Mary Gordon

Biography

Mary Gordon is recognized internationally as an award-winning social entrepreneur, educator, best-selling author, child advocate who has created programs informed by the power of empathy. In 1996, she created the Roots of Empathy program and international children's charity which now offers programs on three continents and in seven languages. In 2005, she created Seeds of Empathy for 3 to 5-year-old children in childcare.
Ms. Gordon is the recipient of many awards for innovation in education and social entrepreneurship, including being elected as Canada’s first Ashoka Fellow in 2002 and a Global Fellow in Stockholm in 2011. She is a BMW Responsible Leader for North America and an Executive Member of the Ashoka Global Board of Directors in Washington DC.
Ms. Gordon speaks and consults to governments, educational organizations, and public institutions, including the WHO, UN and UNICEF. She is often a keynote presenter or panelist, discussing the role of empathy in education.