Soroptimist International (SI) is delighted to announce the appointment of Ulla Elisabeth Madsen as the SI Assistant Director of Advocacy (SIADA), for the next biennium 2020 –2021.

SI President, Mariet Verhoef-Cohen says: “On behalf of the SI Board of Directors I am delighted to welcome Ulla Elisabeth Madsen to the role The SI Assistant Director of Advocacy (SIADA) will work closely with the SI Director of Advocacy (SIDA) to actively support and promote the SI strategic plan programme goals, objectives and strategies and we look forward to working with Ulla who brings with her extensive experience from her Soroptimist roles and a passion for advocacy, and the rights of women and girls”.

Ulla Elisabeth Madsen has served as a Soroptimist since 1992, and lives in Copenhagen, Denmark, and following a long career in banking, which included the roles of Senior Advisor and Risk Manager, and Head of Efficiency Improvement and Rationalization at Handelsbanken, Denmark, Ulla established her own company in 2017, offering consulting advice to companies on financial matters, strategies, providing structure and guidance on methods and practices to support the United Nations Sustainable Goals (SDGs).

Ulla says: “Since I was a young woman I have stood up for human rights and gender equality. With local, national and international experience, I was a member of SI Denmark, SI Kastrup-Taarnby; the Union of Denmark; and also served at Federation level for Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE). Advocating for human rights and gender equality through the education and empowerment of women and girls, I served as SIE President 2013 – 2015, SI Board member 2011-2017 and Chair of the SI Leadership Development Committee, 2015-2017.  Additionally, I served on the Board of UNICEF Denmark from 2016 – 2019. Sustainable Development and thematic issues such as the environment, and violence against women and girls were and continue to remain, close to my heart”.

Ulla has attended the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as a Soroptimist delegate six times and has experience as speaker and panellist at several SI and SIE Side events. Recently, Ulla was keynote speaker and panellist at a session at The United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) in Vienna, “The Lost Children – Safeguarding unaccompanied migrant minors from going Missing”.

SI Director of Advocacy, Beverly Bucur says: “I am excited that Ulla is joining the Advocacy team for 2020-2021. Her knowledge of the UN and background as a Past-President of SIE will be helpful to us in working at the UN Centres in Europe. Ulla will focus on the UN Centers in Europe, focusing on Human Rights, CEDAW and the Universal Periodic Review. I look forward to working with her during the next biennium.”

Ulla adds: “I look forward to working with and promoting the work of the SI UN Representatives to highlight their considerable achievements which benefit not only our organisation and current membership, but engage and attract young members, who show such interest and activity in the field of in human rights and gender equality. To be able to work closely with the SI Director of Advocacy (SIDA) Beverly Bucur and the SI UN Representatives, in supporting and promoting the SI strategic plan, goals and objectives, in particular those related to advocacy, is something that I am very enthusiastic about. Additionally, liaising with SIHQ and working together with the Federation Programme and Advocacy Directors, to inform and encourage on international advocacy themes, is something I indeed am looking forward to.

I am proud of what SI has achieved at International level and am convinced that I can achieve and support further successes and build on my predecessor’s great work using my experience, enthusiasm and passion for Advocacy”.