Young Global Leaders

About the Young Global Leaders

The Young Global Leaders is a unique global organization composed of 700 of the world’s most innovative and forward-looking leaders aged below 40—all of them aspiring to shape the global future. It is such an honor to reveal that Soulaima Gourani has been chosen as one of the 192 global leadership talents in 2012 who will work with shaping the future in one of the world’s most important leadership forums — the Young Global Leaders. The Young Global Leaders is part of the World Economic Forum, an independent international organization whose aim is to improve the world’s condition; members such as Kofi Annan and Christine Lagarde carry out this task.

The members of the Young Global Leaders represent the leadership of the future and come from all corners of the world, representing the business community, the government, the civil society, the arts and culture, the academics, the media, as well as the social entrepreneurs.

These 192 leaders have been selected through extensive assessments and deliberations by some of the world’s most prominent leaders. They have been chosen based on their ability to influence and create the global future. It is such a great honor to reveal that Soulaima Gourani has been selected as a Young Global Leader and will represent the leadership of the future and play a part in one of the most important forums for growth and welfare in the future.

Read more about the Young Global Leaders / See who else received the award

About Soulaima Gourani

There is a lot to be said about Soulaima Gourani and her experience — a fact that her resume can attest to. At the age of 28, Soulaima Gourani was recognized as one of Denmark’s best businesswomen when she received two prestigious awards: Rising Star and Talent 2004. A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then, and after handling management responsibilities in companies such as Hewlett-Packard and the Maersk Group, Soulaima Gourani now takes advantage of her vast knowledge and experience as an adviser and lecturer for some of Denmark’s most innovative companies. Furthermore, she is on the board of several companies and investment funds.

Read more about Soulaima Gourani’s career and private life. Also, download Soulaima’s resume.

Quotes by Soulaima Gourani

Quote 1
“I feel very honored and proud that I have been chosen as one of the few Danes to ever become a Young Global Leader. The World Economic Forum considers me to be one of the most influential leaders of the future. It is without a doubt one of the greatest recognitions I can ever imagine. It is a great honor and a fantastic acknowledgment of my work as a corporate adviser, of my activities as a board member, of my contributions as a debater and writer, and of my work as a source of inspiration for the business community in my role as a lecturer.”

Quote 2
“It is very exciting to become part of the exclusive Young Global Leaders network, which is composed of 700 leaders from all corners of the world. Together we make up a powerful network with the ability to leave a mark on the world, where we are citizens, employees, and leaders. It is a unique opportunity to develop not only my personal but also my professional qualifications through an even more global perspective, which will benefit my work as a corporate adviser, writer, lecturer, and board member. I look forward to bringing knowledge and insight from the global network to my Danish business partners.”

Quote 3
“To be selected by the World Economic Forum (WEF) is unique, and I feel much honored. I have been chosen as a Young Global Leader (YGL) after competing with thousands of excellent leaders from all over the world. This year, WEF has chosen 192 among the leaders of the future, and I am one of them. I look forward to meeting my new colleagues in Mexico in April. There will be more traveling and more obligations, but also more influence and inspiration. I almost cannot wait to get started on the YGL work, which I will handle alongside my roles as a speaker, corporate advisor, and board member.”

Quote 4
”As a member of the Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forum, I will contribute to the development of solutions for some of the many pressing challenges the world is facing right now. Actually, I cannot imagine a more relevant time than now to get involved in the international agenda. The world needs a strong international network of thinkers and action-oriented leaders who have the courage to make decisions and the willingness to get involved.”

Quote 5
”As a new member of the Young Global Leaders, the World Economic Forum, I am part of a forum tasked with shaping growth and welfare in the future. It will be a big challenge, and I look forward to handling this task with people like Kofi Annan and Christine Lagarde. I look forward to bringing new knowledge and insight home to a Danish context.”

Press photos

Here is a small selection of press photos. The photos may be used per agreement with Soulaima Gourani. You can find a bigger selection of photos here.

Testimonials

“This nomination is an impressive recognition for Soulaima. It is an acknowledgment of hard work, femininity, and professionalism in business. Add to that the fact that Soulaima’s name and background are not typical Danish, and you will see that Soulaima is the best proof in recent times that you can succeed in spite of prejudice and mistaken beliefs. A big congratulations from me, and get down to it—here is an example for inspiration.”
Stine Bosse
Businesswoman

Contact Stine through e-mail or phone: +45 21 23 24 25. Please send a text message before calling.

“I am very happy on Soulaima’s behalf; she really deserves this recognition. And it is an added bonus that the knowledge Soulaima will get through the new global network will benefit the Danish entrepreneurs on her Amino blog. I am very proud on her behalf!”
Martin Thorborg
Founder of the entrepreneur portal Amino

Contact Martin regarding this through e-mail or phone: + 45 40 74 42 09.

“Soulaima Gourani is an amazing source of inspiration and a role model to the many young people who participate in our entrepreneurship competitions every year. She is proof that higher education goes hand in hand with the creative urge and the desire to realize your dream.”
Christian Vintergaard
Managing Director, the Danish Foundation for Entrepreneurship—Young Enterprise

Contact Christian regarding this through e-mail.

“I congratulate Soulaima with her impressive international recognition as a Young Global Leader. This is a job well done by a self-employed 36-years-old woman from Copenhagen North. Soulaima is a great example of a pattern breaker who, with insight and visionary courage, becomes exponent for the leaders of the future. Congratulations from the Ministry for Gender Equality.”
Manu Sareen
Minister for Gender Equality

“Soulaima Gourani is a visionary businesswoman who questions status quo and uses her charisma, humor, and knowledge to give all of us a push. Soulaima is an excellent choice as a Young Global Leader, and I am convinced that she will continue to make a difference in the years to come. It is a pat on the shoulder that I can fully endorse.”
Lars Nørby Johansen
Chairman

“Soulaima Gourani is a good choice for a participant of an international network for young businesspeople. To be included in the network, the young candidates must both have a successful career and be active in public debate. In spite of her young age, Soulaima has, for several years, been appearing frequently in the media and on conferences where the business community and social development have been on the agenda. I see it as positive that she, in addition to her obvious qualifications, is a woman. Her gender has not been a deciding factor for her nomination, but I think it is great that a woman from Denmark can assert herself in an important international forum, which historically has been dominated by men.”
Niels Boserup
Chairman of the Oticon Foundation