Deborah O'Connor

Experience

Deborah is an Associate Director in BDO South Africa’s SDA & Sustainability practice, with more than 20 years’ experience helping organisations create environmental, social and economic value across Africa and the Middle East. Her expertise includes sustainability strategy, ESG integration, climate risk and resilience, sustainability reporting, ESG due diligence, sustainable development, stakeholder engagement and impact measurement.

She has advised organisations across the hospitality, tourism, infrastructure, healthcare, financial services, real estate, manufacturing and public sectors, supporting the integration of sustainability considerations into strategy, operations and investment decision-making.

Deborah combines hands-on hospitality and ecotourism experience with environmental planning, regulatory expertise and executive-level sustainability advisory. Her work focuses on translating complex sustainability challenges into practical, business-focused solutions that strengthen governance, improve sustainability performance and create long-term value. She has a particular interest in sustainable tourism, conservation and nature-positive development.

Qualifications

• BSc Honours in Urban Planning

Other

Deborah has extensive sustainability experience across Africa and the Middle East, with particular expertise in sustainable tourism, conservation and nature-positive development. Her work brings together business objectives, environmental stewardship, community development and stakeholder outcomes.