Dear Keira, thank you accepting the invitation. Before we start the interview, please, tell us few words about yourself.

I’m Keira Keogh, a Teachta Dála (Member of Parliament) for Mayo in Ireland. My journey with JCI began in 2013, and it became one of the most transformative experiences of my life. Highlights along the way include becoming World Debating Champion in 2016 alongside my team, graduating from the prestigious JCI Academy in Japan in 2018, and serving as International Vice President assigned to the Nordics in 2022. But more than the titles, JCI gave me something far greater — lifelong friends, the courage to embrace opportunities, and the belief that ordinary people can do extraordinary things when they accept the challenge.

At my core, I am passionate about helping people achieve things they never thought possible. For nearly two decades I worked with neurodiverse children and their families as a behaviour consultant, and today, as a legislator, I continue that same mission on a wider stage; working every day to advance the Sustainable Development Goals and ensure communities have a voice at the heart of decision-making.

I believe in hard work, fairness, and service to others. My friends and family are my anchor, keeping me grounded as I navigate politics. For me, leadership is about responsibility, leading by example, and earning the trust that others have placed in you. If I could describe what JCI has meant to me in one sentence, it would be this: when you introduce someone to JCI, you give them the greatest gift, the chance to discover their true potential.

Q: What does the word “leadership” mean to you personally?

For me, leadership is first and foremost about responsibility. It’s not about titles or positions, but about earning the trust others have placed in you and leading by example. True leadership is about showing up consistently, doing the hard work, and creating space for others to succeed. It’s a mindset of service, where you put the needs of others before yourself and accept the responsibility to guide, inspire, and protect.

Q: What core values guide you as a leader? How do you ensure your actions align with these principles?

My values are my compass, and they guide every decision I make. Hard work, fairness, and a strong sense of justice are central to who I am. That means making decisions with integrity, even when they are difficult or unpopular, and surrounding myself with people who will challenge me if I stray from those values.

Q: Beyond professional goals, what is your personal “why”?

My “why” has always been rooted in service to others. Growing up in my family’s hospitality business, I learned early that caring for others is the key to building community. My parents taught me that kindness and genuine interest in people makes everyone a winner. That same lesson carried through my 20 years working with neurodiverse children, where I saw daily how belief and encouragement could transform lives. In JCI, I passed this on, urging others to “accept the challenge” and discover their own potential. At every stage of my life, my “why” has been to unlock possibilities for others. Imagine my surprise when within the JCI values I found the phrase “service to humanity is the best work of life”.

Q: What are the most difficult or important decisions you face as a leader in your community?

The hardest part is prioritizing time. Politics can feel relentless, with so many people and causes competing for attention. It’s easy to be busy but not productive. The real challenge is to focus on the things that truly make change happen, even when progress is slow. That requires patience, persistence, and sometimes the courage to say no, so you can say yes to what matters most.

Leadership in Action & Practice

Q: How did you decide to enter politics, and did JCI play a role?

JCI was the springboard. After ten years of growing as a leader within the organisation, I began to think about public service more formally. I had imagined continuing in JCI leadership until 40, but that changed when a TOYP winner and MEP encouraged me to run. With her guidance, I met with political mentors, and suddenly doors began to open. Every skill I had learned in JCI came into play — public speaking, networking, event management, social media, team building etc. The transition felt natural because JCI had prepared me so well.

Q: What lessons from JCI have been most valuable in shaping your political career?

The greatest lesson was simple but profound: Accept the Challenge. The mentors who believed in me before I believed in myself taught me to say yes, even when I was scared or uncertain. That habit of leaning into opportunities and trusting that you’ll figure it out has shaped my political journey. Every challenge that once felt daunting has become the foundation for the next.

Q: Politics often comes with public scrutiny. How do you maintain resilience and authenticity?

Resilience for me comes from two places: my family and my own inner standards. I live by the motto that if I can look in the mirror and say I did my best with the tools I had that day, that is enough. You cannot rely on external praise in politics; you must be self-driven and find fulfillment in helping others. At times, stepping back from social media is necessary when criticism turns cruel, but even then, I use that experience to fuel my work on trying to make the online world safer especially for the younger generation.

Q: How do you balance representing diverse voices while staying true to your values?

JCI prepared me for this. Working alongside people of many cultures taught me compassion and perspective. At JCI Academy in Japan, I saw firsthand how listening deeply builds understanding even when you don’t speak the same language. In politics, I try to do the same: listen without judgment, use my psychology background to understand people’s motivations, and stay grounded in my values of fairness and respect. My vision may guide me, but it is shaped and sharpened by the voices of my community.

The JCI Impact – Forging a Leader

Q: Why did you join JCI, and what lesson defined your first year?

I joined to give back to my community; but what I received was life-changing. The defining lesson was to Accept the Challenge. That first year, mentors encouraged me to take steps that terrified me: reading a speaker’s bio aloud, starting social media for my business, leading a small project etc. Each time I realised “nothing bad happened,” a new light switched on inside me. That year awakened my potential and set me on a path of leadership I never imagined.

Q: Can you share a specific JCI project that was a turning point?

Coordinating the TOYP (Ten Outstanding Young Persons) awards was pivotal. It was my first major national project. It required delegation across the country, pitching for corporate sponsorship, and managing a team. On awards night, seeing the pride of winners, their families, and our members was unforgettable. And when Ireland produced a world winner that year, it was the cherry on top. That project taught me how leadership can multiply impact far beyond yourself.

Q: What was your path to leadership within JCI? What motivated you?

At first, I took on roles simply because they were needed. But over time, responsibility gave way to ambition and belief. Each role — big or small — brought a sense of pride, and a new step on the growth journey. My motivation was always rooted in service, but JCI showed me I could also inspire others.

Q: Looking back, would you do anything differently?

Only one thing: I would have joined sooner.

Final Advice to Young People, Especially Women, Considering Politics

My advice is what has carried me through every step of my journey: Accept the Challenge. Even when you don’t know how, even when you are afraid. Success lies on the other side of fear, and you are capable of more than you think. Surround yourself with mentors and supporters. JCI gave me that, and you will find them here too! Let them guide you as you climb. And remember:then it is your turn to “give the gift of JCI” and graduate into the World of politics or business or other NGOs. It doesn’t matter where you end up as long as you are using your voice and your skills to leave this World in a better place than when we found it! 

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