Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser
About Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser
Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser serves as the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Meals on Wheels America, where she employs emotional intelligence and accessibility to foster a supportive environment. With extensive experience in cancer research organizations, she has held various leadership roles and is recognized for her strategic planning and stakeholder engagement skills.
Work at Meals on Wheels America
Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser serves as the Chief Strategy and Impact Officer at Meals on Wheels America, a position she has held since 2024. In this role, she focuses on strategic planning and impact assessment to enhance the organization's mission. Her leadership style emphasizes emotional intelligence and accessibility, fostering an environment of trust and encouragement among team members. Based in Arlington, Virginia, she engages stakeholders by building trusted connections that emphasize mutual benefit.
Previous Experience in Cancer Research Organizations
Prior to her current role, Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser held several positions at the American Institute for Cancer Research. She served as the Executive Vice President from 2021 to 2024, and as Senior Vice President of Programs & Strategic Planning from 2008 to 2021. Her earlier experience includes working as the International Programs Manager from 1993 to 1997. Additionally, she worked at World Cancer Research Fund International as Director of Operations from 1997 to 2005 and as a Project Management Consultant from 2005 to 2008.
Education and Expertise
Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser studied at the University of Kent, where she earned a BA (Hons) in French and English. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in strategic planning and operations within the nonprofit sector, particularly in health-related organizations. She employs budget strategies that forecast historical, programmatic, and financial goals, demonstrating her expertise in financial management.
Leadership Style and Approach
Deirdre Mc Ginley Gieser is known for her leadership style characterized by emotional intelligence and accessibility. She utilizes 'structured flexibility' in project leadership, ensuring that processes are both established and adaptable. Her approach includes advocating for process improvement by gently challenging legacy systems and mindsets to enhance efficiencies. She is recognized for her calm demeanor and resilience under pressure, effectively managing difficult conversations with grace.