Home: Marylebone, London, England. Age: Thirty-something. Birthplace: London. Profession: NGO executive. Organization: One Young World. Title: Managing Director. Significant other: Husband, Josh. Alma mater: Balliol College, Oxford. Languages spoken: English and French.
Current project: One Young World Summit 2025 in Munich. Recent recognition: I gave my first TEDx talk earlier this year on the gap between activism and policy-making. With issues like climate change and human rights on the line, finding ways to make activism translate into policy feels more important than ever. The talk explored how we might bridge this gap to create lasting impact. Latest accomplishment: Leading the successful delivery of the One Young World Summit in Montreal. Latest contribution to others: My role as a volunteer school governor at Ark Atwood Primary School. I'm incredibly proud that the school recently achieved an ‘Outstanding’ rating from Ofsted—an achievement owed to the dedication of the teachers and head. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Appointing a new board for One Young World US. They’re bringing a wave of fresh ideas, and I’m excited to see how we can grow the US operation in the years ahead. Hobbies: Ballet, book binding, going to the theatre. Recent travel or adventure: A long weekend in Shanghai. It was like living in the future. Last book read: James, by Percival Everett. Recently viewed and recommended: The musical, Operation Mincemeat. Also, the podcast The Feud from The Times, although the Oxford drama causes some stressful flashbacks. Recent unique acquisition: My husband and I have taken up book-binding and he created a special edition of The Handmaid’s Tale which Margaret Atwood kindly signed for us.
Personality profile: Commander/ Driver; outgoing, decisive, resourceful, driven, warm-hearted, high-energy, ambitious. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Supportive. Moral compass: One Young World’s leadership charter; Sunday Mass. How do you define a perfect friendship? People you can laugh and cry with in one afternoon. How do you define an ideal business relationship? A shared vision and willingness to be unconventional and put in the effort to get outstanding results. What is your greatest joy? My fantastic family. What is your greatest fear? Accidentally drinking a latte made with sour milk. Once was enough. What is your guilty pleasure? TV shows about the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. What word or phrase do you use far too often? Nothing especially, but I have a habit of going into an extended metaphor and then extending it so far that no one can follow what I’m talking about. What natural talent have you neglected? Creative writing. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? I am truly humbled by hospital cleaners.
What three emojis best describe you? 🔥🌍💅.
What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Marylebone Farmers’ Market. What is at the top of your bucket list? Seeing the tigers in Madhya Pradesh. How do you relieve stress? Reality TV. What is your go-to workout? Ballet/barre. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? Time to read voraciously.
What was your first paying job? Beauty salon receptionist. What was your favorite college course? My main English Professor, Seamus Perry, is one of the world’s leading Romantic poetry academics - his teaching was phenomenal and he took our class on a walking holiday in the Lake District where he read us poetry in the hills. I probably didn’t appreciate it enough at the time but feel so lucky now. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? I was a Barbie girl living in a Barbie world. What book have you repeatedly read? The Strike Detective series. Perfect enjoyable escapism. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Hot Fuzz. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? One Young World’s impact statistics. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My husband, Josh. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Join the school debating team. What’s the best advice you received in your career? I met Hillary Clinton last year and she said “don’t let anybody knock you” and I think about that whenever the going gets tough. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Chat GPT. What is your favorite app? Audible. What is your go-to source of news and information? Several papers a day, but I’ve really been enjoying the Wall Street Journal’s reporting this year. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? TikTok. What world event has had the greatest influence on your life? 9/11. I still can’t believe how much it has shaped this century, for me it sparked all the conversations around the dinner table that resulted in a lifelong interest in foreign policy and global affairs. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Having a working mother and a father who rejected toxic masculinity taught me not to buy into societal expectations.
What change are you working on to effect in your profession or field? New standards for sustainability and inclusivity in events. What widely held belief do you reject? That the world is doomed. What mega-trend most excites you? AI.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Summit and Sensibility. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Can Katherine Hahn do a British accent? Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My four grandparents and my dear friends Rory and Jeff. If we got to invite celebrities, I’d add David Bowie and Virginia Woolf for the ultimate dinner party. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A nun. Or, Prime Minister. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? Walking my dogs in Cornwall with my husband. What advice would you give your younger self? Conflict is a signal to pay attention, not a warning to back off. What day in your life would you choose to re-live? My wedding day. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? University years. I would have studied harder and probably avoided student politics.
Personal mission: Growing One Young World into and international organisation that will serve humanity. Personal motto: You learn something new every day. Favorite quote: It is not the critic who counts… The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena (Theodore Roosevelt). Desired epitaph: Here lies Ella Robertson McKay, she learned something new every day (but not today).
