1 | The Power of Leadership in Organisations

Leadership has the ability to make positive and rippling changes through an organisation. At an organisation like Special Olympics, this is particularly important. We strive to lead with purpose and positivity. Mary is an Irish social entrepreneur and long-term campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Today she is the Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics International having previously held the role of MD and Regional President of Special Olympics Europe/Eurasia (SOEE). She is probably best known in Ireland for her role as CEO of the 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, the first time the event was staged outside of the US since the movement was founded in 1968. Mary was awarded a Person of the Year Award in 2003 and more recently received the 'Outstanding Contribution to Women's Sport' Award at The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year awards.