Guest Speaker - 2025 Annual General Meeting
Dr. Christine O'Kelly is an accomplished Network Coordinator and strategic leader with a distinguished career spanning the community and voluntary sector and higher education for over 35 years. Since 2014, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the Age-Friendly University (AFU) initiative, developing and leading a global network of over 100 universities across Europe, North America, South America, Southeast Asia, and Australia. Her work has significantly contributed to fostering international collaboration and embedding age inclusivity in institutional frameworks.
Dr. O'Kelly's expertise encompasses organisational management, strategic planning, change leadership, conflict resolution, event coordination, capacity building, and the development of sustainable community university partnerships. She has a particular interest in institutional transformation, with a focus on promoting inclusive, age-friendly practices in higher education. Dr O'Kelly is a committed advocate of servant leadership, leading with empathy, purpose, and service to others.
She holds a Master’s degree in Community and Voluntary Leadership and a Doctorate in Education (Leadership). Her doctoral research, "The Influencing Factors and Process of Becoming and Remaining an Age-Friendly University," explores the institutional dynamics that support age inclusivity and leadership-level commitment to inclusive lifelong learning. A published author and sought-after consultant, she has contributed to both national and international publications, offering strategic insights and practical tools for institutions seeking to implement and sustain the AFU model. Her work bridges academic research and practical application, supporting policy development and systemic change.
Guided by values of social justice, intergenerational solidarity, and transformative leadership, she continues to champion the global integration of age-friendly principles in higher education, aiming to reshape the narrative around ageing and inclusion in academic
settings.
The 2025 YURA AGM will be held virtually via Zoom on Friday, November 21st at 10 a.m.