Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

• Executive Director, United Nations Women (UN Women), USA

1980, BA in Education, University of Lesotho; 2003, MPhil in Educational Planning and Policy, University of Cape Town. From Dec. 1983, first President, Natal Organization of Women. 1984-86, Young Women's Coordinator, World Young Women's Christian Association, Geneva. 1994, became Member of Parliament, South Africa, chairing the Public Service Portfolio Committee. 1996-99, Deputy Minister, Department of Trade and Industry. 1999-2005, Minister of Minerals and Energy. 2004, Acting Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology. 2005-08, first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa. 2008, established Umlambo Foundation to provide support to schools in impoverished areas in South Africa through mentorship and coaching for teachers, and in Malawi through school improvements with local partners. July 2013, appointed Executive Director, UN Women, the organization leading the UN's work on advancing gender equality and women's rights. Honorary Doctorate, University of Western Cape (2003).