Pat O’Donnell

Pat O’Donnell is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Principal Connections. Previously, a Consultant with a global professional services plc, Mr O’Donnell has operated within the executive search industry for the majority of his career.

Mr O’Donnell holds extensive expertise in conducting C-level executive search assignments across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors in Ireland and internationally. He is known as a leading authority and trusted advisor to domestic and international client organisations in all phases of development and change and is especially talented at transitioning elite candidates from the global market. Mr O’Donnell is also noted for his exceptional understanding of board room dynamics.

During his tenure, Mr O’Donnell has led the firm to be named ‘Best in Practice’ for its executive search services at the National Recruitment Federation Awards as well as achieve the award of ‘Business All-Star’ accreditation from the All-Ireland Business Foundation.

Between 2014 and 2018, Mr O’Donnell served as a Voluntary Board Director of Galway Simon Community, a registered charity dedicated to the provision of housing, support and healthcare services to the homeless in the West of Ireland.

Mr O’Donnell holds’ an Honours undergraduate Law Degree from the National University of Ireland Galway, a Master’s Degree in Commercial Law from University College Dublin’s School of Law and a Diploma in Human Resource Management from the National College of Ireland amongst other academic accolades. He is Certified Level A and B by the British Psychological Society as well as a Certified Hogan and EQi Assessments Practitioner which he utilises in the assessment of top line management and executive teams.