Resilience: A Marathon Not a Sprint

Friday, August 21 at EAT 5 p.m. / ET 10 a.m. / GMT 2 p.m.

Facebook Live

Reeta Roy, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation and Eliud Kipchoge, three-time Olympic champion and the “greatest marathoner of the modern era”, share their personal journeys and how building resilience has helped define their vision for a better world. The session will be moderated by Gogontlejang Phaladi.

Gogontlejang Phaladi

Gogontlejang Phaladi is a Pan-Africanist, social activist, feminist, and philanthropist based in Botswana. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Pillar of Hope Organization, which supports vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS, and the CEO of Swahiba, which provides leading technology and innovation solutions for human and social development. Gogontlejang is a former radio presenter and experienced moderator, having led plenaries at the UN General Assembly, African Union Summits, and the High-Level Political Forum.

Eliud Kipchoge

Eliud Kipchoge is a Kenyan long-distance runner who made history in November 2019 by running a marathon under two hours. He is a three-time Olympian, having won a bronze medal in Athens in 2004, a silver medal in Beijing in 2008, and a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Described as “the greatest marathoner of the modern era” and with his eyes set on Tokyo 2021, Eliud believes that a strong mindset is key to his success: “Anytime I face a challenge, I take it as a lesson. I don’t lose; I always learn.” He is an advocate for sport, believing it has the power to unite the world.

Reeta Roy

Reeta Roy is a thoughtful leader and an advocate for the world’s most vulnerable, Reeta has worked tirelessly to build a foundation that is collaborative and known for its lasting impact. During Reeta’s tenure, Mastercard Foundation has committed US$2.6 billion to education, skills training and financial inclusion programs, primarily in Africa. Those programs have reached 38 million people living in poverty, so they can improve their lives and the circumstances of their families and communities. A strong believer in listening, Reeta can often be found in the field, working directly with the people the Foundation’s programs serve. Reeta’s childhood growing up in Malaysia helped her to develop her capacity to listen and the empathy with which she approaches the Foundation’s work. Reeta was a beneficiary of scholarships that allowed her to complete her education and mentors continue to support her growth as a leader.