Women Economic Empowerment, Just Transition, Circular/Green Economy, Coach.

Women’s economic power is a crucial lever for achieving lasting societal change, and I am committed to making this a reality. Combining coaching expertise with technical knowledge, I drive meaningful transformation and contribute to a just and equitable society. My scientific background provides a deep understanding of the green economy, industrialisation and climate change, working within value chains to find opportunities for women and youth in the Just Energy Transition. By integrating my skills, I offer comprehensive support to women and youth at various levels.

With over 20 years in the development sector, I help women build confidence, navigate biases, and challenge unequal power dynamics and patriarchal systems. My experience in African rural areas, townships, and boardrooms equips me with a nuanced understanding of cultural norms and social dynamics that shape women's lives. A significant challenge women face is accessing finance, often hindered by gender-biased lending practices.


My work in South African townships emphasised the need for transformative change and understanding the diverse needs of women and youth. A notable example is the award-winning Ecocity project in Ivory Park/Tembisa, which I co-founded and managed. I leveraged my excellent funding skills to source resources from South African government schemes and international funding to provide start-up capital for small businesses, many of which were at least 51% women-owned and included young entrepreneurs. The focus was on building a just and green economy through sustainable energy, agriculture, waste recycling, green building and waste recycling.


At the policy level, I craft recommendations for meaningful change. My networking skills help me assemble strong teams, ensuring my programs deliver excellent results. Ultimately, my work aims to build a just and equitable society that fosters positive female and youth role models who drive change and contribute to a fair economy.

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Annie Sugrue, Director, MSc (WITS), BSc Hons (Trinity College Dublin