs worldwide.

She added: “I am delighted that Kate Mulhearn will lead the Foundation during this crucial next phase. She brings a calm, collaborative leadership style rooted in integrity, inclusion, and trust. Known for building strong teams and delivering transformation with empathy and clarity, Kate is passionate about creating environments where people thrive and where financial and governance frameworks support long-term sustainability.”

Kate Mulhearn said: “It is a huge privilege to take on this role and lead the Foundation into its next phase of work, standing alongside women entrepreneurs around the world as they strive to succeed in business despite the barriers they face every day. I am excited to build on the Foundation’s impactful achievements and to work with our outstanding team to design programmes that meet the rapidly evolving challenges of the twenty-first century.”

About Kate Mulhearn

Kate is a chartered accountant and purpose-driven leader with over 20 years’ experience in finance, audit, risk, and compliance across the not-for-profit sector. Her career has been shaped by a deep commitment to social impact—from her early research into maternal and child health in rural Zambia, to her work at World Vision supporting communities across Africa and Asia, and now championing female entrepreneurship in her current role.

Kate joined the Foundation in April 2025 as Finance Director. Before that, she was Associate Director of Finance & Risk at Alzheimer’s Society where she led the team through a significant transformation programme.