Seun Odusanya – Gender Equality & Social Impact Advocate | Young Leader

Seun Odusanya is a passionate advocate for gender equality and social impact, driving meaningful change at both local and global levels. She holds a First-Class degree in Management, Politics, and International Relations from Lancaster University (2017–2021), including a year in industry, where she developed an interdisciplinary understanding of political systems and their impact in today’s interconnected world. In recognition of her leadership potential, she was named one of the UK’s most outstanding African and African Caribbean future leaders.

Seun currently works in local government within Communications and Engagement as part of the Participation and Insight function. In this role, she supports the Mayor of Greater Manchester to deliver community engagement and participation, while translating data, intelligence, and insights to inform communications and policy work.

Seun advances change through a combination of international advocacy and local community initiatives. She is a Community Member of UN Women UK and represents Nigeria in the Pan-African Youth Parliament, collaborating with a network of advocates to drive change through action. Most recently, she was selected as a member of the Common Futures Conversations (CFC) community at Chatham House, working with other young people from around the world to discuss policy ideas and engage with policymakers.

Seun’s long-term ambition is to advance gender equality for women and girls across Africa, particularly in Nigeria. In 2025, she demonstrated this commitment by running the Manchester Half Marathon, raising over £2,500 for Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF). These funds directly supported the Men As Allies (MAA) programme, partnering with around 50 men and boys in local communities to champion gender equality and reduce Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG).

Shaped by her academic, professional, and volunteering experiences, Seun exemplifies leadership through action, with a strong commitment to helping organisations achieve lasting social impact.