Julia Gillard

Julia Gillard, Chair of Wellcome Trust, is a globally recognised advocate for gender equality and women’s leadership. As the first woman to serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister of Australia (2010–2013), she broke historic barriers and used her platform to champion opportunities for women across politics, business, and society.

Julia’s commitment to empowering women has shaped her career. She is the Inaugural Chair of the Global Institute for Women’s Leadership (GIWL) at King’s College London, which drives research and policy to dismantle barriers facing women in leadership roles worldwide. She also serves as Patron of the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED), supporting girls’ education in Africa, and hosts the acclaimed podcast A Podcast of One’s Own, spotlighting the stories of women leaders from diverse fields.

Her influence extends globally: from 2014 to 2021, Julia chaired the Global Partnership for Education, working to ensure every child, especially girls, has access to quality schooling. In 2023, she served as Commissioner for South Australia’s Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, delivering transformative recommendations to strengthen early learning opportunities.

Julia has authored two books: My Story (2014) and Women and Leadership: Real Lives, Real Lessons (2020, co-authored with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala), which explores the experiences of female leaders worldwide. Her advocacy has earned her numerous honours, including being named one of BBC’s 100 Women and receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia for her contributions to social and economic development.

Through her leadership, writing, and global initiatives, Julia Gillard continues to inspire systemic change and create pathways for women to lead.