Hugh Evans

Hugh Evans Profile

Co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, Hugh Evans is on a mission to end extreme poverty in the world by 2030. His organization’s flagship event, the Global Citizen Festival recruits millions to the war against poverty, requiring them to commit acts of social activism in return for admission to a world class concert featuring superstar performers such as Beyonce and Coldplay.

Evans’ crusade for change began at age 14 when his zeal for raising charitable donations earned him the opportunity to take part in a development program in the slums of Manila. His perspective on life was forever altered after completing a home-stay with a boy his age who slept with his entire family on a slab of concrete.

He continued to participate and lead mission trips throughout his youth. At age 23 he set up the Oaktree Foundation, Australia’s first youth run aid organization with a mission of ‘young people working together to end global poverty.’ Development projects funded by Oaktree have also been established in The Philippines, Papua New Guinea, India, Ghana and East Timor, providing educational opportunities to more than 40,000 young people.

In 2008, Evans founded Global Citizen (launched as the Global Poverty Project), an advocacy organization working in partnership with key NGOs, business leaders, world leaders and global citizens in its efforts to build the largest movement of people taking actions and calling on governments to support policies that would significantly impact the world’s poor. Evans’ vision, passion, and dedication has gained him the backing of Hugh Jackman, Stephen Colbert, and U2’s Bono, while his actionable roadmap to tackling global challenges has rallied millions of Global citizens to action.

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  Hugh Evans’ breakthrough brand of action-oriented humanitarianism has mobilized millions to end extreme poverty, climate change and gender inequality around the world. A riveting speaker and irresistible motivator, Evans’ passion and purpose have captured the attention of heads of state, business leaders, billionaires, and a growing list of influential admirers such as Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates, Bill Clinton, Hugh Jackman, Arianna Huffington and Ben Affleck. The annual Global Citizen Festival that Evans founded attracts headliners such as Pearl Jam, Beyoncé, Coldplay and Ed Sheeran to perform every September in New York’s Central Park, rewarding activist attendees and raising awareness of the organization’s transformational work.

  Evans’ activism began at 14 when the young Australian spent several weeks doing community service in the heart-wrenching slums of Manila. Driven by a mission to end extreme poverty, he went on to volunteer with Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity in India and found Australia’s Oaktree Foundation. In 2008, Evans co-founded the Global Poverty Project, giving rise to the Global Citizen online platform and community. Along the way, he was named Young Australian of the Year, made Forbes’ “30 under 30” list, raised millions and earned a master’s in international relations from University of Cambridge. All before he turned 30.

  For Evans, speaking to a broad array of college, corporate and nonprofit audiences is an extension of the world-changing journey that he began at 14. An inspiring humanitarian and innovative social entrepreneur, Evans makes conquering the world’s most daunting global challenges seem achievable and motivates all of us to make a difference in our communities, companies, and around the world.