“Jon O’Brien is one of the sharpest, strategic brains I know when it comes to communications and advocacy. His agenda-setting skills are renowned, as is his facilitation and training skills. That he also has a great sense of humor, makes the collaboration even more enjoyable.”

— Katja Iversen, executive adviser, author, and advocate (Denmark)

“Working on a film with Jon O'Brien was a joy. He's whip-smart, good at corralling other people's ideas to make them more accessible, and can balance frankness with due sensitivity when handling difficult topics.”

— Sandy Starr, deputy director of Progress Educational Trust (United Kingdom)


“Since 2003 I have worked with Jon all over the world. It has always been a pleasure. I admire his professionalism and speed of mind. His enthusiasm is contagious. With his open mind, and his entertaining and lively character, he is always an asset to any team. Highly recommended.”

— Mark Aardenburg, MovieTron (The Netherlands)

“For me, the depth of Jon’s experience in advocacy, communication and campaigns from working in countless contexts, scenarios or environments around the world, enabled him to give us insights not just based on data and studies, but through lived-experience. In our case, fighting for sexual and reproductive health rights under a very influential Catholic hierarchy was hostile territory. But Jon’s training and mentoring made us more focused in our campaign and more confident in our messaging. [These are] skills that we still use to this day even when we were able to pass our Reproductive Health Law.”

— Ms. Chi Laigo Vallido, co-founder/managing partner of Women Writing Women (The Phillipines)

“Jon is a gifted leader who's been practicing cultural competence since before the term was coined. I've had the honor of working with him in four very different socio-political environments (Poland, United Kingdom, United States, Ireland), in addition to studying his work with African nations and in Latin America. His focus throughout is on supporting personal empowerment and infrastructure development appropriate to the stated needs and values of his clients and colleagues. His integrity and curiosity serve him well in this mission. In wholeheartedly recommending him to you, I can only look forward to our next project together - whatever and wherever that may be! “

— Ruth Riddick, certified addiction recovery coach & trainer (United States)

“Jon’s engagement with Family Planning NSW goes as far back as 2006 in the initial development of our strategy to increase access to sexual and reproductive health clinical services and rights in Australia. Bringing the whole of the organisation together he set the scene for expanding our vision and being more inclusive in the services we provide. He provided guidance around international mechanisms for engagement (we now have achieved ECOSOC status at the UN) and inspired others to have the courage of their convictions, engage in constructive and fulsome advocacy approaches in partnership with others, and translate the successes of this into tangible services for those in need. It has been an immensely rewarding, if not challenging, journey and it’s great to know there are others such as Jon out there who are leaders and advocates and who can truly see the wood for the trees. Jon’s vision, intelligence and clarity, quiet determination and communication skills are all add to the value he can bring to removing roadblocks and charting a courageous path forward.I recommend him to you.”

— Ann Brassil, adjunct professor and CEO of Family Planning NSW (Australia)


“Jon O’Brien worked in Kenya to provide Values Clarification Training, communication and advocacy training for a large number of Civil Society Organizations. He was eloquent and clear when delivering the messages during the trainings. He also supported advocacy campaigns on Sexual and Reproductive Health and we benefited from reading his well-researched articles and his magazine was a very helpful education tool for us to read and use as reference materials. As a result of his support, most of our organizations have conducted successful advocacy to support the Ministry of Health [and] develop policies and guidelines in support of women’s health in Kenya. We highly rate Jon’s professional approach to Communications and Advocacy Training and we recommend him to any potential client.”

— Dr John Nyamu, executive director of Reproductive and Maternal Health Consortium (Kenya)

“Over the last decade, Jon O’Brien has undertaken many projects with BPAS, working with both the Board of Trustees and members of staff at all levels, exploring their ideas and concerns about challenging projects. He has an unparalleled skill in assisting individuals to dig deep into their own views and values and to hear and respond to those of others.”

— Ann Furedi, former CEO of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (United Kingdom)

“Jon O’Brien has a perceptive, incisive intellect and ability to get right to the heart of a complex matter. He is exceptionally skilled at crafting clear, concise and compassionate communications that resonate with the audience. The media communications workshop Jon O’Brien led was highly valuable for those of us participating. Fifteen years later, I still benefit from what I learned there.

