Since 2020, the Pandemic has disrupted the way organisations achieve their mission and purpose. As the world enters a ‘new normal,’ beset by new crises, organisations continue to be disrupted by ongoing pandemic flare-ups, supply chain shortages and new workplace expectations about flexibility and work-life balance.
In this presentation, Michael shares the lessons gained from his experiences and front row insights helping to mobilise billions of dollars for social causes during this age of crises: from the Covid-19 Pandemic to the war in Ukraine.
Prior to 2020, Global Citizen, the organization Michael helped co-found over a decade ago, was known for its large in person social cause music festivals. From New York to Mumbai, Hamburg to Johannesburg, Global Citizen has produced some of the world’s largest and most impactful events. Yet in 2020, the organization faced an existential crisis at a time when its work was needed more than ever.
As Michael became one of the first amongst his friends and family to get covid in March 2020, and with its plans for in-person festivals shelved, Global Citizen grappled with how to pivot and support the World Health Organization’s pandemic relief efforts. In the span of just a few weeks, the organization produced the largest show in its history with over 100 musicians engaged, 150+ countries reached and over $127M mobilised. In the years following, Global Citizen has applied the lessons it has learnt to registering voters in the US, addressing vaccine inequity, securing support for climate change and most recently supporting Ukrainian refugee efforts.
In this presentation, Michael distills the lessons gained from the last 3 years and the key takeaways for leaders looking to create change in this global age of uncertainty.
