Elise Young is Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Women Rising International and a women’s leadership expert with more than 25 years of experience across 30 countries. Her career has focused on advancing women’s economic and political power, preventing gender-based violence, strengthening disability inclusion, and enabling women and other historically marginalized communities to exercise greater leadership and influence over the policies and programs that affect their lives.
Previously, Elise served as Senior Director for Women’s Leadership at Counterpart International, Senior Technical Advisor for Gender, Equity and Social Inclusion at FHI 360, and Vice President for Policy and Government Affairs at Women Thrive Worldwide. She has advised USAID and other global development actors on women’s economic empowerment and gender equality; helped develop influential global gender and social inclusion frameworks and standards; and supported women leaders, civil society organizations, and coalitions to advocate for effective policy change.
Her work has included partnering with women’s rights, farmer, and disability leaders during Haiti’s post-earthquake reconstruction; working with women, peace, and security leaders in countries including Niger and Nigeria; advancing global efforts to prevent gender-based violence; and training and mentoring hundreds of women leaders, advocates, peacebuilders, and development practitioners worldwide. Today, through Women Rising International, she leads partnerships with locally led organizations across Africa to collectively advance women’s and youth leadership, economic resilience, education, health, and inclusive development.
