Jade Gallagher, Glasgow 2026: “Why I Wanted to Be in the Driver’s Seat of the Most Inclusive Games Ever.”
In the spirit of the 2026 International Women’s Day’s theme, Give to Gain, we sat down with Chief Operating Officer Jade Gallagher to talk about her journey from Glasgow 2014 to Glasgow 2026, the importance of being authentically yourself, nurturing your network and the legacy she hopes these Games will create for women in major events.
A Career Built on Glasgow’s Biggest Moments
Jade Gallagher joined Glasgow 2026 in January 2025, right at the moment the Organising Company Executive Team was being formed. For her, it represented the culmination of everything she’d worked towards in her career.
“From the outset, I knew I wanted to be in the driver's seat of this model of Games,” she says. “Creating the most sustainable, financially viable, fit-for-purpose Games yet, just felt like the right next step.”
For Jade, major events and Glasgow have always gone hand-in-hand. She has played leading roles at some of the city’s most significant global events: UCI World Cycling Championships, COP26, London 2012 and, most recently, serving as Championship Director for the World Indoor Athletics Championships in 2024.
Her journey began at Glasgow Caledonian University, where she studied Entertainment and Events Management. A student placement in 2010 saw her working as Production Coordinator for the Flag Handover Ceremony at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, an experience that ignited her determination to be part of Glasgow 2014.
And when 2014 arrived, she threw herself in fully.
“It was the first time I’d worked with an Organising Committee,” she explains. “I was suddenly in planning meetings with 40 to 50 people, all speaking this language of major event delivery. It’s what really gave me an awareness of the bigger picture and that’s what’s so special about major events, it’s everyone working towards the same goal.”
Finding Confidence and Community
Glasgow 2014 also shaped Jade personally.
“Working in the same city for a long time, early in my career I sometimes wondered whether my skills stood up against those who’d worked all over the world,” she reflects. They did, that became my specialism and that’s where mentors became crucial.
“I’ve been very lucky to have some solid, consistent mentors throughout my career that have helped me build on that confidence and have been surrounded by highly resilient, driven females that have made their mark in the events industry.”
Now, Jade finds herself surrounded by women she admires across Glasgow 2026 and partner organisations. And she’s stepping into the mentor role for others.
Her advice?
“Be authentically yourself. Don’t feel you have to act the way others do, copy their leadership style, how they act in the office, how they dress or even how they structure their day. Being you is what got you to where you are so you should be proud of your own achievements.”
And above all, she believes in the power of networks.
“The world is small. Someone you meet today might reappear ten years down the line. Nurturing those relationships is key.”
Building a More Inclusive Industry
With Glasgow 2026 striving to become the most inclusive and accessible Games ever delivered, Jade is clear about the kind of change she wants to see ripple across the wider events industry.
For her, it begins with greater representation at every level. She believes the industry must move beyond simply increasing the number of women in senior roles and instead focus on building leadership teams that genuinely reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. That means welcoming people who look different, sound different and bring alternative lived experiences to the table. “The more diverse perspectives we have at the top,” Jade says, “the better our industry becomes.”
But representation alone isn’t enough. Jade is a strong advocate for evolving how the industry works day-to-day. She wants to see more inclusive working practices become the norm, whether that’s hybrid models, flexible structures or creating environments where a wider range of personalities and working styles can thrive. In her view, the traditional event industry mould has often favoured a narrow type of leader. Changing that mould opens the door for more people to see a place for themselves in major events.
Jade also highlights the crucial role of men in this shift. Throughout her career, she has benefitted from mentors who actively champion women, challenge biases and use their influence to create space at the top. She believes that kind of allyship needs to become more visible and more widespread. “It’s not just about women pushing for change,” she says. “It’s about men helping dismantle the barriers too. Inclusive leadership has to be a collective effort.”
Thoughts for the Future
When Jade looks ahead to what Glasgow 2026 can mean for women in the major events industry, she wants Glasgow 2026 to be remembered for shifting expectations around what an Organising Company can look like. By forming an Executive team and wider workforce whose gender profile more accurately reflects society, Jade hopes this becomes an example that others follow. A new norm rather than a rare achievement.
Above all, she hopes the culture created within Glasgow 2026 becomes part of its enduring impact. “Culture outlasts events,” she says. “If we create a collaborative, empowering environment now, that becomes part of Glasgow’s legacy long after 2026.”
As for what comes next for her personally? Jade laughs and says, “A holiday!” After progressing through her career at a rapid pace, she’s looking forward to pausing, taking stock and rediscovering what motivates her most. When the time comes, she hopes to apply her skills and experience to other major events around the world - continuing to champion inclusion wherever she goes.
