Using Data to Advance (Gender) Equity Across Continents

This seminar featured a panel of experts from three different organizations in different parts of the world—Nkiru Balonwu from Africa Soft Power, Mia Perdomo from Aequales, and Aniela Unguresan from Edge—who all use data-driven methods to advance gender equity in their respective fields and societal contexts.

Nkiru Balonwu is the Founder of The Africa Soft Power Group, which includes the Africa Soft Power Project (ASP), ASP Global, and African Women on Board (AWB). She founded the group and has recognized the need to mainstream vital - and all too often still unseen - African perspectives as a fundamental part of the global conversation in every aspect of life and economy. This is important not only for Africans but the global community and economy at a time when the intersections—from global warming to supply lines and migration—are overwhelming. Throughout recent years, these organizations have diligently propelled modern African discourse onto the global stage. They have curated and hosted the premier assembly of the continent's creative and cultural industries, advocated for fresh and impactful narratives regarding African women's leadership, and amplified African soft power at significant global events such as the UN General Assembly, US-Africa Leaders Summit, and World Economic Forum in Davos. Nkiru advises some of the world's foremost organizations on crafting successful strategies tailored for Africa.

Mia Perdomo is the Co-founder and CEO of Aequales, a company that provides tools for organizations to close their gender gaps through measurement, consultancy and technology. She is also the Co-Creator of Par Ranking, the largest corporate gender equality ranking in Latin America. She was named one of the 100 transforming women of Colombia, one of the 101 people that are changing the world of work by the BBC, and one of the most creative people in business in 2020 by Fast Company. She received a degree in Psychology from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Colombia and an MSc in human rights from the London School of Economics. ​She is a Fellow at Georgetown University and Columbia University, and was elected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2022.

Aniela Unguresan, Founder of EDGE Certified Foundation, is an architect of change in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I). With a robust academic background, including an MBA from the University of Geneva and a BA from the Bucharest Academy of Economic Studies, Aniela revolutionized DE&I certification with her ecosystem approach. Under her stewardship, EDGE's work has significantly impacted over 250 global organizations across 57 countries and 27 different industries. An economist by trade, Aniela combines Swiss values of rigour and effectiveness with a passion for inclusive economic growth. Her recent partnership with Billie Jean King and significant achievements, such as the Series A financing round for EDGE Strategy, highlight her commitment to DE&I innovation. Balancing professional success with personal fulfilment, she is a mother, yoga enthusiast, and advocate for resilience and gratitude in entrepreneurship.

---

This event was co-sponsored by the Malcom Wiener Center for Social Policy at Harvard Kennedy School.