2020
Avery Johnstone
- Age: 27
- | She/her/hers
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The divide between power and purpose has never been greater. To achieve sustainable development, we need to bring together diverse perspectives and experiences, from governments, corporations, NGOs, and communities alike, to inform conversations, learnings, and research on the various intersections girls and women are facing.
- Avery Johnstone
Bio
Avery is a researcher, project manager and digital strategist, and works at KPMG UK in their Climate Risk and Decarbonisation Strategy practice, based in London. At KPMG UK, Avery advises companies and governments on the impacts of known and emerging climate change risks and opportunities to develop climate-resilient businesses, infrastructure and societies. Avery’s areas of expertise lie in the intersections of gender, health and climate research, thought leadership and engagement strategy, particularly youth engagement. Previously, Avery has led the Editorial Team for the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society, as well as The New York Times Generation Climate initiative for The New York Times Climate Hub alongside COP26.
Avery has also served as a Youth Ambassador to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on topics of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and has sat on the Board of Directors for a regional branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association. She has worked with Queen’s Health Outreach to develop mental and sexual health curriculum for students in Georgetown, Guyana, and spent two months implementing this initiative alongside the Guyanese Ministry of Education and Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association in May/June 2019.
Avery is a Dean’s List graduate from The School of Kinesiology and Health Studies at Queen’s University, Kingston, a Youth Advisor to Canadian Senator Marilou McPhedran and sits on the Canadian Council of Young Feminists / Conseil canadien de jeunes féministes. She is also a Young Leader with Women Deliver’s Young Leaders Programme, in the inaugural cohort of Apolitical’s Gender Equality Collective and has been recognized as a WeAreTheCity 2021 Rising Star in Professional Services.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
At the age of 11, I found out that many girls around the world did not have the same access to education that I did, and that really troubled me. I yearned for solutions and began to learn more about how I could support girls in our global community.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
I led a team of student researchers to Georgetown, Guyana to implement a seven-week education initiative focused on mental health and suicide prevention in vulnerable communities that connected survivors of gender-based violence with strategies, local resources, and support networks.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
In my spare time, I enjoy being active and outside, whether it be running, sailing, or hiking. I also enjoy perfecting my cooking skills (while, admittedly, having kitchen dance parties with my sisters), attending live music gigs with friends, and overconsuming comedy TV shows.
Languages Spoken:
- English (Advanced/Native)
- French (Intermediate)
Publications:
Speaks On:
- impacts of climate change on women's access to health
- mental health advocacy and education for youth
- CSE education for women in vulnerable populations
Past Awards, Certifications, or Fellowships:
- Gender-Based Analysis+ Training by Government of Canada
- Mental Health First Aid Training by Mental Health Commission of Canada
- ASIST: Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training by Canadian Mental Health Association
- United Nations Population Fund Youth Ambassador on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (European Parliamentary Forum on SRHR)
- Canadian Council of Young Feminists
- Dean’s Honors List at Queen’s University
- London Branch Executive of Queen’s University Alumni Association
- SWAT Consulting Program at Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
