Learning from the World's Most Gender-Equal Nation: Driving Women's Power into Economic Growth

Eliza Reid is a writer, public speaker, gender equality advocate, cofounder of the acclaimed Iceland Writers Retreat and former first lady of Iceland. She was born and raised in Canada but has lived in Iceland for over twenty years. She is the author of three books, all of which have been instant bestsellers in Canada and Iceland: The First Lady Next Door: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure (2026), Secrets of the Sprakkar: Iceland’s Extraordinary Women and How They Are Changing the World (2022), and the Iceland-set mystery Death on the Island (Death of a Diplomat in the UK) (2025), which was also an instant USA Today bestseller and is in development as a television series. A second mystery, A Chorus of Secrets, will be published in May 2027.

From 2016 to 2024, Eliza served in the unofficial role of First Lady while her husband was President of Iceland, during which time she served as patron of numerous organizations and was named a United Nations Special Ambassador for Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals. She continues to speak at conferences and events around the world, delivering inspiring keynotes on topics relating to gender equality, how to make an impact when you’re not in charge, and storytelling for social change. She sits on the boards of the Canadian-Icelandic Chamber of Commerce, the Reykjavík Global Forum (Advisory Board) and the Women’s Shelter of Iceland and is a special ambassador for SOS Children’s Villages Iceland.

Eliza has degrees from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and Oxford University (St. Antony’s College). She lives in the outskirts of Reykjavík with her husband and four children.

Kathy is a co-founder and General Partner of MPower Partners, Japan’s first ESG-integrated venture capital fund. She was previously Vice Chair of Goldman Sachs Japan and Chief Japan Equity Strategist. Kathy was ranked No. 1 in Japan Equity Strategy by Institutional Investor multiple times and was named to Fortune’s “Most Powerful Women in Asia.” Her “Womenomics” research influenced Japan’s national growth strategy. Kathy has served on government committees promoting diversity and corporate governance. Her best-selling book How to Nurture Female Employees draws from her 30-year finance career.
Kathy is an external board director of Fast Retailing Inc., and serves on the boards of the US-Japan Council, the Asian University for Women Support Foundation, and The Nature Conservancy Asia Pacific Council. She holds an AB, magna cum laude, from Harvard University and an MA from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies

National Licensed Prosthetist and Orthotist. Started Össur as technical staff since 2004, introducing MHLW registration strategy and launching to Japan. Established Össur Japan in 2020. Through medical and welfare system, with Össur products technology, helping patients to go back to work and society. Former Chairman of ISCCJ. MBA IB from Tsukuba University, BA from Tsukuba University. Licensed PO from National Rehab Center.

Dr. Atsushi Sunami is President of the Sasakawa Peace
Foundation, the Showa University of Music, and the Deloitte
Tohmatsu Strategy Institute. He earned his BSFS from
Georgetown University in 1987, and his Master of International
Affairs and Ph.D. in Political Science from Columbia University
in 1989 and 1995, respectively.
In addition, he serves as Adjunct Professor and Special Advisor
to the President at the National Graduate Institute for Policy
Studies (GRIPS), and as Guest Professor at Waseda University.
With more than 30 years of experience as a scholar and policy advisor, Dr. Sunami has
gained international recognition for his pioneering work on science and technology policy,
innovation systems, and science and technology diplomacy. He also holds leadership roles in
national space and ocean science committees and JAXA initiatives. He previously served as
Special Advisor to the Minister of State for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy of the
Cabinet Office, Government of Japan and currently chairs the Okinawa Development and
Promotion Council of the Cabinet Office, Government of Japan.

Ayaka Matsuno currently serves as Program Director in the Planning and Coordination Department at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), where she leads strategic initiatives and drives cross-departmental collaboration. She designed and launched Harmony by Design: Asia Dialogue, a new initiative that convenes visionary leaders from across Asia to foster constructive dialogue and promote peace in the region.
Until April 2025, Ayaka headed SPF’s Social Innovation team (formerly the Gender Investment and Innovation Program). In that role, she led the development and execution of targeted interventions to support women entrepreneurs and advance inclusive economic growth throughout Asia. Under her leadership, SPF partnered with national, regional, and global development organizations to catalyze social innovation and strengthen the resilience of women in local economies.
She served W20 Japan as Co-Head of Delegates, 2023-2025.