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Margo Thomas, PhD

DISRUPTIVE THINKER & THOUGHT LEADER

“A WORLD IN WHICH WOMEN AND UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ECONOMICALLY EMPOWERED.”

Throughout her extensive career, Dr. Thomas has worked across the globe, providing policy advice to over 50 national and sub-national governments on private sector development and inclusive growth in developing and transition economies.

Doing the work

Dr. Margo Thomas is a thought leader and catalyst for inclusive economic growth focusing on private sector development, business ecosystems, entrepreneurship and competitiveness.

My Blog

University of Maryland’s 2025 Elain Johnson Coates Award

It was indeed an honor to accept the University of Maryland’s 2025 Elaine Johnson Coates Award and to dedicate this award to my mother.

Maryland Smith Women Inspire 2022

Women Inspire showcases Maryland Smith’s fearless alumnae leaders excelling in business. This annual event celebrates women and seeks to inspire attendees and to challenge them to realize and reach their

March 2021 Women Know Global: Closing the Gender Gap in the Global Economy

Speaking Engagements

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

As she spoke we understood that we were learning from a gracious leader who, despite her expansive knowledge and experience, would not speak down to us but wants to help us push forward together. However, I was hooked before she said a word as a large swathe of rich gold lay just below her face in the form of an over-sized scarf. A person with the insight to employ such an audacious use of colour to connect with her audience with MUST be worth attention

"omg, thank you for organizing that call. That was insanely inspirational. Wow!"

"This was probably one of the most powerful, inspiring, and thought provoking discussions I have ever had the privilege to attend. Thank you Dr. Thomas"

"Inspirational , emotional, aspirational... I am blown by this woman (crying emoji)"

Margot worked tirelessly as head of the secretariat supporting the UN High Level Panel on Women's Economic Empowerment. She's got a great network and never seemed to sleep to make sure we delivered the impossible.

"This was probably one of the most powerful, inspiring, and thought provoking discussions I have ever had the privilege to attend. Thank you Dr. Thomas"

“Commitment & Integrity” is the phrase that best describes Margo Thomas. I have had the pleasure of working with Margo for 18 months, during which she headed the Secretariat of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Above all, I was impressed with Margo’s ability in persistently aligning different stakeholders and in creating the frame conditions for our Panel to excel and release two reports in just 6 months. Margo was a pleasure to work with. I would enjoy working with her again at any time.“Commitment & Integrity” is the phrase that best describes Margo Thomas. I have had the pleasure of working with Margo for 18 months, during which she headed the Secretariat of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment. Above all, I was impressed with Margo’s ability in persistently aligning different stakeholders and in creating the frame conditions for our Panel to excel and release two reports in just 6 months. Margo was a pleasure to work with. I would enjoy working with her again at any time.