Cathy O’Dowd

Cathy O’Dowd is an acclaimed female motivational speaker known for her trailblazing achievements in mountaineering and her powerful storytelling. As the first woman to summit Mount Everest from both its south and north sides, her story is one of grit, perseverance, and daring ambition. Audiences around the world are drawn to her not only for her exceptional adventures but also for the way she translates these into compelling life lessons. Cathy is hired as a speaker for her ability to inspire individuals and teams to push boundaries, embrace challenges, and lead with courage and purpose.

Her journey began in academia, serving as a junior lecturer at Rhodes University in South Africa while completing a master’s degree in journalism. Towards the end of 1995, Cathy applied for and secured a place on the First South African Everest Expedition – an opportunity that launched her mountaineering career. In 1996, she became the first woman to reach Everest’s summit via the south side, and by 1999, she had successfully conquered the north side as well, a feat that made her a global icon. Her daring continued with a dog-sled expedition in the Norwegian Arctic in 2004 and climbing Lhotse, the world’s fourth highest mountain, in 2000.

In recent years, Cathy has continued to embrace physical challenges and social causes alike. She has kayaked in Sweden and Norway, explored the dramatic canyons of Utah, and gone canyoning in Switzerland. She published “Just For The Love Of It” in 2014 and has co-founded and led numerous charitable initiatives, including the Voice of Women Foundation and Rwenzori Women for Health. As a co-founder of Mitra Music for Nepal, she extends her impact beyond adventure into cultural and humanitarian realms. Her expertise and leadership in extreme environments have also earned her a place as a Patron on the Extreme Medicine Advisory Panel.

Cathy is sought after as a speaker not only because of her unique accomplishments but because of the way she brings them to life for her audience. Her talks are more than stories of daring climbs – they are deeply human narratives about risk, resilience, and teamwork. With over 28 years of experience speaking in 47 countries across six continents, she has earned the trust of global companies seeking to motivate and energise their people.