Helle Thorning-Schmidt

Former Prime Minister of Denmark & Former CEO at Save the Children

Speaker

Helle Thorning-Schmidt has an extensive background spanning politics, international relations and business. In 2017 she was named as one of the world’s greatest leaders by Fortune magazine.

As leader of the Denmark’s Social Democrat party for 10 years and Prime Minister from 2011-2015, she steered the country through a difficult financial crisis while reducing child poverty and increasing spending on education. She was the first woman to hold both positions.

Following her term as PM, Helle was the Chief Executive of Save the Children, overseeing the work of 17,000 staff in 120 countries to reach around 50 million children every year in some of the most difficult and challenging contexts. She was deeply engaged in highlighting the humanitarian crises in Yemen and Syria, and the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Ms Thorning-Schmidt remains deeply engaged in these geopolitical issues as a member of several foreign policy think tanks, including the US Council on Foreign Relations, the European Council for Foreign Relations, and the Atlantic Council International Advisory Board. Helle is also a member of the Berggruen 21st Century Council.

In 2017, Helle was a co-chair of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, and is on the board of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. Today Helle uses her deep political and international expertise to advise a range of businesses and not-for-profit groups.

Helle is non-executive Director on a number of Boards - Vestas, one of the world’s leaders in sustainable energy; DJE Holdings, a global communications firm that partners with businesses and organisations to evolve, promote and protect their brands and reputations; Safelane, a global leader in clearing landmines and the explosive remnants of war; Neurons Inc ApS, a leader in combining neuroscience and AI to take the guesswork out of advertising, and VISTA Equity Partners, an American investment firm focused on financing and forwarding software, data and technology-enabled startup businesses. Since 2020 Helle has served as Co-Chair of The Oversight Board, an independent body created to help Meta answer some of the most difficult questions around freedom of expression online; as well as Chairman for the Danish Football Union’s Governance Committee.

Helle has authored a number of books, including her memoirs from a feminist perspective and devotes much of her time to defend and renew progress, free speech, human rights and democracy. As a strong champion of women and girls’ rights throughout her time in government and at Save the Children, she continues to remain passionate about women’s empowerment and trans rights.

Helle was previously a member of the European Parliament. She has a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen and a Master’s Degree in European Studies from the College of Europe in Bruges.