• Our Aims

    To network with and learn from fellow women chief executives of national and international charities.

    To network and share learning with women leaders in the public and private sectors.

    To encourage women who have the potential to become leaders in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

    NOT SIGNED UP TO GROUNDBREAKERS YET?

    If you are a woman CEO in the voluntary sector, or recently stepped down, we'd love you to join us.

    Email our Chair, Susan Daniels, Susan.Daniels@ndcs.org.uk, to sign up to our newsletter.

    See below for our upcoming events and book soon to ensure your place - we look forward to involving you.

  • Upcoming Events - book soon to be sure of a place!

    Book your place at our future events, and contact our Chair if you are interested in speaking or suggesting a speaker.

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    Cherie Blair CBE, KC

    Founder, Cherie Blair Foundation for Womenand Co-Founder and Chair, Omnia Strategy LLP

    Wednesday 17 September 2025

    16:15-17:45 At Bates Wells at 10 Queen St Pl, London EC4R 1BE

    In person - Registration details to follow soon

    Cherie Blair CBE, KC is a leading King’sCounsel with over 35 years of experience. She studied law at the London School of Economics (LSE) and is the Founder and Chair of the pioneering law firm Omnia Strategy where she focuses on cross-border dispute resolution, commercial arbitration, mediation and human rights.

    Cherie is a strong advocate for women’srights and in 2008 she founded the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women to support women in low and middle income countries to start, sustain and grow successful businesses so that they can be financially independent, have a stronger voice in their societies, and contribute to their communities and economies. She generously gives her time, expertise and resources to advance women's economic empowerment through the Foundation, travelling to visit projects and partners, building collaborations, inspiring change and mobilising what's needed to close the gender gap in business ownership.

    Cheriewas awarded a CBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours List for services to women’s issues and to charities in both the UK and overseas. She is the wife of former Prime Minister, Tony Blair. They have 4 children and 8 grandchildren.

    Registration details to follow soon

  • Blogs

    Lead without fear: Tackling Racism in our Organisations - Parts 1 and 2.

    Written by Aleema Shivji, Executive Director, Impact & Investment at Comic Relief, former CEO Humanity & Inclusion UK, and member of Groundbreakers Steering Group, after chairing our Groundbreakers events in January 2022 and September 2020.
    Lead without Fear: Tackling Racism in our organisations - part 2
    March 8, 2022
    Aleema Shivji's second blog in our Groundbreakers series Lead without Fear: Tackling Racism in our Organisations, written for International Women's Day 8th March 2022. In July 2020, I chaired Groundbreakers' first “Lead without Fear: Tackling Racism in our Organisations” event for UK-based...
    Lead without Fear: Tackling Racism in our Organisations - part 1
    September 23, 2020
    Lead without fear: tackling racism in our organisations Author: Aleema Shivji, Executive Director, Impact & Investment at Comic Relief, former CEO at Humanity & Inclusion UK, and member of the Steering Group for Groundbreakers. Twitter @AleemaShivji A few weeks ago I had the honour of hosting...

  • Get Involved

    Get more from Groundbreakers!

    1

    We'll keep you posted on events and updates. We won't use your email address for anything else! Sign up here to be kept updated about our events.

    2

    Join Groundbreakers

    Membership is open to all women charity chief executives both current and former, and is currently free thanks to generous in-kind support from Bates Wells.

    Sign up for our email updates here.

    3

    Check out our upcoming events above. Book your free ticket ASAP to be sure of a place. Hear our inspirational speakers and join in the discussions. Come along and get involved.

    4

    Follow us on LinkedIn

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/charitygroundbreakers

  • Quotes

    What our members say about us...

    Member guest at our Summer Reception May 2019

    "It was a really excellent session last night and I thought Helen struck just the right note for the group. I really appreciated the opportunity to attend, network and hear from a really open, honest and inspiring speaker."

    Gail Scott-Spicer,

    CEO, Kings College Hospital Charity

    "Purpose-driven, values-led leadership, of (and by) women. Honest, open and human words from Helen (Stephenson). Inspirational."

    Caroline Diehl MBE

    Executive Chair, Together TV, and founder, Social Founder Network

    “During my years as Founder CEO of Media Trust and Community Channel I regularly attended Groundbreakers events. We had some stunning speakers, who, under the Chatham House Rule, told us fascinating stories about their career challenges, their personal journeys, crises, successes, learnings and impact. Lots of stories of tears and laughter, learnings and inspiration. I loved meeting with other women CEOs in a safe, relaxing space too.”

    Susan Daniels

    CEO, National Deaf Children's Society, and Chair of Groundbreakers

    "If you are a CEO of a voluntary organisation, I do encourage you to join Groundbreakers. You will hear from some fantastic female leaders from the private, voluntary and public sectors and have the opportunity to exchange opinions and network with your peers in convivial surroundings. What could be better?"

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