Michael Sheldrick
Michael Sheldrick is a policy entrepreneur, Co-Founder and Chief Policy, Impact and Government Affairs Officer at Global Citizen and author of From Ideas to Impact
Michael Sheldrick is a driving force behind the efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty. Michael leads the organization’s campaigns to rally support from governments, businesses and foundations to get the world on track to end extreme poverty.
He is a policy entrepreneur and has worked on campaigns globally with artists such as Beyoncé, Coldplay, Idris and Sabrina Elba, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna and Usher, as well as and world leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and former Australian Prime Ministers Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd.
Policy entrepreneur
CHANGEMAKER
SECURED OVER $40 BILLION TO REACH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE IN 150+ COUNTRIES
Michael has co-produced some of the world’s largest social impact campaigns and events such as the annual Global Citizen Festival in Central Park, New York, the Guinness World Record-winning virtual concert One World: Together At Home, and the centennial celebration of Nelson Mandela (Mandela 100).
As well as reaching millions of people in over 150 countries, these campaigns have helped secure more than US$40 billion towards local and regional organizations providing access to lifesaving medical treatment, sanitation, education, equity and empowerment, and climate residency efforts. Amongst other awards, One World received Guinness World Records for most money raised for charity by a remote music festival.
public SPEAKER
Michael Sheldrick has been a speaker on leadership, policy advocacy, sustainable development, corporate responsibility at a variety of conferences / summits globally
thought leader
Frequently featured in media and publications globally
Michael has written in Forbes, the Guardian, Huffington Post, The Diplomat Magazine, The South China Morning Post, The West Australian, and Fairfax Media. He has been interviewed by ABC, BBC, CNN, The New Yorker, Forbes Magazine, VICE Impact and Sky News.
speaker topics
Climate Change
- Carbon
- Circulate Economy
- International Cooperation
- Just Transition
Corporate Responsibility
- Philanthropy
- Social Impact and Purpose
- Sustainability
Leadership
- Collaboration
- Equality
- Resilience
- Storytelling
Thank you for taking time to visit the Economic Club of Minnesota. Everyone was rapt with attention. No matter the industry or location of the respective companies in the room, you provided relevant information for each and every person to take back to their workplace or school. We are all saying to ourselves, “We are not going away, we’ll give it a go…we are not going away, we’ll give it a go.” You are truly a friend to the Economic Club and to the state of Minnesota. We welcome you back anytime!
Kate Reschenberg, Executive Director, Economic Club of Minnesota
Michael is an incredible human being leading a global movement that inspires people around the world. It was a privilege hearing him in such an intimate setting! I’m always surprised that Australia doesn’t celebrate our innovators or hero’s here at home even when they play at the highest levels on the world stage. I was incredibly grateful for his personal relationship with Michele as it made the conversation much more personal and gave it that “only in YPO” feel! Personally – it was the single best YPO event I have EVER attended in 11 years!
Young Presidents’ Organization
Michael is one of those rare breeds in that he makes big vision become reality. I’ve known him many years now and am always struck by the way no challenge is insurmountable to him. He has that knack of seeing the big problem and then working out how he can bring people together to fix it. We so need more big thinkers and do-ers like Michael – he inspires and encourages us all to take that big leap.
James Lush, ABC Perth Presenter & CEO, Lush – The Content Agency
Michael Sheldrick is a remarkably insightful speaker who often juxtaposes facts with statistics captivating the imagination of his audiences. Michael has a unique ability of simplifying complex issues and inspiring action in simple and practical ways. He is also a profoundly good story teller and connects with his audiences in a very engaging manner. He typically challenges the status quo and drives the audience to arrive at novel conclusions.
Arrey Obenson, former Secretary-General, Junior Chamber International, CEO of the International Institute, Missouri
The sign of a good speaker is to first be a good listener and to focus more on what the audience needs to hear rather than what the speaker wants to say. Pushing words out for the sake of speaking is the surest way to disengage an audience. Unlike anyone I have met, Mick listens to people intently ahead of time, seeks to understand what they need to know and hear in order to be moved by his words, and adapts his message and approach if he needs to in the moment as he reads the room. Mick is a naturally effective speaker, exhibiting a casual, yet powerful presence. He breaks the medium immediately with his words and his inviting aura. When Mick begins to speak, he is already operating with the currency of trust with the audience because he carries with him on stage a reputation as a person of immense character and deep compassion for human life.
Devry Boughner Vorwerk, Arthur W Page Society Annual Conference & former VP, Global Corporate Affairs at Cargill
Most Recent publications
Let us turn the page on our current age of despair [Sunday Times]
If you wake up each morning with a sense of gloom, despair and anxiety about the state of the world, you are not alone. Studies show a surge in hopelessness and societal discontent as governments have failed to meet the public’s aspirations for a sustainable and...
How This 100-Year-Old Foundation Helped Save Detroit [Forbes]
“In some ways, I'm a little sheepish because we don't have a big splashy announcement,” admits Rip Rapson, referring to the 100-year birthday celebration of the Kresge Foundation (“Kresge”), over which he presides. Yet, the centennial celebration of this Detroit-based...
Investing in Africa to maximise its demographic dividend [Sunday Times]
Millions of Africans live in poverty. File photo.Image: ALAN EASON You don’t need us to tell you about this continent’s potential. About 70 years ago, Africans comprised 8% of the world’s population. By 2050, just a century later, an estimated one-quarter of humanity...
Don’t Let the Royal Photo Scandal Distract from Critical Commonwealth Efforts on Climate Change [Australian Outlook]
As journalists fixated on the Princess Kate photo scandal, they overlooked an another involving a Royal unfolding on the other side of the world. The Duchess of York’s recent visit to Samoa previewed the opportunity of this year’s Commonwealth summit to both enhance...
3 Ways Taylor Swift’s Carbon Offset For Jet Use Can Make A Difference [Forbes]
Amidst criticism for her frequent private jet use, Taylor Swift made a noteworthy move by purchasing double the required carbon credits to offset emissions from her record-breaking tour. If executed thoughtfully, Swift’s approach could catalyze efforts to combat...
Woodrow Wilson’s cautionary tale [Daily News]
President Woodrow Wilson’s legacy warns against impractical idealism. A century after his death, on Feb. 3, 1924, it is a stark reminder that noble goals demand compromise — a lesson perilously overlooked in our divided era, particularly in facing pressing...