Episode Overview
In this episode, we speak with Amanda Ellis about feminist leadership and its role in the context of COVID-19 recovery and commitments to sustainable development. She shares insights on the correlation between gender balance in boards and governance bodies and sustainability, as well as practical ways to increase women’s participation in leadership and decision-making.

About the Guest
Amanda Ellis currently serves as ASU Director of Global Partnerships for the Global Futures Laboratory and Executive Director Hawaii/AsiaPacific for the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability.

Previously, she was New Zealand’s Head of Mission, Ambassador, and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, as well as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy, where she played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s successful UN Security Council bid.

Earlier in her career, Amanda served as Deputy Secretary in the NZ Foreign Ministry, becoming the first woman to lead the NZ Aid program with an annual budget of $0.6 billion. Other roles include:

• Lead Specialist, Poverty Reduction & Economic Management, World Bank Group (managing the President’s Global Private Sector CEO Leaders Forum and leading the project that created Women, Business and the Law)
• Head of the Global Gender Group, International Finance Corporation
• National Manager, Women in Business, Westpac Banking Corporation

She is also the author of two best-selling business books (Random House) and five research titles in the World Bank’s Directions in Development series. Amanda co-founded the Financial Alliance for Women and is the recipient of the TIAW Lifetime Achievement Award for services to women’s economic empowerment.

Additional Resources

• Global Lessons for a More Resilient Future – virtual dialogue
• Call to Action for G7 Member States – promoting gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in COVID-19 crisis response and recovery

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