Breda O’Callaghan Honored with 2025 Microsoft Power Women Award for Driving Gender Parity in Tech

Dublin, Ireland – June 24, 2025 – In a significant recognition of her leadership and commitment to advancing gender equity in the technology sector, Breda O’Callaghan, Managing Director at KPMG Ireland, has been named the Ireland winner of the 2025 Microsoft Power Women Awards. This prestigious award shines a spotlight on exceptional female leaders within Microsoft's partner ecosystem across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) who are driving innovation and fostering inclusivity.

The Microsoft Power Women Awards have become a key initiative for celebrating and elevating the achievements of women in the tech industry. This year, 20 winners were chosen from an impressive pool of 368 nominations across 20 countries and regions, each highlighting remarkable stories of leadership, innovation, and impact. The program not only recognizes current leaders but also invests in their future growth by inviting winners to participate in the Microsoft Women's Leadership Program at the renowned INSEAD Business School.

A Champion for Digital Transformation and Inclusion

As the leader of KPMG's Technology practice, Breda O’Callaghan has over 20 years of experience in delivering complex IT and business transformation programs for clients across various industries, including financial services, public sector, and telecommunications. Her work involves guiding organizations through large-scale projects, from developing IT strategy to implementing technology solutions that support critical business functions. Colleagues and industry leaders recognize her for her deep technical expertise and her ability to build high-performing teams, making her a trusted leader in driving innovation.

Beyond her professional achievements in digital transformation, O'Callaghan is a passionate advocate for women in technology. She founded KPMG's Women in Technology initiative and leads the firm's gender equity program, which supports women at every stage of their consulting careers. Her dedication to building a more inclusive industry is further demonstrated through her grassroots efforts in STEM recruitment and her sponsorship of the 2024 TechFoundHer Innovation Labs, which supported 35 female tech entrepreneurs.

Recognition of Impactful Leadership

Clare Hillis, Commercial Partner Lead at Microsoft Ireland, praised O'Callaghan for her "track record on delivering complex transformation projects for customers across Ireland and for her unwavering passion in supporting women in technology." Hillis noted the impressive number of impactful initiatives O'Callaghan has led, which have contributed to creating a more innovative and inclusive industry for everyone.

In accepting the award, O’Callaghan expressed her pride in the recognition from Microsoft. "Working in and advocating for women in tech has always been a passion and driving force in my career, and this award is a meaningful reminder of why that work matters," she stated. She emphasized that the recognition fuels her commitment to continue pushing for progress and building a future where all women feel empowered to lead and innovate in the tech sector.

The Broader Significance of the Power Women Awards

The Microsoft Power Women Awards align with a growing understanding in the technology industry that diversity and inclusion are crucial drivers of innovation. Studies have shown that companies with more gender-diverse leadership teams are more likely to outperform their competitors in creativity and customer satisfaction. By spotlighting and supporting leaders like Breda O'Callaghan, Microsoft aims to inspire the next generation of female tech talent and address the gender gap in STEM fields. Currently, women hold only a fraction of leadership roles in STEM-related positions, a statistic Microsoft and its partners are actively working to change.

Breda O'Callaghan's win is a testament to her individual contributions and a powerful symbol of the positive change that dedicated and inclusive leadership can bring to the technology landscape. Her work at the intersection of technological innovation and gender equality sets a standard for the industry and inspires a more diverse and equitable future.