Invitation-only Member of Forbes Communications Council at Forbes Councils for senior-level Marketing and Communications executives.
Mother Teresa Interview
In 1997, Marie O'Riordan had the honour of conducting the final interview with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mother Teresa, also recognised as Saint Teresa of Calcutta. The interview took place at Mother Teresa's residence in Calcutta, India, during Marie's production of a radio documentary that explored the impact of Irish individuals on the lives of those in the city's densely populated slums. This experience in the developing world profoundly influenced Marie, inspiring her to volunteer in similar communities across various developing countries. Her interaction with Mother Teresa and the people she served deepened Marie's commitment to social justice and human rights.
Early Life
From her early childhood, Marie O'Riordan's extraordinary talents were evident. Her family noticed her exceptional problem-solving skills when she was just ten months old. By her preschool years, Marie demonstrated an impressive photographic memory, absorbing vast amounts of information from adult and children's encyclopaedias, telephone directories, license plates, quizzes, and film trivia. A distinguished professor from a top-tier School of Medicine, captivated by Marie's abilities, described her as possessing "massive Savant skills. I have never met anyone as talented as her before. The IQ is extremely high." He remarked that Marie would have been better suited to a university programme for gifted youths at five rather than a regular primary school.
Marie continues to collaborate with medical researchers from elite universities worldwide, advancing the fields of Cognitive Psychology, Neuroscience, and Memory Disorders. She has agreed with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland that, after her death, her body will be used for medical education and research. In the meantime, she is determined to live life to the fullest.
Media Career
Marie O'Riordan is an accomplished media professional with over fifteen years of extensive experience in roles ranging from Broadcast News Journalist and Presenter to Senior Producer. Her foray into national and local radio began at the tender age of thirteen, and over the subsequent six years, she honed her craft. By fourteen, Marie had expanded her skill set to national television. A year later, her talent was recognised on national TV when she received an award for a short film sponsored by Sony.
Fuelled by a deep-rooted passion for media, Marie pursued studies in Media Techniques: Journalism and Radio and Public Administration at a private college and Business School. In 2019, she completed a Journalism course at the University of Cambridge.
With an international media career spanning over three decades, Marie has established a reputation as a seasoned expert in journalism and media production. Her career path and academic achievements testify to her commitment to excellence and her ability to navigate and flourish in the ever-evolving media world.
Further Background
Marie is committed to supporting marginalised communities, including women, minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, those on the Autism Spectrum, individuals with unique personality traits, Migraineurs, and women community leaders in Africa. Her dedication to volunteerism and philanthropy was ignited after the loss of two family members, aged two and four. This personal tragedy spurred her to embark on humanitarian missions worldwide. Her efforts have been recognised with numerous honours, most notably an international humanitarian award in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for her philanthropic projects in Africa.
International Speaker
Marie has extensive expertise in delivering presentations on Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Branding, Media, Journalism, Investigative Journalism, Success Psychology, and Diversity and Inclusion. She has delivered keynote speeches on international platforms across five continents and has served as a guest lecturer at numerous universities and organisations worldwide.
Career Milestones
In corporate consulting, Marie's name shines brightly. From 2009 to 2017, she became an asset to twenty-nine Fortune 500 companies, interfacing directly with C-suite executives, from Chairpersons to Presidents and CEOs.
2014 marked a standout moment when Marie consulted for NASA, achieving a professional milestone.
Brexit was another domain Marie navigated adeptly. In 2016, she spent 20 days in London, assisting FTSE 250 companies in deciphering its complexities.
Beyond the boardrooms, her expertise extended into sports. Marie's eight-year study on how Olympic athletes communicate was featured in Entrepreneur magazine during the 2016 Rio Games and was discussed by an Olympian on NBC's The Olympics.
