Caitlin Figueiredo is an award-winning entrepreneur eager to shift the dial toward equality and empowerment. A youth and gender equality advocate, Caitlin is successfully driving inclusive opportunities to scores of young women and youth around the world. In 2016, Caitlin won the Young Leader Category in Westpac/AFR ‘Australia’s 100 Most Influential Women’ for her international work, she is the youngest winner in the 5 year history of the awards.
Caitlin is an Ambassador to the Alannah and Madeline Foundation, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper and was named a Global Changemaker for Gender Equality by The White House and First Lady Michelle Obama. The Sir Roland Wilson Foundation and ANU identified Caitlin as ‘someone who is influential shaping Australia both now, and in the years to come.’ Further, she is ranked alongside Chelsea Clinton and Gloria Steinem as an International Influencer to an online platform of 18.5 million women from 196 countries.
An advocate for the cause of unity, Caitlin founded World Vision’s youth movement VGen ACT and following the #Metoo movement, established the world’s first pay-it-forward self-defence organisation, Jasiri Australia to provide skills and support for women and survivors. A highly collaborative and creative thinker, Caitlin is able to canvas and engage a global network to effect change. This has attracted a number of international organisations to seek her assistance in supporting the growth of their impact; including UN Women, World Vision and Plan International.
She was also chosen to represent Australia at the UN where her passion and sustainable vision was recognised by UN Women. Committed to public policy and institutional reform, Caitlin applies her work ethic and influence at the UN as one of the youngest UN Task Force members on Youth Development and Gender Equality. She is currently studying a double degree in Law (Hon) & Development from ANU.