Cathy O'Dowd

As the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, Cathy O'Dowd has a wealth of stories to tell. Not content with setting the record on the south sides, she returned in 1999 to conquer the north sides too. Whether she is climbing a mountain, writing a motivational novel or giving an awe-inspiring speech, Cathy has the expertise and passion for life to connect with those around her. Her innate understanding of acute pressure makes Cathy the ideal corporate speaker, as she can provide her strategies of success key for business sustainability. A truly inspiring woman, you don't want to miss a booking opportunity like this one.

Cathy is dedicated to helping audiences "think like an explorer". When countless international teams failed to climb the Mazeno Ridge of Nanga Parbat, Cathy saw the challenge as an opportunity to prove her ability. She wants to instil this mindset in her audience. Armed with unbeatable personal and professional strategies, she holds the key to innovation, expert decision-making and teamwork. Cathy is a speaker unlike any other, her stories from the top of the world's biggest mountains keep audiences hooked on her every word.

Starting in 1995, Cathy took on Mount Everest for the first time. After applying to take part in the first South African Everest expedition, she battled through life-threatening blizzards to reach the summit in 1996. Two years later, in 1998, she climbed the north side of Everest. However, the mission took a turn for the dangerous when she came across an unconscious climber. A year later, she attempted the climb again and became the first woman to conquer Everest's north side. During this mission, Cathy came face to face with life-changing decisions, like should she have helped the unconscious climber and was the mission too dangerous? Her experiences have shaped her into the woman she is today. By calculating risk and reward, she helps companies to prioritise their tasks and make purposeful decisions.

When faced with a challenge, Cathy understands the importance of teamwork. This inspirational speaker has climbed some of the highest mountains in the world, including Mount Everest and The Mazeno Ridge, making her an expert on setting goals and achieving them, despite the risk. This knowledge is invaluable to corporate audiences, who wish to improve their team cohesion and push the boundaries of possibility.