Mary Izobo
Nigeria
Occupational Information
Job Title: Executive Director of The Amazon Leadership Initiative (TheALI)
Professional History
Mary Izobo is the Founder and Executive Director of The Amazon Leadership Initiative (TheALI). TheALI empowers women and girls, fosters inclusivity in leadership roles, and provides mentorship and education to alleviate gender inequality. She is an international human rights lawyer, gender equality advocate, and governance specialist.
Prior to starting up TheALI, Mary was the Legal Advisor of the African Peer Review Mechanism, an organ of the African Union, and has worked for the United Nations; the Institute for Strategic Litigation in Africa; and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa.
She is the recipient of several awards, including Africa's Top Legal Millennial - The Amazon of Women's Rights, for her work in promoting gender equality in Africa; a Certificate of Excellence as Futurist Activist by Transdisciplinary Agora for Future Discussions for her advocacy on human rights in Africa; an Award of Recognition as SPE Top Pathfinders for her honourable achievements as one of the 60 Pathfinders being celebrated as thriving women in the spirit of Nigeria’s 60th independence; and, a State Honors Award for Public Service for her outstanding contributions to the development of Kaduna State, Nigeria.
She is studying for her PhD in International Law and Governance at the University of Pretoria.
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts in French Language and French Literature - University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - University of Aberdeen, Scotland
Barrister at Law, Nigerian Law School Bwari, Abuja, Nigeria
Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights and Democratization in Africa - University of Pretoria; South Africa
Master of Laws (LLM) in Rule of Law for Development - Loyola University Chicago USA
Doctor of Laws (LLD) in International Law and Governance - University of Pretoria, South Africa (under way)
Programmes
2023 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow
