Joanne Hession

Joanne Hession is a visionary leadership expert and social entrepreneur, driving grassroots-led cultural change in Ireland through values-based leadership.

A graduate of University College Dublin (BComm and MBS), Joanne began her career with EY in audit and later with UCD’s Smurfit Business School. At 27, following over a year volunteering in Rwandan refugee camps after the genocide against the Tutsi population, she founded two impactful businesses: The Entrepreneurs Academy, supporting thousands of Irish entrepreneurs, and QED The Accreditation Experts, a global consultancy working with leading business schools in more than 20 countries.

In 2018, Joanne founded LIFT Ireland, a national, award-winning social enterprise dedicated to raising the standard of leadership across the country – from the ground up. LIFT (which stands for "Leading Ireland’s Future Together") is now Ireland’s most inclusive leadership initiative, having engaged over 135,000 people in all sectors and age groups through its signature peer-led roundtable process.

Joanne is a TEDx speaker (Legacy: Remembering to be a Good Human) and co-author of the bestselling book Don’t Get a Job, Build a Business. Her work has been featured in Forbes and The New York Times, and in 2019, she received the International Award for Equipping Others from renowned leadership expert Dr. John Maxwell – who later profiled Joanne in his bestselling book The 16 Undeniable Laws of Communication, writing:

“Joanne has not only a head for business but a heart for people.”

Her ability to turn vision into action has inspired leadership transformation in schools, prisons, boardrooms, sports clubs, and communities across Ireland.

Respected for her authenticity, passion and determination, Joanne’s unique leadership style combines deep business acumen with a lifelong commitment to human potential. Through LIFT, she is building a movement – equipping people of all ages and backgrounds to lead with integrity, respect and resilience in their everyday lives.