Speaker – Jo Berry CBE

Jo Berry CBE

Founder, Building Bridges for Peace
International Speaker | Bridge-Builder in a Divided World

About Jo

Jo Berry is an internationally respected peacebuilder, speaker, and the founder of Building Bridges for Peace. After the tragic loss of her father in a terrorist attack, Jo made the remarkable decision to meet Patrick Magee, the man responsible. Their ongoing dialogue has become a powerful symbol of reconciliation and has inspired people worldwide.

For over two decades, Jo has spoken to audiences across the globe—from corporate boardrooms to international conferences and community forums—sharing profound lessons on healing, empathy, and the courage to build bridges across divides.. In 2025, she was awarded a CBE for her services to peacebuilding and reconciliation.

Speaking Topics

From Tragedy to Transformation: My Journey of Reconciliation
Jo shares her extraordinary story of meeting the man responsible for her father’s death, offering profound lessons on healing, courage, and the power of dialogue to transform lives.

Building Bridges Across Divides: The Power of Dialogue
How open conversation and deep listening can break down barriers, resolve conflict, and create authentic connection across seemingly impossible divides.

Compassion and Empathy in a Polarised World
Exploring how empathy and compassion can reduce division and open pathways to reconciliation in personal, professional, and societal contexts.

Turning Conflict into Connection: Tools for Healing and Change
Practical strategies for transforming conflict—whether in workplaces, communities, or families—into opportunities for understanding and growth.

Courageous Leadership: Creating Cultures of Compassion
How leaders can build inclusion, compassion, and resilience in times of uncertainty and division.

Key Themes & Takeaways

Transforming adversity into purpose and resilience
Humanising “the other” and dismantling stereotypes
Practical peacebuilding and conflict resolution tools
Leading with empathy and courage
Finding hope and healing after loss

Ideal Audiences

Conferences & keynote events
Corporate leadership teams and organisations
Universities and schools
NGOs and peacebuilding initiatives
Interfaith and community groups

Why Book Jo Berry

Jo Berry brings a rare combination of authenticity, emotional depth, and practical wisdom. Her story is not only inspiring but also transformative—leaving audiences with new perspectives on forgiveness, leadership, and what it means to truly build peace.

Testimonials

Danielle Murphy

Director of Global Events, PRCA

Jo delivered a compelling and thought-provoking session at our flagship conference for PR and communication professionals, and her powerful story and message of reconciliation deeply resonated with attendees. Her ability to translate personal experience into universal lessons on trust and compassion is truly inspiring. I would highly recommend Jo to anyone looking for a speaker who can move, challenge, and inspire an audience to see the power of empathy in action.

Emma Duke

Communications Consultant | Coach | Chair | Trainer

I attended a talk that Jo gave, as part of a bigger conference. I was running a few minutes late and as soon as I entered the hall I could feel the hushed silence and attention that her words had created in that space. That silence extended throughout her talk as the audience (including myself) were totally wrapped up in what she was saying.

The Rt Revd Dr Stephen Platten

Jo Berry, has been a tireless campaigner for peace and reconciliation. Her campaign is rooted in forgiveness and empathy, and her contribution to Berwick Literary Festival, focused on these twin themes. Her conversation with Sarah Vaughan was powerful and moving, and combined with her own life story and response to the tragic death of her father had an impact on all who were there. Jo’s continuing to commitment to this work offers real opportunities to transform our world, still wracked with anger, brutality and conflict. Any support we can offer to Jo in her work and continuing campaign can make its own contribution to a more empathetic and reconciled world.

High Impact Motivational Speaker

I was so wrong about Jo….

Having met her a few times socially I assumed that Jo was a nice person, well intentioned, and a half decent speaker. I was wrong.
Having just seen Jo receive a heartfelt standing ovation at a global conference for professional speakers (a tough gig I assure you) I was truly blown away by her dignity, charisma, ability to engage and move an audience on what is a difficult subject.
Jo Berry is not a decent speaker.
She is outstanding!

TedX Speaker | People Expert | Business Speaker

You could hear a pin drop, as I looked around the room, silence! Jo had the audience – every single ear was fixed on every single word! As she retold the story, I felt I was there, the goosebumps rose on my arms and at one point the tears rolled out of my eyes and down my cheeks. THIS is one story you need to hear. The WORLD needs to hear and the WORLD needs to heel, one relationship at a time.I have never seen a room rise to their feet so quickly with such an extended round of applause – absolutely amazing, wonderfully warm and peacefully personal ♥️

Author, Speaker, Mentor, Trainer and Podcast Host

Jo spoke at the Global Speakers Summit in Dublin in October 2022.It’s not an easy talk to give – a room full of speakers who are not just listening to your message but observing your stagecraft and skills. But Jo held the room absolutely transfixed as she shared the story of her journey, the setbacks and opposition she faced and the lessons she learned.It was a beautifully crafted speech and delivered with a steady passion that drew everyone in. Jo carried everybody with her. Most importantly, she challenged me and got me to look at the conflict in my own life and how I handle it. It’s not enough to be an engaging speaker, you want your audience to go away and challenge themselves too.