Book IWD Speaker: Maudlyn Akosua Awuku

Maudlyn Akosua Awuku is a Ghanaian-born, UK-based social impact leader, Senior Policy Advisor and international speaker with over 10 years of experience in gender equality, women’s leadership, youth empowerment and education.

She is the Founder and CEO of Anijie Global Foundation, a youth-led charity that has reached over 100,000 women, girls and young people since 2019 through leadership development, education and climate action programmes. She is also Convener of the African Youth Gender and Climate Conference (AYGCC), which has brought together young leaders, policymakers and changemakers from 30 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas. In the UK, she founded GEWE Global Network CIC, which supports Black African, minority ethnic and first-generation migrant women into political and civic leadership.

Maudlyn holds a Master’s degree in Project Management from the University of Salford, UK, a degree in Sociology and Political Studies from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana, and an Executive Mini MBA from Accra Business School. She has worked with UNDP Ghana and Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She has served as a UN Women UK Delegate to the UN Commission on the Status of Women since 2022 and is a Gender Advocate with 50:50 Parliament. Her work champions Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5 and 13: quality education, gender equality and climate action.

She created the LEGIT Blueprint (Lead, Empower, Grow, Inspire, Transform), a leadership framework she first shared on the TEDx stage. It powers her LEGIT Next GEN Leadership Program, her masterclass series and her forthcoming book, The LEGIT Blueprint. As a University of Salford Ambassador, she has also mentored more than 300 international students.

Her recognitions include the Study UK Alumni Award for Social Action, Forbes Africa “Over 30 Under 50” Finalist, the Young Achievers Award at the UK House of Parliament, the Youth Leadership in Sustainability Award at the House of Lords, the University of Salford Alumni Rising Star Award, Humanitarian of the Year, Young Global Peace Ambassador, 100 Most Influential Young Africans, and the Excellence in Community Development and People’s Choice Awards at Forty Under 40 UK.

Where she has spoken
TEDx University of Salford, University of Salford Commencement Speaker (Class of 2024), the Africa Women Summit, the African Youth Gender and Climate Conference, and the University of Salford’s International Women’s Day campaign.

Signature talks
- Be LEGIT: Leading When No One Handed You the Mic
- From Kaneshie to the UN: Turning Barriers into Platforms
- Women, Youth and the Climate Future: From Promises to Power

Why book Maudlyn?
Maudlyn speaks from lived experience. She grew up in Kaneshie, an underserved community in Ghana, where young women like her were often overlooked, denied opportunities and kept off the platforms where decisions are made. She turned those barriers into purpose, building organisations that now open doors for thousands of women and young people across Africa and the UK. Audiences leave with a practical leadership framework, real examples of community-led change, and the confidence to turn their own voice into action. Her talks connect grassroots impact with global policy, so they work for corporate, academic, youth and policy audiences alike.

“Rooted in community, dignity, and long-term change.”
Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford

Speaking formats
Keynotes, panel discussions and moderation, leadership workshops and masterclasses, commencement and youth addresses. Available in person across the UK, Africa and internationally, and online.

Speaking topics
Women in leadership and politics, youth leadership and the LEGIT Blueprint, gender and climate justice, building impact through partnerships, and resilience and purpose-led leadership.

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