“A unique combination of brilliant strategy, deep compassion and get-it-done energy”
about jean callanan
Jean Callanan is an international advocate for dying well. During five years as Chair of the Irish Hospice Foundation, she's championed the belief that every death matters and dying well should be within everyone's reach.
Drawing from her own experience of accompanying her parents through their final journeys, added to 20+ years of strategic leadership in international business, Jean brings her skills together to convene influencers and create conversations that drive change – advocating for better access to human comforts at the end of life.
Jean has a special passion for palliative care in Africa, where 90% of people lack access to basic end of life care. Her connection to the continent runs deep: her grandmother was an Irish doctor who became a nun and dedicated her life to healthcare in Africa. Following in those footsteps, Jean has been working on various projects to improve palliative care access in Africa – recognising that while choices may be limited, dignity and basic comfort never should be.
She’s a regular commentator on RTÉ and in Irish media, helping families navigate difficult conversations with practical wisdom and gentle humour. Her approach is refreshingly down-to-earth: death is as natural as birth, and talking about it openly is one of the greatest gifts we can give those we love.
