Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Amala, a not-for-profit organisation that provides transformational learning to refugee youth around the world.

Polly Akhurst is the Co-founder and Co-Executive Director of Amala. This social innovation organisation has transformed the lives of over 6,000 refugee youth through accredited secondary and non-formal education. A passionate advocate for changing education systems, Polly has contributed to the OECD’s Education 2030 project and regularly writes and speaks publicly about the need for alternative education models. She brings extensive experience in organisational leadership, programme development, resource mobilisation, and partnership building. Polly is an alumna of St Hilda’s College, Oxford University, and of UWC Atlantic, where she serves on the Education Committee.