— Karen Hoen, consultant (Belgium)

“Jon is one of the rare people I have known that can relate with people of all backgrounds. His extensive knowledge of cultural and religious issues, his understanding of the challenges of development, ability to communicate with ease what seem to be highly complex issues are qualities that I have always admired in him.

— Sahlu Haile, former head of the Packard Foundation in Africa (Ethiopia)

“Jon O'Brien challenges you in a supportive way to take a critical look at your own thinking, so that you notice your own thinking errors. You learn to look at your own way of communicating, you become aware of moments when you use platitudes or empty phrases. The result is that communication reaches a deeper level and goes beyond the obvious. He is never pedantic and does not give simplistic advice, but helps you look in the mirror and gain insight into clear communication. On top of that, it is fun to work with him!”

— Carine Vrancken, Luna Clinics (Belgium)

“I've known Jon for over 30 years as our work for organizations advocating for women's reproductive and sexual rights moved in tandem. From the start, he was a smart, strategic, and creative thinker who insisted on applying an intellectual lens to all of his communications and management work. Talking through a campaign or project with Jon could go for hours as he put all of his energy into finding the very best solutions to all challenges. He is a great talker but also a thoughtful listener. And the very best part is having a drink with him after.”

— Tamar Abrams, writer and consultant (United States)

“Jon O’Brien es una persona de convicciones y compromisos por la libertad y los derechos humanos, en particular de las mujeres. Cuando nos conocimos en Chile su apoyo sostenido fue fundamental para la dura lucha que estábamos dando por el derecho a decidir de las mujeres en mi país. Sus invaluables enseñanzas estratégicas fueron claves para el éxito que logramos. Personas como él son las que necesitamos para seguir cambiando el mundo y hacerlo un lugar mejor para los seres humanos y los seres vivientes de este planeta.”

— Claudia Dides, movement leader for law reform (Chile)

“I have known Jon O’ Brien for over a decade and have been involved in multiple initiatives and projects that Jon pulled together. One of the first things he invited me to was a meeting of legislators and advocates in Washington to discuss US abortion policy. I was invited on account of my expert knowledge of fetal pain. The same topic was also addressed for my last collaboration with Jon, a film shot in Amsterdam to consider abortion issues and policy. Jon is fantastically aware that no argument is ever finished, there will always be new findings and changes in thinking to consider. This was demonstrated when I floated to Jon that I was reconsidering my position on fetal pain three years or so ago. Jon was highly supportive, read the materials I sent, and encouraged me to publish my findings. Jon’s commitment to open debate and the pursuit of understanding is unflinching and diverse. Jon has involved me in events discussing issues of conscience and autonomy, and has published work from me examining the impact of new technologies on pregnancy and the potential for sex differences in brain structure and thought. It has been a privilege to know and work with Jon O’ Brien for these years, he is a highly effective communicator, an excellent organiser, innovative, and deeply thoughtful in everything he approaches.”

— Stuart WG Derbyshire, Department of Psychology, National University of Singapore (Singapore)

“I have had the privilege to work with Jon on many occasions - on public-facing events, editorial work and training workshops. In May 2017, Jon invited me to join a training weekend in Madrid for pro-choice activists. It was one of the most challenging and enriching experiences I've ever had, with Jon pushing us to learn how to better deal with media challenges and expressing our knowledge when it comes to activist work. It was so fantastic that I have pinched one of his exercises, and continue to use it with budding journalists to great success. When he was in charge of Conscience Magazine, Jon commissioned me to write several pieces, including one criticising the citizen's assembly held in Ireland before the referendum on abortion rights - which was a brave thing to do given the consensus on the issue within the pro-choice community. Jon has never been afraid to defend free speech, a crucial tool in any fight for progressive change in society. Finally, I run the Battle of Ideas festival in London, and have made use of Jon's professional and commanding presence to ask him to chair sessions on tricky topics where an audience is often likely to be divided. Jon has a way of facilitating open debate and discussion, even among those who are divided on an opinion, with great authority and charm. I hope to work with him for many years to come.”

— Ella Whelan, Battle of Ideas Festival co-covenor and author (United Kingdom)