Jacinda Ardern · Former PM · New Zealand · The WLS 100 · 2026 Edition
Public Service
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Inaugural edition 2026 · Oceania

Jacinda Ardern

Former PM

Leadership par l'empathie. Harvard.

Education
University of Waikato
Organization
Profile

Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37 and quickly gained international attention for a style of leadership built on empathy and clarity. Her response to the Christchurch attacks in 2019 and her handling of the Covid-19 pandemic drew praise around the world. Re-elected in 2020 with an outright majority, she stepped down in early 2023. She has since pursued her work at Harvard, focusing on leadership and on countering extremist content online, in continuation of the Christchurch Call she launched together with Emmanuel Macron.

Why this selection

She redefined what responsible leadership can look like in a crisis, and her influence on global debates continues well beyond her time in office.

WLS 100 badge · Jacinda Ardern
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