Giselle Gonzales, a former Amazon executive and founder of EqualReach, will speak on the main stage at the One Young World Summit in Munich on Thursday, November 6.
She will highlight how businesses can drive social change by outsourcing digital work to highly skilled refugees.
Ms Gonzales said: “With thoughtful procurement, businesses can double their social impact, make money and transform the lives of these highly skilled workers who are overlooked, instead offered often low paid jobs like cleaning.
“It’s a win-win situation because businesses receive expert digital services by providing life-changing income for refugees, enabling them to thrive and restoring their dignity, sense of inclusion and mental health.”
EqualReach connects companies with a vetted network of more than 30,000 displaced and local tech professionals, offering services such as website and app development and digital marketing.
The organisation is currently working with refugee led and supporting teams in 13 countries, including Palestine and several African nations, to match skilled tech workers with relevant opportunities.
Nearly half of the professionals in EqualReach’s network are women.
Susan Achiech, founder of Tech-Femme Algorithms, said: “We need more organizations that prioritize the well-being of displaced people, who deserve equal access to education and opportunities that empower them to rebuild.
“Technology can restore hope and open doors for young women in refugee communities.
“True empowerment begins when we see potential, not pity.”
Quentin Fayet, Global Changemakers Program Coordinator at Z Zurich Foundation, said: “Through our Global Changemakers Program, the Z Zurich Foundation is proud to collaborate with EqualReach, an inspiring initiative that shows how purpose-driven work can thrive within a sustainable business model.
“We have teamed up with EqualReach on several creative projects to support our charity partners, and have been genuinely impressed by the quality of their work.
“The results speak for themselves, a powerful reflection of their innovative approach and its potential to scale and deliver even greater impact.”
According to the UNHCR’s Global Trends 2025 report, a record 123.2 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide by the end of 2024.
The One Young World Summit will take place in Munich from Monday, November 3 to Thursday, November 6, and will bring together more than 2,000 young leaders from around the world to discuss solutions for topics such as education, the circular economy and responsible technology.
Keynote speakers include Sir Bob Geldof, Francoise Pienaar and Rio Ferdinand.