Our team

Cherie Blair CBE KC is a leading King’s Counsel, committed campaigner for women’s rights and wife of the former British Prime Minister. Cherie is an advocate and ambassador for women entrepreneurs globally, working tirelessly to encourage the private sector, governments and civil society to do more to support women business owners.   

She generously gives her time, expertise and resources to advance women’s economic empowerment through the Foundation, travelling to visit our projects and partners, building collaborations, inspiring change and mobilising what’s needed to close the gender gap in business ownership. 

Tanya is a communications expert who has worked at the highest levels of the public, private and NGO sectors supporting them across communications disciplines including public and corporate affairs, reputation management, and behaviour change campaigning. She was the architect of the award-winning This Girl Can campaign which in its first years inspired 2.8 million women and girls to get active.  

Tanya also sits on the board of the Thomson Foundation which supports journalists and journalistic integrity across the world; the London Philharmonic Orchestra; and Creative UK. 

Dhivya O’Connor joined the Foundation as CEO in November 2023. She is an accomplished leader, with over 23 years’ experience across the non-profit and for-profit sectors. Growing up in India, Dhivya witnessed stark inequalities, particularly for women and girls, which has deeply influenced her commitment to championing equality and addressing social injustice.  

Dhivya is a Trustee of Book Aid International, a Steering Committee Member of Groundbreakers, and Governor of a state primary school. Dhivya is also the host and creative force behind the chart-topping The Charity CEO Podcast.