Helle Thorning-Schmidt

Helle Thorning-Schmidt is a retired Danish politician who served as the 26th Prime Minister of Denmark from 2011 to 2015, and Leader of the Social Democrats from 2005 to 2015. She holds the distinction of being Denmark's first female Prime Minister, a role she assumed after the 2011 parliamentary election when she was appointed by Queen Margrethe II. Following her defeat in 2015, she announced her decision to step down as both Danish Prime Minister and leader of the Social Democratic party. Her political career formally ended in April 2016, and she then transitioned to a significant role in the nonprofit sector as the chief executive of the NGO Save the Children, where her tenure highlighted her commitment to humanitarian causes.

Thorning-Schmidt was first elected to the European Parliament in 1999 as a member of the Party of European Socialists. In 2005, she was elected to the Danish Parliament as a member of the Social Democrats and simultaneously became the new leader of the party. She led the Social Democrats through the 2007 parliamentary election, which was won by the centre-right alliance. Thorning-Schmidt holds degrees in political science from the University of Copenhagen and a graduate degree from the College of Europe. Her extensive educational background complements her deep involvement in foreign policy think tanks, enhancing her role as an international influencer with a focus on sustainable growth strategies and ethical decision-making in both business and politics.

Currently, Thorning-Schmidt is a sought-after keynote speaker, merging her experiences in politics, humanitarian efforts, and women’s empowerment into compelling presentations. She focuses on topics such as visionary leadership, empowerment, humanitarian leadership, and navigating complex global challenges. Her speaking engagements often provide strategies for driving change and fostering inclusivity within organizations, addressing key issues like charity work, female empowerment, global issues, humanitarian work, inspiration, international politics, motivation, organizational change, politics, women in business, and women's issues. This new phase of her career underscores her ongoing dedication to leadership and service, making her insights valuable to a wide array of audiences.