Laura Liswood, Secretary General, Council of Women World Leaders

Secretary General, Council of Women World Leaders
Senior Advisor, Goldman Sachs

In 1996, Laura Liswood co-founded the Council of Women World Leaders with President Vigdís Finnbogadóttir of Iceland. The Council is composed of women presidents and prime ministers, and is a Policy Program at the Aspen Institute.

In 2001, Liswood was named Managing Director, Global Leadership and Diversity for Goldman Sachs.  She is now a Senior Advisor to the firm.

From 1992 – 1996 Liswood interviewed 19 current and former women presidents and prime ministers, which she chronicled in her book and video documentary, Women World Leaders (1996, 2007 and 2009, Harper Collins).  In 1997, Liswood co-founded The White House Project, which is dedicated to electing a woman President of the United States.  

Liswood’s professional experience includes executive-level positions in Fortune 500 international companies.  After the events of September 11, 2001, Liswood became a reserve police officer in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and is now a Sergeant.

Liswood’s latest book, The Loudest Duck, is a business guide that explores workplace diversity and uses practical stories to offer an alternate, nuanced approach to diversity to create a truly effective workplace for all. (Wiley & Sons, November 2009).

She holds an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School and a B.A. from California State University, San Diego.  She holds a J.D. from the University of California, Davis School of Law, and is admitted to practice law in California and Massachusetts.

For additional information, please visit: www.lauraliswood.com.