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Ashleigh
Streeter-Jones

Award-Winning Gender Equality Activist Challenging the Status Quo

What kind of world do you want to live in?
Profile

Described by Forbes Magazine as a “youthful visionary”, Ashleigh Streeter-Jones has worked in youth advocacy and campaigns since she was a teenager. Ashleigh has been recognised by the Foundation of Young Australians as one of the Young Social Pioneers and was named both the youngest-ever Australian Capital Territory Woman of the Year and Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2018.

In 2019, she was listed as one of the Australian Financial Review's 100 Women of Influence, and in 2023, was selected as the only young Australian to attend Davos at the World Economic Forum. She is a passionate change-maker and a strong believer in "lifting the floor". Her work focuses on closing societal gaps - particularly those faced by women and young people from traditionally marginalised backgrounds - she works within the community, and provides advice to senior leaders to combat systemic inequality and create a more equal world. Ashleigh has spoken on the topic alongside leaders such as Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, and organisations such as The Body Shop Australia New Zealand and She’s On The Money.

In 2020, Ashleigh launched Raise Our Voice Australia (ROVA), a social enterprise amplifying the voices of young women and non-binary people in politics, domestic policy and foreign policy. ROVA has graduated over 100 young people from its programs, collected nearly 1000 speech submissions through their inaugural Raise Our Voice in Parliament campaign, and has published research on young women/gender-diverse people and politics. Prior to this, Ashleigh co-founded the Girls Takeover Parliament program in 2017 (which she left in 2018). She is recognised as an international thought leader on the importance of young people in the public sector and has written and presented on the topic to both domestic and global organisations including the World Economic Forum and World YMCA. Ashleigh is also a member of the APolitical Foundation's New Voices Council.

Ashleigh started her career in a foreign policy space, volunteering with VGen, World Vision Australia’s youth movement. As the Victorian State Director, she was a pivotal driver in the campaign that got child labour on the G20 agenda for the first time ever. Following this, she was appointed the inaugural National Director of Campaigns in 2016. In 2017, Ashleigh ran Young Australians in International Affairs’ annual Future 21 conference, and is an experienced foreign policy practitioner, having worked in international policy from 2018 to 2022.

Ashleigh's change-making has had a global impact. She has delivered workshops at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, and advocated for gender equality internationally, including at the United Nations, the YWCA World Council, and as one of 50 young global leaders to attend Davos at the World Economic Forum. Ashleigh is currently the Oceania Community Champion for the World Economic Forum Global Shapers supporting young change-makers across Australia, New Zealand, Samoa and Papua New Guinea to make change in their local communities.

Through her work towards gender equality, Ashleigh sat on the board of YWCA Canberra from 2018-2021, the final two years as the Vice President. She is the former Chair and co-convenor of the Canberra Women's March, and has had her writing published by organisations including the ABC, the IMF, and Women's Agenda. She is also an experienced public speaker, having spoken on topics ranging from politics, youth engagement, and the need to get more young women into politics and change-making, to organisations including The Body Shop Australia New Zealand, She's On The Money, the University of Canberra, the Department of Defence, Youth Development Australia, and Women for Election Australia. Ashleigh has also provided advice to senior-level leaders, including of federal Government departments, on how to achieve better gender equality within their organisations.

Ashleigh holds a BA(Hons) in International Relations / Politics from Monash University, wrote an honours thesis on women, peace and security in peace processes, and completed a Masters in Diplomacy from ANU.

Expertise
Talking Points

What kind of world do you want to live in?

Everyone has a role in creating the world they want to live in. It's not news to anyone that the COVID-19 pandemic has created a more unequal world.

If we don’t work to close some of these gaps in our recovery plan, we risk leaving a substantial number of people behind. If we don’t work to close these gaps, we risk entrenching these patterns for generations. The window for action is open, but we have to move quickly. Learn from Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, seasoned activist and change maker, about the role each person can play to create a more equal world.

Through this talk, Ashleigh tells the story of her passion for equality, outlines the problem at hand, and takes the listener through how they can be the change they wish to see in the world.

Girls don’t do that.

We can't move forward if over 50% of our population are held behind.

