Power Stage: Sara Austin – The Future Belongs to the Bold

Sara Austin is one of Canada’s leading social entrepreneurs and a world-class champion for the rights of women and children. As the Founder and CEO of Children First Canada, she is leading a national movement to make Canada the best place in the world for kids to grow up. Over nearly three decades, her work has shaped landmark initiatives that have impacted millions of young lives. Her advocacy began on the streets of Bangkok and the dusty plains of sub-Saharan Africa, and has since taken her to lead change across multiple continents, at the United Nations, on Parliament Hill, and in boardrooms around the world.

You’ll find her name on several “most powerful” lists, including the Top 25 Women of Influence and the Top 100 Most Powerful Women Hall of Fame—the youngest recipient of this honour. She led the successful global campaign that led to the adoption of a landmark UN treaty enabling children to seek justice when their rights are violated, and is now at the forefront of Canada’s efforts to protect kids in the digital world. She is a trusted voice in national media, helping shape public dialogue on the state of the nation’s children and the future of Canada.

As a graduate of Oxford University with a Master’s degree in International Human Rights Law, Sara combines the perspective of an entrepreneur, advocate, and movement builder. Known for turning bold ideas into even bolder impact, Sara brings a unique perspective on leadership, resilience, and creating change in an increasingly complex world. Her keynote challenges audiences to think differently about courage, purpose, and the extraordinary ripple effect one leader can have on the future.