GOAL CEO finds her calling

Berhale Refugee Camp Ethiopia

Siobhan Walsh

1991 HDip, Community Development and Social Policy

CEO, GOAL

Siobhan Walsh calls MU experience a “game changer” in her career

For a young Siobhan Walsh fresh out of college, a career in the international NGO sector was not on the cards. But a few years later - following a MU post-graduate course in Community Development and Social Policy, and the influence of her brother - it quickly became her calling.

Today, Walsh is CEO of GOAL, a leading international humanitarian agency striving to support some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. She previously served as Executive Director at Concern Worldwide in New York.

“My Maynooth experience became a game-changer in my career,” she said, citing the blend of practical experience and small-group teaching. She worked at the Health Board in Ballymun and volunteered at a women’s shelter. “My team of classmates couldn’t be more different in terms of our background, but that was the strength of the course and the teachers were terrific,” she said. “I still remember Stacia Crickley’s lectures!’

The Bridge recently interviewed Walsh to talk about her path to leading an international NGO.

Tell us about your path to becoming CEO of GOAL?

When I graduated first from college, I worked in a sector that sold specialised containers for aircraft parts that went for overhaul! A long way from my original qualification (French and Economics), but a great opportunity to hone my skills in business. I quickly knew in my soul I needed something more fulfilling. Maynooth was a place already dear to me. My brother, John Walsh, studied to be a priest in Maynooth and I had many wonderful visits to see him during his years of training.

My brother went to work with the SMAs in Africa when he was ordained and wrote many letters home about his experiences in Africa. His experiences had a profound effect on me and inspired me to pursue a career with a NGO. I discovered the post-graduate Community Development and Social Policy course in Maynooth. That was an extremely rewarding year, practical, and was my bridge to working in the sector. Thanks to a meeting with Fr. Aengus Finucane, I joined Concern.

In 2013 I embarked on new experiences. I moved to the corporate world, working in mergers and acquisitions in the US, Europe and China. I also set up a foundation for a family who lost their son tragically from sepsis which has since saved countless lives. I lived in South Africa, helping local NGOs build out their infrastructure and governance capacity to engage with international donors. Roll on 2018, when I returned to Ireland to take up the role of CEO of GOAL. I am privileged to work with 2,500 people across the globe working tirelessly every day to make a difference.

GOAL CEO Siobhan Walsh with new GOAL Chairman Barry O’Connell and GOAL Sierra Leone team visiting with partners in Freetown, Sierra Leone in September 2021

How often do you travel abroad in your capacity at CEO?

It is extremely important that I travel and meet with our teams and the communities we serve. During the last 18 months, travel has been restricted, but recently I travelled to Sierra Leone, where I got to spend time with our teams learning of the progress they have made and challenges they have faced in the Covid-19 context. In the new year I plan to visit Colombia, where GOAL is responding to the second largest migrant crisis in the world today outside of Syria, where GOAL also operates.

Is there a trip or project that had a particular impact on you?

Being in Rwanda shortly after the Genocide is an experience I will never forget. 800,000 people were brutally slaughtered in 100 days. The scale of the trauma and suffering of those who survived is hard to communicate. The collective work of NGOs was nothing short of extraordinary. I remember the sight of over 1 million people living in camps across the border in what was then known as Zaire. Humanitarian workers were involved in caring for lost and orphaned children, helping to create a safe space for them, providing food, water, shelter for families who fled Rwanda. Millions of stories of suffering and millions more telling the story of the resilience of the human spirit.

What are some of the projects GOAL is focused on at the moment?

GOAL has a wide range of projects in 14 countries across the globe. (Visit www.gloaglobal.org).

One new operation is in Colombia. The Venezuelan migrant crisis is second only to the Syrian conflict in terms of the number of people forced to flee their country, with 5.7 million fleeing due to political instability and economic crisis. Across Colombia, more than 3 million are in urgent need of health services, food assistance, and protection from exploitation, sexual and gender-based violence, and other threats.

GOAL’s holistic approach focuses on urgent life-saving needs and building longer-term resilience. The initial response, funded by Irish Aid, reached 1,000 Venezuelan families in transit and we have since scaled up our response significantly.

We also are developing interventions in informal urban settlements. GOAL’s “Barrio Resiliente” partners with communities, governments, private sector, civil society, and academic institutions on areas like: access to credit for small and micro-businesses; “Blue Economy” markets in fisheries and eco-tourism; affordable housing and shelter solutions; early warning and disaster response systems; access to water and sanitation; social cohesion and youth engagement; and urban planning.

My team of classmates couldn’t be more different in terms of our background, but that was the strength of the course and the teachers were terrific

As CEO of a major international NGO, and so many challenges facing the world, how do you plan for the future?

One of our constants is change. INGOs are in a time of transition, as we pursue new models that change our world in more meaningful and sustainable ways. The issues we face are growing in complexity and scale: from climate change to global inequality and conflict. Our role will continue to change as we support and facilitate change.

What is evident now more than ever is the power of partnership. We are operating in dynamic partnerships with local government, civil society, and the private sector in countries such as Sierra Leone, where we united to provide sanitation services to over 1 million people in Freetown. Last year, GOAL reached over 14 million people, thanks to collaboration with our partners and generous donors.

How can universities prepare graduates for careers in international development?

Developing strategic partnership between NGOs and universities is a wonderful opportunity to open doors to graduates. Recently one of my colleagues who joined GOAL from the private sector commented that we, as a sector, must do more to promote career opportunities in international development.

Too often students don’t view the non-profit sector as one that needs business analysts, technology specialists, compliance officers, accountants, auditors, marketers, governance specialists, human resources or communications specialists.

Students also partner with NGOs to become innovators in solving problems for NGOs on a range of topics as projects, earning credit during their university years.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Absolutely! I believe everyone can do something to change the world. We would love you to take part in the GOAL mile on Christmas Day. Join our global human family of volunteers and walk that mile to make a difference! www.goalglobal.org.

Last year, GOAL reached over

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million people, thanks to collaboration with our partners and generous donors.