Natasha Stott Despoja AO

Politician, Diplomat, Advocate & Keynote Speaker

Natasha Stott Despoja is an Australian politician, diplomat, advocate and author who has had an extraordinary influence on the education and role of women in Australia and worldwide.

The youngest woman to sit in the Parliament of Australia and the longest serving Australian Democrats Senator, since leaving politics she has thrown her support behind several not for profit organisations that work to support people who are disadvantaged or at risk.

Natasha is the founding Chair of Our Watch (the Foundation to Prevent Violence Against Women and their Children) and she was Australia’s Global Ambassador for Women and Girls (2013-2016), responsible for the promotion of women’s economic empowerment, women’s leadership and the reduction of violence against women and girls. In May 2018, she was named one of the Top 100 Global Influencers on Gender Policy. In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her international work.

Natasha is a keynote speaker who draws on her diverse experiences to deliver presentations with passion, conviction that provide insights into issues facing contemporary society.

More about Natasha Stott Despoja:

Natasha graduated with a BA from the University of Adelaide in 1991. She was involved in student representation at school (founding the State’s first State-wide student representative council) and at University.

Natasha was President of the University of Adelaide Students’ Association in 1991. She has worked as an adviser for Democrat Senators including for Leaders, Senators John Coulter and Cheryl Kernot.

Celebrity Speakers Australia Inspirational speakers, Telephone +61 2 9251 1333 ABN 36 884 606 155 History entertainers and hosts for your [email protected] House, 133 Macquarie St conference or event. Since 1978. www.celebrityspeakers.com.au Sydney NSW 2000 Australia In 1995, at the age of 26, Senator Stott Despoja was the youngest woman ever to enter Federal Parliament. In 1997, she was elected as Deputy Leader of the Democrats and, in April 2001, Leader of the Australian Democrats – the youngest person of any party to hold such a position. In 2001, Senator Stott Despoja was selected by the World Economic Forum as a Global Leader for Tomorrow. In August 2002, Senator Stott Despoja resigned as Leader of the Australian Democrats. In her twelve years in Federal Parliament, Senator Stott Despoja made a significant contribution to a wide range of policy debates in her capacity as a spokesperson for the Australian Democrats on Higher Education; Science and Technology; Employment; Employment Services; Training; Youth Affairs; Trade; Consumer Affairs; Privacy; the Republic, and other areas.

Natasha is an Honorary Visiting Research Fellow at The University of Adelaide, a member of the Australian National University Council, a member of Board Agenda 50:50 by 2030 Advisory Group, and a member of the FIFA 2023 Women’s World Cup Steering Committee.

She is a former Deputy Chair of beyondblue, and has been a board member for the Burnet Institute, the South Australian Museum Board (2009-2013), the Advertising Standards Board member (2008-2013) and the Museum of Australian Democracy (2010-2013). She was o the Prime Minister’s Referendum Council.

She is a on the board of Carrie Bickmore’s Beanies for Brain Cancer; the Global Citizen; the Global Women’s Institute Leadership Council; the Global Citizen Women’s Council.

She is/has been, a Patron or Ambassador for several not-for-profit groups, including The Orangutan Project, VicHealth, secondbite, Ovarian Cancer Australia, ENUF the HIV/AIDS anti- stigma campaign and Action Aid.

In 2011, Natasha was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her service to the Australian Parliament, education and as a role model for women. In 2019, she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her international work.