Here, today, in 2022, there is no country in the world where women are equal to their male counterparts. There are countless examples that can be given - the stubborn gender pay gap, the gender breakdown of boards of major companies, the gender breakdown of our parliaments, or even the systems of power that function to keep women in second place. But the thing is, when we invest in women, everyone wins. Learn from Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, an internationally recognised and award-winning gender activist about the importance of gender equality.

Through this talk, Ashleigh tells the story of the first moment she experienced gender equality at just four years old, outlines the problem at hand, and takes the listener through the ways in which they can uplift young women, acting to create a more equal future.

It's time for a second female Prime Minister

In a democracy, it’s critical that our political and public service institutions reflect us as a population so they can create the best outcomes possible.

The conversation about women in politics is one that has gripped the nation for years. But often overlooked in this discussion is the importance on investing in young women, who are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but who are here, leading, today. Learn from Ashleigh Streeter-Jones, an internationally recognised and award-winning gender activist about the importance of getting the next generation of diverse young women in politics and policy.

Through this talk, Ashleigh shares her five years experience working to increase the presence of young women in politics, outlines the importance of investing in young women as leaders on the forefront of social change, and takes the listener through the ways in which they can uplift young women in politics, acting to create a more equal future.
Media
Feedback
Ashleigh Streeter was on my Achieve Fest speaker wish-list since day one. She is an incredible example of how to create a life of passion, purpose and service. So I was super excited when Ash agreed to join a live panel discussion at Prince's Trust Australia's final Achieve Fest event for the year. Ash inspired hundreds of students, educators and caretakers as she shared her insights on how to navigate a nonlinear career. Her humility, authenticity and ability to draw from personal experience with humour resonated deeply with the audience. Ashleigh’s messaging was clear and perfectly tailored to the audience - it’s no surprise that we received an influx of positive feedback and gratitude from those who attended the session. Thank you once again for helping us to transform lives, and prepare the next generation with the mindsets, skills and capabilities they will need to thrive in this rapidly changing world. Princes Trust Australia

It was incredible to have Ashleigh facilitate as part of the ASEAN Australia Strategic Youth Partnership's Digital Dialogues weekend in August 2021. Digital Dialogues saw youth from across the ASEAN and Australia come together to discuss and write recommendations around three pressing issues: Green Recovery, Balancing Diversity and Emerging Economies. Ashleigh facilitated in the stream of Balancing Diversity as part of the Dialogues. Imbuing the room with her experiences in the field of intersectionality, Ashleigh was an invaluable facilitator who excellently and smoothly ensured Delegate's voices transitioned from ideation to practical recommendations.

ASEAN- Australia Strategic Youth Partnership

Ashleigh brings passionate energy to all that she does, both virtually and in person. She is a strong asset in presenting and a powerful yet relatable speaker. Her ability to moderate a discussion and bring together different ideas into one cohesive discussion is invaluable. Ashleigh is an active advocate in her desire for diversity which is a great reminder to organisers delivering events. I would love to engage her again for any speaking engagements.

ANU

Ashleigh brings an incredible presence of strength and empathy to every situation I’ve had the privilege of being in with her. She has immense knowledge about campaigning and advocacy which shone through in a workshop she ran for 15 high school students in my Young Trailblazers program. Ashleigh was able to communicate complex ideas in a way that was engaging, relevant and relatable. She is a young trailblazer in her own right and always seems able to bring unique and insightful perspectives to complex challenges.

Futures Collective

Ash is one of the most engaging and passionate youth activists I've had the pleasure of working with. Ash is an inspiration to the next generation of female and non-binary change makers, and I would highly recommend her, and ROVA, for any campaign or speaking work in youth participation and voting.

The Body Shop Australia and New Zealand

Ashleigh is a shining light of passion and energy bho made both our team and audience feel heard and empowered. She so clearly cares about celebrating and uplifting the voices of those around her, particularly those who are under represented. She was an incredible addition to our event, if you book her we guarantee you won't be disappointed!

She's On The Money

Ashleigh was an incredible speaker at YACVic's 2022 Melbourne Youth Forum. She was an engaging and insightful voice across our Pathways to power session, whose experience in advocacy was much valued. Through her own presentation and a panel discussion, Ashleigh inspired people online and in person. Beyond her skills, Ashleigh acts on a strong and genuine commitment to advocate for diverse voices in the space she shares. If you're looking for a passionate perspective delivered with clarity and a warm invitation for questions, look to Ashleigh.

Youth Affairs Council Victoria
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