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From loosely-knitted community groups or local government, to the highest reaches of our civic institutions, if you see yourself representing the interests and welfare of a community, you may have what it takes to be like these men and women.
If you have ever put your hand up, or spoken out, or been elected to lead a group, you may have what it takes to become a contemporary political leader. Lawyers, politicians, journalists, business people, managers, academics, teachers, community organizers and NGO leaders tend to fill political positions. From loosely-knitted community groups or local government, to the highest reaches of our civic institutions, if you see yourself representing the interests and welfare of a community, you may have what it takes to be like these men and women.
Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson
Green Energy Activist, Economics Professor & President of Iceland
Ólafur Grímsson is the Icelandic face of green leadership. Having initiated the Global Roundtable on Climate Change, transforming Iceland into a nation powered 70% by renewable energy sources, and creating a fleet of hydrogen-powered cars, he is a green energy revolutionary. Grímsson was the first person from Iceland to earn a PhD in political science, after which he lectured in political science and is currently serving as President of Iceland.
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Army Officer, Agricultural Economist & President of Indonesia
‘Bang Bang’ Yudhoyono is leading one of the most remarkable developments in the Muslim world today. As President of Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation, he has proved that as a democracy, Indonesia can be culturally vibrant and economically prosperous. Bambang has a distinguished military career with the Indonesian Army, after which he earned a Masters degree in Management from the United States and was awarded a PhD in agricultural economics, just two days before his Presidency was announced.
Jaime Lerner
Brazilian Architect, Urban Planner & Mayor of Curitiba
In the conclusion of his speech on sustainable urban development at a TED conference in California, the Brazilian Mayor of Curitiba concluded by having the group sing along to his ‘Sustainability Song’. Such is the nature of this dynamic and charismatic architect / urban planner, who revitalized his hometown of Curitiba as the city Mayor, and generated $20 billion of investment for his state as Governor of Paraná. Post-politics, Lerner lectures as a Professor of Urban Planning and currently consults on public transport and urban planning internationally.
Norah Al-Faiz
Saudi Arabian Deputy Minister for Women’s Education
In the strict religious Kingdom of Saud, earthquakes were caused at the appointment of Norah Al-Faiz as Deputy Minister for Women’s Education - the first woman minister in Saudi history. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Sociology from King Saud University in Riyadh and a Masters from Utah State University. Al-Faiz worked as a teacher and climbed through the administration to become a symbol of female leadership in the Islamic world.
Barack Obama
Community Organizer, Lawyer & President of the United States
Starting out as a community organizer in Chicago, the career of this Harvard Law graduate and constitutional law professor grew to lofty heights, cementing his position in history as the first African-American President of the United States. Hawaiian-born Obama’s career spans community activism, lecturer, civil rights attorney, Senator of Illinois and currently President of the United States.
EARLY CAREER: Gen Y, Graduates and Early Careerists
Guy has worked as a business journalist, urban planner, slow food chef, denim salesperson and digital media manager, and shares original insights on diverse Gen Y career experiences.
Guy holds a B. Urban Planning & Development (Hons), has worked in 5 different industries and knows what its like to face the challenge of graduate transition. New career choices, personal branding and balancing passions with money are all part of the mix.
