Joni Simpson

Senior Specialist in Gender Equality & Non-discrimination
International Labour Organization

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BACKGROUND

Joni has over twenty years of experience in women’s entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment and inclusive approaches to socio-economic development. She currently serves as a Senior Specialist in Gender, Equality and Non-discrimination at the International Labour Organization (a specialized agency of the United Nations), where she provides guidance to Constituents for policies and programmes that promote gender equality and inclusion in the world of work and inclusive and sustainable development. She has developed multi-country projects and led diverse teams to serve the needs of women and youth in entrepreneurship development and decent work. She has also worked in community economic development, social economy and also in micro finance. Her experience spans across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, North America, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

Joni is the Founder of the CanCham's WE-Can programme for women entrepreneurs and Co-founder of the Women in Leadership initiative.