Director, Gates Foundation (Program Advocacy and Communications, Health); Award-Winning Medical Doctor, Global Security Strategist & Women’s Rights Advocate
Director, Gates Foundation (Program Advocacy and Communications, Health); Award-Winning Medical Doctor, Global Security Strategist & Women’s Rights Advocate
One of the leading global health and inclusive security experts of her generation, Alaa Murabit is a medical doctor, Canadian Meritorious Service Cross recipient, UN High-Level Commissioner on Health Employment & Economic Growth, and one of 17 Global Sustainable Development Goal Advocates appointed by the UN Secretary General. Alaa previously founded and spearheaded The Voice of Libyan Women at the age of 21. Her TED Talk, "What My Religion Really Says About Women", has been viewed over five million times.
In 2016 she became the Executive Director of Phase Minus 1, which provides thought leadership in conflict resolution and inclusive security and has since founded CO-AGENCY, an accelarator for next-gen women’s leadership in security, peacebuilding and policy.
Recently named a prestigious Harvard Radcliffe Fellow for her work “Architects of Peace: Redefining the Role of Women in Today’s Growing Security Agenda” Alaa is also an MIT Media Lab Director's Fellow, Ashoka Fellow and Women Deliver International Deliver For Good Policy Influencer.
Alaa also serves as a board member for The Malala Fund. She is the recipient of over 100 honours and awards, including the New York Times TrustWomen Hero, Forbes 30 Under 30, Aspen Institute Spotlight Scholar, and one of the Top 20 Most Influential People in Gender Equality Policy in the world alongside Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Angela Merkel and Michelle Obama.
“Alaa truly embodies the spirit of a ‘Goalkeeper’ - this vital next generation of leaders who are going to ensure we keep making progress on the world’s largest issues” - Bill Gates