Peggy O'Neal AO

First woman in AFL history to serve as president of a club, overseeing Richmond FC win 3 premierships in 4 years

Peggy O'Neal AO is an American born Australian lawyer who, since October 2013, has served as the president of the Richmond Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). She is the first woman in AFL history to serve as a club president.

She is an outstanding leader who under her guidance has seen the club win three Premierships in the last four years – 2017, 2019 and 2020.

Peggy has specialised in superannuation and financial services law for more than 25 years and is presently a consultant to Lander and Rogers and was previously a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills from 1995-2009.

Peggy is current Chancellor of RMIT, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is also a member of Chief Executive Women and the Melbourne Forum.

In June 2019, Peggy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for her services to Australian rules football, financial services law and women in leadership roles, and in 2021 awarded Melburnian of the Year.

In 2022, Peggy was appointed Chair of the 2026 Commonwealth Games held in Regional Victoria.

AFL Gender Equality

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Key Points for Peggy O'Neal AO

Peggy O'Neal AO is the first woman in AFL history to serve as president of a club when she took it on in October 2013.
As president Peggy oversaw the Richmond Tigers win their first Premiership in 37 years (2017) along with victories in 2019 and 2020.
She is widely regarded as an outstanding president and great leader who has provided the ingredients for success to the Richmond Football Club.
Chancellor of RMIT.
Served for three years on Victoria's Ministerial Council on Women's Equality and in January 2020 became a director of VicHealth.
Was appointed to the Australian Institute of Sport Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Advisory Committee in 2019 and, from January 2020, has been a member of the AFL Mental Health Steering Committee.
Has been a non-executive director of several companies in the superannuation and financial services sectors and is currently the chair of Vanguard Superannuation and a director of Infrastructure Specialist Asset Management.
Peggy was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019, and awarded Melburnian of the Year in 2021.
Chair of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Topics for Peggy O'Neal AO

Leadership starts from the top
Success is a process
Hiring the right people is what it's about
Culture is the Number one priority

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