An interview with our new CEO

We recently shared the exciting news that we have appointed Deirdre Duffy to be our new CEO, effective from August 25th 2025. You can read more about Deirdre's appointment here. We’re also delighted to bring you an interview with Deirdre below, where she tells us about her background and life growing up, shares some insights from her impressive career to date and introduces us to her dog Biscuit and her love of travelling by bike.  Enjoy the read!

Hello Deirdre. 

Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your campaigning background? 

I’ve been campaigning now for over twenty years including three successful referendum campaigns. Even before I did my law degree at UCC (a long time ago!) I was always interested in development work and social justice. Then I found international human rights law and that has been my path ever since. I qualified as a barrister and did further studies on human rights politics as well. 

Over the years I’ve been lucky and happy to work in different places like the Scottish government, Oireachtas and in philanthropy, so not always NGOs. It was a great opportunity to develop my skills and broaden my perspective but also because I believe positive climate frameworks and a human rights approach should be embedded everywhere – in policies and practice. 

What did you want to be growing up? 

A vet. But my dog Biscuit looks skeptical at the thought of that – I’m not sure I would make a good one! 

Where did you grow up? 

I’m from Ballincollig in Cork. When I was growing up we were a country town but now we are within city bounds and a suburb. My parents are post-war children from rural Ireland (Monaghan and Kerry). So, we were definitely country mice including a bit of turf cutting and lots of time at the beaches in Cork and Kerry. Luckily, I had plentiful access to nature and free play with fewer cars in the area and a strong sense of community. 

These days, my favorite way to get to Ballincollig is to cycle my bike from my home in Cabra to Heuston – pop it on the train (for free) – and then cycle out the fabulous cycle lanes in Cork city out the road to Ballincollig. It definitely feels weird to leave home on my bicycle to go back to Dublin.

When did the climate crisis first become personally important to you?

I’ve always loved and appreciated nature. We are privileged here on this small island to have access to clean air and the sea. Growing up, climate breakdown felt like an issue to be solved by scientists and environmentalists. I couldn’t see the human being at the center of it all. Then I discovered research internationally on human rights and climate and it made sense. Fridays for Future really brought home to me my own responsibility to take every and all serious action I can on climate for us now and for the next generations. 

I’m particularly interested in the role that communities have in leading climate action. My current role (before I join Friends of the Earth in August) has given me the opportunity to work with communities across the country and particularly in Dublin 7, Co. Kerry, and as far afield as Turkey. 

What’s your vision for Friends of the Earth? 

The Friends of the Earth movement has always been committed to structural transformation rather than short-term tweaks. As incoming CEO I will prioritise climate justice and deepening democratic engagement drawing on my human rights experience. All the while living our core values of courage and collaboration, we will continue our work as a team which builds the alternative future, growing and amplifying the movement for change. 

If you could wave a wand to change one thing about the world, what would you change?

Every climate and human rights treaty, law and policy would be implemented instantly, and completely. 

I need another wave of the wand...just in case! We must ensure that all people across the globe are living safe lives with dignity and all social essentials like shelter, healthcare and a healthy environment. 

What achievement are you proudest of?

Being a part of Together for Yes was amazing and is definitely a highlight. I reflected afterwards how tough and difficult the campaign was, how mentally draining the decision making was and how relationships became emotionally fraught. My main memory though is a sense of joy throughout those days. This I concluded was due to the people, the purpose and the hope. No matter how tough the day is, when you campaign alongside an amazing diverse group of people with a shared purpose and are driven by hope, you can achieve anything and keep on going…. 

If you could go back in time, and do something differently, what might that be? 

I’ve been lucky to have professional and personal opportunities in life. I have always tried to make the most of them to achieve social change. Sometimes this hasn’t worked out. Despite this I still think we need to imagine different and new ways to deliver lasting changes even if this means taking on tough challenges. 

The world is going through a lot of turmoil at present. Are there reasons to still be hopeful?

Always. The Friends of the Earth movement is one. As Naomi Klein says, “Hope has never trickled down, it has always sprung up.”

Campaigning for change and speaking truth to power can be stressful - we see quite a bit of burnout in the climate movement. You’ve been advocating for change for over two decades. What’s your secret to be able to keep going for this long? 

Building a culture that values personal boundaries and encourages joy is, I think, the best way to campaign and the most effective buffer to burn out. For all of us who care for others in our lives – kids, family or neighbours – we know that minding yourself is important when you are caring for others. The same goes with campaigns. Needing a break or just doing what you can is spot on. We need everyone if we are going to change everything (Greta). 

Any final thoughts that you’d like to share?

I’ve just finished reading Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. I’ve always loved this writing from her in one of her books, Half of a Yellow Sun:

“She felt a sense that things were in order, the way they were meant to be, and that even if they tumbled down once in a while, in the end they would come back together again.”

Something to remember when campaigning for change.