Lesley Abdela is a partner in Eyecatcher Associates / Shevolution and is Chief Executive of Project Parity. 

Abdela has over 20 years experience in the fields of gender and democratic development.  Since 1992 she has worked in over 40 countries as an expert advisor to governments and international organizations, NGOs and the private sector, including the United Nations, The European Commission, and The International Monetary Fund.

Lesley develops strategies and designs training programs and materials to help build systems where women and men work in equal partnership in work, life and politics.  Lesley's award winning work in the fields of gender, human rights, human resources and democratic empowerment have been widely recognized. In addition to her work in this field Lesley Abdela is a journalist, broadcaster and speaker on the international circuit.

Her awards include: 1996 UK woman of Europe, recognizing her substantial contribution to the status of women in Europe, an honorary doctorate from Nottingham Trent University for her work on Human Rights and an MBE (Member of the British Empire, awarded by Queen Elizabeth II) for services to women in politics and pubic life.

Submitted by: Kit Bennett