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Elizabeth Nyamayaro

  • Humanitarian and Voice for Global Social Change | Leadership & Future-of-Work Expert
  • Founder, HeForShe Global Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality
  • Former United Nations Senior Advisor on Gender Equality
  • Author of 'Human Skills'

Elizabeth Nyamayaro is an award-winning humanitarian, author, and former United Nations Senior Advisor on gender equality.  She is a leading voice on human skills, resilience, and the future of work in an AI-driven world with over two decades working on global development through her leadership roles at the World Bank, World Health Organization, UNAIDS, UN Women, and the United Nations World Food Programme. Her work helps organizations and institutions strengthen what technology cannot replace: human connection, critical thinking, adaptability, and purpose. 

Elizabeth is the mastermind behind HeForShe, a United Nations global solidarity movement for gender equality that took the world by storm, generating more than 1.2B conversations on social media and galvanizing men in every single country in the world in just five days. Her book Human Skills is a guide to strengthening relationships and leading a fulfilling life. With her TED Talk garnering more than 1M views in its first weeks alone, Elizabeth is a prominent thought-leader and has engaged at global forums such as World Economic Forum in Davos, Cannes Film Festival, Skoll World Forum, Harvard, Oxford, the British Parliament, among others.

Named as Apolitico’s "100 Most Influential People in Gender Policy" in 2018 & 2019, Elizabeth has been touted by The New York Times as “one of only two women transforming Davos.” She has been featured in Vogue, Fast Company, Wired, Fortune, Elle, BBC, and CNN. She has also served as a Glass Lions jury at Cannes Lions and has received the PR Council Trailblazer Award for Social Impact and the Feminist Majority Foundation’s Global Women’s Rights Award. A Political Scientist by training, Elizabeth holds a Masters of Science in Politics from the London School of Economics & Political Science and leadership education from the Harvard Business School. 

 
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Past Hosts Include:
  • Science Po
  • Oxford University
  • Harvard University
  • The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)
  • Women’s Forum Global Meeting
  • Massachusetts Conference for Women
  • Seneca Falls
  • Slush
  • The Diana Awards
  • PR Council
We couldn’t be more grateful to Elizabeth for bringing such energy, passion and confidence to our program. In addition to navigating a complex agenda in a challenging virtual environment, she brought her personal story and individual commitment in a way that made her one of the most memorable parts of our event. She was a delight to work with from start to finish.
More rave reviews

"It was such a good session and was received very well! Many of my colleagues messaged me after saying it was an impactful session and they enjoyed listening to Elizabeth, who is such an authentic, positive, inspiring person. It was a welcome change and a different perspective to all the business focused events we do, which added to how impactful it was."

-Worldpay

"Elizabeth was remarkable! Everyone was inspired by her talk and I only got positive feedback, even from those who did not attend the event but heard about it from others. Elizabeth was very generous with her time, speaking to every attendee during book signing and allowing everyone to take pictures with her. Everyone left the event inspired and some were even emotional when meeting with Elizabeth. Thank you for facilitating this."

-International Women's Coffee Alliance

"I so enjoyed talking with Elizabeth in advance and loved her presentation. I think the group was moved by her story and passion."

-FICO

"I have nothing but praise for Elizabeth. Would love to work with her again!"

-Empire Entertainment
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Elizabeth Nyamayaro: Creating equality | Stanley Center for Peace and Security - Get Sharable Link
Talks & Conversations with Elizabeth Nyamayaro
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Human Skills in the Age of AI: What Technology Can’t Replace

A future-focused keynote that shows leaders why human skills—critical thinking, adaptability, and connection are the true competitive advantage in an AI-driven world.

As artificial intelligence transforms how we work, many organizations are asking the wrong question: Which technical skills should we develop next? In this keynote, ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO reframes the conversation by focusing on what will matter most when technology becomes ubiquitous—human skills. Drawing from her book Human Skills, she explores why capabilities such as connection, empathy, ethical judgment, adaptability, and cultural fluency are becoming the true differentiators in the AI era. While machines excel at speed and scale, they cannot replace trust, critical thinking, or creativity. Audiences learn how AI is reshaping leadership expectations, collaboration, and decision-making—and why investing in human skills is no longer optional, but essential for performance, innovation, and resilience. This keynote offers practical frameworks that leaders can apply immediately to future-proof their teams, without relying on fear-based narratives or ideology. 

Ideal for organizations navigating digital transformation, this talk leaves audiences energized, grounded, and clear-eyed about the future—one in which technology advances fastest when guided by deeply human leadership.

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Resilience as a Leadership Skill: Thriving Through Change and Uncertainty

A timely keynote that equips leaders with the mindset and tools to sustain effectiveness, adaptability, and clarity amid constant change.

In an era defined by disruption, resilience is no longer a personal trait—it is a core leadership skill. In this powerful keynote, ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO redefines resilience as the ability to adapt, recover, and grow stronger through uncertainty. Grounded in her lived experience growing up in Africa and building a global career, she brings authenticity and depth to the conversation, moving beyond clichés to practical, actionable insights. Audiences learn how resilience is built through mindset, habits, relationships, and purpose—not just endurance. This talk explores how leaders can remain steady amid change, make clear decisions under pressure, and foster resilient cultures without burnout. Participants gain tools to reframe setbacks, manage ambiguity, and sustain momentum during periods of transformation.

Ideal for leaders, students, and organizations facing rapid change, this keynote leaves audiences with renewed confidence in their ability to navigate challenges—and the clarity to turn uncertainty into opportunity.

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Leading with Humanity: The New Competitive Advantage

A practical leadership keynote on how trust, clarity, and human-centered leadership drive performance and results in today’s high-pressure environments.

The most successful organizations of the future will not be the most automated—but the most human. In this keynote, ELIZABETH NYAMAYARO, a renowned humanitarian, challenges leaders to rethink performance, culture, and leadership through the lens of humanity. As expectations of leaders evolve, employees and students alike are looking for environments where they feel seen, valued, and trusted. This talk explores how leading with humanity drives engagement, accountability, and results—without sacrificing rigor or excellence. Drawing on her decades-long humanitarian career and real-world examples, Nyamayaro demonstrates how empathy, clarity, and purpose enhance—not weaken—leadership effectiveness. Audiences gain a practical framework for balancing results with relationships in fast-moving, high-demand environments.

Ideal for senior leaders, executives, and emerging leaders, this keynote offers a compelling case for why humanity is not a “nice-to-have,” but a decisive advantage in an increasingly complex and digital world.

Books by Elizabeth Nyamayaro
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Biography
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