The Right Honourable Dame Jacinda Ardern became the Prime Minister of New Zealand at just 37 years of age. During her time in office, she faced the challenges of a live-streamed domestic terror attack against New Zealand’s Muslim community, a volcanic eruption, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ms. Ardern’s focus on people, kindness, and what she has called “pragmatic idealism” saw New Zealand achieve some of the lowest losses of life from the pandemic in any developed nation, the ban of military style semi-automatic weapons in her country, and the creation of the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Violent Extremism Online. Ms. Ardern currently holds the role of the Patron for the Christchurch Call Foundation and the 6th Arnhold Distinguished Fellow for Conservation International.
Ms. Ardern is a champion of women's empowerment. While in office, New Zealand reached 50 percent representation of women in Parliament and on government appointed boards. She decriminalized abortion, improved pay equity laws, and extended paid parental leave to six months - all while being only the second woman in the world to have a baby while leading her country.
Ms. Ardern is a passionate advocate on climate action and is a board member of The Earthshot Prize, focusing on solutions to climate change and environmental issues.
In 2024-2025, Ms. Ardern has Harvard Kennedy School fellowship appointments as the Angelopoulos Global Public Leaders Fellow, Hauser Leader at the Center for Public Leadership, and Senior Fellow at the Women and Public Policy Program.
Ms. Ardern holds an Honorary Doctorate from Harvard University.