As Director-General of the Commonwealth Foundation, Dr Anne Gallagher is ambassador for the 2.4 billion citizens of the Commonwealth, championing the voice of civil society across 54 countries. An international lawyer, teacher and human rights advocate she has been widely recognised for her pioneering efforts to advance justice, equality and the rule of law. Anne’s work in the United Nations and beyond to eliminate modern slavery and to advance the rights of girls and women has earned her many honours and awards. The youngest-ever woman to be appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia, Anne has also received the Peace Woman of the Year award from the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, and was elected as the first ever female President of the International Catholic Migration Commission in 2018.
Anne serves on the Board of Academic Advisors to the UK’s largest civil liberties law firm, Doughty St Chambers, to support its strategic litigation in the UK and international courts with a special focus on the rights of exploited migrants and trafficked persons. She is now the Board Chair at Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage.