Press Release
September 1, 2025 • 2 min read
After seven years leading GOAL, CEO Siobhan Walsh shares her reflections on service, resilience, and hope in the humanitarian sector, while looking ahead to the organisation’s next chapter.
Siobhan Walsh proudly led GOAL as CEO, from 2018 – 2025
Every CEO eventually faces a defining moment: knowing when it’s time to end their season and pass the torch. As I reflect on my seven years of service, I know in my heart—it’s time.
Leadership is never permanent. It’s a season of service—some are for planting, others for harvesting, and some for rebuilding after storms. In the humanitarian sector, storms are a constant. At times, there are no words to capture the scale and complexity of the crises faced by families and communities—and by the humanitarian workers who respond with tireless dedication.
Leaving an organisation with such a powerful mission, remarkable people, and steadfast supporters is not easy. Leading GOAL has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. And while the word privilege can sometimes feel overused, I mean it in the truest sense—it has been a profound honour to serve alongside the phenomenal global GOAL team in pursuit of a mission that is more vital than ever.
“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – the powerful words of Desmond Tutu. Now more than ever, we must build bridges of compassion, generosity, and hope.
Every day, GOAL’s mission is to bring hope, dignity, and opportunity to those who need it most. I want to pay tribute to our extraordinary humanitarian teams across Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. They work in some of the world’s most fragile and volatile environments. And yet, against the odds, they continue to change lives in deeply meaningful ways. It is lifesaving, life-changing work. Last year alone, we reached over 12 million people.
I also want to recognise the incredible teams who support our global operations from Ireland, the UK, and the US. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it is no less vital—especially as they navigate ever-changing needs and challenges.
Of course, none of this would be possible without the generosity of our donors and supporters. You are the fuel behind this mission. I encourage you to read GOAL’s 2024 Annual Report to see the depth and breadth of the impact you make possible. Thank you for your unwavering support.
We are living through a time of unprecedented change in the humanitarian sector. The challenges are immense, the funding landscape is under pressure, and the needs are growing. But this is not a time to retreat—it is a time to lean in. And that is exactly what GOAL is doing.
I leave this role with deep gratitude. With the continued support of our loyal community, I am confident that GOAL will continue to do extraordinary things to improve the state of our world.
The search for a new CEO is well underway, stewarded by our Board, supported by PwC. During this period, the Board has appointed Jennifer Farrelly as Interim CEO.
