About

Advisory Committee Our Team



OUR Story

Imagine Women Leaders from all continents creating significance and impact, like for example the World Economic Forum (WEF) does, but with a difference in style. When Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Founder and President of the Women Political Leaders (WPL), and Hanna Birna Kristjansdottir, Chair of the Board, experienced the WEF in January 2017, they were determined to turn “imagine?” into “we can do it!”.

They were convinced that Iceland, as the best country for women (according to the WEF’s Global Gender Gap Report) would be the perfect location for a Reykjavík Global Forum. A conference, bringing together women leaders from all sectors: politics, business, tech, science, media etc. Having convened Women Political Leaders in Iceland in November 2017, the next step was obvious: make it a tradition. WPL with the Government and the Parliament of Iceland are since annually co-hosting a multi-stakeholder Reykjavík Global Forum. The Forum had its inaugural event in November 2018 in Reykjavik, Iceland.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

To ensure the growth and sustainability of the Reykjavik Global Forum, it has enlisted the support and guidance of an Advisory committee.

The overall objectives of the Reykjavik Global Forum Advisory Committee are:

  1. Advice and support in selecting and ensuring co-chair participation in yearly Reykjavik Global Forum.
  2. Advise and provide expertise on topics, LeadersTalks and programme.
  3. Suggestions and coordination for identifying and securing high level Conversationists.
  4. Assist with resolving strategic level issues.
  5. Use influence and authority to assist the project in achieving its outcomes.

Members are selected based on their specialist knowledge, ability to represent the interests of stakeholders and ability to help resolve issues the Forum may face.

  • Ann Cairns

    Vice Chairman, Mastercard

  • Hanna Birna Kristjánsdóttir

    Chair of The Reykjavík Global Forum
    Member of the WPL Board
    Senior Advisor on Women’s Leadership, UN Women

  • Kristín Árnadóttir

    Ambassador Special Envoy for Gender Equality of Iceland, (on behalf of Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland)

  • Michele Parmelee

    Deloitte Global Chief People and Purpose Officer

  • Silvana Koch-Mehrin

    President of WPL

  • Victoria Budson

    Executive Director of the Women and Public Policy Program at the Harvard Kennedy School

OUR Team

  • Angela Lowe, Programme & Communities Manager

    Brussels Office

  • Audur Einarsdóttir, Business Development

    Reykjavík Office

  • Dee Thomsen, Managing Director, Reykjavík Global Forum

    Reykjavík Office

  • Dominic Nieper, Managing Director Reykjavík Global Forum

    Reykjavík Office

  • Erik Boman, Accountant

    Brussels Office

  • Eyrún Þorsdottir, Project Coordinator

    Reykjavík Office

  • Hrund Gunnsteinsdottir, Special Programme Advisor

    Reykjavík Office

  • Lilja Dögg, Special Advisor

    Reykjavík Office

  • Lucia de Luca, Managing Director, WPL Communications and Programme

    Brussels Office

  • Rick Zedník, Managing Director WPL Summit

    Brussels Office

  • Sigthruður Armann, WPL Iceland Summit Ambassador

    Reykjavík Office