Gillian Sorensen has had a distinguished career with the United Nations serving as Assistant Secretary-General; Special Adviser for Public Policy, and National Advocate for the United Nations Foundation. She worked closely with three Secretaries-General, with diplomats from 193 nations and with 4000 non-governmental organizations accredited to the UN. She began her career as the New York City Commissioner for the United Nations and Consular Corps, head of the city’s liaison office with 30,000 diplomats. She is an experienced public speaker and has addressed audiences here and abroad ranging from diplomats and politicians, to journalists and students, women’s groups and faith groups, civic leaders and cadets at both West Point and the Air Force Academy. Gillian has twice been a Fellow at Harvard. She serves on the Board of the International Rescue Committee and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. She is active in political life and was a delegate to three national Presidential Conventions. She continues to inspire support for the UN on matters of peace, justice, human rights, and humanitarian and refugee relief. A New York Times profile referred to her as “The Diplomat’s Diplomat.” Sorensen has moderated several events for The Common Good, including Smithsonian American Women's History Museum with Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Smithsonian’s Lisa Sasaki. She is currently a member of The Common Good Honorary Advisory Board.
LinkedIn: @GillianSorensen
Selected Media:
What is a Global Citizen?, 2005, Sorensen is interviewed by Nancy Roof
The United Nations – Imperfect but Indispensable - Gillian Sorensen, 2020, United Nations Association of the USA, San Francisco Chapter
Words of Wisdom from Gillian Sorensen, 2010, Sorensen during her keynote speech at JCI Global Partnership Summit
A woman should lead the U.N., 2015, Washington Post op-ed by Sorensen and Jean Krasno.
Divorce is Not An Option, 2008, Speech by Sorensen at Lehigh University, comparing the relationship between the U.S. and the U.N. to a marriage again
Secretary-General Kofi Annan, 2019, Global Governance: A Review of Multilateralism and International Organizations
