Rachel O'brien
About Rachel O'brien
Rachel O'Brien serves as the Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, a position she has held since 2021. She has an extensive background in humanitarian capacity building, having previously worked in various leadership roles in the field.
Current Role at Humanitarian Leadership Academy
Rachel O'Brien serves as the Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Academy, a position she has held since 2021. In this role, she oversees initiatives aimed at enhancing the leadership capabilities within the humanitarian sector. Her responsibilities include developing training programs and resources that support humanitarian workers globally.
Previous Experience in Humanitarian Leadership
Before her current role, Rachel O'Brien worked as the Director of Global Humanitarian Capacity & Capability from 2018 to 2021. In this capacity, she focused on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of humanitarian responses. Prior to that, she held the position of Head of Humanitarian Capacity Building from 2015 to 2018, where she was involved in enhancing the skills and competencies of humanitarian professionals.
Educational Background
Rachel O'Brien has a strong educational foundation in relevant fields. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from King's College London. Additionally, she completed a Master's degree in Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management from Northumbria University. Furthering her expertise, she obtained a Post Graduate Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring from Leeds Beckett University between 2019 and 2020.
Career Progression in Humanitarian Sector
Rachel O'Brien's career in the humanitarian sector began as a Project Manager in the Humanitarian department, where she worked from 2010 to 2015. This five-year experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent roles in leadership and capacity building within humanitarian organizations. Her progression reflects a commitment to enhancing humanitarian efforts through effective leadership.