Holly Gordon is a strategic advisor and impact leader who has spent her career harnessing the power of storytelling to drive cultural change and collective action. Her work sits at the intersection of film, systems thinking, and cross-sector partnership—helping mission-driven organizations turn bold ideas into public momentum and measurable impact.
She previously served as Chief Impact Officer at Participant Media, where she led social impact campaigns for award-winning films including ROMA, Dark Waters, and American Factory, supporting outcomes that ranged from policy shifts and global awareness campaigns to civic engagement and movement building.
Holly is the co-founder and former CEO of Girl Rising, a global movement advancing girls’ education through storytelling, advocacy, and grassroots action. Under her leadership, Girl Rising reached millions worldwide and helped influence both U.S. foreign policy and community-based change efforts.
Today, Holly advises philanthropic and mission-driven organizations working at the forefront of environmental protection, education, and public trust. Her advisory work includes leading the Sean Connery Foundation, focused on investing in education and ocean conservation, and the Baszucki Group, which supports initiatives to improve human health and regenerate ecosystems.
Her early career as a journalist at ABC News shaped her belief in principled storytelling as a force for accountability and action. Across her work, Holly is known for building purpose-driven coalitions, aligning values across sectors, and helping leaders navigate complexity with clarity. She currently serves on the board of JUST Capital, is a Emeritus Board member at Girl Rising, and brings deep experience in narrative strategy to climate-focused systems change.